An Assimilation To Lisbon?; Kennebec Journal: Swan in-law paints different picture of abuse

By Betty Adams badams@centralmaine.com
Staff Writer

BANGOR -- Jurors got a different picture of former Chelsea selectwoman Carole Swan on Thursday as her trial on federal fraud charges neared an end.

Related headlines

• Swan claims she was abused, misguided and misunderstood
• Carole Swan abused, severely disabled, mother testifies

Instead of a weak, battered woman baffled by government forms and beaten by her husband when she failed to do his bidding, Swan was described by her sister-in-law as sometimes angry, self-assured and highly competitive.

Roberta Jean Rood, the older sister of Marshall Swan, Carole Swan’s husband, was a rebuttal witness called by Assistant U.S. Attorney Donald Clark. Swan faces five counts of tax fraud, four counts of false statements with regard to workers’ compensation benefits, and one count of fraud on a federal program in U.S. District Court.

The trial is to resume at 10 a.m. Friday.

Continue reading:  http://www.kjonline.com/news/Swan-says-she-cant-remember-details-of-project-award-to-her-husband.html?pagenum=1

Police salaries‏, "Why Town Manager Eldridge, Town Council, and Chief of Police Brooks do not want the public to vote on the town budget"

 

 

 

The heading for the Lisbon Police Department salaries should have been,

 

"Why Town Manager Eldridge, Town Council, and Chief of Police Brooks do not want the public to vote on the town budget".  

 

Look what is happening in Auburn. The public has voted the school budget down, twice!

 http://www.sunjournal.com/news/lewiston-auburn/2013/07/23/auburn-school-budget-rejected-again/1397256

 

 I was just speaking to a Lisbon resident and taxpayer on not being able to vote on the town budget. He said "This is our money they are spending. Why aren't we allowed to vote on it? " (The budget).

 

I could not have said it better!

 

Dot Fitzgerald

A Very Concerned Lisbon Resident

"Lisbon, Lies, Liars, & Legal Larceny?" Kennebec Journal: Swan claims she was abused, misguided and misunderstood

By Betty Adams badams@centralmaine.com
Staff Writer

BANGOR — Former Chelsea selectwoman Carole Swan told jurors her story today, saying she was abused, misguided and misunderstood.

Carole Swan

Staff photo by Betty Adams

Related headlines

• Carole Swan abused, severely disabled, mother testifies

Swan testified in her own defense on the 12th day of her trial in federal court, spending more than three hours on the stand and starting by describing domestic violence she said she suffered at the hands of husband, Marshall.

Swan testified that her husband repeatedly pulled her hair, punched her upper arm and kicked her, but she kept it a secret because it was embarrassing.

"He's like two people," she said. "When he's nice, there's not a better person in the world."
Swan, 55, faces multiple fraud charges related to false tax returns and claims for workers' compensation, as well as fraud involving a federal aid program.

Carole Swan tells jurors she led a dual life, beaten and controlled by her husband, disabled and in pain; while painting herself as Chelsea town government's 'superwoman' to contractor Frank Monroe, who allegedly paid kickbacks to her on town contracts

 

Read more:  http://www.kjonline.com/news/Swan-takes-the-stand-in-fraud-trial.html

Kennebec Journal: In Kennebec County sheriff’s video, Swan says she has no idea why contractor gave her money

By Betty Adams badams@centralmaine.com
Staff Writer

BANGOR — Carole Swan sits in a chair in the green interview room of the Kennebec Sheriff’s Office, her right elbow rests on a wooden table, her right hand propping her head.

Two investigators ask her about her dealings with Whitefield contractor Frank Monroe, how much money she expected to get from him, when it all started and how much money she had received in kickbacks from contractors over the years.

“To be honest, I can’t remember,” she tells them in a soft voice. “Honestly I don’t know.”
Brief color video clips from the Feb. 3, 2011, interview at the sheriff’s office in Augusta were played for jurors Thursday at Swan’s trial in U.S. District Court.

Read more:  http://www.kjonline.com/news/Former-Chelsea-town-manager-concerns-about-road-work-dismissed.html

Is Lisbon Following in Chelsea's Steps?

