Candidates for mayor everywhere promise to attract new businesses and support existing businesses in their communities. What makes Ben Chin’s promise to promote businesses in Lewiston believable is that he is not simply promising to be supportive. He has held serious discussions with local entrepreneurs about the obstacles they face and the steps the city could take that would really help them.

He has examined the resources that the city can make available to owners and starters of small businesses. And he has developed a thoughtful plan to triple the size of commercial loans the city can make and to expand the retail and cultural renaissance of Lisbon Street and extend it to the whole downtown and across the whole of Lewiston.

Ben Chin has the leadership skills to realize that vision.

James Parakilas, Lewiston