The Lisbon Reporter

WELCOME TO THE LISBON REPORTER. In an effort to keep our community informed of what is going on at local and Federal levels of government, we decided to create this on-line newspaper. It is our hope that this on-line newspaper will help you stay informed so that you can get involved and take action for the benefit of our ENTIRE community. Thank you for visiting and please check back frequently for information about what is happening in LISBON/LISBON FALLS, MAINE USA

Thursday, April 21, 2016

TIME TO GET OFF THE COUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lisbon is known as a “bedroom community”. This means that it is a quiet, peaceful town to live in and raise our children. Residents rely on the Town Council and the Town Manager to run the town because regular residents have no interest in politics as long as it doesn’t affect them. It is about time people of Lisbon start taking an interest in THEIR community.

The people have been replaced with the “Good Old Boys” network comprised of a few dominant citizens. Now is the time for residents to get involved in the community and take an interest in improving our town.

A prime example is this year’s budget. On the Municipal side of the house, all the Department Heads have submitted their proposed budgets to the Town Council which is an increase of $677,373.00 over last year’s budget. This equates to a 1.6 mil rate increase. In other words, a spike in your taxes! I originally thought that once the proposed budgets were presented to the Town Council; they would review these budgets and determine what is vital and what is not. But looking at the budget schedule there are no dates to work on reducing these figures. Our Town Council is not going to make any attempt to reduce these figures or try to reduce our taxes.

However on the School side, they are working real hard to reduce their budget. Currently, the Superintendent and the School Board have cut three teachers and four positions. So far, they have reduced their budget by roughly $718,500.00. Remember the “Goat Rope” Councilors Bickford, Metivier, Brunelle and Crafts put the School Department through last year and how many times we voted on the School Referendum.

This is a clear indication as to who is running this town and where their priorities are. Residents need to start attending Town Council meetings and voicing their concerns about the taxes and priorities in this town. Citizens of this town need to take an interest in their community. Making improvements to the town will go a long ways making it a better place to live.

Larry Fillmore