TOWN CONTRACTS

Our Town Council has approved two contracts which are NOT in accordance with the town’s Purchasing Policy.  This is extremely disturbing after reading about Carole Swan and everything that went on in Chelsea.  I hope this is NOT what Lisbon is in for.

During the council meeting on July 2, 2013, the council approved a renewal on the Biosolids Disposal contract with Casella Organics (formerly New England Organics).  The town has maintained a contract with this company since 2008.  This contract is for approximately $80,000 tax dollars and per our Purchasing Policy is required to go out for bid. 

The town engineer and the town manager failed to put this contract out for bid.  According to these two, New England Organics was the only business to submit a bid in 2008.  Five years has passed and a lot has changed and this is why it is important to comply with the Purchasing Policy and put this out for bid.  None of the councilors asked an obvious question, “How are the surrounding towns disposing of their bio-solid waste and what companies are they using?”  

Before the town manager or the town council can claim this renewal is in the “best interest of the town” they should at least make an effort to see how everyone else is handling their waste.  Instead they just approved the renewal, which begs the questions “Why ignore our Purchasing Policy and is someone receiving a kick back?

During the break in the meeting, I explained the obvious problems with renewing the contract without submitting it out for bid.   Two councilors said they would look into it.  On Monday night, I received a phone call from one of these councilors stating the council recognized their mistake and will correct it.  When I brought this out to the council, Chairman LaRochelle stated there was nothing wrong with the renewal and moved on with the meeting.

On the agenda for July 16, 2013 town council meeting, was voting on the “Road Striping” bid.  The council voted to approve the contract to Markings Inc. out of Massachusetts.  I personally contacted the other two businesses the town said they sent the bid to.  Lucas Striping out of Sidney, ME said they never received a copy of the RFP but would like to bid on the contract.  I relayed this to the council but they did not care.  In fact, Councilor Ward stated she wanted to move on with this contract instead of allowing a Maine company to place a bid. 

 Why the hurry?   

I also contacted Sir, Lines-A-Lot, LLC who stated they received a FAX with the RFP.  According to Mr. Eldridge, a letter was forwarded to these companies but we know that is not true because Sir, Lines-A-Lot, LLC received a FAX and did not want to submit a bid.  But the strangest thing about the award of this contract was there was no bid attached from Markings Inc.  How can you approve a contract without a bid being present?  Instead of the tabling this until they received a copy of the bid from Markings Inc, they approved it without an actual bid being present.  This begs the question “Why approve this without a bid being present and why not give a Maine company time to submit a bid?” 

These inconsistencies in the contract/Purchasing Policy mirrors what Chelsea and Carole Swan are going through in court.  Is Lisbon going to be next?

Larry Fillmore 

  

Kennebec Journal: Tempers flare at Swan trial

Updated: Today at 10:27 AM

Tempers flare at Swan trial

By Betty Adams badams@centralmaine.com
Staff Writer

BANGOR — Whitefield contractor Frank Monroe is back on the witness stand today in the Carole Swan trial, and already the judge has had to warn those watching the trial to maintain decorum.

Frank Monroe

Contributed photo

On Wednesday, Monroe testified that that he felt pressured to give Swan kickbacks of $3,000, $7,000 and $10,000 when he was awarded work in the town of Chelsea. At the time, Swan was a selectwoman whose husband, Marshall Swan, was often given town road and culvert work.

Then today, U.S. District Court Chief Judge John A. Woodcock told those in the courtroom — about 15 people, many of them from Chelsea — to stay quiet after one person hollered “No” as defense attorney Leonard Sharon was questioning Monroe about dates he paid money to Swan after he said she demanded it.

Continue reading more: http://www.kjonline.com/news/Former-Chelsea-town-manager-concerns-about-road-work-dismissed.html

Kennebec Journal: Contractor testifies he paid Swan out of fear of harassment

By Betty Adams badams@centralmaine.com
Staff Writer

Frank Monroe

Contributed photo

BANGOR -- Whitefield contractor Frank Monroe, who helped investigators gather evidence of an alleged kickback scheme involving former Chelsea Selectwoman Carole Swan, told a jury Wednesday that he was worried Swan would harass him if he did not give her the money she demanded.

