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Showing posts with label Recreation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Recreation. Show all posts

Wednesday, December 28, 2016

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

Friday, February 19, 2016

COMMUNITY SERVICE

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Photo courtesy of K. Aspen Mikella

Win Free Door Prizes Every Hour and Learn Field Hockey Skills in Lisbon

Win free door prizes every hour from 4:30 until 7 pm on Saturday, Feb. 27 at a MAINE STYX Field Hockey Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser at Lisbon’s MTM Community Center located at 18 School Street.  This donation Benefit Dinner will also include a Silent Auction, and 50/50 Raffle. 

Kaitlyn Philbrick of Lisbon Falls is one of the MAINE STYX players raising money for travel expenses. MAINE STYX Field Hockey is an elite team that travels as far as Virginia to compete in tournaments and players are actively recruited by colleges. Kate will be performing stick skills she has learned throughout her field hockey training. If you have your own stick feel free to bring it, but several will be provided. 

Local businesses that have donated auction items include Ferns Auto Body, Crafts Cars, Amelia Dawn Designs, Kokopelli Photography, Haggerty Realty, Gridiron Restaurant and Pub, and Advanced Auto Parts.

For more information, contact Janice at 207-504-3449.  

 

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

LISBON’S MOTHER-SON DANCE SCHEDULED FOR MAY 10


Lisbon – The third annual Lisbon Mother-Son Mother’s Day Dance is scheduled for May 10.  The event will be held at the MTM Center in Lisbon Falls from 6 to 8 p.m.  Advance tickets are at the Lisbon Recreation Department for  $10 per couple and $5 each additional child from April 22 through May 8.   

Tickets are also available at the door for $15 per couple/additional child for $5 each.  Positive Change Lisbon and the Lisbon Recreation Department are sponsoring the event.   Mother-son portraits available by a professional photographer.  DJ, dancing, refreshments and door prizes.  Create a memory, buy your tickets today!

Thursday, March 27, 2014

RECAP TOWN COUNCIL WORKSHOP – MARCH 25TH 2014

RECAP TOWN COUNCIL WORKSHOP – MARCH 25TH

This is the recap of Tuesday night’s Town Council meeting.  It started off with the Interim Town Manager briefing everyone on the negotiations with the insurance company pertaining to the fire at the Public Works building.

Truck – The town and insurance company have reached an agreement on compensation for the burned truck.  The insurance will pay $48,000.00 to the town and the town will keep the burned truck.  There are parts on the truck that were not damaged by the fire and the town can reuse them.  It will cost the taxpayers an additional $25,000.00 – 30,000.00 for the purchase of a new truck.

Building – There is no final agreement between the town and the insurance company but the insurance has offered $300,000.00 for the repair of the building.  The insurance company is also going to pay three months rental.  Currently, the town is paying $4,500.00 a month to Longchamps & Sons, Inc. for rental space.  The Town council will have to make a decision as to how to proceed forward from this point.  Mr. Olmstead presented four options to the council.  This will be added to next week’s agenda for more discussion and hopefully a decision.

The Council spent over 2 hours going over the four parts of the Public Works budget with Ryan Leighton.  These four are Town Engineer, Public Works Department, Winter Public Works and finally Solid Waste Department.

This was followed by the Parks Department budget with Verla Brooks, Park Ranger; then Mark Stevens with the Recreational budget.  These two budgets took less than a half hour. 

I personally believe there are three budgets that should be left alone.  They are the Recreational and Parks budget because they generate revenue for the town and they provide various services to all ages from Senior Citizens to the very young.  These two department heads never ask for anything that is not necessary.
 

The other department is the Library.  The Library has the Job Program and many many more programs for all ages.  Their summer reading program is excellent for our young people especially since the town closed the teen center.  The town does not provide any place for our teenagers to go for the past few years.  At least, these three departments provide some relief for our young people.
 

Larry Fillmore



Editor's Note:  It is unconscionable to see such a display of unprofessional decorum by the reigning council chairman for not have taken the initiative to provide a microphone for the interim Town Manager to use so that the taxpayers sitting at home watching could hear what is being said.  

GreatFallsTV: Lisbon Town Council Workshop March 25, 2014


Thank You Coach Stevens!; Times Record: End of an era for Mark Stevens



MARK STEVENS poses with four of the seven state wrestling championship trophies at Lisbon High School. After 22 years leading the ’Hounds, Stevens has decided to step away from the sport that has been a major part of his life. BOB CONN / THE TIMES RECORD



BY BOB CONN
The Times Record

LISBON FALLS

When Mark Stevens was in high school, he faced a dilemma. 
He was preparing for the state high school wrestling championships, and the Lisbon student/athlete weighed 140 pounds on Monday, just five days before his shot at glory. 

