Principal Consumer Credit Examiner, David Leach, Featured Guest Speaker February 23 at LA Rotary

 

 

Lewiston - On Thursday, February 23, at the Ramada Inn, Lewiston, David Leach, will be the featured guest speaker of the LA Rotary from noon to 1 p.m.  Leach has 29+ years in Maine State Government (Bank & Non-Bank  credit regulation) – Maine Department of Professional & Financial Regulation – the last 16 with the Maine Bureau of Consumer Credit Protection .  Leach spent 15 years as an adjunct faculty member at the University of Maine at Augusta (Banking, Investments, Marketing & Personal Finance).  He is the author or co-author of 15 State of Maine consume protection publications  He holds a B.A & MPA, from University of Maine (Orono).    He is a native of Central Maine (Hallowell & Farmingdale).  Currently Leach is the Principal Consumer Credit Examiner with Bureau of Consumer Credit Protection in Augusta.  No reservation is required to attend.  Lunch is available for $10 in the Fusion Restaurant at the Ramada.   FMI on future Rotary speakers, contact President-Elect and Program Chair, Monica Millhime, 753.9040 or email monica.millhime@maine.gov. 

 

ANOTHER COLA INCREASE

Lisbon Proposes a COLA almost seven times that of Social Security. Are You Ready for a Tax Hike?

I was surprised to see Lisbon's proposed budget included an across the board  2% COLA (cost of living allowance) for all employees. 

For 2017 Retired Social Security Recipients receiving the average benefit of $1,355 will get a measly 0.3% COLA raise, starting in January of 2017.  This equates to $5 more in their Social Security checks.

Why is Lisbon giving all employees a COLA percentage rise almost seven times  higher than what our seniors will receive in Social Security COLA? 

  A Lisbon employee making $50,000 a year (many of our employees make more than this)will get $1,000 dollars or 200 times that of the average Social Security recipient.

Giving a 2% cola increase isn't just a 2% raise in employee salaries it is also an increase in all the costs associated with those salaries. (FICA,  retirement, unemployment insurance, workers comp.  etc) 

These COLA payments also compound.  If we  pay a 2% cola this year, it will be 2% on last years income which includes last years  2% COLA.  Ten years of 2% colas  isn't a 20% raise it is almost a 22% raise in income.


Is it morally right to demand retirees, that ONLY get a 0.3% COLA, pay for a 2.0% COLA for all Lisbon employees? Remember some of our employees, when including benefits, make a six figure income.  

 COLA increases were meant for rank and file employees not department heads or salaried individuals.

In conclusion: If we must give a COLA then that raise should be tied to the increase in the cost of living not some arbitrary number. If our seniors get 0.3% COLA raises lets give the same to Lisbon's employees. 

Call your Councilors and ask them if this is fair?

Respectfully
Joe Hill

CORRECTION - Mary Mayhew Featured Guest Speaker January 26 at LA Rotary

 

 

 

Apologies!  To clarify, the venue has changed for the LA Rotary meeting welcoming Commissioner Mayhew on January 26.  It will be held at the Rolandeau’s in Auburn and reservations are recommended for general public and visiting Rotarians.   

 

Lewiston – On Thursday, January 26, at Rolandeau’s Restaurant, 775 Washington Street, Auburn, Commissioner Mary Mayhew will be the featured guest speaker at LA Rotary.  Mayhew was appointed to the Maine Department of Health and Human Services in 2011 by Governor Paul R. LePage. She provides leadership, guidance and policy direction to the largest agency in state government – with approximately 3,000 employees and accounting for more than one-third of the state’s budget.

Commissioner Mayhew’s leadership has focused on reforming the state’s welfare programs to encourage self-sufficiency and long-term employment, establishing effective prioritization and financial management practices, halting more than a decade of multi-million dollar budget shortfalls and strengthening support for our at-risk families.  Prior to her appointment, Mayhew was the Senior Health Policy Advisor for the LePage Administration.  She also served as Vice President of the Maine Hospital Association for 11 years.  The public is invited to attend.  Reservations recommended for general public and visiting Rotarians by calling 753.9040.FMI on future Rotary speakers, contact Rotary President-Elect and Program Chair, Monica Millhime, 753.9040 or email monica.millhime@maine.gov. 

RECAP TOWN COUNCIL WORKSHOP – JANUARY 10TH

This is a brief summary of what took place at Tuesday’s Town Council Workshop.

