AUBURN — The campaign against the proposed merger of Lewiston and Auburn will host a discussion Wednesday focused on the potential negative financial impacts of consolidation. 

Speaking at an event at noon at the Sixth Street Congregational Church will be Matthew Leonard, past president/CEO of the Lewiston-Auburn Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, and Robert Reed, chairman of the Lewiston Finance Committee.

A news release Tuesday said the pair will outline their positions, which focus on “the negative impacts that a merger would have upon the local economy, businesses and municipal budgets.” 

The opposition has argued against the findings of the elected Lewiston-Auburn Joint Charter Commission, which has said a merger would save money for both cities in the long term.

“Those of us who oppose a merger are very skeptical of the Charter Commission’s claims that a merger will result in budget savings for the two cities,” James Howaniec, chairman of the Coalition Opposed to Lewiston-Auburn Consolidation, said in the release. “To the contrary, we believe that a bigger government will result in bigger increases in taxes.”

The Sixth Street Congregational Church is at 109 Sixth St. in Auburn.

Jim Howaniec, chairman of the Coalition Opposed to Lewiston-Auburn Consolidation, speaks to the crowd during an anti-merger event in February. The group is hosting its next event Wednesday at noon at the Sixth Street Congregational Church in Auburn.