The recent article noting that the Lewiston-Auburn 911 Communications Center is the first in Maine and New England to be nationally accredited brought back my memory of how the original concept barely was approved by the Lewiston City Council.

In 1976, at a well-attended council meeting, the then L-A Chamber of Commerce endorsed the proposal and pledged to raise $10,000 from the business community for start-up expenses. That support and pledge, delivered by me as the Chamber president, resulted in Lewiston joining Auburn in the establishing of a 911 committee and operations center.

The funding was promptly provided by Chamber members and the final roadblock to a 911 system was removed. Prominent contributors included the Sun Journal, Northeast Bank, Ray Geiger, and the Harry E. Nason Co. More than 30 years have passed and our community now has one of the nation’s best 911 communications centers.

Ralph Tuttle, Auburn

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