I was disappointed to read about One City Center’s decision to boot Portland High School students from their atrium and food court, citing poor behavior by a few students (Feb. 14). This is a ham-fisted approach and smacks of elitism.

As Bob Keegan, the property manager, pointed out, this is a small handful of students’ behavior, not the majority. He claims they can still patronize the lunch counters, but cannot eat their lunches inside. In winter. In Maine.

A more nuanced approach would have been to contact the school principal and explain the problem to see about crafting a solution, rather than force students out of a popular spot that is an important piece of downtown’s gathering space, especially in winter months.

We are lucky to have one of the nation’s oldest schools still located downtown. We should work to preserve this tradition, not foster hostility. Along with the students who were quoted in the article, I, too, will avoid purchasing lunch there until this ban is lifted.

In the meantime, I hope that Mr. Keegan can reach out to Portland High School and work out a solution before too much harm befalls his important tenants.

Twain Braden
Peaks Island

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