It Was His Choice‏ !

Lisbon Police Chief David T. Brooks

IT WAS HIS CHOICE!!!

At last night’s budget workshop, the Town Council reviewed options for inclusion in this year’s budget.  Since the Finance Director did not provide copies of the sheet used during the meeting, I will have to give you what I heard during the workshop.  Chairwoman Ward did not mention the line items for the Police Department except when someone else mentioned it first.

The Council as a whole voted NOT to include the Mobile Radios; Document Imaging Unit and Voter Radio System.  One of the Councilors said if Chief Brooks wanted them he could use the Forfeiture Funds.  However, still an option on the table is the replacement of several vehicles.  According to the Police Department Vehicle Inventory dated July 11, 2013, Chief Brooks wants to replace four (4) vehicles this year.  Councilor Garrison asked Chief Brooks when he gave his departmental presentation if one of the vehicles he wanted to replace was the same unit that the town replaced the engine last year and the response by Chief Brooks was “YES”.  My question would be if we replaced the motor last year why are we replacing the car this year?  I would like to think we get more than six months use out of a new engine.

Now in September 2013, the Town of Lisbon received Forfeiture Funds in the amounts of $71,750.78 and $632.91 according to the bank statement.  On the Capital Improvement Plan, Chief Brooks listed the following items:

Animal Control Officer Vehicle - $24,000
    Mobil Radios (11) – $33,000
    Voter Radio System - $28,000
    Document Imaging Unit - $14,000

So come October 1, 2013, Chief Brooks had a total of $72,383.69 in forfeiture funds available and all the items on the Capital Improvement Plan qualified for these funds.  Chief Brooks needed to prioritize the Police Department needs.  Chief Brooks chose the items listed below over the ones on the Capital Improvement Plan. 

As you can see, Chief Brooks’ chose such items as assault rifles  with custom embroidered storage bags and mounts; GPS and balls and ball launcher for the Police dog over any item on the Capital Improvement Plan.  There are many more items on this list that Chief Brooks chose over the big ticket items.  Instead he brought toys for the boys and is now asking the taxpayers to pay for the big ticket items. 

There is sufficient monies remaining in the forfeiture funds to “Lease to Purchase” the vehicles he want to replace this year.  So tell me again why the taxpayers are being forced to pay for the replacement of any vehicles this year?

Chief Brooks looks the residents of Lisbon in the face and tells them what they want to hear while the whole time he is purchasing useless items and forcing the taxpayers to pay for BIG ticket items which he can purchase with forfeiture funds.   

No wonder  OUR taxes continue to rise.

Larry Fillmore