As the Lewiston City Council president for the past four years, I am proud to endorse Councilor Kristen Cloutier in her bid for re-election.

Cloutier has stood out as a leader willing to cross party lines to better serve the interests of Lewiston since the beginning of her term. She advocates constantly for the taxpayers of Ward 5, without exception. Without her leadership, this council likely would not have approved a budget that reduced the municipal side of the tax rate.

She also recognizes that the way out of poverty is to help individuals become successful and, to that end, she has organized local leaders in roundtable discussions to identify ways to help residents find meaningful training and employment.

Lewiston doesn’t need leaders who talk in sound bites and foster closed-mindedness. We need local leaders who will bring this city into the 21st Century — leaders like Kristen Cloutier.

Mark Cayer, Lewiston