Lisbon's Lacking Integrity of Town Officials

Remember 2/17/09 Town Council meeting? If not you can click here for an edited version of the facts. And if you want all the facts, a dvd copy of the meeting can be provided through the Town Manager's Office, a fee will be charged. Or you can go to You Tube and search for Lisbon Maine.
A prominent Lisbon business obliged the public by making it readily available.
In short it was all based on "heresay" testimony from school committee member Deb Danuski. I can add more about her credibility later on.

Now that is great Police work, after all you have been here, what about 30 years, David T. Brooks?
What do we have here, 5 square miles of town geography, 22 officers listed on Lisbon Police Website. Do they all work here or are some assigned to your clandestine operations? Seems a bit overkill considering some Sheriff Departments in the state have more territory and less patrolmen to work with. Your reign of 'Intimidation and Fear' are ending.

And just previously you gave Councilor Cote and Crafts hell for not coming to see you personally about issues they had with your Traffic Enforcement Officers over Christmas. Click here for that one.

Council Working Rules (Page 6)

2. Staff.
Members of the administrative staff and employees of the Town shall observe the same rules of procedure and decorum applicable to the members of the Town Council. While the Chair shall have the authority to preserve decorum in meetings as far as staff members and Town employees are concerned, the Town Manager shall also be responsible for the orderly conduct and decorum of all Town employees under the Town Manager's direction and control.

The Town Manager shall take such disciplinary action as may be necessary to insure that such decorum is preserved at all times by Town employees in Town Council meetings. Staff members or the Town Manager desiring to address the Town Council or members of the public shall be recognized by the Chair, shall state their name for the record, and shall limit their remarks to the matter under discussion. All remarks and questions addressed to the Town Council shall be addressed to the Town Council as a whole and not to any individual member thereof. No staff member, other than the staff member having the floor, shall enter into any discussion either directly or indirectly without permission of the Chair.

I requested in writing, that the Council Chair and Town Manager to take action on the part of the Police Chief's actions on the night of February 17,2009. But nothing, NOTHING has been done except send out a letter of "hot air". Why? They are scared of the boogieman and his Official intimidation tactics. Or are they afraid of the Truth? Hell, Councilor Cote can't even get the support of one fellow councilor to sign on the dotted line to send this issue to the Ethics Panel.
What gives people? Do you need more proof that they can't even Police themselves?

Well, now it has been almost 6 months and things in town government are more screwed up then ever. For the second year in a row, our town budget has been void of charter mandated requirements. And again the school budget is presented and hacked even more.

Sec. 86-31a. Budget and expense responsibility.

The responsibility of the entire town budget and expenses resides with the town manager. The town manager is solely accountable to the town council as identified in the Charter. Each department head is responsible and accountable for his or her departments budget and expenses regardless of expenditures initiated by those identified in section 86-41.

(T.M. of 12-4-2007, § 2007-218)

Sec. 86-4. Annual municipal budget.

(a) Line item budget.
The appropriate town officials shall submit their municipal budget estimates for consideration at the annual budget meeting with the appropriations made to each department broken down in specific amounts for the following categories of costs:

(1) Personnel services.

(2) Commodities.

(3) Capital expenditures.

(4) Contractual services.

(5) Debt service.

(b) Limitations on expenditures. The funds appropriated in each of the five budget categories shall be expended within each municipal department only for the category (a)(1)--(5) for which the funds were appropriated. Funds shall not be transferred to other categories without prior approval of the majority of the town council. The town council is authorized to make line item transfers for sums of $1,000.00 or greater from one line item to another after a joint public hearing with the advisory board and either approval by a majority of the advisory board or town meeting approval.

(c) Municipal departments. Each department of the municipal government shall be listed in a separate article on the warrant.

(Code 1983, § 2-402; T.M. of 5-17-1997, art. 7; T.M. of 4-3-2007, § 2007-39)

Sec. 86-5. School budget.

(a) The school department shall submit the school budget for consideration broken down into specific amounts for the following categories of costs for each department or agency within the school department:

(1) Personnel services.

(2) Contractual services.

(3) Commodities.

(4) Debt services.

(5) Capital expenditures.

(6) Statutory cost collection data/costs to comply with state or federal mandatory requests (itemized).

(b) The school committee is authorized to make line item transfers for sums of $1,000.00 or greater from one line item to another after a joint public hearing with the advisory board and either approval by a majority of the advisory board or town meeting approval.

(Code 1983, § 2-403; T.M. of 5-17-1997, art. 7; T.M. of 4-3-2007, § 2007-39)

State law references: School budgets, line item transfer, 20-A M.R.S.A. § 15618(4).

The school budget was presented with all requirements. Then we have the town budget voted on under now admitted intimidation and Police improprieties. Thank you for making the apology Detective Tapley. At least you have the 'balls' to admit your mistake and take responsibility for your actions. Unlike your boss.

Bowie and Police Budget Vote
First lets read what the Ethics Panel said. Click here to view it all.

A. ETHICS PANEL REPORT
Mr. Bowie gave a summary of the findings of the Ethics Panel concerning the conflict of interest concerning Councilor Michael Bowie. The panel looked into questions regarding Councilor Bowie voting on issues that would affect his wife Denise Bowie’s salary in her job as administrative assistant with the police department.

One of the reasons given by Councilors Cote and Henry for their request for a recommendation from the Ethics Panel was the difference in pay between the salaries of the Administrative Assistant positions in the police department and the public works department. Research done prior to the Ethics Panel meeting included input from former Councilor Charlie Smith, Councilor Mason, Attorney Roger Theriault, , and Councilor Bowie. The Panel researched past appropriations, the legal charter, and related articles in Maine law.

