The Lisbon Reporter

WELCOME TO THE LISBON REPORTER. In an effort to keep our community informed of what is going on at local and Federal levels of government, we decided to create this on-line newspaper. It is our hope that this on-line newspaper will help you stay informed so that you can get involved and take action for the benefit of our ENTIRE community. Thank you for visiting and please check back frequently for information about what is happening in LISBON/LISBON FALLS, MAINE USA

Monday, September 20, 2010

A reader’s response to Concerned Citizen Greg Garrison

Good letter Greg. A few comments:

Councilor Cote’s statement to taxpayers to not pay their taxes was probably a little extreme but it did get everyone’s attention. Even the media picked up on it. That probably was not his intent, but it worked. He has been telling the citizens of Lisbon that things were not right ever since he was elected to the Town Council, with the highest vote EVER.

Councilor Cote has been complaining to Town Manager Eldridge, at council meetings, for months that he was not receiving e-mailings from town office. THAT IS WRONG, but all Eldridge would do was shrug his shoulders and nothing changed.

Now here comes Councilor Mason, who was not notified in advance about the tax fiasco and she is astounded and horrified that she be left out. Did she ever question and support Councilor Cote as to why he was not receiving e-mails from Town Office? Did any of the councilors question and support him?

If you were at Friday, September 17, 2010 special Town Council meeting you would have heard former Assessor Jerry Samson’s explanation of why the tax fiasco should not have happened. Another reason it should not have happened is that Mr. Pat Dow, the present assessor, hired by Town Manager Eldridge and Eldridge alone, was NOT qualified for the job. The good old boy’s club? A friend needing a job? A Maine Municipal Association reject bounced around?

Deja Vou, Development Director Miss Rosie Bradley. Hired by newly appointed Town Manager Eldridge and Eldridge alone? no committee? not qualified for the job and overpaid?

As to your suggestion about 15% cuts in pay. Good thinking. Only we have the Union to deal with. Do you think for one minute the Union would go along with that? A former Councilor once told me, “We have to bargain in good faith”. My response to him was Council needs to bargain in good faith for the taxpayer. Some things never change.

Another Concerned Citizen

Running for Town Council, at Large

Dot Fitzgerald