Recap Appeals Board Meeting -October 21, 2013‏

RECAP APPEALS BOARD MEETING – OCT 21, 2013

Tonight, I attended the Appeals Board meeting pertaining to Case #13-2 involving Mr. Terry Dutton.  Mr. Dutton was asking for a variance from 50’ to 30’.  This case as advertised as a Public Hearing and again the Public was not allowed to speak.  The two abutters were allowed to speak and were in favor of the variance.  The Appeals Board took approximately fifteen minutes and approved the variance. 

The problem here is Chairman Marion Morgan-Alexander does not allow the Public to speak at the Public Hearing.  I have provided the legal review by the Maine Municipal Association (MMA) to Town Council Chairman Fern LaRochelle.  This document clearly outlines that Public Hearings require Public input.  This is to ensure total fairness in all local matters.

If Chairman Morgan-Alexander does not want to take input from the Public, all she has to do is call it an “Appeals Hearing” or any other name she wants to call it.  Once you call it a “Public Hearing”, the Public is allowed to express their opinion on the issue at hand.  It is extremely disrespectfully for Chairman Morgan-Alexander to invite the Public to attend a meeting and then not allow the Public to provide input on the issue.

I have requested that the Town Council remove Chairman Morgan-Alexander as Chairman of any board or committee because of this situation and the fact that on August 28, 2013 after she adjourned the meeting she ordered everyone to “GO HOME”.  It was like she was ordering troops or scolding small children.  This action was extremely disrespectful to the residents that attended the Appeals Board meeting. 

It is too bad that the Town Manager and the Town Council cannot provide proper instructions to chairman’s as to how to conduct meetings.  However, I am positive that the Town Manager and the Chairman of the Town Council both know how these meetings are to be conducted but chose to ignore the law and this misuse of power.  Another problem is that neither the Town Manager nor Chairman LaRochelle are willing to sit down and negotiate to restore law and order to these meetings.  By not being willing to sit down and try and restore law and order, the final recourse is to take the town to court.  By doing so only fattens the pockets of the Town Attorney, Roger Therriault, and waste our valuable tax dollars.

Please call your Councilor and let him know how you feel!

Larry Fillmore

Lisbon Leaders Lie and Show Ignorance to their own laws

 

 

 

Has the Lisbon Council been caught once again with egg on their face?

On August 28th Appeals Board Chairwoman Morgan-Alaxander refused to let the public give relevant safety testimony in a matter before the Board. She denied the public (in an advertised “public hearing") their rights by not allowing them to voice their concerns.  This in my opinion constitutes an egregious abuse of power that should result in her immediate removal as chairwoman.

Appeals Board “Public Hearings” are considered “Quasi- Legal” and not Legislative in nature. They are more of  a formal affair, restricted by clear legal restraints, and if not properly conducted, can result in costly litigation for the town, individuals, and town officials. 

Chairwoman Morgan-Alaxender opened said public hearing and allowed Town Council Chairman Larochelle to give testimony on the matter before the Board  but refused to let any of the audience have the same opportunity to give opposing  safety testimony.  No opposing argument was allowed.

Recently an objection, FOA (freedom of access) #136,  to Ms. Morgan-Alaxander’s handling of this matter was lodged with the town.  The response to this complaint was as follows...






When the Town was  asked for proof that the Town obtained a legal opinion from MMA the following e-mail was received from Town Manager Eldridge.

Eldridge’s E-mailFrom: Steve Eldridge
Sent: Wednesday, October 09, 2013 12:54 PM
To: Beth French
Subject: RE: FOA #136



There is no document with the MMA Legal opinion.  This was done with a telephone call.



Stephen G. Eldridge, MPA,ICMA-CM

Town Manager
Town of Lisbon
300 Lisbon Street
Lisbon, ME 04250

Office 207-353-3000 ext. 102
Fax     207-353-3007
Cell     207-754-6533

The Towns excuse for allowing this kind of behavior is supposedly based on a decision given over the phone by the MMA. (Maine Municipal Association)  This  decision seems to be in direct opposition to one of the MMA’s own published guidelines 
“How to Conduct a Public Hearing” .


