I am writing this to voice a concern. The recent turn of events in the world, beginning with Sept. 11 and continuing through the strong European Common Market, the weak dollar, and the fact that nations of the world, once dependent on goods from the United States, have come of age, is reason to worry.

Therefore, I would advise the Lewiston City Council and Lewiston city administrators to err on the side of caution in regard to future expenditures of Lewiston public taxes.

Example: The renegotiations of the Bates Mill exit strategy. The guaranteeing of public funds for the Wal-Mart distribution center with tax exempt incentive financing and other TIFs, the enlarging of the public library. The acquisition of the Central Maine Civic Center (Colisee) and debts, and the infrastructure for the Oxford Networks project are all apt to place a burden on Lewiston’s public tax base in the future.

That doesn’t even include the referendum question to be voted upon as to a statewide property tax cap and state funding for schools in the future.

Therefore, I would urge that the Lewiston City Council and city administrators err on the side of caution as to future spending of Lewiston public tax dollars.

Charles A. Soule, Lewiston

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