Hallowell experienced extremist hate at the Sept. 11 City Council meeting. We were not alone. Unfortunately, Hallowell stands out because it took city leadership nearly two minutes of chaotic scrambling to mute the attackers. They also failed to record the Zoom meeting. In 2023 — after three years of practice — that doesn’t pass a straight-face test.

Hallowell needs a leader who understands the “new normal” and is equipped with the skills to meet these rapidly changing times. Maureen AuCoin is that leader.

At a subsequent council meeting, while city leadership proposed a Band-aid to an ongoing infrastructure problem, AuCoin advocated for a comprehensive plan to solve it.

Hallowell needs a leader who learns from the past, plans for the future, and acts in the present. Join me in getting Hallowell up to speed by voting for Maureen AuCoin for mayor on Nov. 7.

Juliette J. Guilmette

Hallowell