Auburn residents might be required to pay a “rain tax” if the proposed merger with Lewiston is passed. The “rain tax” is a stormwater runoff fee that residents of Lewiston are currently required to pay. The fee makes more sense in Lewiston because of the higher number of untaxed non-profit properties located there (including Bates […]
joint Charter Commission
Posted inLetters, sj-web
Make bold decisions
Most Lewiston-Auburn citizens agree with the Joint Charter Commission’s analysis of the challenges that the community faces. The anti-merger folks simply do not like the merger as a solution. While rejecting the merger, there have been no anti-merger ideas or solutions to improve the challenges Lewiston-Auburn faces. If we all recognize the same problems, isn’t […]
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Posted inLetters, sj-web
Understand the true costs of merger
As a member of the committee opposed to the current Lewiston Auburn merger proposal (COLAC), I have been challenged on several occasions to provide details as to why I believe the Joint Charter Commission/CGR report is inaccurate. While this space does not provide enough room to detail each item, consider just three factors missing from […]
Posted inLetters
Savings might not materialize
When a politician wants to dress up a course of action for the voter, a common tool is to offer spectacular cost savings as a sweetener. Everyone tends to pay attention. The Joint Charter Commission and its newly announced political arm are running around Lewiston-Auburn talking projected cost savings of some $2.5 to $4 million […]
Posted inLetters, sj-web
In rebuttal: Walker wrong about LAEGC
This is in response to Leroy Walker Sr.’s guest column (March 19) regarding his thoughts as it relates to the Joint Charter Commission’s vision for Lewiston and Auburn. I certain respect his thoughts regarding the commission’s vision, however, I disagree with Walker’s comments regarding the Lewiston Auburn Economic Growth Council. I was executive director of […]
Posted inOp-Eds, sj-web
Merger would increase taxes in both Lewiston and Auburn
The Lewiston-Auburn Joint Charter Commission has decided that it wants to move historic Lewiston City Hall to Auburn. It wants the citizens of Auburn to take on Lewiston’s “rain tax” and welfare costs. It wants the people of Lewiston to take on the dilemma of a crumbling Edward Little High School and the repair of […]
Posted inOp-Eds, sj-web
Make city government more efficient
There are few guarantees in life, but if you are sure you cannot do something, you are right. Our vocal opposition was sure that merging Lewiston and Auburn won’t work even before we got organized. The glass they hold is always half-empty. Clearly, the Lewiston and Auburn Joint Charter Commission has been conditional with words […]
Posted inOp-Eds
Joint Charter Commission’s presentation was short of facts
I recently joined about 100 other residents at the Franco Center in Lewiston to listen to the Lewiston-Auburn Joint Charter Commission present its findings about merging our two great cities. As a Lewiston City Councilor and a member of the Coalition Opposed to Lewiston-Auburn Consolidation, I worry that what was presented at the meeting may […]
Posted inLetters
Put an end to merger idea
I am responding to Elliott Epstein’s column, “Merger decision deserves weighing of facts (June 26).” In the column, Epstein arrogantly bemoans the fact that the Auburn mayor and city council have voted to cut off cooperation with the Lewiston-Auburn Joint Charter Commission’s crusade to merge the cities of Lewiston and Auburn. There has been absolutely […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
Lewiston-Auburn This Week
Monday, July 6 LEWISTON — Magician “The Great Stephan,” 11 a.m., Callahan Hall, Lewiston Public Library, free. Stephan is one of Maine’s most requested magicians, performing his comedy and magic all over New England. LEWISTON — Finance Committee meeting, 5:15 p.m., in the Administrator’s Conference Room on the bottom floor of City Hall. Topics include bids for […]