Like one of our great presidents said, “Knock down that wall.”

Well, Lewiston residents say, “Knock down that mill.”

Bates Mill No. 5 has been a dead elephant for 14 years. Lewiston residents think it is starting to smell. Fourteen years of wasted money is enough. The city is losing money with the Androscoggin Bank Colisee and Mill No. 5.

The previous city council created a task force a year ago. It did what it could and worked hard. Now, the city council is doing the right thing by disbanding the task force.

As Lewiston City Councilor Denis Theriault pointed out recently, Mill No. 5 is old and would need more than $30 million to $40 million to redevelop it. Dream on.

I believe that could turn out to be a nightmare.

I like the way the new council is taking the bull by the horns. There is no need to do any marketing for private development at a cost of $200,000 or more. The council has to stand up and do the right thing. We can thank the architects, but Lewiston residents don’t believe in preserving that building.

It should be knocked down and preparations made for development.

I watch the councilors’ meetings on Tuesdays, and I like what I see. I think they are doing a great job. I think the people of Lewiston will appreciate that their councilors are looking to keep taxes down and cut wasted investments.

Bob Morin, Lewiston

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