Lewiston is screaming toward a major decision, rushing headlong into an arrangement that could haunt the city for decades and cost taxpayers at least $4.6 million and maybe much more.

Of course, things could work out fabulously and the city could break even or maybe make a little money, although we are skeptical at this point.

Either way, things are going way too fast.

The City Council met in executive session Sunday night to discuss a takeover of the Central Maine Civic Center. It plans to vote tonight on a deal to buy the arena from Roger Theriault and assume responsibility for the center’s debt and day-to-day operations.

The civic center is home to the Maineiacs, a semipro developmental team that moved to Lewiston this season and is affiliated with the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.

The Maineiacs are a great addition to the city. They bring an exciting brand of hockey with rising stars to Lewiston and give the business community a boost by bringing fans – and visiting teams – downtown.

The team is also the prime motivator behind the haste. League rules mandate that a team announce its intentions to move by Jan. 31. If the city does not take over the Civic Center, the team intends to move.

Even if the city does take over, the Maineiacs could still move if attendance does not improve by several hundred spectators a night.

Risk is inherent when government goes into this type of business. The more established civic centers in Augusta and Portland manage to break even, and Bangor operates at a loss. It doesn’t take a long memory to recall with trepidation the city’s entanglement with the Bates Mill Complex and its costs to taxpayers.

Too often we find ourselves forced to make major decisions with little time for consideration or public input. There’s always a deadline, a reason to cut corners and decide now, today. That’s not a good way to do business.

Slow and steady should rule the day when it comes to long-term commitments worth millions of dollars.
George Simones
The patriarch of Simones’ restaurant, George Simones, died Saturday, but he have left his mark on Lewiston and its politics.

Simones was 85.

After World War II, Simones returned to Maine to run the family hot dog stand. But such a simple moniker does a disservice to the downtown eatery that has grown into a landmark for its high-spirited, political debate.

A hot spot for local politicians – and pols and media types from away looking for a taste of the community – Simones’ restaurant is a who’s who of famous visitors to the city. On any given day, movers and shakers can be found arguing over taxes or slot machines or national politics, all the while having lunch in a friendly, welcoming environment.

Officially, George Simones retired in 1982, handing the business off to his son, James. But he could often be found sitting at the counter, enjoying lively discussions on the topics of the day.

Simones ran a hot dog stand, but he built an institution.


[email protected]