Greyhounds coach Bob Donelan didn’t agree that Stevens was working to lose the weight, as the senior wanted to make the 126-pound division. 
Lots of running and a lack of food, combined with a never-ending determination worked for Stevens, as he lost the pounds and then defeated Mt. Blue rival Ralph McArthur, 6-4, in the 126-pound title match to capture the state championship. The year was 1982.

A photo published in The Times Record taken by longtime sports editor Dave Bourque showed an exhausted Stevens being congratulated by Mt. Ararat coach Dennis Bishop, and an article by Bourque a few days later had this quote from Mark ... “my attitude was so different Saturday. I was never that confident.”

Fast-forward 32 years, and Stevens, who led Lisbon to seven state titles as the Greyhounds’ coach, is leaving the sport that he has loved, left, came back to and endured in. 

Early days

When Mark finished his high school wrestling career, he was quite happy to leave the sport behind. He was burned out and was off to serve in the U.S. Air Force. But, soon wrestling was again a big part of his life. 

“They wanted to have a wrestling team, and I started again. I was cutting weight again and got back into it.”

Portland Press-Herald sports columnist Steve Solloway caught up with Mark and his brother Rocky as they competed in the Air Force, with Mark telling Steve, “We’re kind of the underdogs when we wrestle.”

When Mark’s time in the Air Force ended, he returned home, but still wrestled in open tournaments at Hyde School in Bath. Mark was on the mat the day before his first child was born. 

“In the hospital I have a picture of me holding her with a black eye on my face.”

Coaching, something Mark never considered, came about in 1992 when the Lisbon athletic director asked him to begin a middle school program at Sugg Middle School. He was assisted by Bob Earle, and soon the duo turned the Greyhounds into a force to be reckoned with. 

“At the middle school, we had 60 kids, so Bob and I ran two sessions with 30 kids each. They had some uniforms that they pulled out of a box. I didn’t know what I was doing. I knew how to wrestle, but knew that it took a lot more.” 

“I coached Mark when he was young in football,” remembered Earle. “I walked into Sugg years later and he was conducting a practice, and my youngest son was there. I offered to help, and watching Mark, he was just so dynamic. He impressed me. I coached with Mark for 11 years, and I owe a lot to him. It was a great honor.”

Coaching was difficult for Mark at first. So he turned to his wife, Gretchen, for some advice. 

 I asked my wife, ‘what if they don’t want to listen to me?’ She gave me some really good instructions. ‘You have to have structure, a plan, and have your plan incorporate repetition.’

Mark’s chance to move to the high school came in 1996, and the rest, as the saying goes, is history. 

“Bob strongly encouraged the athletic director to post the position, with the middle school kids heading to the high school program after a lot of success. The job opened up, and I applied and got the job.”

In 1998, Mark remembers taking his young Greyhounds to Rumford to face Mountain Valley, coached by Jerry Perkins. 

“The huge light was lowered over the big falcon displayed centered on the wrestling mat. The Mountain Valley team passed around the rally stick and pounded the mat with their hands. This was all very intimidating to my young, inexperienced Lisbon wrestlers. We lost that match, but as we were leaving, coach Perkins said to me, ‘Mark, your wrestlers have good handshakes.’ 

“At first, I wondered if I should have been offended, but after a year or two, I realized what he meant. Later his assistant admitted our Lisbon wrestlers would be coming to Rumford and beating them on their mat in just a matter of time. It came true faster than anyone from Lisbon imagined.”

Mark soon had Lisbon pointed in the right direction, culminating in winning the State Class C championship in 2001. Mark remembers a speech he gave to his team the night before the state championship, a speech he has repeated every year since. 

“I told the kids to expect the unexpected. ‘You have trained hard, you’ve mentally prepared and physically prepared, but there will something that spins your world in the other direction.’ 

“I used an example of one of my studs, Derek Giusto, who later went on to be a three-time state champion. That year Derek had already beaten the Class A, B and C champ and was on fire, and I said ‘what if Derek goes out there and gets pinned, what will that do to the rest of you guys?’ 

“Derek went into the finals having already beaten his opponent 10-0 earlier in the season, and was leading 5-0, but got spun onto his back and pinned in the first period of the state finals, the first year it was held at the Augusta Civic Center. Derek had class, shook the kid’s hand and walked right out of the gym to collect himself. He never showed emotion.”

Mark remembers talking to the Dexter coach during that same meet. Dexter had won the state title three years in a row, and was a favorite to make it four. 

“The Dexter coach said his team was really looking toward New Englands, and that the state title wasn’t important, and being a young coach I said to myself that ‘I will never take winning a state title for granted.’ I know teams do that, but it is too important. It is not just about winning, but what it means about blood, sweat and tears.”

Clinching win

“I didn’t know how to keep score then, and the Dexter coach later came over after a win and told me ‘you have just won the state title.’ I didn’t believe him until they announced it after the event. The next year, I learned how to keep score.” 

State titles continued to come, with Lisbon taking the top prize in Class C in both 2002 and 2003.

