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

Monday, May 14, 2012

Is Censorship And Concealment Of Information From Residents Prevalent In Lisbon Town Management?

CENSORSHIP OR CONCEALMENT

When the Town Council decided to change the Council Working Rules by moving Audience Participation to the beginning of the meeting. The intent seemed to eliminate the people from speaking on voting issues during the discussion phase of the process. It was with the understanding the council would publish, under Agenda Documentation, all items being discussed and voted on during the meeting. This enabled the Public to know and understand what was being voted on and could provide input during Audience Participation.

At the last town council meeting, this was not the case. There were no Agenda Documentations pertaining to neither Brooks’ presentation nor the two issues Brooks asked the council to vote on.

These issues were:

VOTE (2012-48B) Councilor Bowie, seconded by Councilor Ward move to support the Lisbon Consolidation plan consuming the County dispatch. Order passed – Vote 6-0.

VOTE (2012-48B) Councilor Bowie, seconded by Councilor Ward move that if the County proposal failed, then Lisbon will keep Lisbon’s dispatch and not go with the LA 911 plan. Order passed – Vote 5-1 (Opposed: Mason)

Both of these items are critical to the citizens of Lisbon and the Public should have been given the opportunity to provide input. This Lisbon Communications Center issue involved the lives of everyone living in Lisbon. As you can see by who made the motion and who seconded the motion; that puts loyalty and logistics before human life.

The council should always allow the citizens of Lisbon the opportunity to speak on all issues prior to voting on them. If, as is this case, the Public had no prior notification of what was being considered the vote should have been tabled until the people had an opportunity to provide input to the council before they voted on the issues. There was no emergency!

Apparently, the town council did not want the Public to know what was going on because there is no video tape due to technical difficulties while the camera was being operated by a veteran operator.

Larry Fillmore

Concerned Citizen