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The Takeover Of Lisbon Maine
The foundation for this takeover was laid several years ago when Lisbon Residents were persuaded to change Lisbon’s form of Government from the “ Town Meeting Style” to the present “Town Council structure". This change shifted power in Lisbon Government from the people to seven Councilors.
Gradually the Town Councilors came to realize the power that had fallen into their laps.
They learned:
1. Most Lisbon Residents are too busy making a living to
closely watch Councilor actions.
Gradually the Town Councilors came to realize the power that had fallen into their laps.
They learned:
1. Most Lisbon Residents are too busy making a living to
closely watch Councilor actions.
2. They found they could propose and pass about anything
they wanted without constituent resistance.
3. They learned they could control most resident resistance by
using a few simple tactics.
* They scheduled meetings in a venue much too small for the audience expected. This made it physically uncomfortable for the participants to see and hear the proceedings and as a result many went home in frustration.
* Limiting free speech by:
a. Placing a time limit on each person speaking
b. Restrict scope of topic discussed
4. Councilors also found intimidation a useful tool in controlling taxpayer resistance.They discovered armed Police stationed behind the speaking podium intimidated residents.
5. They learned that the only time Lisbonites resist in mass is when the tax mil rate is raised. Experience taught them quickly that any mil increase needed to be blamed on some outside uncontrollable source.
These control measures worked well for a few years until a concerned group of residents started to recognize what the Councilors were doing. These citizens started attending meetings and pointing out the unfair double standards and conflicts of interest that the council supported. They even attempted unsuccessfully to recall two of the worst Councilors.
The Councilors, sensing their control slipping, decided to tighten the reigns and made changes to the charter that would strengthen their control and make it virtually impossible to remove them.
Councilors also felt resistance from the Budget Advisory Board who wouldn't rubber stamp their tax and spend measures. The solution to this problem was to eliminate the Elected Board and replace it with a new committee of hand picked members that would be loyal to the Council.
Last week the Council Completed their takeover of Lisbon by eliminating all unauthorized speech at Public Council Meetings. This shows the absolute disdain Lisbon Councilors have for the opinions of Lisbon Taxpayers.This move also silences all opposition and removes the embarrassment of taxpayers pointing out their injustices.
I urge the people of Lisbon to take the advice of Mr. Wile who suggested we return to the former “Town Meeting/Selectman Style of government.
This change will return power to the people.
Respectfully
LisbonMaine.Net
Joe Hill
* Limiting free speech by:
a. Placing a time limit on each person speaking
b. Restrict scope of topic discussed
4. Councilors also found intimidation a useful tool in controlling taxpayer resistance.They discovered armed Police stationed behind the speaking podium intimidated residents.
5. They learned that the only time Lisbonites resist in mass is when the tax mil rate is raised. Experience taught them quickly that any mil increase needed to be blamed on some outside uncontrollable source.
These control measures worked well for a few years until a concerned group of residents started to recognize what the Councilors were doing. These citizens started attending meetings and pointing out the unfair double standards and conflicts of interest that the council supported. They even attempted unsuccessfully to recall two of the worst Councilors.
The Councilors, sensing their control slipping, decided to tighten the reigns and made changes to the charter that would strengthen their control and make it virtually impossible to remove them.
Councilors also felt resistance from the Budget Advisory Board who wouldn't rubber stamp their tax and spend measures. The solution to this problem was to eliminate the Elected Board and replace it with a new committee of hand picked members that would be loyal to the Council.
Last week the Council Completed their takeover of Lisbon by eliminating all unauthorized speech at Public Council Meetings. This shows the absolute disdain Lisbon Councilors have for the opinions of Lisbon Taxpayers.This move also silences all opposition and removes the embarrassment of taxpayers pointing out their injustices.
I urge the people of Lisbon to take the advice of Mr. Wile who suggested we return to the former “Town Meeting/Selectman Style of government.
This change will return power to the people.
Respectfully
LisbonMaine.Net
Joe Hill
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