In his letter (April 22), Jeff Levesque called into question my character and that of some of my colleagues in the Maine Legislature. His letter was full of disingenuous accusations and outright false statements.

Levesque took exception with a resolution I sponsored to amend the Constitution of Maine to exclude hunting and fishing laws from proposed citizens’ initiatives. He wrote that my position as a Maine guide posed a “conflict of interest,” despite his acknowledgment that the perceived conflict is “is legal under Maine law.” He accused me of hiding my status as a Maine guide from the people of Maine, even though that is clearly stated in my biography on the Maine House Republican website.

More than 300 residents of Sabattus and Greene asked me to submit that resolution. They believe that any laws governing our wildlife should be based on science not emotion.

Maine has a citizen Legislature. That means legislators all come from different walks of life, have different interests and hobbies and, in most cases, careers outside of government. We are placed on committees and submit legislation based on our experiences and interests outside the Maine Legislature.

This is the way a citizens Legislature is designed to operate.

Levesque is free to oppose the resolve or any other bill in the Maine Legislature. What I am not OK with is when anyone questions my integrity or the integrity of the men and women I serve with.

Rep. Steve Wood, Sabattus