In these times of sensitivity to matters of identity and culture, how can it be that the ultra-generic name “Riverfront” honors the meaning and significance of the gifts Franco Americans have given to Lewiston and the wider world better than “The Franco Center” does? While it has been argued that names are not important, anyone […]

I write in reply to a letter by John Neal of Greene (“Our Power initiative deserves Mainers’ support,” March 11). John’s letter condemns Central Maine Power for its recent “egregious and painful” rate hike. I feel it is necessary to disagree and point out to Mr. Neal and many other fellow Maine CMP customers that […]

As a Franco American and Lewiston native, I feel it my duty to the founding board members and to the Franco community to address the name change of the Franco American Heritage Center to “Riverfront.” Need I remind the current board of the $6.5 million raised as a way to preserve the Franco culture? Changing […]

While the decision of renaming the Franco Center rests with its board of directors, I wanted to share my thoughts as Lewiston’s mayor. Over the course of the past few months, my thinking has evolved on this subject. Ever since moving to Lewiston, I’ve known that the former St. Mary’s Church holds a special place […]

Recently, I heard from many members of the Lewiston community about the name change for the Franco American Heritage Center. This change of name did not take into consideration the voice of the community, and it apparently was not a full board decision, either. That was a big mistake, as this building is emblematic for […]

I was born and raised in Lewiston, left for the Navy in 1971, made a career, and stayed in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia. I’ve subscribed to the print edition of the Sun Journal for a year and switched to digital a number of years ago. So, I have the perspective of being away. […]

Renaming the Franco Center is wrong. Not because I am a part of the French community in Maine, but because I have so many colleagues, friends and family who are. The community created this incredible center and has maintained its beauty and ownership since 2000 as required by the agreement in place when they bought […]

I hope the Sun Journal isn’t paying too much mind to syndicated columnist Cal Thomas, because most of his words are virtually worthless. I say this because he refers to the New York Post for his facts. He might as well make reference to Fox News. Fox, or as I have always printed, faux news, […]

As far as I know I don’t have any French ancestors. If I did, I would be proud of it. I can’t imagine why anyone would want to change the name of the Franco American Heritage Center to Riverfront whatever. Lewiston is one of the, if not the largest, French communities in the state. Changing […]

I agree wholeheartedly with those who object to the “rebranding” of the Franco Center, even if the change involves only the addition of the rather inane “Riverfront” tagline. One statement in the March 14 article on the issue, “France weighs in on name change,” warrants attention. In defending the alteration, the current president of the […]