1.      Salary Survey – The Town Manager asked how much COLA the town employees were going to receive this year.  In the past five years, it has been 2% each year.

2.      Minimum Wage Increase – With the new minimum wage law coming into effect this year, the town was looking to identify personnel and to find a way to implement these changes.

3.     Department Budget Needs – Each of the Department Heads provided a list of what they are looking for this year.  It appears to be a shopping list and will be costly if everything is approved.

4.     Capital Improvement Needs – This is the long term goals for the next five years in order to get an idea of what the town needs to move forward.

This meeting lasted for approximately 3 1/2 hours.  It was extremely interesting and well presented by the Department Heads.  This budgeting year will be very entertaining.

Larry Fillmore

 

RECAP TOWN COUNCIL MEETING – JANUARY 3RD

This is a summary of the Town Council meeting held on January 3, 2017.

Under Council Orders, Resolutions & Ordinances –

1. Authorization to Solicit Bids for Natural Gas – The Council voted 7-0 to authorize the Town Manager to solicit bids and purchase Natural Gas.
2. Write-Off Real Estate Taxes – The Council voted 7-0 to write off $2,561.54 of taxes on three abandoned trailers.

Under Other Business – The Council discussed several options for the upcoming workshops on January 10th, 24th and 31st.  The topics ranged from Salaries, Dispatching, and several more.  To determine which ones will be discussed on what dates monitor the town web site.  Also, Chairman Ward started a new program by asking Councilors to brief the entire Council on developments in Committee Reports since the last meeting.

Under appointments – The Council has published a 2017 Council Committee Assignments so that residents will know which Councilors will be monitoring which Committee.  If you have questions or concerns, the Councilors listed on the assignment sheet will be the ones to contract for that committee.  Also, Lindsey Larochelle was appointed to the Recreation Committee.

Larry Fillmore

WHAT THE NEW YEAR WILL BRING TO LISBON!

Every year at this time, people are trying to decide what their New Year resolutions will be.  I have been attending Town Council meeting for approximately 5 years.  This is the first year that I have been encouraged by the Town Council.  Five of the seven Councils have demonstrated they have common sense and this is great for the community.

It makes me feel good that the worm has turned and common sense has the majority vote on the Council.  Every resident of Lisbon should be looking forward to positive changes in the coming year.  These five Councilors, I believe have only the best interest of the community at heart.  It is a long time coming, but I believe, these five Councilors will move the town forward for a change.

I do not believe that the excuse “We do it this way because it is the way is always has been done.” will no longer be acceptable.  An example of this is the purchase of police vehicles.  Why are we financing an item that cost $25,000.00 instead of purchasing it outright?  If we do not have sufficient funds to purchase the item why are we buying it?  If the town of Lisbon is in such financial stress that we have to finance $25,000 then the town will never get out of debt.  You do not eliminate debt by increasing it when you do not have to.

Another example is why are we paying over $350,000 for an operation that puts our residents at risk; the individuals operating the center are not qualified as Emergency Medical Dispatcher and are using 353-2500 for emergency situations instead of the state 911 emergency situation?  All 911 phone calls are received by Androscoggin County Dispatch, so why don’t the 911 operator have the authority to call OUR first responders immediately upon receiving the call instead of forcing the 911 operator to contact the Lisbon Communication Center to have them dispatch OUR first responders.  If the 911 operator cannot get through think about the delay in getting first responder to the scene.  This situation has happen on several occasions according to Androscoggin County Dispatchers.

The Recreational Department is having trouble funding the upgrade of the MTM Center playground.  The town is looking to finance a front end loader.  Closing the Lisbon Communication Center will provide sufficient fund to pay for both projects and the police vehicles without financing.  What a concept?

I am looking forward to this year’s Town Council to make great strides in improve our community. 

I want to wish everyone a safe and wonderful New Year.

Larry Fillmore

RECAP TOWN COUNCIL MEETING – DECEMBER 20TH

This is a summary of what took place Tuesday night at the Town Council meeting.  This new Council seems to have the community’s best interest at heart.  The Council displayed “common sense” in their decisions and allowed input from the audience before voting.  This provides a slimmer of hope this year.

Under Good News & Recognition – The Council honored the 2016 Lisbon High School Football Team for an outstanding season.