Has the Lisbon Council been caught once again with egg on their face? I will let the readers examine the evidence and make that determination for themselves.

Oh what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive. (Sir Walter Scott)

Respectfully
LisbonMaine.Net
Joe Hill 

Editors Note: What is the purpose of a "Public Hearing" if not to hear from the public?

WND Exclusive: Titanic Obamacare hits iceberg of reality

Overwhelmed, but by demand or ineptitude?

Garth Kant

 WASHINGTON – The first reviews are in, and so, far, Obamcare is a lot like “new” Coke. Few product roll-outs in history have had more problems.

Even some of its strongest supporters are the most scathing critics of the way Obamcare has been introduced to the public.

When President Obama and Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius compared the Obamacare website problems to a glitch in an Apple product roll-out, Washington Post columnist Ezra Kelin responded, “But the Obama administration doesn’t have a basically working product that would be improved by a software update. They have a website that almost nobody has been able to successfully use.

“If Apple launched a major new product that functioned as badly as Obamacare’s online insurance marketplace, the tech world would be calling for (Apple CEO) Tim Cook’s head.”

Klein’s column was titled “Obamacare’s website is really bad.”
The administration claims the website running the federal health-care exchange (serving 36 states that do not have individual exchanges) has been overwhelmed by demand and had 9 million visitors in its first four days.

But the administration refuses to say, or cannot say, how many people have actually enrolled in Obamacare.

Read more at http://www.wnd.com/2013/10/titanic-obamacare-hits-iceberg-of-reality/#SVScYq1QhTXf2T4s.99  

WASHINGTON – The first reviews are in, and so, far, Obamcare is a lot like “new” Coke. Few product roll-outs in history have had more problems.
Even some of its strongest supporters are the most scathing critics of the way Obamcare has been introduced to the public.
When President Obama and Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius compared the Obamacare website problems to a glitch in an Apple product roll-out, Washington Post columnist Ezra Kelin responded, “But the Obama administration doesn’t have a basically working product that would be improved by a software update. They have a website that almost nobody has been able to successfully use.
“If Apple launched a major new product that functioned as badly as Obamacare’s online insurance marketplace, the tech world would be calling for (Apple CEO) Tim Cook’s head.”
Klein’s column was titled “Obamacare’s website is really bad.”
The administration claims the website running the federal health-care exchange (serving 36 states that do not have individual exchanges) has been overwhelmed by demand and had 9 million visitors in its first four days.
But the administration refuses to say, or cannot say, how many people have actually enrolled in Obamacare.

Read more at http://www.wnd.com/2013/10/titanic-obamacare-hits-iceberg-of-reality/#SVScYq1QhTXf2T4s.99

GOPDD: Obama on Obamacare: “We did raise taxes on some things” even though we promised taxes wouldn’t go up.

By Amy

via atr
During his Tuesday remarks at the Clinton Global Initiative, President Obama admitted that his health care law raises taxes: “So what we did — it’s paid for by a combination of things. We did raise taxes on some things.”

“Some things” is an understatement. Below is just a partial list of Obamacare’s new or higher taxes on Americans.Starting in tax year 2013:

Obamacare Medical Device Tax: Medical device manufacturers employ 409,000 people in 12,000 plants across the country. Obamacare imposes a new 2.3 percent excise tax on gross sales – even if the company does not earn a profit in a given year. In addition to killing small business jobs and impacting research and development budgets, this will make everything from pacemakers to artificial hips more expensive.

Obamacare High Medical Bills Tax: Before Obamacare, Americans facing high medical expenses were allowed a deduction to the extent that those expenses exceeded 7.5 percent of adjusted gross income (AGI). Obamacare now imposes a threshold of 10 percent of AGI. Therefore, Obamacare not only makes it more difficult to claim this deduction, it widens the net of taxable income.

According to the IRS, 10 million families took advantage of this tax deduction in 2009, the latest year of available data. Almost all are middle class. The average taxpayer claiming this deduction earned just over $53,000 annually. ATR estimates that the average income tax increase for the average family claiming this tax benefit will be $200 – $400 per year. To learn more about this tax, click here.