The Panel found there is a definite conflict of interest, which was not really in question. The recommendation is that Councilor Bowie should abstain from all discussion and voting on police salary items, which includes his wife’s salary. Councilor Bowie may discuss the rest of the police budget and vote on that. Mr. Bowie went on to say that Councilor Bowie did bring up this conflict of interest to the Council and that the Council did set up a procedure to accommodate that.

The problem arose when the Council did not follow their usual practice of voting on individual budgets one at a time during the last budget process. The Council took a single vote on the entire budget as an expedient measure. The Panel found while the procedure would have been “cleaner” with individual votes, there was no actual unfairness. The Panel found that Mrs. Bowie received the same treatment as other employees. Mr. Bowie went on to explain why there were such differences in salary between the police department and public works department. One reason is a difference in job description, and the other is that Councilor Bowie has seven years longevity. The panel found no evidence of salary differences based on any conflict of interest.
(Now this is what the town published, we believe it should say Mrs. Bowie has seven years...)

The recommendation of the Ethics Panel is that Councilor Bowie should abstain from voting on the Police Department budget line which contains his wife’s salary (currently line 100). Councilor Henry thanked the entire Ethics Panel for the great job they did. Mr. Bowie added that to counter any inappropriate assumptions he wanted to explain that he and Councilor Bowie are only very remotely related, being fifth cousins twice removed.

The following discussion took place during Councilor Communications: (Vote 2009-13A) Councilor Cote questioned what would become of the recommendation from the Ethics Panel. Councilor Bowie said it had always been his intent to separate the budget items so each line could be voted on, allowing him to abstain where necessary. After some discussion a motion was made by Councilor Cote and seconded by Councilor Larochelle to accept the recommendation of the Ethics Panel that Councilor Bowie should abstain from voting on the Police Department budget line which contains his wife’s salary (currently line 100). Order passed – Vote 6-0-1. (Abstained: Bowie)

Sec. 9. Conflicts

D. Participation.
An abstaining Councilor may but need not remain in the Town Council Chamber during debate or votes on that issue. An abstaining Councilor who wishes to be heard on the matter may join other members of the public and speak as a member of the public during that portion of the meeting when the public is being heard. In no case shall an abstaining Councilor participate in Council discussions or deliberations or otherwise act in an official capacity in the matter as to which the Councilor has abstained.

Here's a reminder of the town council's special meeting tomorrow night regarding the 2nd vote on the school's budget. Remember we don't even have a place for graduation ceremonies but our town equipment sans Public Works will all look great in the Moxie Parade. You ought to be proud. Particularly when the Fire departments old squad 3 is used to haul out the trash. At least stop by the town office for a few sacks next time.

Retire, no I think the good citizens of this community should band together and throw you out of town along with others.

Signed,
Todd Comber
With absolutely no respect for you David T. Brooks.

Where's The Beef?

If it is in you fridge or freezer you better "Chuck It" No pun, but it may be Fowl.
Kind of gives more merit to eating Turkey, don't ya think?


WASHINGTON, June 28, 2009 - JBS Swift Beef Company, a Greeley, Colo., establishment is voluntarily expanding its June 24 recall to include approximately 380,000 pounds of assorted beef primal products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

The beef products were produced on April 21, 2009 and were distributed both nationally and internationally. A list of the products subject to the expanded recall attached.



For more click here.

Maine Fails In Ratings Of Lawmakers Integrity

Maybe that seems like a big headline but for those that really understand it isn't.

So what does Integrity really mean:

in⋅teg⋅ri⋅ty

  /ɪnˈtɛgrɪti/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [in-teg-ri-tee] Show IPA

Use integrity in a Sentence

–noun

1.	adherence to moral and ethical principles; soundness of moral character; honesty.

2.	the state of being whole, entire, or undiminished: to preserve the integrity of the empire.

3.	a sound, unimpaired, or perfect condition: the integrity of a ship's hull.

---

Origin:
1400–50; late ME integrite < class="ital-inline">integritās. See integer, -ity

Synonyms:
1. rectitude, probity, virtue. See honor.

Antonyms:
1. dishonesty.

The following are excerpts from today's Bangor Daily News on an investigation done recently by: http://www.publicintegrity.org/investigations/states_of_disclosure/

"A decade ago, Maine ranked 33rd among the states. In this study, the state dropped to 41st in the nation, but not because of any changes in state law.

“It’s not that Maine does not require disclosure; it does not require enough disclosure,” the center’s Ginley said.

Bill Buzenberg, executive director of the Center for Public Integrity, said clarity in existing requirements is as important as requiring disclosure.

“There is an attempt, in some cases, to hide that information by putting [it] in the name of a spouse,” he said. “Were that disclosed, it would be seen as a conflict of interest with the legislator.”

Buzenberg said a significant area where Maine fell short was in the disclosure of real property holdings. State law requires no disclosure of any type by members of the Legislature or their spouses.

“Most of the states in the country disclose that information,” he said.” Maine is among only a dozen that don’t.”"

So how can we expect anything different in our local government. We can't.

Stay tuned for more to come about Lisbon's failure of Integrity.

Probably Won't Find this in the Main Stream Media

Real story of Obama (POTUS) and the hostage rescue......

The "Real" story is not exactly the way it was relayed, and probably has a few political twists thrown in to stir the pot. Rather than trying to correct it, the following is from NSWC Norfolk and SOCOM Tampa.

First though, some orientation for familiarization with the "region."

