Lisbon Council Protects Their Own

Lisbon Council Protects their own

.

Lisbon Council should be commended for the fine job

they did Tuesday night, insulating themselves from any

future recall attempts

.

Early on in the meeting Mr. David Bowie (from the Ethics Committee)

almost derailed the charter change proposal, by questioning

some of its ambiguous wording. Due to the quick thinking

of the councilors and an impromptu mini workshop the change

was saved.

When faced with the fear of having to be answerable to the people,

councilors sprang into frenzied action debating the wording of the

charter change. They also solicited legal advice from the Town Attorney

as well as Ethical guidance from an Ethics Committee Member.

After 20 minutes of intensive back and forth the amendment was

saved and everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

Unfortunately the amendment that would cut Lisbon’s taxes

by giving the people the right to vote on their own budget, had

another fate. This threat was quickly alleviated by placing a

cleverly crafted non binding advisory question on the ballot.

We even got a preview of next years stall tactic.

When it was suggested that the advisory question regarding the

budget be changed to a vote by department instead of a straight

up and down vote, Councilors summarily rejected the idea.

Lets look for this non binding advisory question on next years ballot.

Lisbon Council (with the exception of Mr. Cote) has no intention

of ever giving the people of this town the ability to vote on their

own budget. They just don’t believe we are smart enough to handle

this responsibility.

Lets put the power back in the hands of the people this November.

Reject all charter changes until the council allows us a department

by department vote on the budget.

Respectfully

F.E. Stacey





Editor's Note:   Great Falls TV has the meeting available online for viewing now.  Enjoy!