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

Sunday, November 6, 2011

A Perspective On Tuesdays' Vote Lisbon!!!!!

Charter Amendment or Power Shift?

On Tuesday Nov. 8th Lisbon voters will be asked to approve 8 amendments to the Lisbon
Charter. At first glance these changes seem quite innocuous, but under further scrutiny
an underlying theme emerges. These changes shift power from the people to the Council.

Question 1
     This amendment would clarify and possibly expand on the word "Property" to include both personal (movable) property as well as real (fixed) property. This change could potentially require an ordinance to convey or lease ANY property the town owns (except tax acquired property). Wouldn't this require an ordinance for the town to sell an old used vehicle like the one we recently sold for a few hundred dollars? Since ordinances are mainly initiated by the Town Council would this not mandate the councils action on any property sale or lease thereby increasing the power of the council?

   Question 3
   This amendment could be used to sidestep objective testing for appointments and job promotions and make subjective decisions the main qualifying requirement for advancement. In other words “kiss the right butt and join the right “good old boys (or girls) club” if you want your promotion.

Question 5
   This one doesn’t even try to hide the power shift. It spells it out in black and white. Additional power is given to the Council to act as the Board of Assessment review under certain circumstances.

Question 6
   Would give the Council control over money in certain circumstances.

Question 7
   Why are we not given a better breakdown of this question? I am always suspicious when A governing body throws everything and the kitchen sink at you knowing that the average person will never spend the time required to weed out the garbage in order to understand the real change.

Question 8
We are all aware of this attempt by the Council to guarantee their full term by placing impossible conditions on the recall of a Councilor.   JOB SECURITY

I wonder if it is wise to place this much power in the hands of the Council and limit our own ability to remove a rogue Councilor. We all know Lord Actons insightful quote. “Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely”.

I urge the hardworking residents of Lisbon to send a message to the Council by voting NO on all of these amendments and to vote YES on the very last advisory question that will tell the Council we want to vote on our Town Budget.

Joe Hill
LisbonMaine.net