When I read the headline about the steeple lighting of the Franco-American Heritage Center I felt nauseous (Feb. 3). It was so misleading and left one wondering if we were ready to close due to lack of money to pay our bills. This is not the case at all and I want to clarify what really happened so that the community is reassured that we are alive and well.

This story begins three years ago when an individual approached us saying he would take charge of raising money to light the steeple so that we could illuminate one of the grandest structures of the city. The board of directors agreed to this and so the lights were purchased. The city then installed them on Central Maine Power poles and the lights were connected to the city’s grid. The center was paying the city for the kilowatt hours used.

After approximately a year and a half of this arrangement we were notified by CMP that our lights had been installed on two of their poles and that this was not permitted. They asked us to remove the lights from those poles and we did. They also notified us that the city was selling electricity to us and that this was illegal.

In no way were we taking taxpayers’ money to pay for our lights. We were paying the city for our share of the bill. When the city was notified by CMP that they were doing this illegally, the city had to stop selling us the electricity. The only solution available at this time was to reconnect the lighting system to the same grids as the street lights and, because the city was not able to collect from a third party, the only course of action was that the city would absorb the cost.

The city council, I believe, was not well informed as to the prior arrangements and not aware that it was the city in the first place that put the lights on the wrong poles and that it was the city that told us they would simply bill us to be on their grid. This was a win-win situation for both parties and not at taxpayers’ expense.

When we asked CMP about the rates if the lights were to be on our own poles, the rate would be triple what it was through the city. In an effort to keep the budget balanced and continue lighting the stunning and iconic steeple we asked the city to pay for the electricity since they cannot sell it to us. This would save the center $3,000 to $4,000 a year.

The Franco-American Heritage Center has become one of Lewiston’s most beautiful landmarks, bringing arts and culture to the area. It was also saved from demolition and has been restored to one of the most beautiful historic buildings in the city. It is a place that is affectionately known as the “Heart” of Little Canada where the large Franco population of this city and its thousands of Canadian immigrants are being remembered and honored. The former church is a treasure to this community it is a true asset and a beaming light representing the city’s history and heritage. Our doors are open to everyone.

The center provides numerous jobs to artists on a year-round basis and it brings economic dollars to the community. It would be very beneficial to all if the city council would acknowledge and recognize this and what the center brings to the people of L/A and the state of Maine.

As a nonprofit organization, it will always be necessary to depend on the financial support of the community. The progress that has taken place is clearly an indication of the hard work and dedication of the many volunteers, dedicated staff and generous benefactors committed to leading us toward a bright future.

The Franco-American Heritage Center is strong and healthy. We are a shining light in the community and plan to continue being so for many generations to come, hopefully with the help of the city.

I want to thank Councilors John Butler and Ron Jean for understanding our situation and for promoting the value of the center. It is unfortunate that the article did not reflect the very positive comments they made in an effort to win our case.

This letter is intended to shed a clearer picture of what the Sun Journal reported and to tell the full story behind the misunderstanding that might exist due to the Feb. 3 article. The Internet version had a more appropriate header; sadly, it was not used in the print edition.

Rita Dube is executive director of the Franco-American Heritage Center. Raymond J. Lagueux is chairman of the center’s board of directors.