Lewiston Somalis bewildered
Mayor's letter says no more immigrants
By KELLEY BOUCHARD, Blethen Maine Newspapers
Copyright © 2002 Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc.
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LEWISTON — Some Somalis are offended, others are confused, by a letter this week from Mayor Laurier Raymond asking them to stop coming to the city.
About 1,060 Somalis have moved to Lewiston from other parts of the United States since February 2001, according to one city official's estimate. About 280 Somalis, many of them former refugees, arrived this summer between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
Raymond's letter comes as Lewiston officials deal increasingly with culture clashes between Somalis and other residents. At the same time, officials in this former mill town of 36,000 people are seeking extra state and federal funding to help Somalis assimilate.
The letter also comes days after city officials in Holyoke, Mass., decided to ask the federal government to rescind a $1 million grant to resettle Somali refugees in their community.
Lewiston's Somali leaders plan to meet over the weekend to draft a response to Raymond's letter. They plan to hold a press conference on Monday.
While Raymond figures his letter is pretty clear, Somalis hope to meet with the mayor early next week to discuss his intentions in writing the letter.
"Some people think the letter is negative," said Said Tani, 41, co-owner of the Lewiston Variety Store on Lincoln Street. "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."
http://www.centralmaine.com/news/stories/021005somalis_.shtml
I like this title better.
Lewiston Somalis bewildered It's a mess, ozone. Glad I am way north. heheh!
Maine's economy is the poorest in the nation......we are 240 MILLION in the RED for the state budget, but oh Lordy! Let's take EVERYBODY in! WELFARE FOR EVERYONE!!!!!!