Lisbon You Can Remove The Partisan Effects Of Your Town Council Form Of Government

Submitted by: Todd Comber
August 10, 2009

Here's how to get rid of the 'special interest' groups activities during the controversial budget season. And I won't get into the particulars of that topic as we are well aware of what happened. If not, for those that want to learn more. You may go to the town's website and read some of the minutes from past meetings.

So with all the talking and blogging that has been done, once you sort through all the 'hot air' the solution to the whole problem is you. YOU, the town's people. YOU have the power to make Lisbon a better place. We don't need blogs, newspapers, TV or even a dysfunctional Police Chief to do it. The easiest thing for anybody to do is point out all the bad that goes on. That is a part of making things better. If you don't realize what is wrong or you don't even suspect things could be better how can you offer ideas to correct them. SO here is an Idea that with a little effort on YOUR part has the potential to remove all issues with whom sits on the Town Council. Why let seven people decide the fate of rest of the taxpaying citizens? Bring the Annual Budget of the Town to the Vote of the People. This would also save the issue of going back to Town Meeting form of government. You are already voting on the school budget, thanks to the Consolidation Issue. The town's people have voted on that budget for the last two years. So why not continue the exercise for the town side. Let the voter's say yes, no, too high, or too low. Leave the Town Council to handle the other issues. Now How Do You Do It? The Town Charter will have to be changed. How does it get changed?

First (5) citizens have to come forward and be responsible enough to take out a petition and see it through to the end. Remember last year when the Lisbon Concerned Citizens formed and took out the petition to remove Norma Wells? The weather is very nice now to collect signatures making now a more formidable time than later on.
Once enough signatures are collected to satisfy the requirements, it is then presented to the Town Council for ratification, then on to the people to vote on. The Town's people will decide if it has merit by a secret ballot vote, i.e. voting booths. Then the charter can be changed to mandate that the Town's Annual Budget get voted on by the citizens.
This all can be done and included in this year's November ballot, but you have to move now. I helped with last year's petition but because of my health issues, I will not be able to be Lead Dog. But that Doesn't Mean I Won't Help.