Obamacare Flexible Spending Account Tax: The 30 – 35 million Americans who use a pre-tax Flexible Spending Account (FSA) at work to pay for their family’s basic medical needs face a new Obamacare cap of $2,500. This will squeeze $13 billion of tax money from Americans over the next ten years. (Before Obamacare, the accounts were unlimited under federal law, though employers were allowed to set a cap.) Now, a parent looking to sock away extra money to pay for braces will find themselves quickly hitting this new cap, meaning they would have to pony up some or all of the cost with after-tax dollars.

Needless to say, this tax will especially impact middle class families.

There is one group of FSA owners for whom this new cap will be particularly cruel and onerous: parents of special needs children. Nationwide there are several million families with special needs children and many of them use FSAs to pay for special needs education. Tuition rates at one leading school that teaches special needs children in Washington, D.C. (National Child Research Center) can easily exceed $14,000 per year. Under tax rules, FSA dollars can be used to pay for this type of special needs education. This Obamacare tax provision will limit the options available to these families.

Obamacare Super Saver Surtax: A new, 3.8 percent surtax on investment income earned in households making at least $250,000 ($200,000 single). This tax hike results in the following top tax rates on investment income

GOPDD: Shocked :Dangerous Gunman Fails To Follow Campus’s No-Guns Policy

By Amy

(Dailycaller)  An armed criminal did the unthinkable at a North Carolina college late Tuesday night: he brought a weapon into a gun free zone.

You heard that right.

North Carolina Central University’s stated no-guns policy did not prevent a possible shooter from entering the campus with a gun after fleeing from police. The armed man had committed at least two robberies, and was in possession of weapons he stole from a residence. He brought a shotgun with him onto the grounds of the historically black college in Durham. At no point did the shotgun-wielding criminal leave the campus in order to be in compliance with its strict no-guns policy.

The college was placed under lock-down until the gunman was shot and killed in a gunfight with police officers, who differ from students, faculty and administrators in that they are allowed to defend themselves on campus.

Students who violate the college’s no-guns policy could be kicked out of their dorms and charged a full semester’s rent.

“The possession of firearms (including BB guns), ammunition, bows and arrows, knives, razors and other dangerous weapons is not permitted in the residence halls or throughout the campus,” according to a handbook for students.

The armed burglar–whose name has not yet been given by the authorities–either did not read the rules, or chose not to follow them.This is not the first time that a would-be shooter failed to abide by the stipulations of a campus’s gun-free zone policy. In June, mass shooter John Zawahri chose to make his final stand against the police at the library of gun-free Santa Monica college. He killed three people on campus who, unlike Zawahri, had chosen to obey the college’s no-guns policy. (Santa Monica’s strict no guns policy questioned after mass shooting)

NCCU Chancellor Debra Saunders-White did not immediately respond to requests for comment about whether her college’s gun rules will be revised to comply with reality.

 

GOPDD; Gun Law Drafted In Secret

by Amy

By Alan Korwin, Author; Gun Laws of America, GunLaws.com Bans Firearms Public Already Owns State retains power to own all especially deadly guns Forces federal agents to either violate state law or deny civil rights Effectively immediately That’s not the way networks covered it, is it, but identical story Can you imagine what a tough [...]

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BrasscheckTV: How America lost its way‏

Lisbon
 
Short and sweet.
 
Why the land of the free isn't
so free any more and the country
its people need to emulate. 
 
Video:
 
http://www.brasschecktv.com/page/22862.html
 
- Brasscheck

The people in power are not our friends

Solution: "Grow some spine"

 

Chris Hedges

 Chris Hedges is a former foreign correspondent for the New York Times and was part of a team of reporters that was awarded a Pulitzer Prize for the paper's coverage of global terrorism. He is the author of many books including Death of the Liberal Class. Chris is a weekly writer for Truthdig online.

  For more Chris Hedges videos, click here

Choke Hold On Information Getting To Maine's Governor; Gatekeepers In Maine Governor LePage's Office At It Again!‏

A constituent (a veteran) sent a letter to Governor Paul LePage about our veteran heroes being under attack by our own government and requesting assistance from his office. View response from Patricia Condon, Director, Constituent Services and veteran’s response to Ms. Condon.
 