Monroe, who testified in U.S. District Court, where Swan faces multiple charges of fraud, said he has an agreement with the federal government saying he cannot be prosecuted for anything he says on the witness stand.

He does not have full immunity, however.

Continue reading here: http://www.kjonline.com/news/Former-Chelsea-town-manager-concerns-about-road-work-dismissed.html

Kennebec Journal: Maine politician's trial focuses on more extortion testimony

By BETTY ADAMS Kennebec Journal

BANGOR – In February 2011, Carole Swan told former Chelsea Select-woman Tanya Condon, "Frank turned the tables on me."

Swan and Condon were sitting in Swan's sister's car and Swan told Condon that Whitefield contractor Frank Monroe "was screwing the town over."

"I remember thinking in my head, 'This is going to be a mess,' and I tuned it out," Condon testified Tuesday in U.S. District Court.
Swan, 55, is being tried on multiple fraud charges.

Continue reading more: 
 http://www.pressherald.com/news/swan-trial-focuses-on-more-extortion-testimony_2013-07-17.html

Kennebec Journal: Whitefield contractor Monroe takes the stand in Swan trial

By Betty Adams badams@centralmaine.com
Staff Writer

BANGOR — Whitefield contractor Frank Monroe, who helped investigators gather evidence of an alleged kickback scheme involving former Chelsea Select-woman Carole Swan, told a jury today that he was worried Swan would harass him if he did not give her the money she demanded.

Monroe, who testified in U.S. District Court, where Swan faces multiple charges of fraud, said he has an agreement with the federal government that he cannot be prosecuted for anything he says on the witness stand.

But he does not have full immunity.
The jury heard portions of 10 cellphone calls – recorded by officers with the Kennebec Sheriff’s Office – between Swan and Monroe as the two discussed how she would get a town check to him for $22,075 so he could cash it and then give her $10,000 in cash.

Continue with more reading here: http://www.kjonline.com/news/Former-Chelsea-town-manager-concerns-about-road-work-dismissed.html

Good Ol' Boys Rule Lisbon, So Similar To This Except Lisbon Has Better Law Enforcement Running Interference

Price gouging alleged in Carole Swan trial

By Betty Adams badams@centralmaine.com
Staff Writer

BANGOR — Former Chelsea Selectwoman Carole Swan, who’s now on trial facing multiple charges of fraud, took a particular interest in the Windsor Road culvert replacement project in 2007, climbing down into a deep crater to the stream bed below.

e

Carole Swann

Staff photo by Betty Adams

That was the testimony in U.S. District Court today of Peter Hanson, who attended a prebid meeting at the washed-out road site with three contractors that included Swan’s husband Marshall Swan.

Carole Swan, 55, is accused of falsifying the cost of a culvert for the project that eventually was awarded to Marshall Swan Construction, and her trial on that charge and 10 other fraud charges is in its sixth day.

Read more:  http://www.kjonline.com/news/Price-gouging-alleged-in-Carole-Swan-trial.html

Lisbon vs. Chelsea Is There Any Difference? How About It State Representative Dale Crafts?

What can be learned from all I've sent you? What's transferable to Lisbon? What's the effective SOLUTION for Lisbon?
 What can be learned from all I've sent you? What's transferable to Lisbon? What's the effective SOLUTION for Lisbon?

Chelsea selectman testifies town had concerns about Swan’s involvement in road projects

By Betty Adams badams@centralmaine.com
Staff Writer

BANGOR — Town politics took center stage Thursday at the trial of former Chelsea Selectwoman Carole Swan on multiple federal fraud charges.

click image to enlarge

Carole Swan

Staff photo by Betty Adams

Select images available for purchase in the
Maine Today Photo Store

Richard Danforth, who served on the three-person board of selectmen from 1993–2009, along with Swan, and was re-elected last month, testified he had concerns about her involvement in the town’s road projects.

Danforth described his working relationship with Swan on the fourth day of trial in U.S.District Court.

“Early on, it was cordial,” he said. “She had a lot of good ideas for the town. Later on it got a little contentious.”

He said Swan described herself as an owner of Marshall Swan Construction, which was operated by her husband, Marshall.

