Disbelief was my reaction to Mayor Larry Gilbert’s appointing a committee to oversee the city budget process. I feel people who can, do. People who can’t, appoint committees.

Committees should be initiated to address new issues or innovations, not to do the work our city officials were duly elected to do. What a slap in the face to the city councilors, and not quite the “Let’s work together” impression Gilbert expressed after the election.

Of course, this could also be a way for Gilbert to distance himself from the proceedings and not have to face public scrutiny for whatever the outcome is – simply referring all complaints, comments, etc., to the committee. No broken campaign promises there.

If city government is going to have harmony during the upcoming months, Gilbert needs to show the same kind of respect to others as he would like to have himself. For example, the recent attack on Councilor Norm Rousseau was totally uncalled for.

You don’t tell a city councilor to “Get over it” (referring to the mayoral race) just because current actions are questioned. Rousseau is still the Ward 7 councilor, and needs to fulfill his responsibilities to his constituents.

Sounds to me like Gilbert is the one who needs to move on.

Gilbert should start acting like a mayor; work on unifying the council and drop the pompous attitude.

Jacqueline P. Smith, Lewiston