Read more.

Have you heard yet from Governor Lepage?

Stay tuned for more on state gatekeepers!




 http://unmasker4maine.wordpress.com/2013/03/16/gatekeepers-in-maine-governor-lepages-office-at-it-again/

Update On Older Story: "Driver Beaten by Police After Refusing Vehicle Search Without A Warrant"

DENVER, CO -- Police pulled over Alexander Landau for making an illegal turn. The police wanted to fish around his vehicle for illegal plants and substances, but Landau refused to consent to the search. He demanded a warrant. At this time a bloodbath ensued. Several officers bludgeoned him with fists, radios, and flashlights. Landau was nearly beaten to death on the side of the road.

Two of the officers involved were later fired after another high-profile excessive-force case involving an assault on four women at the Denver Diner, also in 2009. However, both officers were later reinstated, and REMAIN ON THE POLICE FORCE.

Just like Stalin promoted criminals to positions within police and government these officers will end up being promoted and be the driving force against the people.

2013 UPDATE:
http://blogs.westword.com/latestword/2013/02/alex_landau_denver_police_beating_no_prosecution.php

ORIGINAL STORY:
http://blogs.westword.com/latestword/2011/01/alexander_landau_got_pulled_ov.php

Unmasker4Maine: Congressional Leaders Permit Judicial Prostitution

Congressional Testimony: Roger Tanner to Bill Windsor of Lawless America

When will senators be as disgusted with judicial prostitution? Judges regularly engage in “reckless, “morally repugnant” behavior with opportunities for blackmail or coercion threatening” the very foundation upon which our country was built. When judges sell their services to the highest bidder is this not prostitution? People are focused on why congressional leaders permit this culture in which such behavior is tolerated.

With all the evidence Tom Dunn presented to Senator Olympia Snowe back in 1979, Snowe was “satisfied that sufficient investigation has been carried out by the office of the Attorney General.” The pattern of official corruption is ongoing today evidenced by the refusal of members of Congress to take action on testimonies of victims of government and judicial corruption presented to them in February 2013. Maine’s Attorneys General have followed suit.

Read more.

Senator Olympia Snowe letter. 

Tom Dunn – video. 

Congressional Testimony presented to members the United States Congress in February, 2013.

View congressional testimonies.

The demands for investigation into judicial misconduct, based on documented evidence provided by the people, has long been ignored. With all of this evidence on the table, do they really think they are kidding anyone else but themselves? This is a public scandal!

 http://unmasker4maine.wordpress.com/2013/03/11/congressional-leaders-permit-judicial-prostitution/

Lawless America: Congressional Testimony: Roger Tanner to Bill Windsor of Lawless America

Soon to show in a Liberal State near You!!

All

 

I am alerting you to a raised bill that is scheduled for a hearing in Hartford on Thursday, March 14, 2013. This 39 page bill has several new restrictions on your ability to choose your tools to defend yourself and your family and place in jeopardy those tools you may also own and will make you a felon for possessing them.

 

1. Expands the list of prohibited semi-automatic sporting rifles which has been labeled “assault rifles” by the uninformed.
2. Further restricts the cosmetic features to the rifle to one instead of two as now defined under the law.
3. Magazine capacity restrictions which do not allow you to have even as police officers unless acting in your official capacity.
4. Requires owners of sporting rifles presently legal to register with DPS.
5. Restricts you from buying more than one firearm in a thirty day period.
6. Requires you to obtain a rifle permit to purchase a rifle.
7. To obtain a rifle permit, you must attend and received specific training approved by DPS.
8. To purchase ammunition for a rifle unless you have a valid rifle permit.
9. May not purchase or POSSESS ammunition without having first obtained a registration card identifying a firearm suitable for use with that ammunition.
10. Fee for the state rifle permit is $150 plus costs for criminal history checks and valid for five years;
11.  Bans internet sales of ammunition to a private individual.
12.  Requires you to register all firearms that you possess on an annual basis with DPS. (The first step toward gun confiscation.)

 

As horrendous as the massacre at Sandy Hook was, none of these restrictions would have stopped it. I am dismayed that the committee on Mental Health has tabled any work and recommended another task force to examine the issue that was the cause of this tragedy.