Read more here:  http://www.kjonline.com/news/Chelsea-selectman-testifies-town-concerned-about-Carole-Swans-involvement-in-road-projects.html

Chelsea Selectman testifies town had concerns about Swan’s involvement in road projects | The Kennebec Journal, Augusta, ME‏

Hey Lisbon, doesn't this sound like Maloy's?

Taxpayers will pay some $1 million to finance Swans' thefts, legal prosecution, and incarceration COSTS . . . . what's applicable to Lisbon . . . . exposure articles for Lisbon Reporter???

Chelsea selectman testifies town had concerns about Swan’s involvement in road projects

By Betty Adams badams@centralmaine.com
Staff Writer

BANGOR — Town politics took center stage Thursday at the trial of former Chelsea Selectwoman Carole Swan on multiple federal fraud charges.

click image to enlarge

Carole Swan

Staff photo by Betty Adams

Select images available for purchase in the
Maine Today Photo Store

Richard Danforth, who served on the three-person board of selectmen from 1993–2009, along with Swan, and was re-elected last month, testified he had concerns about her involvement in the town’s road projects.
Danforth described his working relationship with Swan on the fourth day of trial in U.S.District Court.
“Early on, it was cordial,” he said. “She had a lot of good ideas for the town. Later on it got a little contentious.”

More here:  http://www.kjonline.com/news/Chelsea-selectman-testifies-town-concerned-about-Carole-Swans-involvement-in-road-projects.html

What is good for the goose is good for the gander!!!

DO WHAT IS RIGHT!!!!!

On April 24, 1998, Mr.  Fernand  M. LaRochelle Sr. completed and was awarded a Homestead Exemption on his property at 140 Main Street, Lisbon Falls, Maine.  This Homestead Exemption would remain in effect as long as he owned this property.  The fact that he never had to renew this application is called grandfathering by some.  However, LaRochelle Properties, LLC took over ownership of the property and therefore Mr. LaRochelle Sr. was no longer entitled to the Homestead Exemption because he no longer owned the property. 

When the town changed owners of the property, the town did not delete the Homestead Exemption from the town records.  At this point, the town of Lisbon is 100% to blame for this screw-up.  Mr. Fernand M. LaRochelle Sr and his family did nothing wrong.  However, LaRochelle Properties, LLC had the responsibility to report the error to the town when they received their tax notice every year and never did.  This means LaRochelle Properties, LLC must share in the blame for this unfortunate situation. 

The town of Lisbon Assessor computed the taxes owed and LaRochelle Properties, LLC paid the back taxes owed.  The Assessor did not compute any Interest and Penalties associated with LaRochelle Properties, LLC owing these back taxes.  Every other resident of Lisbon who owes back taxes is charged Interest and Penalties.  At one of the council meetings, Mrs. Maloy, the Finance Director, explained to the council that one of the 37 property owners who owed back taxes from 2003-2011 owed more in Interest and Penalties than the actual back taxes.  The council gave the Finance Director approval to start foreclosure proceedings. 

How can the council sleep at night knowing that LaRochelle Properties, LLC was not charged and has not paid Interest and Penalties on the back taxes they owed and turn around and start foreclosure proceedings on other residents of Lisbon?   

The town assessor must compute the Interest and Penalties owed by LaRochelle Properties, LLC and LaRochelle Properties, LLC must pay the Interest and Penalties they owe before anyone has foreclosure proceedings started against them.  What is right is right!

Please do what is right and move on.

Larry Fillmore

P.S.  Remember when the town screwed-up Councilor Cote’s excise tax and the town forced Council Cote to pay not only the back taxes but the Interest and Penalty.  What is good for the goose is good for the gander!!!

Bangor Daily News Refuses To Print Charlotte Iserbyt’s Letter To The Editor

Is this another attempt to keep Charlotte’s info from the public?
********

Charlotte’s letter to BDN regarding the Governor’s Education Conference which she attended March 21, 2013.
BDN said it was lost. Charlotte forwarded it again to then it and was never printed.
Charlotte’s latest letter to BDN, Saturday, April 20, 2013:

“Dear Ms. Feulner:

I am, of course, sorry you did not choose to print my article (see attachment above) regarding the Governor’s Education Conference which I attended March 21, 2013.

