I understand the current dilemma, favorable or not, concerning collegians at Bates College, many of whom are from out of state, temporarily residing in Lewiston and being eligible to vote in municipal elections.

Historically, the constituents and administrators at Bates represent themselves as mostly liberal (not implying “liberal” is a bad word) and Democratic. So, if that is the case, I ask, “Can Lewiston residents vote on the next president of Bates College”? How about voting on the college’s annual budget? Resident taxpayers live with their decisions all the time.

I would bet that I know more about Bates College than the students.

Nothing against Bates students. I see a few of them, once in a while, at a local restaurant, with professors and parents, solving the world’s problems. Lewiston has some problems, but it is not their world to save. They don’t have a job yet and aren’t paying local taxes.

If the students were to stay in Lewiston, wouldn’t there be an abundance of Bates alumni as residents, paying the modest real estate taxes everyone pays here in Lewiston? Does the college pay its fair share of taxes? Seriously, where are all of the local alumni? There are a few, but just a few.

Dan Chasse, Lewiston