Everyone is entitled to an opinion. Deborah Allen’s letter (Oct. 16) is partly right. There has been an improvement in Lewiston during the past few years. As a citizen, I have enjoyed seeing the partial transformation of the city.

However, her opinion about a casino differs most from the opinions of the Bangor police chief, Ron Gastia, city officials and local business owners interviewed in an article (Oct. 16).

According to the chief, “The overall crime rate has nothing to do with the casino.” The overall crime rate in 2010 dropped to 57 — the lowest since Hollywood Slots opened in 2005. According to local business owners, every place is “packed with people walking up and down the streets of Bangor.”

Please tell me what is bad about that scenario?

Even Chief Gastia has admitted being “mistaken” about his fear of an increase in crime.

Let’s have faith in our fellow man. Let’s stop being naysayers and let’s work together to clean up Lewiston’s downtown Main Street. What an improvement that would be.

For the record, I have been to casinos three times in my adult life, twice out of state and once to Bangor.

People should stop focusing on gambling addictions. Those who are addicted to gambling will gamble elsewhere.

A large and important part of Lewiston can be cleaned up.

I hope others will join me in taking a step forward and vote “yes” on Question 3.

Rachel A. Cyr, Lewiston