I am writing about recent events with the Lewiston City Council.

At the workshop about hiring a new administrator, the mayor said he asked the staff for a legal opinion. The City Charter states, “Neither the mayor nor members of council shall give orders to any subordinate of the administrator either publicly or privately.” The only ways to get an opinion are permission from the council president or a vote of the council. So we have a mayor who violates the charter, then hides behind it to try to appoint the committee.

The same methods were used by the mayor and five councilors when they terminated our previous administrator. The city attorney was at the earlier council meeting, and had drafted the motion to suspend the rules to enter into executive session. Who contacted him? And when?

There was no permission from the council president, no vote and the city administrator was not notified. If the attorney was notified and had time to write a motion, why wasn’t it on the agenda? According to federal and state law, the agenda needs to be posted in advance. Sunshine laws may have been violated. These laws govern over any legislative body of government.

The mayor and certain city councilors have clearly acted beyond their scope, possibly violating laws and will continue to do so if allowed. It is my belief this is the reason Jim Bennett was terminated. He would not allow this mayor and council to run wild.

Norm Boulay, Lewiston