Get Involved Lisbon Citizens, Together We Can

By Dot Fitzgerald
August 22, 2009

I was not able to attend the Tuesday August 18 joint Town Council/Water
Department meeting, but did watch it on TV on Thursday. I could not help
wondering why the Water Department was so adamant on not forwarding their
water readings to Town Office. Now, after reading the August 20, 2009 Lisbon
Reporter, I know why.

I attended Council/Budget meetings when Ryan Leighton said that TRIO was
absolutely the best software program for the Town. Now I see why. No
history, no accounting.

I also attended the July 7, 2009 Council meeting
when the Tax Collector, Nancy Bosse's resignation was accepted, and Council
decided that Finance Director Cathy Ricker was to take over the Tax
Collector's duties.
Imagine my surprise when at the July 21, 2009 Council
meeting, Town Manager, Steve Eldridge announced that he was willing to take
over the duties of Tax Collector, and was appointed by a vote of 5 to 1.
Council member Larochelle was absent. Councilor Roger Cote was the only NO
VOTE.
Now, after reading the August 20 Lisbon Reporter, I see why he wants
that job.
No checks and balances, and with TRIO, no one to look over his
shoulder, so to speak.
From Rumford to Lisbon, nothing changes.

Speaking of water and sewer billing, I was surprised to receive my sewer
bill in the mail on Saturday, August 22. In the letter accompanying the bill
the Sewer Department apologized for the delayed billing. Actually my bill
was received BEFORE the end of my normal billing period. I can't help but
wonder if the Sewer Department knows what they are doing?
No wonder the Water Department wants to do their own billing. I agree with them,they
should also do the billing for the Sewer Department. There would be less
screw-ups!

As for the Sewer Department suggesting that water payments be sent
to them with sewer payments, I think not. My payments will be sent to the
respective departments, thank you very much!

I don't mean to sound like sour grapes. I know many think I am against
everything in the Town of Lisbon government. Not so. I am FOR responsible
government and AGAINST irresponsible government!
Since when is that wrong?

Anyway, back to the reason for this writing. On July 30, 2009 I attended a
meeting at the town office. I was not able to attend the August 13 meeting.
I thought this was going to be a Revitalization Meeting. It was a "Lisbon
Revitalization Promotions Committee" meeting, headed up by none other than
Rosie Bradley.

The meeting was all about promoting activities in town:
Concerts in the Park, a Halloween parade and other related activities, an
Octoberfest, and Christmas activities.

I admit, these activities will benefit some businesses in town, but is this why
our town manager hired Ms.Bradley? AND at $60,000 per year? To head up activities?
Activities the former Lisbon Merchants Association, the Parent Teachers Organization
and Rotary use to do?

Town activities are a great and positive way to bring the citizens together.
Concerts in the Park are great. The Octoberfest was well received and missed.
The Christmas Tree lighting with Santa is ongoing, and is great fun.

But to put things in perspective. Is this really what we are paying Ms. Bradley to do?
The former Merchants Association kept going, organizing events as long as
they could, with only a few doing all the work. Interest and members fell
off.

Lisbon merchants and business owners,  meet, form another Merchants
Association. Get the Rec. Dept. and PTO involved, and sponsor activities.

Leave Ms. Bradley to do the job she has been hired for and is being paid to do;
bring badly needed businesses and jobs to the Town of Lisbon! Look around. I
see vacant commercial lots and buildings begging to be sold and/or built on.
They are just waiting for a new life, a new business.

Lisbon Village is the forgotten part of town. But, I am told, "you just
don't understand how it works". I guess I don't, and never will.

Why does Lisbon Falls get all the attention, and not Lisbon village? Like the State
of Maine, we have two Lisbon's. Northern Maine has had to fend for itself.

It is time for the Lisbon Village merchants to speak up and be heard.
Tell Town Office you are a part of Town too.

Going into the grocery store a few weeks ago, I was stopped by a lady and asked if I
was part of "that group?" I asked what group, the Lisbon Concerned Citizens? She
asked me why I do it? She said it is so hurtful to many.

I wondered what planet she is on?

Does she really know what is going on in town?

She must be part of the 'nothing is wrong' and 'I don't care how some of our elected and
appointed officials are spending our money' citizens group.

I have been attending council meetings, listening and asking questions. And I don't like
all that I am seeing and hearing.

When a Police Detective uses profanity and intimidation at a council meeting to
"sway the vote" when things are not to his liking. And his boss, Police Chief Brooks
sits in the audience and does nothing, that is wrong. His lack of action condones
such behavior and that too is wrong.

When a council member says "it didn't bother her". That is wrong too.
Maybe that lady that questioned me at the store should attend meetings and get involved.
But then again, maybe that would not bother her either.