Concerning NewPage’s request for a tax reduction from the town of Rumford: Yes, there is a concern that local business owners will cry foul.

Yes, there is a concern that all property taxes will go up.

Yes, there is a concern that there is more than meets the eye concerning logistics and possibilities — that we can’t do this and we can’t do that.

Instead of centering on what we can’t do, we must center on what we can do.

So what is this town willing to face? Years and years of lower taxes paid by the mill, or years and years of no taxes paid by the mill, along with the loss of hundreds and hundreds of jobs?

How loud will business owners cry foul then? How loud will property owners wail? No jobs, no customers or clients. Property taxes will hit the roof then, for sure.

There is no question as to where this should be heading. It is not a matter of if, but how and how soon.

This is well beyond my scope and it is obvious that this is a daunting task for everyone involved, but it must be done.

David T. Theriault, Rumford