LEWISTON — As the campaigns roll on for and against the proposed consolidation of Lewiston and Auburn, there’s still plenty of opportunity for public input.

Following a formal debate held a week ago at the Lewiston Public Library, the City Council will host its public hearing on the consolidation agreement at 6 p.m. Thursday at the Lewiston Middle School auditorium. 

On Monday, Sept. 25, the second debate hosted by the Sun Journal will take place at the Auburn Public Library at 6 p.m.

Pro-merger campaign OneLA, and its opponents, the Coalition Opposed to Lewiston-Auburn Consolidation, ratcheted up their campaigns leading up to the formal debates, and have continued to trade arguments based on the costs and savings of a merger.

In between the debates, city officials in Lewiston will receive the final public input on the consolidation agreement, which includes the proposed city charter. Residents in both cities will make a final decision Nov. 7.

Thursday’s public hearing will present a more traditional format mirroring what would normally take place in the City Council chambers.

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Both cities elected to hold their public hearings at larger venues. Auburn held its hearing at Central Maine Community College on July 31, where a few hundred people attended. 

Upcoming merger discussions:

• Lewiston City Council public hearing on consolidation agreement, 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 21, at the Lewiston Middle School auditorium.

• L-A merger debate hosted by the Sun Journal, 6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 25, at the Auburn Public Library. 

Still taking questions:

• The Sun Journal is still seeking questions from the public to be asked during the debate in Auburn. Send questions to Executive Editor Judy Meyer at jmeyer@sunjournal.com. 

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