Bewildered by op-ed about Susan Collins and The County | Letter

Caribou resident challenges September op‑ed on Susan Collins

CARIBOU, Maine – A letter to the editor from Caribou native Tim Guerrette has called into question the accuracy of a September 6 op‑ed published in the Press Herald that criticized Senator Susan Collins’ ties to the county. The letter, which appeared in the paper’s “Featured Letter” section, argues that the op‑ed, written by Tommy Pinette, contains several factual errors about the Collins family and their business.

Guerrette, who has lived in Caribou all his life, said he could not locate any public record of Pinette and felt “unbelievable” at the lack of verifiable information. “I have known the Collins family for years,” he wrote. “None of the Collins children attended private school.” He added that he had personally witnessed the children receive diplomas at Caribou High School, a detail he said the op‑ed misrepresented.

The letter also disputes a claim about the family’s lumber business. Guerrette clarified that S.W. Collins operates as a retail lumber and home‑goods store. “It does not own the trucks or the land where the wood comes from; it purchases lumber and resells it,” he wrote. He emphasized that the family’s business model is that of a typical reseller.

Beyond correcting what he sees as inaccuracies, Guerrette highlighted the Collins family’s local generosity. He noted that the family has allowed him to park his cabbage stand at one of their store locations over the years. “They are nothing but good people,” he said, and expressed gratitude for their support.

Guerrette concluded by urging the Press Herald’s editorial team to conduct more thorough fact‑checking before publishing pieces that could defame individuals or families. “This piece was inaccurate and unfairly disparaged a wonderful family,” he wrote. The letter’s tone is a plea for responsible journalism as the 2026 election campaign moves forward.

The Press Herald has not yet issued a response to Guerrette’s letter. The op‑ed in question, titled “Susan Collins has scant claim to ‘County roots,’” appeared on September 6, 2026, in the paper’s opinion section.