District Attorney Natasha Irving said she had what she calls a "respectful dialogue" on Thursday, October 30, with members of Lincoln County's budget advisory committee who earlier this month threatened to defund her department.

Irving, the top prosecutor for Knox, Waldo, Sagadahoc and Lincoln counties, said at first, she was "shocked" at the committee's "reckless" recommendation, and threatened to sue if their suggested budget of one dollar got approved. Some local officials have been critical of Irving's reformist approach and use of restorative justice practices.

But at an informational meeting Thursday at the Lincoln County Planning Office in Wiscasset, Irving said she was encouraged by the discussion with committee members and county commissioners around issues like domestic viole

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