Citizens Rights Have Been Curtailed Once Again In Lisbon, Maine!!! !

Lisbon Councilors  have decided to quash all Speech that isn’t on their pre-approved agenda . A Lisbon Resident is no longer free to speak their mind. Their speech must be pre-approved and placed on the Town Meeting agenda by a Councilor before they will be allowed to speak.   NO I am not exaggerating!!!  This  is the solution the Council has come up with to combat the embarrassment caused by allowing a few minutes of free speech in the audience participation segment of the Council Meeting.

Two years ago when the Council removed unrestricted free speech and instituted the new speech rules they assured us that the public would still have an opportunity to speak on any issue and only restricted it to the beginning of the meeting and only for a 5 minute period. Evidently the previous restriction was just the beginning of a slippery slope that has ended with elimination of all un-approved speech.

If these rules were in place last year do you  think Lisbon Residents would have found out about 

•  The Illegal tax deduction taken by Larochelle LLC

•  The Very large carryover Lisbon took last year when they also raised taxes
•  The  preferential treatment given to some businesses on rte 9 
• Or a host of other questionable if not downright illegal actions taken by our  Councilors and their friends? I think not.

Perhaps one of the most cogent and succinct statements ever made that defines a free society was the one that’s been attributed to Voltaire, “I do not agree with what you have to say, but I’ll defend to the death your right to say it. “  Evidently Lisbon Councilors disagree with this quote and feel “Silence is Golden”.

Eliminating free speech and controlling the Press is fundamental in controlling public dissent. All oppressive corrupt governments must eliminate opposing ideas if they want to survive.
Since Lisbon Residents no longer have the ability to speak through Official means this blog will gladly publish all opinions.(dissenting as well as supporting)  We believe in FREE SPEECH . period.
I can think of only one reason to silence residents. 

COVERUP OF QUESTIONABLE ACTIVITY.

 
Respectfully
Joe Hill