Regionalization? You're Kidding Right?

When I learned that Steve Eldridge was proposing to "regionalize" the Lisbon Assessor's Office with the City of Lewiston, I about fell out of my chair laughing. What do we have a Barack Obama, Jr. sitting behind the Town Manager's desk. Are you just making things up as you go? What are you thinking Eldridge? First of all, it completely goes against the Lisbon Town Charter. But, based on your history, you don't really give a damn about Charters, do you? Isn't that how Rumford finally thumped your ass out of town? What was their slogan when you were Town Manager: "FOLLOW THE RULES!" Have you even read the Lisbon Town Charter or are you like our Legislators in Congress who don't read bills before they vote on them.

If our economic developer knew what she was doing and wasn't just a cling on who does whatever Eldiridge asks her to do, she would be fighting this "regionalized" assessing wacky idea tooth and nail. But, she doesn't know what she is doing and that is precisely why Eldridge wants her around. He wants all the credit for anything good that might happen. Eldridge ensures that he and Bradley are available for all ribbon cuttings because they love those photo ops. Bradley is a glorified, overpaid secretary who works three days a week.

Lisbon is in direct competition with the City of Lewiston and quite frankly in a better position to attrack business than Lewiston. We have a Business Park ready to go with a Tax Increment Financing deal set up so that when and if a business wants to come into town, we can make that happen. Lewiston, on the other hand, has limited acreage and is more costly than Lisbon is. So, the business comes to Lisbon looking for land and they talk with the Lewiston assessors who convince them that there is no land and they should instead build in Lewiston. Or, the Lewiston assessors decide to do a re-evaluation and raise the valuation of the land in Lisbon so that it is more than the land in Lewiston. Where do we sign up? Lisbon gets screwed by dirty politics again. Eldridge probably didn't even think of that aspect. All he cares about is getting rid of Jerry Sampson who knows way too much and doesn't Brooks hate him, too?

Jim Bennett has a history of walking all over the rights of citizens and was part of the controversial tearing down of an entire neighborhood so he could build an off ramp to his Coliseum, which is not even a sure thing right now. Last I heard, the hockey team was leaving, now they are staying. Without that hockey team, it's all for nothing. In the meantime, the neighborhood stood up to Bennett by creating citizen groups to fight him and his ridiculous schemes to promote economic development in Lewiston. Been to Lewiston lately, folks? Things are not going well and the town looks like a ghetto. Lewiston has dumped tons of their own money into economic development and it has all flopped. Anyone remember the Bates Mill Complex?

So, now Jim Bennett is interested in doing the assessing for Lisbon. How convenient. And, Eldridge has the nerve to call this regionalization. Eldridge just wants to kiss some Jim Bennett ass in the hopes of moving up the ladder into Lewiston where he can make hundreds of thousands of dollars to stab people in the back. Is anyone seeing a pattern here? Eldridge is a Barack Obama Jr. He does not know what he is doing. He is making decisions that benefit him, David Brooks, and certain Town Council members. This is all done at the expense of the community.

For example, did you know that David Brooks is asking for three more cruisers next year in addition to the three detective cars and one cruiser he got this year. He also asked for a $119,000 for his overtime budget when he has like 60 Reserve Officers. He wouldn't need any overtime if he actually utilized his Reserve Officers unless he has it set up in the Police Department contract that his full-time officers get first refusal. Wouldn't you love to get your hands on that contract?

Much like Tim Geithner, Rosie Bradley should step down. If she doesn't have the intelligence enough to stop this nonsense for the sake of the Lisbon Business community, then she doesn't have a right to such an important position. What a waste of money! Remember, we are paying her like $60,000 a year, mileage, an office budget, and her medical insurance (which isn't cheap considering she has SEVEN children). And, we have not been able to confirm whether or not the Town of Lisbon is paying for her schooling. I bet they are!

Once again, we have another dirty deal set up to scratch the backs of a few at the expense of all. Lisbon, please see through this scheme and remind your elected and appointed officials that you are not dumb and that you can read. It clearly states in the Charter that Lisbon shall have their very own Assessor's Office. You don't ask a competing town to do your assessing so they can either steal your potential business or make it more attractive to go to their town instead of yours. Given the hype the school has got going on with getting their new building, you are going to need all the business you can get to pay for that schoolmahal.

Eldridge, Brooks, Bradley, and Bennett are a joke. They are the laughing stock of the State right now. And, they have the nerve to go to the papers and bloviate about their scheme under the guise of regionalization. Auburn didn't want to merge with Lewiston for a reason. Do some research and you will find out very quickly that Bennett lacks ethics and empathy for the Lewiston community. What makes you think that he is going to look out for your community? It's all about his career and his resume; just like it is all about Eldridge's career and resume. Bradley can't get a job unless Eldridge writes her a letter of recommendation or hires her so her career is dependent upon him. I'm sure he'll find a job for her in Lewiston. Then she can move her seven children to a dilapidated multi-family apartment building in Lewiston. Wouldn't that be great for Lisbon? Bye, bye Eldridge and Bradley. Rumford didn't want you and neither does Lisbon. Have fun with your new battle buddy Jim. You make a great team.