Under Council Orders, Resolutions & Ordinances –

1.     Adoption of GA Maximum Appendix A-F (Second Reading) – The Council voted 6-0 (Council Craft was excused) to adopt the appendix.

2.     Town Departments Christmas Eve Schedule – The Council approved the schedule by a vote of 6-0.

3.     MDOT Third Party Agreements – The Council approved these by a vote of 6-0.

4.     Hasey Street Winter Maintenance – The Council approved to stop maintaining Hasey Street because the town does not own the street by a vote of 6-0.

5.     Brownfield Qualified Engineering Proposal – The Council approved the proposal by a vote of 6-0.

6.     2017-2018 Municipal Budget Schedule – This schedule was approved by the Council by a vote of 6-0.

7.     Street Name – The Council approved the name Fox Knoll Lane for a new road off Mill Street by a vote of 6-0.

8.     2017 OUI Enforcement Grant – The Council approved for the Police Department to apply for this grant by a vote of 6-0.

9.      Medical Marijuana Ordinance Chapter 70-1 & 70-531 (second Reading) – The Council listened to the people for approximately an half hour and came to the conclusion that the proposed ordinance was premature and rejected the proposal by a vote of 6-0.

Under Appointment – Paul Carpentier was appointed by the Council as a Civil Constable by a vote of 6-0.

Larry Fillmore

 

Tim Verrill Featured Guest Speaker January 19 at LA Rotary

 

 

Lewiston - On Thursday, January 19, at the Ramada Inn, Lewiston, Tim Verrill, the Network Services & Facilities Manager at Seniors Plus will be the featured guest speaker of the LA Rotary from noon to 1 p.m.  Verrill has been a Rotarian since 2014. Introduced to computers by his older brother, he started programming as a teenager in high school, submitting games to Compute magazine for extra income, eventually creating an animal judging program for the University of NH. His first major job at Watts Fluidair in Kittery, he learned the business until he became production planner. Discovering much was done by hand, he computerized the department which significantly increased efficiencies and reduced manpower. Moving on to work with the Maine Technical College System, he was instrumental in bringing the Internet to the college system, linking all of the business offices together on a Wide Area Network, and supporting the needs of 7 colleges across the state. For the next 17 years, he worked with Evergreen Insurance in Lewiston as Information Systems Manager to advance their technology environment, bringing their systems up to date and running flawlessly. Now at Seniors Plus, he oversees a department of four skilled professionals, advancing technology & working hard to insure that the staff of 130 people always have the resources they need to perform their jobs. The public is invited to attend.  No reservation is required.  Lunch is available for $10 in the Fusion Restaurant at the Ramada.   FMI on future Rotary speakers, contact Program Chair, Monica Millhime, 753.9040 or email monica.millhime@maine.gov. 

 

Mary Mayhew Featured Guest Speaker January 26 at LA Rotary

 

 

 

Lewiston – On Thursday, January 26, at the Ramada Inn, Lewiston, Commissioner Mary Mayhew will be the featured guest speaker at LA Rotary.  Mayhew was appointed to the Maine Department of Health and Human Services in 2011 by Governor Paul R. LePage. She provides leadership, guidance and policy direction to the largest agency in state government – with approximately 3,000 employees and accounting for more than one-third of the state’s budget.

Commissioner Mayhew’s leadership has focused on reforming the state’s welfare programs to encourage self-sufficiency and long-term employment, establishing effective prioritization and financial management practices, halting more than a decade of multi-million dollar budget shortfalls and strengthening support for our at-risk families.  Prior to her appointment, Mayhew was the Senior Health Policy Advisor for the LePage Administration.  She also served as Vice President of the Maine Hospital Association for 11 years.  The public is invited to attend.  No reservation is required.  Lunch is available for $10 in the Fusion Restaurant at the Ramada.   FMI on future Rotary speakers, contact Program Chair, Monica Millhime, 753.9040 or email monica.millhime@maine.gov. 

LA Rotary’s Mac McPeake Narrating the Night Before Christmas 12.22

 

 

 

Lewiston - On Thursday, December 22, veteran and Past-President of the Lewiston Auburn Rotary Club, Mac McPeake,  will share his annual tradition by narrating the ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas during the Rotary Christmas gathering of members, families, friends and guests of all ages.  Plan to join the LA Rotary at the Ramada Inn, Lewiston, from noon to 1 p.m. for this very magical and special celebration.  Luncheon is open to the public.  Lunch is available at the Fusion Restaurant for $10.  No reservations are required.  FMI on future Rotary speakers, contact Program Chair, Monica Millhime, 753.9040 or email monica.millhime@maine.gov. 

