This is in regard to Bud Myers’ letter of Aug. 23. I also read [Allan] Ames’ letter [Aug. 16] and was glad someone had the courage to write about that rest area [north of Augusta]. I came home after stopping there in July and wrote a similar letter as Ames’ but just put it aside. However, I must respond to Myers.

I am from Bangor, have lived in Maine all my life, and have stopped at that rest area many times and found it always the same — filthy. And yes, Mr. Myers, I have stopped there many times when it is not tourist season, and it is still filthy. Have you ever stopped there? If you had perhaps you would change your tune.

I agree with Myers about no rest areas on I-495 as I have traveled that road also, but I have never seen any rest area as filthy as the one north of Augusta. It is unfair to blame tourists for that mess. If Maine residents pay taxes, participate in civic events and live up to their responsibilities as he suggests, why isn’t the rest area cleaned up? Let’s not blame the tourists for what is Maine’s responsibility: keeping their rest areas clean. Judy Foster Bangor