Perhaps the  article I am forwarding to you (click on link below) will help you understand that the situation about which I wrote is not fantasy and is playing out, in a very ugly manner,  across the nation.

http://www.newswithviews.com/Kepus/diane100.htm

The whole country is in an uproar over Common Core, Chiefs for Change, Jeb Bush, Tony Bennett, MIchele Rhee, et al, but the Bangor Daily News remains silent.

Does Governor LePage and the Republican Party have such control over the media that respecting his position takes precedence over the future of Maine’s teachers and our children?
Please respond.

Sincerely,
Charlotte

P.S.  Perhaps my article went astray, as happened the first time I submitted it.  In that case, I apologize, and I will, if you wish, resubmit it. “

Related, click here. BDN reported “a longstanding battle with upper management over journalistic practices at their Bangor TV stations, when news co-anchors Cindy Michaels and Tony Consiglio announced their resignations at the end of Tuesday’s 6 p.m. newscast.

Why won’t they publish Charlotte’s letter? Please forward this post to your lists.

 http://unmasker4maine.wordpress.com/2013/04/23/bangor-daily-news-refuses-to-print-charlotte-iserbyts-letter-to-the-editor/

DEMOCRACY‏ Is Missing In Lisbon Government!!!!!

I began attending Town Meetings shortly after my husband and I moved to Lisbon Falls in 1958.

 

Meetings were held in March, at the high school, on a Saturday morning.

 

A few years later, they began holding the meetings on Monday evenings.

 

As more business needed to be conducted, meetings were extended to successive evenings.

 

The Selectmen, (or school committee),  were seated on the stage.

 

The budget/advisory board was seated on the floor, to the right of the stage.

 

A moderator was elected;

The moderator read the articles as presented on the warrant.

A spokesperson for the budget/advisory board would make an amendment to that article for a lower or higher amount.

The article was then discussed, PROS AND CONS.

THE PUBLIC WAS ALLOWED TO SPEAK,

TO ASK QUESTIONS, OF THE TOWN MANAGER, THE SELECTMEN, OR SCHOOL COMMITTEE, DEPENDING ON THE ARTICLES BROUGHT FORTH.

 

Only after all questions were answered to the satisfaction of all, was the article brought to the public for a vote.

 

            YOU HEARD ME CORRECTLY:

THE PUBLIC VOTED ON THE TOWN BUDGET! ! !

 

THE PUBLIC VOTED ON THE SCHOOL BUDGET ! ! ! !

 

         ARTICLE BY ARTICLE ! ! ! !

 

AND THAT, MY FRIENDS AND FELLOW TAXPAYERS, IS THE DEMOCRATIC WAY OF DOING TOWN BUSINESS ! ! !

 

              GOVERNMENT OF THE PEOPLE

                      BY THE PEOPLE

                 AND FOR THE PEOPLE

 

WHAT WE HAVE NOW IN THE TOWN OF LISBON IS NOT DEMOCRACY.

                    THE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN SILENCED.

 

IF A PERSON WANTS TO SPEAK NOW AT A COUNCIL MEETING, SAID PERSON HAS TO MEET WITH WITH THE COUNCIL PRIOR TO SAID MEETING EVEN IF ALL COUNCIL MEMBERS ARE NOT PRESENT!

ONLY IF THE COUNCIL CHAIR APPROVES, THAT PERSON IS ALLOWED TO SPEAK.

 

WHY WAS STEVE WARREN ALLOWED TO SPEAK AT THE APRIL 16, 2013 COUNCIL MEETING, EVEN THOUGH HIS TOPIC WAS NOT ON THE AGENDA?

 

AND LARRY FILLMORE NOT ALLOWED TO SPEAK, EVEN THOUGH HE HAS REQUESTED TO SEVERAL TIMES?

 

THIS, MY FRIENDS, IS NOT THE DEMOCRATIC WAY OF DOING TOWN BUSINESS!

 

We have an opportunity to make a Positive Change in November.

 

Dot Fitzgerald

A Very Concerned Lisbon Citizen