It must be challenging to be in the newspaper business in Lewiston, Maine — each day hustling to ferret out stories to grab the public’s attention to keep the circulation going.

It must have been a slow news day on Aug. 21; case in point, the Aug. 22 Sun Journal editorial, “Kennedy Park pool looking like a swamp.” Had the writer included the facts, of which she was well aware, the piece would have been no more than page filling.

Here are the facts: The annual pool coverage was delayed, as the company hired to close the pool and prepare it for winter could not undertake the work until a week after the pool closed for the season. Employees who would have then installed the cover were preparing for the Great Falls Balloon Festival. As such, the pool cover installation was scheduled for Aug. 22, and it was, indeed, completed on that date.

In addition, as a safety measure, the pool continues to be enclosed by an eight-foot-high gated/locked fence.

Especially egregious was the editorial’s racial tone. Why did the writer focus on “black” children? I assure you that Lewiston officials are concerned about the safety of all children, regardless of their skin color.

The editorial served only to supply ammunition to those seeking to perpetuate uncomplimentary urban legends directed toward Lewiston.

Lastly, the Sun Journal owes an apology to Lewiston residents; to those entrepreneurs who continue to invest their lives and fortunes supporting Lewiston as an evolving, vibrant city; to municipal officials; and to city staff.

Robert E. Macdonald, mayor of Lewiston

Editor's note: On Thursday evening, Aug. 23, three youngsters between the ages of 7 and 10 years old were removed from inside the pool area. The boys had climbed over the eight-foot-high gated/locked chain link fence.