On May 6, Gov. Paul LePage toured the fire-damaged areas of Lewiston. According to the Sun Journal, he said that he wanted the community to work toward helping the victims before the state helps.

What does he think the community has been doing since the first fire?

There have been several fundraisers already, and many more scheduled, with the annual Tom Rowe Memorial Concert (proceeds going to the victims), a block party coming up at the Salvation Army on Main Street, Stuff-The-Bus drives, and many other programs — the community has been helping.

However, Lewiston-Auburn is not a wealthy area. The state has discretionary funds that can be used to help prevent more such fires, and get the people who have lost their homes into new apartments.

Maybe the governor needs to actually look at what is happening before he sticks his foot in his mouth.

Charles Clark, Auburn