RECAP TOWN COUNCIL MEETING – DECEMBER 6TH

On Tuesday night, the Town Council met and discussed many items and this is a summary of what took place.

The first item of business was to swear in the two new councilors and the councilor that was reelected.  Once this was completed, the new council selected Councilor Allen Ward as the Chair and Councilor Chris Brunelle as Vice-Chair of the Town Council.

Under Orders, Resolutions & Ordinances –

1. Medical Marijuana Ordinance Chapter 70-1 & 70-531 (First Reading) – The Town Council discussed this for over a half hour and came to no conclusion.  They accepted input from residents in the audience.  At the end, there were more questions than answers.  The Town Council schedules a Public Hear for the next meeting.
2. Adoption of GA Maximums Appendix A-F (First Reading) – The Council voted 7-0 to accept the appendix as written.
3. Establishment of the Lisbon Development Committee (Second Reading) – The Council voted by a vote of 7-0 to approve as written.
4. Lisbon Development Committee Bylaws – The Town Council noted that the bylaws did not match the written establishment so they did not take any action except to send this back for review.
5. Designate Council Members to Sign Payroll & School Payroll Warrants – The Town Council voted by 7-0 to accept the guidance of the Town Manager.
6. Loader Bid Award – The Town Council accepted the bid for a loader at a cost of $167,725.00 by a vote of 7-0.

Under Other Business – The Town Council approved for Tracy Steuber to be nominated to the Northeast Economic Developers Association (NEDA) by a vote of 7-0.  Chairman Ward passed out a listing of the goals he would like to see addressed in the New Year.  He encouraged each Councilor to the listing and added anything they wanted.  The Council also setup January 10, 24 & 31st for dates for Workshops to discuss items on the listing.

Larry Fillmore

Auburn Breakfast Rotary Club Presenters

 

12/7/16        Edward Little Chorus

"Fermata NoWhere is an auditioned ensemble of students from Edward Little High School in Auburn. They have established a well-known reputation for excellence with community performances. Their repertoire includes a cappella arrangements of various pop tunes along with classics. All 17 students use their strong skills as musicians to strive for outstanding vocal performances. The group started in 1988 and is currently under the direction of Sarah Brooks. This is Sarah's first year as the Choral Director at ELHS and she is ecstatic to be working with such a brilliant group of students."

-          See attached photo -

-          The Auburn Breakfast Rotary club meets weekly Wednesday mornings at 7:00AM at the United Methodist Church, 439 Park Avenue, Auburn, Me.  For more details contact Jeffrey “Pete” Preble at 207.751.6281.

 

12/14    Erin Reed, Trinity Jubilee

Erin Reed is the Executive Director, Food Pantry Coordinator of the Trinity Jubilee Center in Lewiston, Me.  The Trinity Jubilee Center addresses unmet needs of underserved people in Maine’s Lewiston-Auburn area through collaboration with local, state, and federal organizations, as well as other agencies and churches. We meet these needs through services that include a Meals Program, Food Pantry, Outreach, a Warming Center, and Refugee Assistance.

The Auburn Breakfast Rotary club meets weekly Wednesday mornings at 7:00AM at the United Methodist Church, 439 Park Avenue, Auburn, Me.  For more details contact Jeffrey “Pete” Preble at 207.751.6281.

 

 

12/21/2016      Emily Dooling Hamilton, Healthy Androscoggin

Emily Dooling Hamilton  leads all tobacco initiatives at Healthy Androscoggin.  Healthy Androscoggin (HA) is a coalition of local people who work locally to improve the health and quality of life in our communities. Healthy Androscoggin is the local comprehensive community health coalition.  Emily provides tobacco education, prevention and cessation programs for Androscoggin County. 

The Auburn Breakfast Rotary club meets weekly Wednesday mornings at 7:00AM at the United Methodist Church, 439 Park Avenue, Auburn, Me.  For more details contact Jeffrey “Pete” Preble at 207.751.6281.

 

12/26/16  No meeting

 

EDUCATING THE PEOPLE

I am ashamed to have to write this article because I feel that our leadership should have been straight forward with the residents of Lisbon.  Unfortunately, previous Town Council’s and the former Chief of Police were less than straight with the community when it came to the Lisbon Communication Center.

