Another View Point on Last Night's Special Town Council Meeting 04/30/2013

Lisbon Maine Council Silences One More Long Time Lisbon Resident.

On Tuesday Night (4-30-13) the Lisbon Council held its annual public budget meeting to hear residents concerns about the 2013-14 budget.

During the public input section of the meeting long time Resident Dot Fitzgerald asked the Council when they were going to allow the public to vote on the town side of the budget as requested by the overwhelming vote more than a year ago.  Chairman Larochelle immediately chastised and silenced Mrs. Fitzgerald by stating that the public's vote on the budget wasn't a budget matter and thus wasn't on the agenda and will not be discussed.

If the peoples vote on the budget isn't a budget matter what is a budget matter? Not one of the Councilors spoke up in Mrs. Fitzgerald's defense.  They all knew this was a taboo subject and wasn’t to be discussed in public.

Shortly after Chairman Larochelle silenced Mrs. Fitzgerald  he applauded  one of his own supporters, Mr. Cunningham,  that read  a 5 minute personal speech, much of which was totally off topic.  This speech ranged from beautifying buildings in Lisbon  to criticizing people that regularly attend Council meetings .

By silencing Mrs. Fitzgerald and allowing a more off topic speech Chairman Larochelle made it clear to everyone that only comments supporting the Council’s view will be allowed at public Council Meetings.


 I think  it is in the best interest of all in Lisbon to have a  free exchange of ideas at our  public forums.  Without this free exchange of ideas  the seeds of corruption will have fertile ground to sprout and grow. 

Respectfully
LisbonMaine.Net
Joe Hill