What do you get when 600 communities respond to an Internet posting by the National Civic League? That’s right! A taxpayer-funded vacation junket for selected local officials and their guests to participate in – right again – The All-American City Awards.

After spending a week watching reruns of the “Price is Right” your group, at taxpayers’ expense, will be whisked to Anaheim, Calif., to hopefully cheer the way to victory. Winners include local people on the junket, Anaheim’s economy, and anyone who can enhance their resume. Losers – the overtaxed Lewiston property owners.

This started when 600 communities downloaded an “All-American Award Application.” Seventy then participated in an online briefing. Fifty submitted applications, with 36 actually competing in the process.

Why did the others pull out? Perhaps they did not want their innocent children introduced to the world of political junkets. This, while Lewiston officials point to state and federal governments (no argument here) as the source of Lewiston’s current fiscal problems, all the while looking the taxpayers in the eye and pleading victim status.

Finally, city officials will argue that this trip will give Lewiston exposure and bring businesses here. Maybe. But wasn’t it the business tax structure that caused city hall to delay the recent property evaluations?

The question now becomes, can homeowners afford more businesses?

Don’t touch that dial. We’ll be back with the answer after a brief junket.

Robert E. Macdonald, Lewiston

Editor’s note: The city of Lewiston paid the up-front costs for the trip to Anaheim, but is seeking reimbursement from private businesses for the cost of the trip.