In Africa from Djibouti at the southern end of the Red Sea eastward through the Gulf of Aden to round Cape Guardafui at the easternmost tip of Africa (also known as "The Horn of Africa") is about a 600 nm transit before you stand out into the Indian Ocean. That transit is comparable in distance to that from the mouth of the Mississippi at New Orleans to the tip of Florida at Key West-- except that 600 nm over there is infested with Somalia pirates.

Ships turning southward at the Horn of Africa transit the SLOC (Sea Lane of Commerce) along the east coast of Somalia because of the prevailing southerly currents there. It's about 1,500 nm on to Mombassa, which is just south of the equator in Kenya. Comparably, that's about the transit distance from Portland Maine down the east coast of the US to Miami Florida. In other words, the ocean area being patrolled by our naval forces off the coast of Somalia is comparable to that in the Gulf of Mexico from the Mississippi River east to Miami then up the eastern seaboard to Maine.

Second, some orientation from the Naval Operating Base in Norfolk, VA, east across the Atlantic to North Africa, thence across the Med to Suez in Egypt, thence southward down the Red Sea to Djibouti at the Gulf of Aden, thence eastward to round Cape Guardafui at the easternmost tip of Africa, and thence southerly some 300 miles down the east cost of Somali out into the high seas of the Indian Ocean to the position of MV ALABAMA is a little more than 7,000 nm, and plus-nine time-zones ahead of EST.

Hold that thought, in that, a C-17 transport averaging a little better than 400 kts (SOG) takes the best part of 18 hours to make that trip. In the evening darkness late Thursday night, a team of Navy SEALs from NSWC (Naval Surface Warfare Center) Norfolk parachuted from such a C-17 into the black waters (no refraction of light) of the Indian Ocean-- close-aboard to our 40,000 ton amphibious assault ship, USS BOXER (LHD 4), the flagship of our ESG (Expeditionary Strike Group) in the AOR (Area Of Responsibility, the Gulf of Aden). They not only parachuted in with all of their "equipment," they had their own inflatable boats, RHIB's (Rigid Hull, Inflatable Boats) with them for over-water transport. They went into BOXER's landing dock, debarked, and staged for the rescue-- Thursday night.

And, a comment on time-late: In that the SEAL's quick response-- departing ready-alert in less than 4 hours from Norfolk-- supposedly surprised POTUS's staff, whereas President Obama was miffed not to get his "cops" there before the Navy. He reportedly questioned his staff, "Will 'my' FBI people get there before the Navy does?" It took the FBI almost 12 hours to put together a team and get them packed-up-- for an "at sea" rescue. The FBI was trying to tell him that they are not practiced to do this-- Navy SEALs are. But, BHO wanted the FBI there "to help," that is, carry out the Attorney General's (his) orders to negotiate the release of Captain Phillips peacefully-- because apparently he doesn't trust GW's military to carry out his "political guidance."

The flight of the FBI's passenger jet took a little less than 14 hours at 500-some knots to get to Djibouti. BOXER'S helos picked them up and transported them out to the ship. The Navy SEALs were already there, staged, and ready to act by the time POTUS's FBI arrived on board latter that evening. Notably, the first request by the OSC (On Scene Commander) that early Friday morning to take them out and save Captain Phillips was denied, to wit: "No, wait until 'my' FBI people get there."

Third, please consider a candid assessment of ability that finds that the FBI snipers had never practiced shooting from a rolling, pitching, yawing, surging, swaying, heaving platform-- and, target-- such as a ship and a lifeboat on the high seas. Navies have been doing since Admiral Nelson who had trained "Marines" to shoot muskets from the ship's rigging-- ironically, he was killed at sea in HMS VICTORY at the Battle of Trafalgar by a French Marine rifleman that shot him from the rigging of the French ship that they were grappling alongside.

Notably, in the late 50’s, the service was doing it with a SATU, Small Arms Training Unit, based at Little Creek amphib base. Now, Navy SEAL's, in particular SEAL Team SIX (The "DevGru") based at NSWC (Naval Surface Warfare Center) at Little Creek do that training now, and hone their skills professionally-- daily. Shooting small arms from a ship is more of an accomplished "Art Form" than it is a practiced skill. When you are "in the bubble" and "in tune" with the harmonic motion you find, through practice, that you are "able to put three .308 slugs inside the head of a quarter at 100 meters, in day or night-- or, behind a camouflaged net or a thin enclosure, such as a superstructure bulkhead. Yes, there are monocular scopes that can "see" heat-- and, draw a bead on it. SEALs are absolutely expert at it-- with the movie clips to prove it.

Now try to imagine patrolling among the boats fishing everyday out on the Grand Banks off our New England coast, and then responding to a distress call from down around the waters between Florida and the Bahamas. Three points for you to consider here: (1) Time-Distance-Speed relationships for ships on the high seas, for instance, at a 25-knot SOA (Speed Of Advance) it takes 24 hours to make good 600 nm-- BAINBRIDGE did. (2) Fishermen work on the high seas, and (3) The best place to hide as a "fisherman" pirate is among other fishermen.

Early Wednesday morning, 4/8/2009, MV ALABAMA is at sea in the IO about 300 miles off the east coast of Somalia en route to Mombassa Kenya. Pirates in a small boat start harassing her, and threatening her with weapons. MV ALABAMA's captain sent out the distress call by radio, and ordered his Engineer to shut down the engines as well as the ship-service electrical generators-- in Navy lingo, "Go dark and cold." He informed his crew by radio what was happening, and ordered them to go to an out-of-the-way compartment and lock themselves in it-- from the inside. He would stay in the pilot house to "negotiate" with the pirates.

The pirates boarded, captured the Captain, and ordered him to start the engines. He said he would order his Engineer to do so, and he called down to Engine Control on the internal communication system, but got no answer. The lead pirate ordered two of his four men to go down and find him and get the engines started.

