As a councilor for the past six years, I have recently seen something that I haven’t seen in the recent history of Lewiston politics. While our local elections are, by charter, non-partisan, it is clear that they have actually become contests between liberal and conservative activists, each seeking control. This became especially clear this year as both sides worked to recruit and elect candidates to the council.

Every politician, even those running for the first time in a local election, comes to the table with their own beliefs and ideologies — and there is nothing wrong with that. Disagreement can often lead to dialogue, compromise, and better overall decisions. In my experience, decisions that are fully vetted, debated, and then adopted by a strong majority are often better than those initially advanced by one individual or one side or the other.

I am concerned that the level of polarization between right and left have potentially reached a new level, and this should concern not only me, but the entire community.

As new and returning councilors take up their offices in January, I urge them to listen to each other; strive to understand the other side; and work to cross ideological lines. Wisdom is not the sole province of the left or the right. And if they fail to do that, I call upon the entire community to demand that they work together with respect and in a spirit of compromise.

I know that everyone’s goal is to make our community a better place to live, work and raise a family. That goal can only be achieved by bringing the community together, not splitting it apart.

Mark Cayer, Lewiston

President, Lewiston City Council