Town Manager's Managerial's Skills‏

TOWN MANAGER DISPLAYS MANAGERIAL SKILLS

I have been trying to open the eyes of the Lisbon Town Council since 8 November 2010 about the lack of professionalism, knowledge and managerial skills of the Town Manager. I believe Mr. Eldridge violated approximately twelve (12) portions of the Town of Lisbon Charter. This was insufficient for the Town Council to remove him as the Town Manager.

The Town Manager demanded under the Maine Freedom of Access Act (FOAA) Mrs. Fitzgerald produce the public records which were the bases for the Recall Petition filed against Councilor Bowie. This was done AFTER the Town Council had accepted the petition as legally sufficient and established a date for a Special Election. If Mr. Eldridge was truly interested in obtaining this information, he should have done it PRIOR to the Town Council setting an Election date. The only thing which could possible be gained by the information at this point was to intimated Mrs. Fitzgerald and interfere with the voting process. Once the Town Council had established the Election Date, it was up to the voters. BY THE WAY, THE INFORMATION MR. ELDRIDGE REQUESTED HE ALREADY HAD BECAUSE HE IS THE CUSTODIAN OF THE TOWN COUNCIL MEETINGS MINUTES. IN OTHER WORDS, HIS LETTER SHOULD HAVE BEEN WRITTEN TO HIMSELF AND NOT MRS. FITZGERALD. Again, this clearly demonstrations the Town Manager has no knowledge of Maine laws.

To further demonstrate this, let’s look at last year’s tax screw-up. According to the Town Charter Mr. Eldridge is responsible for the direct supervision of the Tax Assessor, who by the way, he hires. The Town Manager stated at the Town Council meeting “once a valid commitment is in place nothing can be done to change it.” The only problem with this is once again Stephen Eldridge had absolutely no clue what constitutes a “valid commitment” which I believe is his responsibility under the charter and his employment agreement to know. The Town Manager of any municipality is required to know Maine law and a valid commitment. This MINOR screw-up cost the taxpayer in excess of $10,000 dollars to fix.

KEEP IN MIND; THESE TRANSGRESSIONS BY THE TOWN MANAGER WERE TOTALLY IGNORED BY THE TOWN COUNCIL. THE TOWN COUNCIL REFUSED TO TAKE ANY ACTION AGAINST THE TOWN MANAGER.

Today, Mr. Stephen Eldridge is demonstrating his managerial skills again. The Town Manager wants to place the Town Engineer in charge of the Public Works Department, Transfer Station, and the Sewer Treatment Plant in order to justify giving the Town Engineer an increase in his already inflated salary. Mr. Button Beal and Mr. Wayne Ricker have worked for the town of Lisbon their entire careers. These gentlemen have devoted long hours and many years of service to this community. These individuals have been cited on numerous occasions for their outstanding service to this town. Now as a reward for their meritorious service, they are being asked to step down as director (I am sure on paper only because the Town Engineer has no clue what goes on in these two departments) to allow the Town Manager to increase the pay of “ONE OF THE GOOD OLD BOYS”. The Town Manager is doing this consolidation in order to save money. The problem with this is each of these two individuals will continue to receive the very same pay and will be eligible for over-time. This demonstrated his managerial skills.

The Town of Lisbon was once a great community to live in. This is prior to Stephen Eldridge becoming the Town Manager. Now, under his guidance the Town of Lisbon is deteriorating rapidly. I personally do not agree with the treatment of individuals who have dedicated their careers and sacrifices to this community. I feel ashamed to be a member of a community who treat individuals in this manner. We need to support their dedication to this town and its residents.

IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE TOWN COUNCIL TO PUT A STOP TO THIS SHAMEFUL, AND IRRESPONSIBILITY ACTS OF STEPHEN ELDRIDGE. EACH AND EVERY COUNCILOR WHO SIDES WITH MR. ELDRIDGE IS JUST AS GUILTY AS HE IS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Larry A. Fillmore
Concerned Citizen

Lisbon, Me.