 

Under Article 1; Section 15 of the Connecticut Constitution it plainly states: “Every citizen has a right to bear arms in defense of himself and the state.”

 

There are presently almost ninety bills which could restrict or curtail your ability to defend yourself pending. You can find a list on the Connecticut Citizen Defense League website.

You can also find your legislators information here: Connecticut House of Representatives and Connecticut Senate.

 

To obtain a copy of S.B. 1076, you can click here. I also have a hard copy on my desk with yellow highlights on it.

 

Adolph Hitler stated: “The most foolish mistake we could possibly make would be to allow the subject races to possess arms. History shows that all conquerors who have allowed their subject races to carry arms have prepared their own downfall by so doing."

 

If you value your right to self defense, the ability to choose the tools that you feel are best for you and your family; then you can not stand by and remain silent. Benjamin Franklin observed: “Those who desire to give up freedom in order to gain security will not have, nor do they deserve, either one.”

 

Please feel free to forward this to anyone who cherishes the right to defend themselves.

 

Semper Fi!

 

 

Sergeant Bob Soule # 109

Simsbury Police Department

933 Hopmeadow Street

Simsbury, CT 06070

Email: RSoule@pd.simsbury-ct.gov

Phone: (860) 658-3116

 

 

Silencing The Citizens of Lisbon One Councilor At A Time!!

STRIPPING OF CITIZENS RIGHTS IN LISBON

There was no way anyone could predict or see what was coming.  However, the management of Lisbon methodically began stripping the rights of their citizens in a slow and deliberate manner.  First, it was the Executive Sessions.  All the towns’ illegal actions were moved to Executive Sessions.  This was done because under state law the public is not entitled to know what goes on behind closed doors.   

The state has outlined only specific circumstances in which Executive Sessions can be held but if you cannot discuss what goes on behind closed doors then how does the Public know what the town is discussing?!.   There is absolutely no way the Public can be sure of what is being discussed under the guise of Executive Session.  This was the beginning.

Next, Lori Pomelow rewrote the Council Working Rules and when she did she eliminated the portion dealing with “New Business”.  This meant that no new business could be brought up before the council at a town council meeting.  This was never noticed because the Chairman always let the people discuss whatever they wanted to during the Audience Participation.

This was the next move to silence the people.  Before, the Public was allowed to comment on issues being discussed after the sponsor explained the issue and the councilors discussed it.  After Pomelow rewrote the Council Working Rules, the Public could only speak during Audience Participation which came first on the agenda.  This meant that the Public had to make comments on the issue without understanding why the sponsor was doing it and before the council had a chance to discuss the issue.  I could never understand how you could intelligently discuss something without knowing what the true issue was.

Now at the last council meeting, Chairman LaRochelle stripped the final rights of the people by enforcing Pomelow’s Council Working Rules to the maximum.  The Public can no longer bring up any “New Business” that is not part of the agenda.  This means that you will never again hear anything about the Misappropriated $32,500; voting on the Municipal Budget by department or anything else the council has not answered.  They still have not explained how they raised our taxes last year and then declared over a million dollars left over from the previous year.  Trust me you will never hear any more about that.

The final loss of your rights came when the town had “technical difficulties” with the video of the meeting.    The last two council meetings never aired to the public. This was done because they do not want the people to see what they are doing to the citizens of Lisbon.  The School Board’s meetings come out just fine and they use the same equipment but every time there is an issue that is not favorable to the council there are “technical difficulties” with the equipment.

I believe Dot Fitzgerald is absolutely right; they are moving for attendance at town council meetings to be by invitation ONLY.  I would not be surprised if council meetings were held in restaurants, bars or individuals homes just as long as they are not recorded or available to the Public. 

Citizens of Lisbon have been stripped of their rights.  Residents can no longer participate in town government instead we are at the mercy of elected officials.

Larry Fillmore

Concerned Citizen



 

Lisbon Residents, You Could Learn A Lot From This: We The People Stimulus Package

After all, your duly elected and paid town councilors are no different than what this message presents. We present the following for a second time.  Are you Listening?

