DEAR SUN SPOTS: Concerning the March 7 column, Bill McCarthy does not have his facts right concerning car dealerships in L-A. First off, my father ran Marcel Motors from 1960 to 1981.

Second, Marcel Motors only sold Dodge, Renault, AMC Jeep and, in the early 1960s for a while, sold Citroen cars. He may have sold almost every make and model of used cars, but he never sold Simcas.

Third, my father tells me that there was nowhere near 19 makes of cars sold on Park Street during the late 1940s and ’50s. So, Bill, get your facts right before printing them, yokel! — David Moore, [email protected]

ANSWER: Sun Spots showed David’s letter to Bill, who offered the following:

“First of all, I need to say my use of the word ‘yokel’ was in reference to the zany advertising campaigns that were used, such as the ‘Sticker Smasher,’ the ‘Turkey Talker’ and the guy who ‘lived at his dealership.’ I would never want to sully the reputation of a well-respected local businessman such as Marcel Moore, and since that tone was sensed by more than one person, I am offering my heartfelt apology to anyone who felt offended.

“Mr. Moore was also one of a half-dozen local people who brought my beloved Maine Nordiques of NAHL fame to Lewiston in the 1970s and at great personal expense, as they faced the same issues our current beloved Maineiacs are having at the box office. Without him and his partners, we never would have had high-caliber pro hockey. Who could forget our Captain Crunch, Allan Globensky, squaring off against ‘Gorilla’ Gilles Bilodeau of the St. George De Beauce Jaros? Those were, indeed, the days!

“I was fortunate to have a pleasant phone conversation with David this past week. He told me his father was alive and well in his 90s. I’m hoping I get to speak with his father personally.

“David also questioned my comments about the number of dealers on Park Street. He was correct to do so, and I thank him for that. I should have said late 1920s/early 1930s, not 1940s/early ’50s. I also should have said downtown Lewiston, as some were on Chapel Street and lower Lisbon Street. I know I counted 19 from ads in the Sun and Journal papers from that period.

“I looked at some of my personal auto ad collection and found the following:

1904: Russell Auto Station, 53 Middle St., sold Jacksons

1913-1916: R.A. Partridge, 88 Bates St., sold Wintons, Willys Overland and later Hudson

1917-1921: Lewiston Motors, 16-18 Park St., sold Maxwell

1922-1928: Lewiston Motors, 20-22 Park St., sold Dodge Brothers and Graham Bros trucks

1923: Carl Curtis’ Lewiston Buick sold Buicks

1925: Clifton Shaw, 48 Canal St., sold Willys Overland

1926: Clifton Shaw, 21 Chapel St., Willys and Whippets

1928: Clifton Shaw, 21 Chapel St., added Stearns Knight for sale

1930: Davis Cadillac, 21 Chapel St. (later at 35-37 Park St.), sold Cadillac, LaSalle and Oldsmobile

1924-1935: Portland Nash Co., 35-37 Park St., sold Nash

1934: Twin Cities Motors, 171-179 Park St., sold Dodge and Plymouth

1946: Twin Cities Motors moved to 26-30 Park St.

1921-1957: Victor Sacre, 72-74 Park St., sold Hupmobile, Pierce Arrow, Nash, Crosley and Chrysler

1920s: Levasseur Motor Car Co., 415 Lisbon St., sold Peerless, Chandler and Cleveland (this location later housed a Pontiac dealership)

“David also pointed out that Marcel Motors never sold Simcas, so I’m not sure where the local Simcas were purchased from. My 1905 Rand should have been a 1900 Rand & Harvey, which I confused with the Lewiston-built 1905 Field steamer.

“I hope this clears up any questionable parts of my original contribution.”

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I read your March 7 column “Reader seeking Jolly John dealership.” Bill McCarthy was referred to as being the “go-to man” when it comes to anything auto related. Perhaps you should have looked a little bit further and found someone with more knowledge and less colorful descriptions.

Instead of trying to poke fun at these men and their dealerships, you should have mentioned all the hard work and commitment it takes to run a dealership. Did you forget about all the people who were gainfully employed thanks to their businesses?

Perhaps I am a little bit sensitive on the subject because my father happens to be one of the men mentioned. How do you think I felt when I read the article and saw that you called my father a “local yokel”? He is still very much alive and read your column, too. Needless to say it was not appreciated. Perhaps your next column should be on how to write an apology. — Theresa Pare, Scituate, Mass.

ANSWER: Sun Spots is very sorry that you took offense. The word ‘yokel” (an old-fashioned term for a country person) was clearly a poor choice, but it was not meant to disparage either the dealerships or their employees. To the contrary, Bill is a big fan, which hopefully came across in his response to the previous letter.

This column is for you, our readers. It is for your questions and comments. There are only two rules: You must write to the column and sign your name (we won’t use it if you ask us not to). Please include your phone number. Letters will not be returned or answered by mail, and telephone calls will not be accepted. Your letters will appear as quickly as space allows. Address them to Sun Spots, P.O. Box 4400, Lewiston, ME 04243-4400. Inquiries can also be e-mailed to [email protected].