I'd like to set the record straight regarding issues raised in a recent letter to the editor, which said I called the acquisition of the Androscoggin Bank Colisée a "no-brainer" and alleges I attempted to stand in the way of its sale. Both statements are lies.

It is true that I voted in favor of acquiring the Colisée back when the issue was raised of the ownership's inability to follow through on their contract with the Lewiston Maineiacs. Had we not acquired it, we would have risked losing one of the visible bright spots in our community.

However, the "no-brainer" quote the author attributed to me was in fact made by a different city councilor. This was a very serious real estate and contractual matter; I would not have referred to it with a flippant remark such as that.

Regarding the sale of the building to Firland Management, I never publicly raised "objections" to the sale, which the author credited my electoral opponent with championing. I wasn't even a city councilor at that time. Again, it was a different city councilor objecting.

To make false accusations such as these is dangerous and misleading. Our city deserves more than being misled and uninformed.

Mark Paradis, Lewiston

Candidate for Mayor of Lewiston