Ward 1 candidate Jim Lysen is exactly what he appears to be — a sincere, positive and thoughtful man of integrity who cares deeply about our community, and has shown so throughout 30-plus years of dedicated activity.

One of Jim’s greatest strengths — and something this community most needs right now — is an extraordinary ability to work constructively and respectfully with all people to forge realistic solutions to real problems.

Lysen has always served the community, first as the city’s planning director and then as executive director of St. Mary’s federally-qualified health system. These jobs have enabled him to understand the experiences of real people and to respond courageously and effectively to their concerns from both within and beyond municipal government.

Lysen is the best candidate for Ward 1 to act as a bridge between Lewiston’s hard-won past, its challenging present and its rising future.

I will be voting for Jim Lysen.

Stephen Kottler, Lewiston