I chose to move back to Maine for personal reasons, but I choose to continue to live in this community because I am invested in the future of my neighbors, my coworkers, and my friends.

I believe in One LA because I believe in the potential of this community. People here have the courage to do the hard work. We have the heritage and the work ethic to pick ourselves up by our boot straps and admit that the current system — as it stands — is not working. I want to see this community succeed and I want to be part of a city on the rise.

I hope that others will join me in making a similar declaration for the future of this community by saying yes to smaller, smarter government, more economic opportunities, more educational options and more of a say in Augusta for the citizens of a combined Lewiston-Auburn.

I am all in. I am invested. That is why I am voting “yes” for a combined Lewiston-Auburn.

Kristy Phinney, Auburn