Inside a ship without any lights is like the definition of dark. The advantage goes to the people who work and live there. They jumped the two pirates in a dark passageway. Both pirates lost their weapons, but one managed to scramble and get away. The other they tied up, put tape over his mouth and a knife at his throat.

Other members of the crew opened the drain cocks on the pirates boat and cast it adrift. It foundered and sunk. The scrambling pirate made it back to the pilot house and told of his demise. The pirates took the Captain at gun point, and told him to launch one of his rescue boats (not a life boat, per se). As he was lowering the boat for them, the crew appeared with the other pirate to negotiate a trade. The crew let their hostage go to soon, and the pirates kept the captain. But, he purposefully had lowered the boat so it would jam.

With the rescue boat jammed, the pirates jumped over to a lifeboat and released it as the captain jumped in the water. They fired at him, made him stop, and grabbed him out of the water. Now, as night falls in the vastness of the Indian Ocean, we have the classic "Mexican" standoff, to wit: A life-boat that is just that, a life-boat adrift without any means of propulsion except oars and paddles; and, a huge (by comparison) Motor Vessel Container Ship adrift with a crew that is not going to leave their captain behind. The pirates are enclosed under its shelter-covering, holding the captain as their hostage. The crew is hunkered down in their ship waiting for the "posse" to arrive.

After receiving MV ALABAMA'S distress call, USS BAINBRIDGE (DDG 96) was dispatched by the ESG commander to respond to ALABAMA's distress call. At best sustainable speed, she arrived on scene the day after-- that is, in the dark of that early Thursday morning. As BAINBRIDGE quietly and slowly, at darkened-ship without any lights to give her away, arrived on scene, please consider a recorded interview with the Chief Engineer of MV ALABAMA describing BAINBRIDGE's arrival. He said it was something else "... to see the Navy slide in there like a greyhound!" He then said as she slipped in closer he could see the "Stars and Stripes" flying from her masthead. He got choked up saying it was the "...proudest moment of my life." Phew! Let that sink in.

Earlier in the day, one of the U.S. Navy's Maritime Patrol Aircraft, a fixed wing P3C, flew over to recon the scene. They dropped a buoy with a radio to the pirates so that the Navy's interpreter could talk with the pirates. When BAINBRIDGE arrived, the pirates thought the radio to be a beaconing device, and threw it overboard. They wanted a satellite telephone so that they could call home for help. Remember now, they are fishermen, not "Rocket Scientists," in that, they don't know that we can intercept the phone transmission also.

MV ALABAMA provided them with a satellite phone. They called home back to "somebody" in Eyl Somalia (so that we now know where you live) to come out and get them. The "somebody" in Eyl said they would be out right away with other hostages, like 54 of them from other countries, and that they would be coming out in two of their pirated ships. Right-- and, the tooth fairy will let you have sex with her. Yea, in paradise. The "somebody" in Eyl just chalked up four more expendables as overhead for "the cost of operation."

Anyway, ESG will continue to "watch" Eyl for any ships standing out.

The Navy SEAL team, SEAL TEAM SIX, from NSWC briefed the OSC (Commander Castellano, CO BAINBRIDGE) on how they could rescue the captain from the life boat with swimmers-- "Combat Swimmers," per se. That plan was denied by POTUS because it put the captain in danger-- and, involved killing the pirates.

The FBI negotiators arrived on scene, and talked the pirates into sending their wounded man over for treatment Saturday morning. Later that afternoon, the SEAL's sent over their RHIB with food and water to recon the life boat but the pirates shot at it. They could have taken them out then (from being fired upon) but were denied again being told that the captain was not in "imminent danger." The FBI negotiators calmed the situation by informing the pirates of threatening weather as they could see storm clouds closing from the horizon, and offered to tow the life boat. The pirates agreed, and BAINBRIDGE took them under tow in their wake at 30 meters-- exactly 30 meters, which is exactly the distance the SEALs practice their shooting skills.

With the lifeboat under tow, riding comfortably bow-down on BAINBRIDGE's wake-wave ("rooster tail"), had a 17-second period of harmonic motion, and at the end of every half-period (8.5 seconds) was steady on. The light-enhanced (infra-red heat) monocular scopes on the SEAL's .308 caliber Mark 11 Mod 0 H&K suppressor-fitted sniper rifles easily imaged their target very clearly. Pirates in a life boat at 30-meters could be compared to fish in a barrel. All that was necessary was to take out the plexiglass window so that it would not deflect the trajectory of the high velocity .308 round. So, a sniper (one of four) with a wad-cutter round (a flaxen sabot) would take out the window a split second before the kill-shot-- no change in sight-picture, just the window blowing out, clean.

Now, here's the part BHO's "whiz kids" knew as well as the Navy hierarchy, including CO BAINBRIDGE and CO SEAL TEAM SIX. It's the law in Article 19 of Appendix L in the "Convention of the High Seas" that the Commanding Officer of a US Ship on the high seas is obligated to respond to distress signals from any flagged ship (US or otherwise), and protect the life and property thereof when deemed to be in IMMINENT DANGER. So, in the final analysis, it would be Captain Castellano’s call as to "Imminent Danger," and that he alone was obligated (duty bound) to act accordingly.

Got the picture?

After medically attending to the wounded pirated, and feeding him, come first light (from the east) on Easter Sunday morning and the pirates saw they were being towed further out to sea (instead of westward toward land), the wounded pirate demanded to be returned to the lifeboat. There would BE NO more negotiations-- and, the four Navy SEAL snipers "in the bubble" went "Unlock." The pirate holding Captain Philips raised the gun to his head, and IMMINENT DANGER was so observed and noted in the Log as CO BAINBRIDGE gave the classic order: WEAPONS RELEASED! I can hear the echo in my earpiece now, "On my count (from 8.5 seconds), 3, 2, 1, !" POP, BANG! Out went the window, followed by three simultaneous shots. The scoreboard flashed: "GAME OVER, GAME OVER—NAVY 3, PIRATES 0!"

