In the Oct. 9 edition, this newspaper ran a story announcing Jonathan Bush’s run for governor. In it, Bush pledged to “clean up” Portland. He claimed that “Portland should be livable for its residents.” 

I’m a Portland resident who attends choir practice from 7 to 9 p.m. each week at First Parish. Many people from Cape Elizabeth would consider 425 Congress St. a “dangerous” section of town — especially at night. I am here to say that it is not. If there is a popular event at the Merrill on a Monday night, I sometimes park on Cedar or Elm Street south of Cumberland. Neither I nor any of my choir friends have ever had a problem. 

On Sundays, we do have security at the church. I was on the governing board when this was instituted. We added security because of the Knoxville UU shooting that killed two people and injured six in 2008. A letter found in the vehicle of Jim David Adkisson, the shooter, attributed his motivation for the rampage to his ”hatred of liberals, Democrats, African Americans and homosexuals.” 

My church has run a warming shelter for the unhoused. We have a community dinner for our neighbors on the first Sunday of every month. And we welcome all who wish to worship with us. 
Portland doesn’t need to be cleaned up. Portland needs compassionate people to care about their fellow citizens.

John Schaberg
Portland