Is Free Speech Dead at Lisbon “Public Hearings”?

 Is Free Speech Dead at Lisbon “Public Hearings”?

A couple years ago Lisbon Councilors decided to silence their critics by severely limiting public input at Lisbon Council Meetings. They decided to only allow the public to speak on items directly related to an agenda item.

About a Month ago the  Lisbon Appeals Board went a step further by refusing to take any input from the public at an Appeals Board “public hearing”. Chairman Morgan-Alexander stopped a Lisbon resident from giving relevant safety testimony at this public hearing.  She allowed the applicant and abutters to speak but refused to let the public give opposing relevant testimony.

According to an MMA (Maine Municipal Association) guideline this type of meeting is considered a quasi-legal hearing and is regulated by different guidelines than a legislative public hearing.  If these guidelines are not strictly adhered to the results of the hearing may be subject to costly litigation.

Questions raised by refusing to adhere to MMA guidelines.

•     What is the purpose of “Public Hearings” if not to hear from the public?

•     How can the public voice its opposition to unsafe conditions when the Appeals Board refuses to let the public speak ?

•     Has the equal protection requirement been fulfilled when members from the public are not allowed to speak?

This was an  appeals board meeting advertised as a “public hearing”.  

It appears  Free Speech is on life support in Lisbon.

Respectfully

Joe Hill

LisbonMaine.net