Recap Of Town Council Meeting Nov. 1, 2011

RECAP NOV 1

The Town Council meeting on November 1, 2011, has to go down in the books as one of the craziest meetings of all.  Before we get into the players let’s talk about the main subjects:  (1) Brooks presentation; (2) question on the ballot (3) Western Maine Transportation and finally Bowie’s action.

(1)    Brooks wants to expand his current empire at the Lisbon taxpayer’s expense.
(2)    The town wants to regulate how much businesses can charge for their services.
(3)    The council has no clue what to do with the shortfall for the transportation.
(4)    Bowie commits a conflict of interest which was allowed by the council.

The players and their action:

Chairman Lunt:  Did not want to accept a “Point of Order”.  I explained to the council that there was a conflict of interest if Bowie was allowed to discuss the consolidation of communications center because his wife’s job description is filled with dispatch and communications center duties.  Chairman Lunt would not accept the explanation and allowed Bowie to speak on the subject.

Vice Chair Pomelow:  Had no clue what a “Point of Order” was and when to use it. She went so far as to make a comment in Councilor Communication about individuals who use this term.  She did this in Councilor Communication so no one could correct her.  This is a person who wants to be the next Chairperson of the council and has no clue about parliamentary procedures.

Roger Cote:  As usual, always on point with every comment.  Keep up the excellent job you are doing.  You are the only councilor with any common sense.

Roger Bickford:  A complete disappointment to the community.  I understand this is his first year and he needs time to understand what is going on but it has been a year and Roger is turning into a puppet.

Gina Mason:  No comment because she has no direct input on any subject before the council except social activities in Lisbon.  The Council Social Director.

Fern LaRochelle:  A true puppet who does anything the puppet master tells him to do.  A true “yes” man!

Michael Bowie:  The puppet master who has orchestrated the demise of the Town of Lisbon.  Bowie wants the taxpayer to fund the consolidation of the communication center to increase his wife’s salary and to expand Brooks’ empire.  Because he is the puppet master this standing council minus Councilor Cote, and this council gives into his every wish.  He has no interest in what is best for the town.  This council has an opportunity to save the taxpayers over $500,000 by turning the communication center over to the county.  Of course, this would mean a reduction in his wife’s salary.

Stephen Eldridge: Trying to expand Brooks’ empire, trying to grant the council more power by regulating the amount businesses in town can charge for their services.   Orchestrated $5,700 for the Fire Chief which he has not utilized yet wants $8,200 to destroy a building but cannot find sufficient funds to keep the Western Maine Transportation going.  This bus service provides many residents rides to doctor appointment; work; shopping and other necessities.  Eldridge always has money for his cronies but not for the residents.

Chief Brooks:  Only wants to expand his empire at taxpayers’ expense.  He admitted to concealing money from the taxpayers in order to hide the actual cost to operate the Communication Center and never did explain where the equipment and maintenance cost are in the town budget.

But the highlight of the evening is when Mrs. Fitzgerald asked the question “why is the town trying to regulate how much a business can charge for services?”  This is the first Charter Change on the ballot.  No one had an answer.  Even Eldridge who normally lies to cover up his mistakes did not have an answer.  Finally, Chairman Lunt said he would look into it and see what the town lawyer had to say.  
The people vote on these Charter Changes Tuesday and if the Council has no idea what this means then how did it get on the ballot.  It is apparent; councilors do not read what is put before them.  The citizens of Lisbon need to vote “NO” on all charter changes until this council can explain each one to us.  If they have no clue; do not approve these changes.

The rating for all the players minus Councilor Cote is “Z”.  You cannot rate higher because they are not doing anything for the Town of Lisbon.  If I could find a letter below Z they would receive it.  What a poor excuse for a Mainer and a town council!

Larry Fillmore
Concernsd Citizen