The Oct. 3-4 weekend edition of the BDN ran a letter from an individual drawing parallels between Michael Heath’s departure from the Christian Civic League and his new position in Washington. As a staff writer for the league, I cannot let those words go unchallenged. Much of the controversy over the past several months has revolved around the demand for important financial information by the Finance Committee’s chair. Nowhere have I seen reported that among the papers and information demanded were sensitive membership lists, contribution lists (including the names and donations of persons who have asked to remain anonymous), and other information which should not have left the premises. It has not been reported that three individuals from the Finance Committee charged into the League headquarters in Augusta while Heath was out of town and began going through records, walking away with volumes of unauthorized photocopied documents. When asked to return these documents, they refused — even when told they could have copies of appropriate documents once the unauthorized papers were returned.

Michael Heath is a humble man of integrity who has quietly turned the other cheek. He has been offered the opportunity of a lifetime to work with a national organization with high standards and which stresses family and morality. The people of Maine are losing an outstanding lobbyist and spokesman for conservative causes. He will be missed by many. Those who have known him know he leaves with a clear conscience. Those who do not know him may choose to believe the worst, or more likely, they will shrug and turn their attention to the next news headline. Cyndee Randall Research and Project Development Director The Christian Civic League of Maine