Once again our city fathers have taken a step back in time in the name of progress.

The recent actions of the Lewiston City Council, at the urging of city staff, to return outer Lisbon Street to a two-lane highway with a turning lane seems counterproductive. Instead of looking to the future and the need for better access into the city to spur good development, they are willing to jump hoops in order to attract businesses that will only bring more minimum wage jobs to our area.

Are their memories so short as to forget the road improvements that needed to be done in order to get the Wal-Mart distribution center here? Why on earth would other companies of that caliber look to relocate to Lewiston when we are not ready to move into the 21st century?

Decisions are always made so hastily that not all options can be explored.

For example, look at the problems we’ve had with Main Street.

And, does anyone remember what happened when lower Lisbon Street was narrowed – in the name of progress? The area almost died. Businesses moved out, not in. It’s taken 20 years to breathe new life into that area. Do we want to wait another 20 years to modernize still another part our city?

It’s unfortunate that no one seems to realize it’s always an uphill battle to regain what we have given up.

Jacqueline P. Smith, Lewiston

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