LEWISTON, Maine — Frustration over the handling of Lewiston tragedy-related donations is continuing to grow, with musician Arlo West now publicly pressing for answers after nearly $7,000 raised at a benefit concert remains tied to a memorial effort that, more than two years later, has shown no visible progress.
West, along with Dennis Breau and Mark Miller, organized a benefit concert at the Franco Center following the October 2023 Lewiston tragedy. With the help of supporters, the event raised nearly $7,000, which West said was presented directly to the Lewiston-Auburn Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce for victims, survivors, and long-term community healing.
According to West, the organizers were told the money would support a permanent memorial. But with no visible monument, no public progress, and no meaningful updates, West said the group is now seeking a full refund so the money can instead be directed to Victims First, which he referenced as a direct-aid model.
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West expressed frustration to The Maine Wire on Monday evening during a phone interview, particularly as questions continue to mount around the status of the funds and the lack of public clarity.
In a separate public post, West said a message appeared online that was supposedly from Shanna Cox of the Lewiston-Auburn Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and was intended to clarify details about the donation to the One Lewiston Resilience Fund.
That post, West said, referenced the check presented after the Franco Center concert and appeared to address the money raised by fans for victims, survivors, and community healing. But West said he could no longer find the post on X and could not independently confirm whether it actually came from Cox or the Chamber’s official channels.
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West said that if the post did in fact come from Cox or the Chamber, he appreciated the response and the invitation to reach out directly. At the same time, he called for a public clarification so donors and community members can see the facts for themselves.
He specifically asked that any response be posted publicly, either on Facebook in reply to his original post or on X with a tag to his account, saying public comment would help reduce confusion and show accountability for restricted funds that were supposed to go toward commemoration, memorials, and healing.
West also emphasized that he, Breau, and Miller had no role beyond organizing the event in good faith and turning over what their community raised. He said the group is simply looking for clarity so the generosity of their supporters can be honored properly.
The growing concern follows other recent moves involving Lewiston tragedy-related money, including The Root Cellar’s decision to redirect more than $65,000 to direct victim aid through Victims First.
West’s message was pointed but measured, urging a constructive and transparent conversation. Still, the core issue remains unchanged: a benefit concert raised thousands in the name of victims and families, the money was reportedly tied to a memorial, and more than two years later, organizers say they are still waiting for answers.