The first area is in terminology.  What is the Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) and how does it affect the residents of Lisbon.  Not many people know this term for what it is but everyone knows it as the 911 emergency systems.  This is the location where all 911 calls for Lisbon are received.  It is located in Auburn at the Androscoggin County Dispatch.

Androscoggin County Dispatch receives all 911 calls for emergency service for Lisbon but they do not dispatch our first responders.  Why you wonder?  It is because previous Town Councils have demanded that instead of the 911 operators dispatching first responders they must contact Lisbon Communication Center so that they can dispatch our first responders.  This current system is fine if the 911 operators can get through to the Lisbon Communication Center but there have been numerous times when the 911 operators cannot immediately get through to the Lisbon Communications Center.  This creates an unnecessary delay in getting first responder to the scene of the emergency.  This is a real problem with a simple solution and that is pay Androscoggin County Dispatch to contact our first responder directly and eliminate the middle step of notifying Lisbon Communication Center prior to dispatching first responders.
I am not saying anything against the Lisbon Communication Center but there is a better and faster way to get our first responders to the scene.  As of October 1, 2016, not one of the dispatchers in the Lisbon Communication Center is even currently as Emergency Medical Dispatchers (EMD).  This is critical because in a medical emergency only EMD’s are allowed to gather medical information in order to generate an Emergency Medical Code (EMC) which is used by Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) to ensure that they have the proper medicine and equipment with them.  This is crucial in order to treat a patient properly.  Without this code, Lisbon resident’s lives are put at risk.

Keep in mind that Lisbon is the only town/city in Androscoggin County and as far as I know the state that is not properly using the 911 emergency correctly and it is costing the taxpayer over $350,000.00 annual.  Previous Town Council determined that by paying Androscoggin County Dispatch to do our dispatching there was at that time a cost savings of $190,000.00 annually to the town.  To me, it makes perfect sense to have Androscoggin County Dispatch perform our dispatching because it means the 911 operators who are also qualified as EMDs can dispatch our first responders immediately upon receipt of the 911 call for emergency services.  It also saves the taxpayers a significant amount of money.  

For the past two years, the Town Council did not take any action on this, knowing lives were placed at risk and that the town could save a great deal of money.  The reason is because it is political.  Maybe our new Council will put what is best for the community ahead of politics. 
Call your Councilors and the Town Manager and express your concerns.  It has cost the taxpayers roughly $380,000.00 tax dollars for the two years the Town Council failed to take action to correct this situation.


Larry Fillmore

DAVIS STREET SIDEWALK

Please take a look at what $30,000.00 buys you when Ryan Leighton is in charge.

WAS IT WORTH IT???????????????????????????????????????????

SUBMITTED BY:  Larry Fillmore

What is that black pavement on Davis Street?

 

Recently we finished the work on Davis Street sidewalk.

This project has been discussed in Council Meetings for quite some time. The purpose of this  sidewalk was to give a pedestrian friendly approach to the new walking Trail  extension.

Recently I drove down Davis Street and the above picture illustrates what I saw..

The town euphemistically calls the added pavement a sidewalk, I call it street widening or at best a small breakdown lane.

Dictionary.com describes a "Sidewalk" as follows. 

              "A hard-surfaced path for pedestrians alongside
             and a little higher than a road."

There are several reasons for the elevated nature of a sidewalk but the most important one is safety.  Drivers are aware that if they hit the raised sidewalk they risk damaging their vehicles. This risk keeps vehicles off the sidewalk and makes it much safer for pedestrians.

Placing a rumble strip to delineate the sidewalk will not make pedestrians any safer. It will just signal drivers that they are within a couple feet of the gravel. 

In my humble opinion adding a couple feet in width to a street and calling it a sidewalk is counter productive. It doesn't make pedestrians safer and may even encourage driver to increase their speed thus making it less safe for those walking on the side of the road.

In conclusion I think this is a $30,000 dollar boondoggle.

Sincerely
Joe Hill

DURHAM/LISBON BRIDGE

THIS IS A GREAT LOOKING BRIDGE THAT SHOULD LAST US A VERY LONG TIME!!!!

A JOB WELL DONE!!!!!

