I’ve been reading with interest the bitter debate between Bangor’s Bill England, director of the Shaw House, and Republican candidate for district attorney, John Richards.

After reviewing this diatribe I can see that England has a point because Richards has tried to take extreme cases of juvenile violence occurring in this country’s urban areas and apply them to rural Maine. That is indeed a case of appealing to fears and prejudices.

However, what is even more disturbing about the Republican candidate’s response is the vicious attack he has made against England, a person who has devoted himself to helping Bangor’s most disadvantaged youth. Bill is a person a district attorney needs to work with, not attack. England has been involved in city government, been a Republican candidate for Legislature and was the former chairman if the Bangor Republican City Committee. Richards, a Republican, needs to be able to work with his own party members, especially if he wants to be the chief prosecutor.

Fortunately, we already have a district attorney who is a team player. Chris Almy has consistently demonstrated that he is the right person for the job. He is a leader, not a divider. Let’s re-elect Almy as our district attorney. Michael J. Fiori Bangor