Following years of bullying, forcing personal agendas, and disregarding the needs of Lewiston citizens, voters are getting to see the true colors of some of our city councilors. Whether it’s Rick LaChapelle slinging insults at audience members, Robert McCarthy yelling to the point of turning red-in-the-face, or Lee Clement’s condescending dismissal of anyone he disagrees […]
Letters
Letters to the editor of the Sun Journal.
Ellen Grunblatt: Golden has acted with courage
We didn’t think it could happen in Maine and then it did, forcing Mainers to reexamine our convictions on gun safety. No one has done so more bravely than Rep. Jared Golden in his response to the mass shooting in his hometown. His stated commitment to work for an assault weapons ban after his previous […]
Mayor Carl Sheline: Take care of each other, Lewiston
On Wednesday evening, I was downtown attending the Lewiston Public Library’s trick-or-treat event when I saw two police cars hurdling down Lisbon Street at incredible speed. I had no idea our worst fears as a community were being realized, and how many of our neighbors would experience such deep grief and loss in the days […]
Lawrence Small: If we give politicians more money than the NRA …
It appears that the majority of Americans would like to see a ban on assault style weapons being sold to civilians and some kind of accountability for people who already own them. At some point (so I’ve been told) elected officials used to support the majority vote, but this hasn’t been the case for quite […]
Annie Roy: ‘We need to pray for this broken country’
I was born in Lewiston. I don’t recognize my country anymore. Weapons of war in bowling alleys and parades and schools. Active shooter drills in third grade. We used to grieve as a nation, now it happens so frequently we don’t even blink. Nothing changes. I feel hopeless. I shed tears for my grandchildren who […]
Malcolm Odell: When will Maine learn to enact stronger gun laws?
Are we surprised? Open and concealed carrying of weapons is totally legal, there is no ban on assault weapons, nor “red flag” laws to enable authorities to intercept and disarm the mass murderer before he slaughters innocent people. When are Maine and New Hampshire going to wake up and pass workable gun control legislation that […]
Lily Leeman: We owe justice to 18 people, and so many more
On June 7, 2022, I stood in front of my fellow students, teachers, lawmakers, and the eyes of the public pleading for lawmakers to take what I was saying seriously: gun control. I was in the eighth grade then and reacting to the tragedies of Uvalde, Texas. Now, I’m a sophomore in high school reflecting […]
Leslie Weinberg: Time to make your gun regulations far stronger
I live in Connecticut. We have very good gun regulations in the state. Years ago there was a shooting in Newtown at Sandy Hook Elementary School. Twenty children and 6 adults were killed. We now have automatic background checks, banned automatic weapons, and have red flag laws. I hope the shootings in Lewiston will make […]
Scott Berry: Shooting highlights shortcomings in mental health support
It’s truly disheartening to think that the Lewiston shooting suspect was hospitalized in June due to hearing voices and making threats to harm others and, yet, the system allowed him to be released without taking any steps to secure his firearms. It’s a stark reminder of the shortcomings in our society’s ability to provide the […]
Patty Baumann: Vote for candidates who oppose high-powered rifle sales
Another heartbreaking mass shooting. Thoughts and prayers are not working so well. For those of us who feel hopeless and helpless, try this … vote for a candidate who wants to stop the sale of high-powered rifles, or favors a waiting period. Stop voting for the cute candidate or one who shares your religion, or […]