Regarding your article on a tenants’ union trying to form in Lewiston and the letter to the editor in response from Lisa Chouinard addressing the piece, July 19, I fully agree with all of her comments suggesting landlords do not have all the power, and her listing of procedures and situations that landlords have to deal with are exactly right.

During the last year, I have lost several thousand dollars because of two situations involving tenants and their ability to take advantage of the laws and to pay their rent according to the agreement that they signed before they even moved in to the unit(s) that they were renting.

Chouinard’s response to the statements of Dot Treadwell saying that tenants have no rights could not be better said. I gather that Treadwell did not take into account Pine Tree Legal Assistance Corp. located in Lewiston and that they not only help tenants by giving them advice, but also guide and represent the tenants through the court system and have a booklet that they give to tenants concerning their rights. Treadwell probably has not attended A Forcible Entry and Detainer Summons hearing in District Court, nor had tenants trash her property and deal with the expenses that follow.

As far as rights of either the landlord or the tenant, the best way to sum up the situation is directly related to the article and Chouinard’s response. Tenant Rights got front page coverage, landlord rights relegated to a letter to the editor.

Robert W. McCarthy, Auburn

Copy the Story Link