This is a response to Barbara McAllister’s letter, printed Oct. 3.

Her cherry-picking summary of my letter (Sept. 28) is a deliberate attempt to place a positive spin on an irresponsible fiscal privilege bestowed on Rep. Margaret Rotundo and other members of the Legislature.

Their “bare bone” state budget resulted in local hospital layoffs and created a climate of uncertainty among those still employed.

Now we find some meat remained on the bone. Rather than paying down Maine’s growing debt, legislators decided that funding for constituent public relations literature was a greater priority.

McAllister’s letter also fails to address whether these mailings, at this time, violate the spirit of the Clean Election Laws. McAllister’s statement that she types “letters on my own time” for Rotundo brings up the question — are these letters driven by sincerity or to garner votes?

Lastly, McAllister takes issue of my questioning Rep. Rotundo’s legislative competence. I would suggest readers take a hard look at Lewiston and Maine and make their own decision.

Perhaps Rep. Rotundo could clarify her actions through a letter, from her, not a surrogate, to this paper.

Robert Macdonald, Lewiston