Hope the forgoing was informative --- and, please excuse the pride in that after 50 years, the Navy is still within. AMERICA is going to make a comeback, and more than likely it'll be on the back of our cherished youth serving with honor in Our Military. So, let's
Look Up, Get Up-- and, Never Give Up!

God Bless the Troops, and
GOD SAVE AMERICA!

Here Is A Chance To See Our Strength

Cool Pictures

A Local Man Writes To The O'Reilly Factor

This aired on TV Wed. June 24, 2009 for more go to:http://www.billoreilly.com/

Re: Barney Frank

Why did you have him on tonight?
Was there a purpose?
Whatever it was he made you look bad, not the reverse. Frank has lied so much, trying to blame Bush on all the problems of today. As you know, the President can't do things on his own, he can't write a Bill and pass it on his own and remember the Democrats had complete control of everything for 2 years. Where were they ? In a cocoon? Where was Obama? He had an opportunity to suggest changes his last 2 years but spent it preparing for his run at the presidency.

What about asst. Czarina Pelosi? was she on vacation those two years? The democrats did all the bragging but did nothing , just waiting for the election to blame everything on Bush. Barney Frank lied about his Fannie Mae and that other comrade, telling us they were sound, when they weren't. It's amazing, when I worked up the Insurance ladder it took years to become a qualified Professional to just discuss it.

Now, we have the Democratic Party, all having enough knowledge of "National Health Insurance" to change our entire system. How did Obama learn so much in 5 mos. ? How about Barney Frank? Are you kidding me? Pelosi? Maybe they get subliminal visions in their heads. implanting them with great knowledge.

O'Reilly does a good job beating up on women on his program but wouldn't take on wimpy Barney Frank? Wonderful!

Andy Riordan
Lisbon Falls, Maine

Highlights of the Interview

Rep. Barney Frank returns to The Factor
	Eight months after their scorching shootout, The Factor again welcomed Congressman Barney Frank into the No Spin Zone. Some excerpts from their conversation: Bill: "President Obama decided not to release the photos of prisoner abuse. Do you support the president's action?" Frank: "Pretty much ... given the situation he's in, I think that's a reasonable decision." Bill: "But Senators Graham and Lieberman were very angry with Nancy Pelosi, you, and a few other Democratic Congressmen who stripped out the provision banning the photos from public release." Frank: "My objection to that was purely procedural. The House had passed a bill funding the Iraq and Afghanistan military efforts, and the Senate then unilaterally put this in there ... there was no chance those photos were going to be released." Bill: "The Obama administration wants to keep traditional marriage as the law of the land. I guess you disagree with that?" Frank: "You guessed wrong. I defended the president against some of my fellow gays and lesbians who criticized him ... President Obama wasn't saying he likes that law, he was saying it is his constitutional duty to uphold it." Bill: "President Obama has gone on record that he believes that marriage should be between a man and a woman exclusively." Frank: "I've told the president that I disagree with him. The president does say he believes marriage should be between one man and one woman, but he's opposed to the Defense of Marriage Act because it intrudes on states." Bill: "President Obama's health care deal is going to cost more than a trillion dollars. Where is the money going to come from?" Frank: "There is military spending on Cold War weapons that can be reduced ... we should be reducing military activity in Western Europe and Japan." Bill: "Your state, Massachusetts, has a health care plan and a $1.5 billion deficit. Can you reassure me that universal health care is not going to bankrupt the United States?" Frank: "Absolutely, because there are other areas we can cut. As to the Massachusetts deficit, it's not caused by the health care plan. There are deficits everywhere." Bill: "Does the Constitution dictate that the federal government should make sure that everyone has free health care?" Frank: "Absolutely not. The Constitution is basically a restraint on government, it's not a mandate for government." Bill: "Under President Obama the government is expanding rapidly and spending record amounts of money." Frank: "Every single intervention they are making - in automobiles, in the banks and elsewhere - was done originally by the Bush administration." Bill: "The last time we were yelling at each other it was about your oversight of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Now you're back saying that banks should loosen up condominium loans, and some people are saying you're social engineering again." Frank: "They're completely wrong. I was a strong opponent of the Bush administration's effort to send loans to people who couldn't afford it ... with the condominiums we are not talking about subprime loans or poor people ... they should not allow any borrower who can not pay for it." Bill: "We gave you your say tonight, are you happy?" Frank: "With what?" Bill: "With everything." Frank: "No, I'm never happy with everything, Bill."

Just A little Humor

Subject: Survivor- Texas style

Due to the popularity of the TV show "Survivor",
Texas is planning a team with CBS to do one entitled, "Survivor, Texas-Style."

The contestants will all start in Dallas,
then drive to Waco, Austin, San Antonio,
over to Houston and down to Brownsville.

They will then proceed up to Del Rio, El Paso,
Midland, Odessa, Lubbock and Amarillo .
From there they will go on to Abilene,
Fort Worth and finally back to Dallas.
Each will be driving a pink Volvo
with bumper stickers that read as follows:

"I'm Gay," "I love the Dixie Chicks,"
"Boycott Beef," "I Voted for Obama,"
"George Strait Sucks," "Hillary in 2012"
and "I'm here to confiscate your guns".
The first one to make it back to Dallas alive wins.
God Bless Texas

Do Not Try This.