Bob Basso author of "Common Sense" plays the role of Thomas Paine to ignite the fire of change in America. Patriotism and Pride for America lead Thomas Paine to help take back America!

 

Two Communities So Far Apart But Yet So Close: City of Biddeford and Town of Lisbon Have Something In Common…Official Corruption Behind Closed Doors

Lisbon Police Chief David T. Brooks

Lisbon Reporter reports “Politics `a la` Lisbon!! Transparency and Open Government Be Damned!” Several discussions were held about the manner in which executive sessions were conducted in Lisbon, Maine. This prompted investigation into Maine’s Revised Statute on Executive sessions.  Title 1 §405. Executive sessions.

Peoples’  rights ARE violated behind municipal “closed doors.” I agree with Larry Filmore that “people need to know the precise nature of the business being discussed behind closed doors.”

As further evidence of  unlawful “executive sessions” by elected municipal employee to steal from the taxpayers, including the theft of properties please view the following:
 August 26, 1994 confidential memo behind closed doors.

Marion Lafortune wanted this issue presented before the city council. Mayor James Grattelo denied this request. Marion was not an employee of the city/state and this issue should NOT have been discussed “behind closed doors.”

The theft of Marion’s home and Dorothy Lafortune’s home behind closed doors are detailed.

Continue Reading More: http://unmasker4maine.wordpress.com/2013/03/09/city-of-biddeford-and-town-of-lisbon-have-something-in-common-official-corruption-behind-closed-doors/

 This must be on Brooks' mirror in the morning!!!

How convenient this quote is today.  Thank you God!

 

"In order to preserve your self-respect, it is sometimes necessary to lie and cheat."

Robert Byrne

Great Job Dottie, Thank You and "Keep On, Keeping On"!!!
Lisbon's Biggest Problem is they have a 'bald headed, lieing, hearing impaired Police Chief that has "covered-up" all the pertinent information for his "good ole Boys Network"!!!
Signed with absolutely NO RESPECT INTENDED or IMPLIED,
Todd Comber  

An Example of PROPER, INFORMATIVE and LEGAL Notice of an Executive Session

 Now wouldn't this be a refreshing Change of Pace for Lisbon residents!

 To be properly informed!!!!!

TOWN OF OLD ORCHARD BEACH

SPECIAL TOWN COUNCIL MEETING

 

I am hereby calling a Special Town Council Meeting on

Thursday, March 7th, 2013,at 7:00p.m.at Town Hall for the following reason:

 

1.

Executive Session pursuant to 1 M.R.S.A. section 405 (6)(E) concerning the Town’s legal rights, duties and responsibilities related to tax lien acquired property located at the Acorn Village Condominiums and the Town’s legal options for disposition of the property. Discussion and possible action to follow. The Council will be holding a workshop with representatives of the Acorn Condominium Association after the Council meeting. 

 

Town Council Workshop:

1.

Discuss rights and responsibilities related to tax acquired property located at the

Acorn Condominium project.

_________________

Sharri MacDonald, Chair

 http://www.oobmaine.com/Pages/OldOrchardBeachME_CouncilAgenda/2013%20Town%20Council%20Agendas/MARCH7~1.PDF

Coming To Your Town; GOP: Obama Admin Prepares To Disarm America‏

by Amy

by Kris Zane Barack Obama is a Marxist. And like all good Marxists, he wants to disarm the public. It’s not like it hasn’t been done before. In October 1918, the Communist government “ordered citizens to surrender all firearms, ammunition…having first mandated registration of all weapons six months earlier.” The Nazis followed the same pattern. [...]

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 Video produced by http://www.westernjournalism.com

A Citizen's Comment on Town Council's use of Executive Sessions

Click for original story: http://www.lisbonreporter.com/2013/02/politics-la-lisbon.html


Date: Sun, 24 Feb 2013

I believe you are correct and that the Council uses this entirely too much, and incorrectly most of the time. I believe in open government and respect for the citizens. I gave this form of governing a chance- even voted for it...to my regret. 

I feel 'we the people' have lost a voice in our town's affairs. 

 I still wonder whatever went on with respect to Jennifer Norris-guess that will never be answered.

