I am writing in response to Lewiston’s Heritage Initiative.

I am worried about the people like me who live in the affected area. Many of us have low incomes, and it would be hard for us to relocate.

The city officials do not know anything about us, they only see statistics. They should not judge us until they have walked a mile in our shoes. We have no transportation, so we use the public bus system to get around. If we are relocated to another part of the city, this would make it difficult for my wife to get to her doctors and other appointments.

If we are relocated to another city, this would be even more difficult for us. My wife is unwilling to change her doctors because she has struggled to find the doctors she has now. It is truly hard to find good health care when you are on Maine Care. The city officials believe that most of the people living in the area do not stay for very long in one place. I would like to clarify this fact by letting people know that my wife and I have lived in this area for nine years and plan on staying if we can.

Many of my neighbors and I have talked about what could happen to us if the rents in Lewiston continue to climb and we are unable to afford another apartment. We will be forced to create a tent city in the park.

Fred Quimby, Lewiston

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