Dear Editor:

We have a great opportunity to stage a gubernatorial debate right here. Last week Gov. Paul LePage pulled out of a scheduled debate in Kittery, and he has declined one hosted by the Sun Journal in Lewiston for September, along with invitations by the Bangor Chamber of Commerce and MPBN. In each case, Mike Michaud follows. Independent Eliot Cutler has accepted all along.

Now that the governor and Mrs. LePage own a home in Boothbay, this region has the ideal chance to stage the very first debate. I encourage the chambers of both Boothbay and the Harbor to join with every organization in our region and invite all three candidates for governor to come here — perhaps to the Opera House — for a debate to be held in September. Their contacts are: LePage, governor@maine.gov; Michaud, through his website under “Invite Mike to Speak”; and Cutler, info@cutlerformaine.com.

In the last election the televised debates happened in October and are so scheduled this year, too. By October a quarter of Mainers had voted early by absentee. These voters never had the chance to see all three candidates speak.

Let’s be the changers this year to let all Mainers see and hear the candidates before any of us casts a ballot. Let’s bring them here, invite them now.

Sue Katzev
Southport