 I also think it's tough to take on the job of being a town leader in a volunteer capacity as we see in the news of towns around the state.

Faye Brown
Lisbon Falls Resident

Robbing Peter To Pay Paul, Lisbon Style!!!!!

RESIDENTS ROBBED OF RIGHTS

The people of Lisbon are constantly being robbed of their rights.  Maine law is being ignored by the very people who are responsible to ensure the town is compliant at all times.  Town Attorney, Roger Therriault and Town Manager, Stephen Eldridge continues

 to strip Lisbon residents of their right to be informed on town matters.  What is very ironic is that these two individuals are the very ones who have taken an oath to protect our rights.  Case in point, under Maine Revised Statute 401, the people have the right to be informed on town business.  Below is a copy of this statute for your review.

 

The second line of the first paragraph sums it up very clearly.  “It is the intent of the Legislature that their actions be taken openly and that the records of their actions be open to public inspection and their deliberations be conducted openly.”  If you review the minutes of the meeting of January 29, 2013, you will see where after coming out of their Executive Session a motion was made and voted on but what the motion was is not recorded as required by Maine Revised Statue 401.  This certainly is NOT “open to public inspection” and how can you keep records of the events when the town does not record what the actual motion is?

The town council has been hiding behind Maine Revised Statue 405 and going into Executive Sessions without any explanation.  Above I have provided you at copy of this statute for your review.  It is very clear to me; the town council, town attorney nor town manager has read this statue.  This very first paragraph states “An executive session may not be used to defeat the purpose of this subchapter as stated in section 401.”  I believe this means all actions of the town council are to be above board and not hidden behind closed doors.  This statute provides for closed door sessions to discuss critical topics that should not be disclosed to the Public but the Public is entitled to know the “precise nature of the business” being discussed.  A general title such a Personnel Matters does not meet the requirements “precise nature of the business”.

If you read paragraph 4, it is very specific as to how a motion to go into Executive Session is required to be made.  It reads “A motion to go into executive session must indicate the precise nature of the business of the executive session and include a citation of one or more sources of statutory or other authority that permits an executive session for that business.”  Our town council certainly does not meet this requirement of the law.  Someone makes a motion to go into executive session, someone second and a show of hands and then off to the executive session.  This does not inform the Public of the “precise nature of business” being discussed behind closed doors.  The words precise nature was put into the statue for a reason. 

If you take the time to read these statutes governing the town councils responsibilities under Maine law, you will see Lisbon’s town council does not come anywhere close to complying with the law.  These councilors swore under oath to obey the very laws they are violating.  Is it the town council’s fault; I think not?  The fault lies with the two individuals who are required to provide legal guidance to our councilors and that is Roger Therrault and Stephen Eldridge.  These two individuals have been trained in these matters and are tasked to ensure our councilors comply with Maine laws.  Instead, they let our councilors violate their oath of office and to break Maine law.

 As a result of this, the residents of Lisbon have been denied the right to be informed on town business.

Larry Fillmore

Concerned Citizen

Peru Residents Have More Common Sense Than Lisbon Residents, They Are Trying To Right A Wrong Against Their Chairman

But not in Liesbon  (emphasis)   all you have to do is be in the "good ole boys" circle and lie your 'dumb ass' to the public and everything will be alright.  Screw the hard working taxpayers & senior citizens on fixed income and enjoy your Illegal Homestead Exemption.  Isn't that correct Chairman Fern Larochelle of Larochelle Properties LLC?

More verbal jousting in Peru: Resident considers second petition against board chairman

 By Kathryn Skelton, Sun Journal

PERU, Maine — Board of Selectmen Chairman Tim Holland owes $17,000 in back property taxes to the town. He’s already facing one recall petition, from resident Warren Oldham.
If that doesn’t work in next month’s referendum, Oldham plans to circulate another: one that would keep anyone who owes back taxes from being a selectman.

For Holland, it feels personal, and Oldham says it is.

“I don’t understand why, if a guy can’t run his own goddamn business, why should he be running the town?” Oldham said. Holland’s business is rental properties, on which he owes back taxes.

Oldham’s petition comes as all five selectmen in town face a recall vote on March 4.

 Read more here