Mayor Larry Gilbert and I have not always seen eye to eye on issues, but he has earned my respect and my vote.

He has always been willing to listen to all sides of each issue, and has always responded to my phone calls, e-mails, and requests for meetings.

In an age when many politicians believe that they know better than the people that they serve and ignore public input, Gilbert has actively sought the opinions of the people of Lewiston through his regularly scheduled “Breakfasts with the Mayor.”

I applaud him for his sense of fairness and the respect that he has given to any city resident who has asked for his ear on a policy issue.

It is this sense of duty to the public that sets Mayor Gilbert apart from many of his peers and I hope that Lewiston residents will join me in supporting him.

David Desjardins, Lewiston