LEWISTON — As the campaigns roll on for and against the proposed consolidation of Lewiston and Auburn, there’s still plenty of opportunity for public input.

Following a formal debate held a week ago at the Lewiston Public Library, the City Council will host its public hearing on the consolidation agreement at 6 p.m. Thursday at the Lewiston Middle School auditorium. 

On Monday, Sept. 25, the second debate hosted by the Sun Journal will take place at the Auburn Public Library at 6 p.m.

Pro-merger campaign OneLA, and its opponents, the Coalition Opposed to Lewiston-Auburn Consolidation, ratcheted up their campaigns leading up to the formal debates, and have continued to trade arguments based on the costs and savings of a merger.

In between the debates, city officials in Lewiston will receive the final public input on the consolidation agreement, which includes the proposed city charter. Residents in both cities will make a final decision Nov. 7.

Thursday’s public hearing will present a more traditional format mirroring what would normally take place in the City Council chambers.

Both cities elected to hold their public hearings at larger venues. Auburn held its hearing at Central Maine Community College on July 31, where a few hundred people attended. 

Upcoming merger discussions:

• Lewiston City Council public hearing on consolidation agreement, 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 21, at the Lewiston Middle School auditorium.

• L-A merger debate hosted by the Sun Journal, 6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 25, at the Auburn Public Library. 

Still taking questions:

• The Sun Journal is still seeking questions from the public to be asked during the debate in Auburn. Send questions to Executive Editor Judy Meyer at jmeyer@sunjournal.com. 

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