Ridin' Mowa for my Honey

Soon after my wife and I met, she mentioned how she really wished that she could afford a riding lawnmower. She was a single gal that worked all day and was often tired in the evening when she got home from work.

So, being the handy sort of guy that I was, I made her a riding lawnmower.

I guess I thought she would squeal with delight and give me a big hug.

To this day I have never been able to understand why women are so hard to please.

2009-2010 Area Meeting Dates Announced

Lisbon Community School Parent Teacher Organization
Mon., Aug 31 @ 6:00 p.m.
Mon., Sept. 28 @ 6:00 p.m.
Mon., Oct. 26 @ 6:00 p.m.
Mon., Nov. 23 @ 6:00 p.m.
Mon., Dec. 21 @ 6:00 p.m.
Mon., Jan. 25 @ 6:00 p.m.
Mon., Feb. 22 @ 6:00 p.m.
Mon., Mar. 22 @ 6:00 p.m.
Mon., Apr. 26 @ 6:00 p.m.
Mon., May 24 @ 6:00 p.m.
Mon., June 14 @ 6:00 p.m.

Philip W. Sugg Parent Action Group
Monday, Aug 24 @ 6:00 p.m.
Monday, Sept. 14 @ 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday, Oct. 13 @ 6:00 p.m.
Monday, Nov. 9 @ 6:00 p.m.
Monday, Dec. 14 @ 6:00 p.m.
Monday, Jan. 11 @ 6:00 p.m.
Monday, Feb. 8 @ 6:00 p.m.
Monday, Mar. 8 @ 6:00 p.m.
Monday, Apr. 12 @ 6:00 p.m.
Monday, May 10 @ 6:00 p.m.
Monday, June 14 @ 6:00 p.m.

Lisbon High School Parent Action Group
Monday, Sept. 28 @ 6:00 p.m.
Monday, Oct. 26 @ 6:00 p.m.
Monday, Nov. 23 @ 6:00 p.m.
Monday, Dec. 21 @ 6:00 p.m.
Monday, Jan. 25 @ 6:00 p.m.
Monday, Feb. 22 @ 6:00 p.m.
Monday, Mar. 22 @ 6:00 p.m.
Monday, Apr. 26 @ 6:00 p.m.
Monday, May 24 @ 6:00 p.m.
Monday, June 14 @ 6:00 p.m.

LHS ATHLETIC BOOSTERS' CLUB
@ LHS Library unless otherwise noted
Mon., July 13* @ 6:30 p.m. * Meeting @ 8 Faith St. LF
Tues., Aug. 11 - TBA
Tues., Sept. 8 @ 6:30 p.m.
Tues., Oct. 13 @ 6:30 p.m.
Tues., Nov. 10 @ 6:30 p.m.
Tues., Dec. 8 @ 6:30 p.m.
Tues., Jan. 12 @ 6:30 p.m.
Tues., Feb. 9 @ 6:30 p.m.
Tues., Mar. 9 @ 6:30 p.m.
Tues., Apr. 13 @ 6:30 p.m.
Tues., May 11 @ 6:30 p.m.
Tues., June 8 @ 6:30 p.m.

Lisbon School Committee (W = Workshop)
Monday, September 14 @ 7 p.m.
Monday, September 28 @ 7 p.m. (W)
Tuesday, October 13 @ 7 p.m.
Monday, October 26 @ 7 p.m. (W)
Monday, November 9 @ 7 p.m.
Monday, November 23 @ 7 p.m. (W)
Monday, December 14 @ 7 p.m.
Monday, January 11 @ 7 p.m.
Monday, January 25 @ 7 p.m. (W)
Monday, February 8 @ 7 p.m.
Monday, February 22 @ 7 p.m. (W)
Monday, March 8 @ 7 p.m.
Monday, April 12 @ 7 p.m.
Monday, April 26 @ 7 p.m. (W)
Monday, May 10 @ 7 p.m.
Tuesday, May 24 @ 7 p.m. (W)
Monday, June 14 @ 7 p.m.

Family Movie Night
Flagship Cinemas, 730 Center St., Auburn
FREE ADMISSION! ALL Lisbon Families! No outside refreshments
Movie title TBA prior to show!
Thurs., May 28, 2009 @ 6 p.m.
Thurs., June 18, 2009 @ 6 p.m.
Thurs., July 16, 2009 @ 6 p.m.
Thurs., Aug. 20, 2009 @ 6 p.m.
Thurs., Sept. 17, 2009 @ 6 p.m.
Thurs., Oct. 22, 2009 @ 6 p.m.
Tues., Nov. 10, 2009 @ 6 p.m.
Thurs., Dec. 17, 2009 @ 6 p.m.
Thurs., Jan. 14, 2010 @ 6 p.m.
Thurs., Feb. 18 @ 6 p.m.
Thurs., Mar. 11 @ 6 p.m.
Thurs., Apr. 15 @ 6 p.m.
Thurs., June 17, @ 6 p.m.

Greyhound Serve NE
Visit www.servenewengland.org
2 hours of Volunteer Service qualifies YOU to order!
Pick-Up / Order Times 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. at MTM
May 30, (Online May 18)
June 27, (Online June 15)
July 25, (Online July 13)
Aug. 22, (Online Aug. 10)
Sept. 26, (Online Sept. 14)
Oct. 24, (Online Oct. 12)
Nov. 21, (Online Nov. 9)
Dec. 19, (Online Dec. 7)
2010: Schedule TBA

Honored To Do So

I AM HONORED TO DO THIS.
Update June 30, 2009
Editor's Note: It has been brought to our attention and just confirmed with Snopes that the following is not true.
Did you know that the ACLU has filed a suit to have all military cross-shaped headstones removed and another suit to end prayer for the military completely. They're making great progress. The Navy Chaplains can no longer mention Jesus' name in prayer thanks to the wretched ACLU and our new administration.

