As citizens of Hallowell, we should all give our strongest support to mayor George Lapointe for his utmost dedication to the city’s diversity and for the innumerable hours he has donated to make it a more welcoming and tolerant place. He has always been open to everyone whatever our race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, or political creed.

For example, he and his wife Hillary have dedicated themselves to helping new immigrant families. He is committed to making the city more pedestrian and age friendly. He is collaborating with Augusta to make Howard Hill and the Effie L. Berry Conservation Area handicapped accessible. He has also volunteered hundreds of hours to enhance the Granite City Park.

It is utterly shameful for a citizen of ill will to have cornered him in a particularly sly way to create havoc. The Kennebec Journal story on July 10 indirectly implies that the mayor is making the city more dangerous for certain groups (“Hallowell mayor apologizes for ‘militancy’ comment aimed at local Pride Alliance”). Nothing could be further from the truth. It is time to bury the hatchet and recognize the longstanding commitment of our mayor to diversity and the vitality of our community.

Sylvie Charron

Hallowell