I was somewhat amazed to read in the Sun Journal recently someone seriously suggesting parking meters. I’m surprised that anyone would even consider it.

It is said that history tends to repeat itself. It is obvious that whoever made the comment is not a history buff – or may be too young to have witnessed the demise of downtown Lewiston.

At one time, Lewiston was a “go-to” place for central Maine, and Lisbon Street was wall-to-wall traffic. A suggestion to cover over the canal (or portions of it) took off like a lead balloon.

Good times would never end! Then a serpent entered that Garden of Eden – the parking meter. From then on, it was all downhill.

The country folks, to whom the shops were like a playground, loved to price everything in the stores. They were soon disenchanted as they left the store to find their old car festooned with parking tickets. Guess where those people went when the big box stores started invading outlying cow pastures?

As a resident of Auburn, why should I be concerned about Lewiston? The answer is simple: I’ve been a resident of both communities, and worked in both. If someone in Lewiston stubs his toe, someone in Auburn is apt to say “ouch.”

Like it or not, the two cities are an entity. Let’s complete the operation.

Archie R. Travers Sr., Auburn