When Will Lisbon's Leaders 'Get It': HYPE OR HYPOCRITES?

HYPE OR HYPOCRITES

The citizens of Lisbon need to take a closer look at their elected officials and in particular our town council. On May 8^th, 2012, there was a Public Hearing regarding the 2012-2013 proposed budgets for both the school and the municipality. During the Audience Participation, numerous citizens voiced their outcry at the proposed 2% pay increase for town employees. Some of those that spoke had not received a pay increase in over nine years and everyone who did speak stated resoundingly that they were against the pay raise. Apparently, the town council did not hear the people because every budget workshop since has contained 30-45 minutes of a discussion on the 2% pay increase. These 30-45 minutes could have been better utilized to work through other budget issues.

It is increasingly apparent our town council care nothing for the regards of the people. The people may have elected these councilors but these councilors DO NOT represent the wishes of the people. Councilor Bowie (whose wife works for the town and this increase would affect the family income) is the driving force behind the pay increase and dictates to the other councilors how they feel. All of the councilors were present during the Public Hearing and heard exactly what the wishes of the people were and then turned around and totally ignored them. The town council has wasted numerous hours on this one subject after the people were very emphatic about what they wanted.

Councilor Gina Mason has always been a strong advocate for more people becoming involved with town government. Councilor Mason has made comments about her not understanding why more people do not attend the council meetings or speaking out during Public Hearings. Her position is shared by Chairman Larochelle and other members of the town council with the exception of puppet master Bowie. But let’s look at their track record, Councilor Pomelow took away OUR right to speak on agenda items after the councilors had heard and discussed the issue before the council. Instead, we now have to speak on agenda items prior to the sponsor detailing what they are looking for from the council. Also, look at the results of the Public Hearing; when the people speak they are totally ignored so why would anyone come out and want to participate in town government just to be ignored?

The true definition of a politician is " A person who can talk out of both sides of his mouth at the same time and say nothing.” Look at Dale Crafts as a prime example: Mr. Crafts told me personally, in front of a town councilor, he would provide me a copy of the $32,500.00 misappropriation investigation from the state attorney general’s office. This was well over month ago and I have not heard another word from him on this subject. He has not provided an update or a status to me.

What this town needs and deserves are leaders. Lisbon needs leaders who are not in office to further their personal agendas but to do what is best for the people of Lisbon. What are currently in office are individuals who have no integrity nor the best interest of the community.

In November VOTE them out!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Larry Fillmore

Concerned Citizen