I write in support of the proposed Lewiston-Auburn merger. As the former city attorney in Auburn, I believe there are potential benefits from a merger that haven’t been discussed. A merged city council would be less likely to be swayed in making decisions influenced by a single individual or group, such as when the Auburn […]
Lewiston and Auburn merger
Posted inLetters, sj-web
Give me some logical answers
I am surprised why no one has answered my question with all the talk of the merger. If anyone can give me some fair answers, I might consider voting “yes” But why haven’t the towns of Mexico and Rumford merged? Or the towns of Bangor and Brewer? Or Topsham and Brunswick? Waterville and Winslow? Just […]
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Posted inLetters, sj-web
This is one community
As this community has been my home for 80+ years, and I have children and grandchildren living here, I offer my opinion on the proposed merger. Historically, mergers make financial sense and come in waves. Banks, hospitals, insurance agencies and other industries all realize at some point in time that economy of scale accomplishes successful […]
Posted inLetters, sj-web
Three-fifths of a vote
Is “one person, one vote” being sacrificed for Auburn residents in the proposed L-A merger? “As much as possible” there would be an equal number of voters from each city in the cross-river wards, the proposed consolidation contract reads. There would be other wards with the remainder of voters, one with an exclusively Auburn voter […]
Posted inLetters, sj-web
An opportunity to achieve
Both sides of the merger debate will agree that high quality education is a must for the future of our children and economy. I believe that both Auburn and Lewiston do amazing work for students. We are asked to go well beyond teaching to providing stability in a child’s life. I support the merger because […]
Posted inLetters, sj-web
Significant labor costs
This is in response to Larry Gilbert’s letter (Sept. 27). I served on the Auburn City Council back in 2008 when Gilbert’s consolidation group presented its report. I came to quick realization that it was an effort to eventually merge the two cities. In reviewing the report, I saw that there was significant labor costs […]
Posted inLetters, sj-web
Merger a land grab by Lewiston
The proposed merger of Lewiston and Auburn is nothing but a giant land grab. Auburn, with its 44,928 acres, is nearly twice the size of Lewiston (22,464 acres). In 2016, Auburn had 5,868 acres of land classified as farmland, open space and tree growth, whereas Lewiston has only 943 acres. Auburn has always been a […]
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P. Sawyer: Merger was rejected
Recently, as I was reading through a paper that I wrote in college, I discovered that in 1870 there was a vote to join Lewiston and Auburn into one city. It was defeated by a vote of 530-373. Pat Sawyer, New Gloucester