SUBMITTED BY:  Larry Fillmore

FREEDOM OF SPEECH

Every year, I write the same article in hopes the new Council will decide to return Lisbon to a democracy.  I think that it is important to return discussions and dialogs to Town Council meetings.  These options were striped from the people and replaced demanding the people can ”ONLY”  address the Council without the benefit of knowing why they are asking for a change.  Such an idea of asking people to speak when they do not have all the facts is totally ridiculous and wastes every ones time. 

Years ago, the people could speak on agenda items AFTER hearing why the sponsor has the item on the agenda.  Then the Council discussed the issue and then it was opened to the people.  This way everyone knew what was going on and we had meaningful discussions.  Also, the Councilors had ALL the facts in order to render a decision before voting.  Decisions are being made by the Town Council now without having all the facts on many items.  This leads to poor decisions.

 The Agenda would look like this:              

1.   CALL TO ORDER & PLEDGE TO FLAG

2.  ROLL CALL

3.  GOOD NEWS & RECOGNITION

4.  PUBLIC HEARINGS

5.  CONSENT AGENDA

6.  COUNCIL ORDERS, RESOLUTION FOR AGENDA ITEMS

7.  OTHER BUSINESS

8.  NEW BUSINESS

9.  COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS

10.                   APPOINTMENTS

11.                   EXECUTIVE SESSIONS

12.                   ADJOURNMENT

This Agenda eliminates both Audience Participation & Response for Agenda items and Audience Participation & Response and replaces “New Business”.  This agenda will provide meaningful dialog for all and increase the chance of all the facts coming out.  Councilors will have all available facts in order to render better decisions.

Larry Fillmore

 

RECAP TOWN COUNCIL MEETING – NOVEMBER 15TH

This is the summary of Tuesday night’s Town Council meeting.

Under Good News & Recognition – The Lisbon Recreation Pee Wee Football team received a proclamation for winning their Championship.

Under Council Orders Resolutions & Ordinances – 

1.  Waiver for Foreclosure for Sewer & Taxes – The Town Council approved the waiver for three mobile homes by a vote of 7-0.
2. Sewer Lab Tech Position – The Town Council approved the hiring of a Sewer Lab Tech by a vote of 7-0.  The salary is still undetermined.
3. Ratify Police Sergeants Contract – The Town Council voted to ratify the contract by a vote of 7-0.
4. Lisbon Falls Fire Station Hose Tower Insulation – The Town Council approved this by a vote of 7-0.  All Seasons Weatherization & Insulation, LLC won the bid in the amount of $16,850.00
5. Trail Project Closure – The Town Council approved the closure of the Trail Project by a vote of 7-0 not to exceed $11,926.34.
6. Charter Amendment Effect Date – The Town Council approved the date of November 15, 2016 as the effective date by a vote of 7-0.
7. Loader Discussion & Decision – The Town Council approved to purchase a Loader not to exceed $150,000.00 by a vote of 7-0.
8. Establishment of the Lisbon Development Committee (First Reading) – The Town Council accepted the first reading by a vote of 7-0.

Under Appointments – Mr. Dan LeMan was appointed as an Associate Member to the Planning board by a vote of 6-0.  Councilor Metivier did not vote.

Larry Fillmore

MARK LUNT FOR TOWN COUNCIL

MONKEY SEE MONKEY DO!!!!!!!

It is time for the people to look at how the Town Council votes.  This should provide facts for the people to see which Councilors are putting the best interest of the community first when they vote on agenda items. 

But wait a minute; this cannot be done because the Town Council’s votes are, for the majority of the time, unanimous.  In the last year, only two Councilors voted against an agenda item.   Councilor Klobe and Councilor Crafts did not vote with the group only once in a year.

This is an indication that everyone is playing well together.  But is this true?  Councilor Cote voted against the group close to 90% of the time.  Councilor Cote ALWAYS put the best interest of the town ahead of everything where other Councilors put their personal agenda before the community.

We need Councilors who are not afraid to vote for the community first and friendships second.  This should always be the measuring stick for a Councilor and not if he plays well with others.  When considering how good a Council is; a review of his voting record should be the only yardstick.  Today, it cannot be done because they ALWAYS vote unanimous and therefore there is no way to measure which Councilors puts the community first.

We need to vote for the Councilors that will ALWAYS put the best interest of our community first.   Currently, we know that Councilors Meteiver and Brunelle vote personal agenda and NOT what are in the best interest of the town.

 Please think about this when you vote on Tuesday, November 8^th.

VOTE

Larry Fillmore