This was sent in and it could not be found on Snopes before it scheduled to publish. Now a reader has made us aware of the untruths, confirmed this morning and it was updated on June 23, 2009 on Snopes. We are truly sorry for this confusion. Please accept our apologies.

I'm not breaking this one. If I get it a 1000 times, I'll forward it a 1000 times!

We will keep this prayer on here as we continue to pray for our Troops.

Let us pray...







Prayer chain for our Military... Don't break it!
Please send this on after a short prayer.. Prayer for our soldiers Don't break it!
Prayer:
'Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands Protect them as they protect us Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need. Amen.'
Prayer Request: When you receive this, please stop for a moment and say a prayer for our troops around the world.
There is nothing attached. Just send this to people in your address book. Do not let it stop with you. Of all the gifts you could give a Marine, Soldier, Sailor, Airman, & others deployed in harm's way, prayer is the very best one.

GOD BLESS YOU FOR PASSING IT ON!

Thank You

At a time when summer vacations are getting underway and family gatherings start taking shape we need not forget about those that are keeping us safe serving in our armed forces abroad. Not only the soldiers but all of the supporting personnel that contribute to this great nation of Ours.

Right here in Maine, there is a group of dedicated volunteers that continue to brighten the day of a weary soldier as they make their way through Bangor Maine.

Take the time to watch this complete story. It is Amazing.

Thank You To All!

Frolicking Friday For Fish Fry

Story and Photos by Todd Comber

Lisbon -The normally quiet Little River became the setting for a historic event Thursday morning May 28,2009.



Approximately (20) high school and (60) 6th grade students made the trip to a secluded spot of the river to release 200 Salmon fry. This became the final stage of a classroom project that was started in late January 2009 with the donation of salmon eggs to Science teacher, Olivia Griset.


The eggs were donated by Craig Brook Fish Hatchery through Androscoggin River Alliance representative Neil Ward.




The students from Lisbon are a group from about 900 different schools across the Northeast and Canada that are participating in similar projects. The eggs were raised in a fish tank and a special cooler on loan from the Mast Landing School in Freeport. The initial temperature controlled environment of 36-37 degrees is critical to the success of living fry.



Thursday and Friday, the students meet at the river to conduct samplings of water temp (58 degrees), Ph level (7.5-8) and bug samplings before releasing the inch long salmon. With drops of rain and mist in the air their efforts were deemed a great success.



The fry were gradually warmed up to river temperature before being released. They should remain in the river habitat for several years before migrating down stream to the open ocean. Where they will live out there life span before returning to the Little River habitat to spawn and start the process all over again.


Other teachers that supported during these two days are:

Jill Denniston, Andrew Russell, Brandy Brzozowski, Judith Lashman

Other volunteers:
Patti Roberts, Neil Ward (Androscoggin River Alliance)


Teacher Olivia Griset walks with students after wading in the river.


A bonus for the students was the witnessing of a Mayfly that molted and lost it's outer shell as shown by Christian Booker.

ONLY THE NAMES ARE DIFFERENT

Cartoon from 1934 Chicago Tribune


Good Lord! Has anyone seen this cartoon from the 1934 Chicago Tribune? Could anyone come up with a more fitting description of what is going on now?

click to enlarge

Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.

Recall The Whole Damn Town

RECALL

Count me in for one of five to obtain signatures on a petition to recall the
entire Town Council. While we're at it, why not a petition to recall the
entire School Committee, Town Manager Steve Eldridge, and Chief of Police
David Brooks? A clean sweep; start over, back to Town Meetings and
transparency in Town of Lisbon Government!

Who is the next to volunteer? Come on! You complain about the way your/our
town is being run, now is your opportunity to do something about it.

While I'm at it, I attended the school budget meeting Monday, June 22 at
Lisbon High School. The budget meeting that will NOT be aired on local TV!
I was surprised to see so many new faces. Some took the opportunity to
speak, many would have liked to but did not.

There were about 50 that attended; not as many as I had hoped for, but more
that I expected. Superintendent-to-be, Mr. Green gave a video budget
presentation that showed a no-increase in the school budget. He also
explained how money was diverted from positions, the purchase of a school
bus, not having to pay for leasing the portable classroom, allowed them to
budgeted $300,200 + for the improvements necessary to keep our
accreditation, with no increase in the school budget.

A question was asked on the amount allocated for repairs, and how they were
coming on obtaining estimates. Tracie Austin, a member of the School
Committee said estimates are coming in and some engineering work has been
done. (Pardon me if I'm not being accurate and perhaps leaving some things
out. The acoustics were very bad, and it was hard to hear everything.)  She
said that the work being done with the $300,200 will not fix all that needs
to be done at that facility. The building needs new windows and roofing, the
furnace needs work.

The Committee was taken to task for teachers taking cost-of-living pay
increases while town employees agreed to not take a pay increase. Ms. Grant
reminded us, as she has many times, that they are still in budget
negotiations. Gina Mason, a member of the Town Council, said she had called
the Town of Topsham and inquired as to the pay scale in that town. As you
recall, Topsham did not want to join Lisbon in a SAU. She was told that
Lisbon teachers salaries, on average, are $10,000 to $12,000 higher than
those of Topsham.  No wonder they did not want to join with us!

