Lewiston mayor stands by his letter
Copyright © 2002 Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc.
LEWISTON — A letter by Mayor Larry Raymond aimed at slowing the influx of Somalis to Maine's second-largest city has sparked confusion and resentment among members of the immigrant community.
An estimated 1,060 Somalis have moved to Lewiston from elsewhere in the United States over the last 20 months, according to one city official.
In a three-page letter Raymond wrote, "This large number of new arrivals cannot continue without negative results for all. The Somali community must exercise some discipline and reduce the stress on our limited finances and our generosity."
Leaders of the city's Somali community planned to meet over the weekend to draft a response to the letter, which was sent to Somali leaders Tuesday and later released to reporters.
Members of Lewiston's Somali community planned to hold a news conference today and hoped to meet with the mayor early in the week.
"Some people think the letter is negative," said Said Tani, who co-owns a local variety store. "They say, 'He told us to get out of town.' I don't think it's negative. He's saying he needs some help. But we would like to have him clarify the letter."
Tani, who moved from Atlanta to Lewiston five months ago, said he wished the mayor had met with Somali leaders privately rather than going public.
Raymond said Friday that he is willing to meet with Somali leaders, but he insisted his letter speaks for itself.
"I don't know that I can be any clearer," the 71-year-old former probate judge said. "We're looking for people to give us a break here. We've done a great job trying to deal with the people that have come. There are thousands of other cities and towns where they could go. We can't take any more."
Raymond said he decided to write the letter because many Lewiston residents told him they are concerned about the city's growing Somali population.
"It has not been one cymbal crash. It's been constant comments all along," he said. "But everybody is so politically correct, nobody wants to say anything."
Since Raymond sent his letter, he has received dozens of supportive calls and e-mails, he said.
The letter comes at a time when Lewiston officials have been dealing with clashes between Somalis and other residents.
Somali students have been involved in recent fights at Lewiston High School, and three Somalis were charged with aggravated assault Thursday following an attack on another Lewiston man.
"Each time, the people involved say it's not racial. Witnesses say it's not racial," said Lewiston Police Chief William Welch. "There are some tensions among people who are competing for the same services and the same housing."
City officials estimate that about half of the 412 Somali adults living in Lewiston have found work, but many are receiving public assistance.
The city's general assistance spending has more than doubled over the last 12 months, and more than half of the $528,000 budget is expected to go to Somalis.
Officials in this one-time mill town are seeking additional state and federal funding to help Somalis assimilate. The federal Office of Refugee Resettlement has reallocated some funding for job training, language programs and social services.
In his letter, Raymond noted that fewer Somalis arrived over the summer than city officials expected. He said the city will continue to accommodate current residents as best it can. And he acknowledged that Somalis, as legal U.S. residents, have the right to move wherever they want.
But the letter concluded, "We have been overwhelmed and have responded valiantly. Now we need breathing room. Our city is maxed-out financially, physically and emotionally."
Raymond is unflinching when he talks about the letter.
"We've had a constant stream every month for over a year now," Raymond said. "Give us a break."