Councilor Cote's Public Character Assassination Continues

in·com·pe·tence

/ɪnˈkɒmpɪtəns/ Show Spelled[in-kom-pi-tuhns]

–noun

1.

the quality or condition of being incompetent; lack of ability.

2.

Law . the condition of lacking power to act with legal effectiveness.

 The following article pertains to the most recent Town Council Agenda item "Collecting Excise Tax".  Upon further research of the facts, TLR is exclusively presenting the details pertaining to this topic so that YOU the readers can have a full understanding of the "True Incompetence of Lisbon Officials".

It all begins with the registration process for a new vehicle ie.  Transfer of Registration to be exact.

Councilor Cote in 2009 purchased a new vehicle.  He went to the Lisbon Town Office to transfer the registration from his 2007 truck to his newly purchased truck.  Six months was left on that registration before it needed to be renewed.  Six months later he returned to the town office to register the vehicle for the full year.  Six months later it was now time to have his newly purchased vehicle inspected.   He was told  during that inspection process, by his dealer, that his truck was not registered.  Even though he had documentation given to him from the Lisbon Town Office indicating that it was.  Under further review, the town office had renewed his 2007 vehicle, that was now owned by someone else. He had been driving around with his new truck with "illegally attached plates" for the previous six months.   ( Imagine explaining that to Judge someplace after being stopped for a vehicular infraction.)

He returned to the town office and was told that "we are very sorry, for the mix up" and was issued a new registration for his new vehicle stamped with a "Validation Seal", which indicates that the Lisbon Town Office was satisfied with all financial obligations pertaining to this transaction.  Upon which leaving the counter the employee stated several times that,  "we are sorry for the confusion and it was our fault for it being done this way."   But get this,, they did not admit to registering a vehicle with no proof of ownership and no insurance card, as his 2007 previously owned vehicle was now in fact owned by someone else living in Brunswick.   

Hang on folks it is going to get much better.  Now the Stupid Starts.

In the mail councilor Cote receives a bill stating that he owes the difference in Excise Tax between the two trucks.  He contested the fact that he had to pay additional Excise Tax, stating that he has a receipt showing that his new vehicle excise tax has been paid in full, and he has a legal registration. (Try to register a vehicle without paying excise tax and see how you make out.) 

Now for the dumb.  Six months later again,  Mr. Cote returns to register his truck for the coming year.  And he is told that they will not register his truck until the contested Excise Tax from the prior year, in the amount of  $138.00,  is paid in full.  SO, Mr. Cote gives them a check for  $138.00 and gives them another check for the current year  Excise Tax and registration fee in excess of $650.00.  After returning home and discussing  with State Officials in the Bureau of Taxation Office, Mr. Cote decides to put a stop payment on the $138.00 check.  A few weeks later he receives a visit from a Detective with the Androscoggin County Sheriffs Office.   See Following Letters.  Result,  No Criminal Activity Was Verified.

And this all began with the Lisbon Police Department and Chief of Police David T. Brooks chasing after a "worthless instrument investigation".   Or Could this be  perceived as a personal vendetta by Chief Brooks?  (Remember February 17, 2009 Town Council Meeting?)

On January 5, 2011 Mr. Cote receives a letter from Lisbon Town Manager Steve Eldridge stating that he is the tax collector for Lisbon and his going to invoke his rights an proceeds to collect the contested Excise Tax under  Maine Statue.. Title 36, chapter 105, subchapter 9 article 1 section 95  which in fact  DOES NOT EVEN EXIST.  Click here for the Maine Statues relating to this.  SEE INCLUDED LETTER from Lisbon Town Manager.

This was all brought to the Lisbon Town Council meeting on January 25, 2011.

See letters below from Lisbon Town Manager, Androscoggin District Attorney and Maine Attorney General Offices.

AFTER SPEAKING WITH ANDROSCOGGIN DEPUTY SHERIFF, THIS ACTION HAS COST THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS ON THE PART OF LISBON , ANDROSCOGGIN COUNTY , DISTRICT ATTORNEY AND MAINE'S ATTORNEY GENERAL OFFICES. 

PEOPLE THIS IS WHAT IS GOING ON WITH YOUR MONEY.  YOU NOT ONLY HAVE A TOWN MANAGER WASTING YOUR MONEY, THE TOWN MANAGER'S ATTORNEY IS NOT EVEN GIVING THE PROPER INFORMATION FOR RECOURSE  and you have a Police Chief that lets his personal feelings interact with his job duties. 

We are wondering how many more mistakes like this in job performance goes on without anyone noticing. 

HOW MUCH MORE SLANDER SHOULD ONE PERSON HAVE TO PUT UP WITH BEFORE SOMETHING IS DONE TO END IT?

IS THERE AN ATTORNEY OR LAW FIRM THAT WOULD LIKE TO REPRESENT MR. COTE ON ALL THE ACTIONS OF LISBON'S SO CALLED FINEST AGAINST HIM?  

THIS HAS BEEN ONGOING FOR OVER TWO YEARS NOW.  PLEASE CONTACT MR. COTE AT : flagmann189@aol.com or phone: 353-2100.  HE WILL BE GLAD TO PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.

And yet some people can still come out at a public meeting about the expense of a couple of thousand dollars for a public vote on something that was done correctly according to the Town Charter.  

The Voting could and should have been counted by hand to minimize the expense to the public. Hell the city of Auburn in recent elections counted a vote by hand to do just that, save the city some money. 

But oh no, not Lisbon.  No, There they bill people two and three times a year before they even get their tax bills done correctly.  They also misregister vehicles, case in point.
 
If Further action is taken by Councilor Cote it may warrant the Town of Lisbon having to  give him a refund for services that they contractually could not or did not provide, and be subjected to perceived damages suffered or otherwise incurred.

Looks like it is shaping up to be quite a Budget Season in Lisbon, let alone a lot of other towns.   Watch what areas get hit the hardest.  Too bad Lisbon hadn't started preparing before now.  With less money then originally anticipated coming in from the State,  you must  now look at a sacrifice of services for your area.  Now watch the redundancies open up!