I believe that Rep. Ted Koffman is off base in pushing for Rep. Tom Saviello to leave the Natural Resources Committee. I’ve never gotten so much as a whiff of any conflict of interest on Saviello’s part. In fact, I believe he’s done an admirable job of avoiding even the appearance of any conflict, as evidenced by the fact that former DEP Commissioner Dawn Gallagher had to resign, not Saviello.

Saviello doesn’t even represent me directly, as I live in Auburn. However, I believe he does a good job of representing papermakers, other business people and anyone who works for any business in the state.

If Koffman thinks Saviello presents the appearance of a conflict of interest because he is on the Natural Resource Committee and also works as the environmental manager for International Paper, then why isn’t Koffman consistent? Consistency would demand that he call for Rep. Jane Eberle to leave that committee. After all, she’s a board member of the Natural Resources Council of Maine. It seems like she presents the appearance of a conflict of interest, too. Could it be that Koffman believes only members of organizations such as the NRCM should have a legislative voice?

I hope Saviello sticks to his guns and stays on the committee. This state needs such legislators, who will apply the proper mix of science, business sense and the best interests of the citizens of his district and the state of Maine.

Larry R. Gilbert, Auburn

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