At the Feb. 3 Lewiston City Council meeting, Mayor Guay and the city leadership appointed 13 members to the newly created Central Maine Civic Center Advisory Board.

While I am sure every appointee is an outstanding citizen, many are individuals who do not reside in or pay taxes to the city of Lewiston. No matter how well the intentions of these individuals, this is another step in the erosion of local control over Lewiston tax dollars.

As a Lewiston resident and taxpayer, I must openly question the logic and wisdom of making appointments of non-residents to Lewiston city government boards. Lewiston and its hardworking taxpayers are the only municipality footing the price tag attached to the civic center.

Do not be fooled by any of the recent comments. This is Lewiston tax money footing the bill. Residents of Auburn, Greene, Sabattus, Turner and surrounding communities did not use their tax dollars to keep the civic center out of bankruptcy court.

Mayor Guay has repeatedly expressed his desire to have the residents of Lewiston become more involved and representative in the process. It is our duty to question our mayor and city leadership as to why giving advisory power over nearly $8 million in Lewiston taxpayer money to the non-resident members of this board is representative and involved local government.

Nathan McCarron, Lewiston