I asked those present if they know that every year one/third of all teachers
received a "step increase" in pay? This is over and above the normal
cost-of-living pay raises. I asked for an approximate amount given out in
last years budget for the "step increase". Mr. Green looked it up and said
the figure was about $70,000. I that said that considering that Lisbon
teachers pay was higher than Topsham's, it is time to phase out the step
increases. And that perhaps the $70,000 could be used to replace maybe 2
windows, or make the needed repairs to the furnace this year, and maybe
replace 2 more windows next year, thereby saving in heating costs.

After much discussion, great questions and comments from the public, the
School Committee  it was time to vote on the school budget. A motion was
made and seconded to approve the budget as presented previously! It passed
on a 4-1 vote. Janice Comber was the only "no" vote. The committee said they
are hoping to "get the public out to vote". Have a better turnout than the
previous referendum, and the budget to be approved.

 A high-five to Mrs. Comber for being true to her constituents with her vote. The people
voted in June and the school Committee is not listening.
Some things never change!

Dot Fitzgerald
A Taxpayer
And a Very Concerned Citizen

Fire Department Gets A Thank You

Lisbon-Falls Fire Department Respond Rapidly!

Make sure you notify the fire department before "bombing" you home!

Catchy title huh? Well, we would like to personally recognize and thank our local firefighters who responded to our home last night for what thankfully was a true "false" alarm. From the time they were called by our home security company and the time they showed at our home, their arrival was literally less than 5 minutes from being called. What a response!!! KUDOS !!!!

The issue was that our home security system through ADT was alerted via our smoke detectors that a fire appeared to be present in our home. Lucky for us there wasn't. We actually set off foggers or bombs to rid our home of pesky critters who have come to visit with all of this RAIN! Spiders, ants, etc. The issue was that the foggers didn't indicate on the box that the particles would be enough to set off our fire alarm nor did ADT realize it would when they were called.

We felt awful that these dedicated folks had to leave from what they were doing to come to our home unnecessarily however, it was great to know that if there was a true emergency, they are there and they come quickly! They were good sports about it however, we were and still are very sorry that it was a waste of their time. These folks are dedicated firefighters who are here to serve and protect and should be commended for their dedication and all that they do to help keep our town safe.

THANK YOU!!!!

Sincerely,

Chris and Michelle Turmelle

Once Again, There Will Be No Airing Of the latest School Committee Meeting

The Lisbon Reporter contacted Great Falls TV this morning in an effort to keep readers informed of happenings in Our Community.


For another week, total about 3 times now, the residents of this community will not be able to see the latest School Committee meeting held this past Monday, June 22, 2009.

We are paying these town leaders how much for this? Technical Difficulties are preventing You Citizens from seeing it. Same Camera, same camera operator as normal. Hmmm!!!
Sounds like a case for a "highly trained" Hound to start trailing.

Come on, is this for real?

Can we get (5) citizens of this community to take out a petition, stand at the transfer site and collect signatures, and take back this town before it is too late?

We think it is Time to remove the Whole Town Council and Return to Town Meeting Format.
There will be no confusion as to Ward 1 or Ward 2, every registered voter can sign it.

Or are you all so content with the happenings that nothing will be done?

Jeesh, at least we ought to be able to make Lisbon look better, but wait, recent efforts go to Lisbon Falls. What were we thinking?

So tonight at 7:00pm on Cable Channel 22 you will see the meeting of June 15, 2009 instead, possibly. At least you are going to see something pertaining to a recent School Committee gathering.
Note: Channel 7 for Town Council, Channel 22 for School Committee

THE CLASS REUNION

Every ten years, as summertime nears,
An announcement arrives in the mail,
A reunion is planned, it'll be really grand;
Make plans to attend without fail.

I'll never forget the first time we met;
We tried so hard to impress.
We drove fancy cars, smoked big cigars,
And wore our most elegant dress.

It was quite an affair; the whole class was there.
It was held at a fancy hotel.
We wined, and we dined, and we acted refined,
And everyone thought it was swell.

The men all conversed about who had been first
To achieve great fortune and fame.
Meanwhile, their spouses described their fine houses
And how beautiful their children became.

The homecoming queen, who once had been lean,
Now weighed in at one-ninety-six.
The jocks who were there had all lost their hair,
And the cheerleaders could no longer do kicks.

No one had heard about the class nerd
Who'd guided a spacecraft to the moon;
Or poor little Jane, who's always been plain;
She married a shipping tycoon.

The boy we'd decreed 'most apt to succeed
Was serving ten years in the pen,
While the one voted 'least' now was a priest;
Just shows you can be wrong now and then.

They awarded a prize to one of the guys
Who seemed to have aged the least.
Another was given to the grad who had driven
The farthest to attend the feast.

They took a class picture, a curious mixture
Of beehives, crew cuts and wide ties.
Tall, short, or skinny, the style was the mini;
You never saw so many thighs.

At our next get-together, no one cared whether
They impressed their classmates or not.
The mood was informal, a whole lot more normal;
By this time we'd all gone to pot.

It was held out-of-doors, at the lake shores;
We ate hamburgers, coleslaw, and beans.
Then most of us lay around in the shade,
In our comfortable T-shirts and jeans.

By the fiftieth year, it was abundantly clear,
We were definitely over the hill.
Those who weren't dead had to crawl out of bed,
And be home in time for their pill.

And now I can't wait; they've set the date;
Our 55th is coming, I'm told.
It should be a ball, they've rented a hall
At the Shady Rest Home for the old.

Repairs have been made on my hearing aid;
My pacemaker's been turned up on high.
My wheelchair is oiled, and my teeth have been boiled;
And I've bought a new wig and glass eye.

I'm feeling quite hearty, and I'm ready to party
I'm gonna dance 'til dawn's early light.
It'll be lots of fun; But I just hope that there's one
Other person who can make it that night.

Author Unknown