This is in response to Larry Gilbert’s letter “It was all rhetoric” (July 21).

Although, on paper, Lewiston’s mayors have very limited power, in reality, they create an environment at City Hall that mirrors their political beliefs.

It seems to me that Gilbert believes that city government exists to pander to the underclass, refugees and asylum seekers — at the expense of property taxpayers. Thus, little was done during his five-year term to address Lewiston’s welfare issues.

I campaigned with the promise to address welfare issues. Lewiston voters responded. The removal of 84 people from the city’s rolls sent a double message — that fraud would not be tolerated and, to legislators, that welfare fraud exists and needs to be addressed.

Robert Macdonald, Lewiston