How Can So Few Have So Much Power? Corruption:

LAWLESS LISBON, AT IT AGAIN!!!

The citizens of Lisbon are in for a real treat Tuesday night at the Town Council meeting.  If you cannot make it Tuesday night, you can see it when it comes out on the Lisbon Reporter or the town web site.  You have the opportunity to watch the ”Good Old Boys” violate the wishes of the people, once again.  On the agenda is a proposal by the Planning Board to change the ordinance on “Home Occupation”. 

This new definition of “Home Occupation” now includes, among other things, a special provision for auto body shops, auto repair facilities and repair facilities.  This addition was added to circumvent the Comprehensive Plan approved by the citizens of Lisbon.  The Comprehensive Plan states under the Section on Overview – Route 9 Corridor …”The Limited Residential District does not all for commercial type uses and the Rural Open Space District limits commercial type uses to recreation and natural resource based.”  I do not believe auto body shops, repair facilities and repair facilities fall under these clearly spelled out land usages.

This is the “Good Old Boys” way to make legal the two garages operating on Route 9.  In order to allow these garages to stay open, the “Good Old Boys” had to find a loop whole in order to protect their brothers and this is their answer.  Once the Town Council passed this new ordinance, and there is no question they will, these garages can operate legally.  These same two garages were provided a written notice by the Code Enforcement Officer that they were in violation of our town ordinances.  These neighbors of ours totally ignored the Code Enforcement Officer and continued to operate knowing fully well their brothers would protect them.  Instead, of obeying our ordinances, like good neighbors, these individuals decided to trust the “Good Old Boys” and continue to operate. 

How can the town council justify taking a violation of our ordinances and wave a magic wand and make these garages legal?  I personally believe when you intentionally circumvent our laws to allow a few to operate businesses not in compliance with our ordinances or Comprehensive Plan it is fraud.  I hope the state of Maine will review this case and take appropriate action.

For your information, these two garages are not listed as paying any personal property tax.  Apparently, this is another benefit of being one of the “Good Old Boys”.  By these “Good Old Boys” not paying their fair share of taxes means the rest of us have to pay their share.  Why should law abiding citizens be forced to pay taxes for “Good Old Boys” who do not comply with our ordinances?

The Planning Board is using this to justify the operation of two garages on Route 9.  The town council will make it legal at Tuesday’s meeting.  Well, so much for the wishes and vision of the people who voted and approved the Comprehensive Plan.

The “Good Old Boys” win and the law abiding citizens lose again!!!!!!!!!

Welcome to Lisbon.

Larry Fillmore
Concerned Citizen