What You See Is Not Always What You Get

Sorry to say, but one does not get the true picture when watching Town Council meetings on TV. For instance, during the June 2, 2009 TC meeting when Mike Cote, Codes Enforcement Officer, was giving his presentation on qualifications, duties and responsibilities of the Codes Officer, Town Manager Steve Eldridge had his head down during almost all of Mike Cote's explanation.
As Mr. Cote explained why his hours and pay should not be cut, since he now has extra duties and responsibilities with Jerry Samson, former Assessor gone, Eldridge looked up at Mr. Cote only once, for about 3 seconds, and if looks could kill, then Mr. Cote would be dead by the daggers sent by Councilor Mike Bowie. Mr. Cote had as much right to speak as, say David Brooks when he gave his "infamous" hour-long dialog against a Town Council member in February. Is it possible that Mr. Eldridge has a little bit of a guilty conscience as to how Jerry Samson was forced to "retire"?

And then Mr. Mike Cote gets a verbal reprimand from Eldridge for speaking at the meeting and threatens to fire him if he ever does that again.
It this how you want our town represented? If so, continue to do nothing. It is happening now.

Beware, Town of Lisbon employees, the Boogieman could be listening. I would not be at all surprised if even the Men's and Ladies rest rooms were bugged. Did you know that wiretapping is illegal? It is a Class C crime! And it could very well be happening right here in our own Town Office building!

As for being able to speak during the budget presentation, did the camera catch Development Director Rosie Bradley conferring in whispers with TM Eldridge about her budget? After all this time and budget hearings, it happened that Ms. Bradley had left some items out of her budget. Not to be concerned said Council Chair, Mike Bowie, we can just do budget transfers later. Budget transfers from where? The Codes and Assessing budget? Was that the plan all along?

Now it seems that Development Director Rosie Bradley may be taking over the Codes Department? Jack of all trades, Master of none.

As to Development Director Bradley's accomplishments:
1. Heading up the Project Thanksgiving, November 2008;
2. The Town of Lisbon Logo contest. And the winner is?;
3. Ribbon Cutting ceremonies;
4. Heading up the Envisioning project, so townspeople can come up with ideas for her?; and
5. The Flags Project.

What's next,Codes Enforcement? She must be Superwoman what with all her duties and responsibilities now, plus all the classes she is taking to get accredited for her present position, on top of taking care of all her children, and traveling from her home out-of-town to work and back.

Fellow Citizens, do NOT forget to vote on Tuesday for the School Budget referendum. The right to vote is a right not available to citizens of all countries. It is a precious right. One to be cherished. Exercise it!

Get out and VOTE.

Several Very Concerned Citizens
OUR RIGHTS ARE SLOWLY BEING TAKEN FROM US!