Lisbon Town Government

By Todd Comber

If it wasn't for the fact that I have been quite involved with Lisbon Town Government over the recent years,  I would have been thoroughly shocked and amazed at the proceedings of the last two council meetings.  But I am not at all surprised of the ineptness and incompetence displayed by their "own" actions or rather lack of any actions of said town council form of government and current Town Manager et. al.   The point of being Ethical jumps to mind.

The current town manager is that only in title.    

If some remember I stood up and challenged Mr. Stephen Eldridge at the Public Budget Hearing that was packed with residents on April 28, 2008 at the Lisbon Community School. {The records are available for those really interested and the writings compared to the videos show discrepancies of fact.}  And again in May pointing out specifically the 'disconnect' with the town council and school committee.

The fact that the first budget presentation and subsequent budget presentations, of Mr. Eldridge, have been nothing but a JOKE!   Then we progressed into the multiple tax billing errors that occurred all to be blamed on computer systems.  The town councilors were coerced into approving expenditures for massive computer upgrades and systems for administrations. Then people were ushered out the door of employment with the town.

Then this year the issue of personal property tax rose to the surface followed by the recent increase and botched attempt to issue tax bills. All under the camouflage of a lower mil/rate and self induced reevaluation abortion. 

When it hit everyone in the wallet, people started to take notice and come together at the meetings seeking answers.

And it keeps going and going and going.   Year after miserable year.

  

WHY?

 You as taxpayers diligently have supported his personal agenda which amounts to nothing more than adding letters to the end of his name under the guise of  'Professional Development'.   Well I don't care how you disguise it or embellish it,  a 'Turd is Still a Turd'.  Let alone the others that have been introduced to employment with the Town of Lisbon.

It was over two years ago now, (July 2008)  that the Lisbon Concerned Citizens group and the Lisbon Reporter came into existence.  We have endured countless down gradings and public opinions for what we were and are trying to do. Along with significant overcharges for information requested from Lisbon Town Government.

The intent is to bring forth the information to the residents that was not being brought forward by other area news venues.  It makes me proud to think that finally the residents are seeing these issues.  And if anyone doubts or has questions, please use the Lisbon Reporter's search engine to find information.  That is why is was put there. And believe me there is a lot of pertinent viable information to substantiate a drastic change in your Town Government.

But more important is the fact that you as taxpayers have come to the council meetings in droves to express concerns and ideas of making CHANGES.  Don't let it stop now.  YOU have to continue. It is working.  People are actively engaged in making changes but cannot do it with out your complete support.

There is a scheduled Town Council meeting on Tues. next week.  YOU have asked for the venue to be changed to a larger facility.  Keep the Pressure on and Don't Back Down.  It is time for all this wasted money to stop.  

If they had only listened.

An Audit of ALL the town department finances from the Economic Development Office to the Police Department should be accomplished before any more evidence has a chance to be destroyed or come up upon the missing. This should be done by an outside agency, not by one of the town favored entities.

Thank you for the ever growing support and words of encouragement.  As The Chief Editor of the Lisbon Reporter, I will continue to bring information forth to the readers as it comes in.  The intent of the Lisbon Reporter is for it to be a community based source of information.  If you have something of interest send it in.  If something needs a correction send it in.  The history of the Lisbon Reporter reflects these changes or a correction of misinformation that has been made.  

Together,  as the saying goes, "United We Stand", we can make Lisbon and Lisbon Falls a Great Place, once again, to live and do business.