Mark began coaching field hockey in the fall, as daughters Amanda and MaKayla made their way through high school. 

But, in the winter it was back to the mat, and Mark had his team on a roll again, with state titles for the Greyhounds coming in 2006, followed by three consecutive titles from 2008-10. There were great champions in the 2000s, names like Forest Cornell, Giusto, Mike McNamara, Marcus Bubar, Cameron Bubar, Mike McManus, Nate Hix and Will Vice, but Mark also remembers those who came up just a bit short in reaching their goal. 

“We have been inspired by many of my wrestlers who have come up short but still prepared their best. Ian McKeag, Josh Adams, Art Stambach and Tyler Bard just to name a few, wrestlers who never stood on the top podium at the state tournament, but trained harder than most. They inspired us as all of them displayed class at all times.” 

Mark felt that a turnaround at Lisbon came with the hiring of athletic director Jeff Ramich in 2002. 

“Jeff put together a schedule that was second to none. Our kids were wrestling a Class A schedule. Iron sharpens iron, and those who survive will be tough come February. We went to Vermont, the Noble Tournament, Spartan Tournament, Kennebunk Duals. We were the only Class C school in these invitational tournaments and we were always welcomed. I looked at these kids and said to myself, ‘they are the best in the state, not just in Class C.’”

There was a moment when Mark nearly walked away from the sport. He recalled a family drive that changed his mind. 

“After the 2003 season I was talking with Gretchen about retiring as we were traveling in the car. A voice from the back seat came from my 7-year-old son Zachary, as he asked, ‘Dad why would you want to get done coaching? It’s the only thing you’re good at.’  We had a laugh, well Gretchen did anyway. Wrestling was a way of life. It became my identity. I am thankful that I didn’t retire that year as the next 10 years have been unforgettable.”

A lasting image for Mark appears on his laptop computer. In Zach’s final match for Lisbon, the senior won his third state title. He rose from his feet and gave his dad a big hug, with tears filling their eyes. 

“When he was a sophomore, after he won he jumped into my arms, and that was 120 pounds. I said, ‘now you’re a lot bigger, and what will happen if you jump up into my arms again?’ We decided we were going to high-five, and I went to high-five him, but he said no and we hugged. It was more of a relief for him. His goal was a state title, and he wanted it. He did it well and I am proud of him.
“The greatest title anyone can have is being a dad. When I look back at my life, the greatest thing is being a dad and having the chance to coach all three of them.”

Mark quickly changed gears and reflected on his final team’s successes this year.   

“There were other kids that won that day. JD Martin had a come-from-behind upset with a pin in the final nine seconds, with all of us going nuts. It was about our team. We wrestled great with nine kids on the team, and we finished third. I felt like we had won the state title. Three had never wrestled before in their life. I was happy with the way the season ended.” 

Mark has a long list of fellow coaches, volunteers, assistant coaches and parents to thank. 

“I have been fortunate to have learned from some of the best coaches in the history of Maine wrestling. My high school coach Bob Donelen, and several great coaches including Dennis Bishop, Jerry Perkins and the late Gary Kent. I have learned every step of the way, from my wrestlers, to my assistant coaches and coaches from other teams. 

“Anyone who knows anything about building a team like Lisbon wrestling will tell you that it takes a community, not just one person. Bob Earle and Ted Albasini both have been coaching with me for over 10 years. Bob retired in 2007 shortly after being selected as National Assistant Coach of the Year for USA Wrestling Magazine. I have a lifetime of gratitude to give to Bob and Ted. Bob was a life cheerleader, always making me feel like I am doing the right thing. When I would make a decision that was not the right one, he would gently say, ‘coach you sure you want to do that?’ Bob was a hero to me and I would not have had the opportunities over the years if it was not for him leading me to be a better coach. 

“Ted also has been one of the most selfless, committed and honest men I have known. He is a role model and incredible man. When he speaks, our athletes hold on to every word. He had as much to do with building champions on the mat year-in and year-out since he came back to Lisbon in 2002.”

And about the kids he coached along the way and some of the changes he hopes to see in the future in regards to Maine wrestling ...

“You have to love your kids and be willing to have them learn about the value of themselves. At the end of the day, I worked with a team of guys that helped kids to realize their potential, maybe prepared them for the challenges in their lives. I am so close to many of my alumni, and that is the value that I have given and received. We took a team of people and didn’t expect it. I never took it for granted because it won’t last forever.

“Wrestling in Maine is in a transition. I see them combining classes, the end of the three-class system, and creating some co-op teams like in hockey. I have heard through the rumor mill that Massachusetts and New York have allowed seventh and eighth-graders to wrestle in high school. You want to build up the programs. The more internal competition you have on a team, the better the team.”

As is Mark’s way, he passed the credit to those who supported him. 
“I had some great help. It is not a one-man show. Even the dynasty that we had, it took a family of coaches, wrestlers, their parents and grandparents, and the community. 

“We taught our wrestlers good handshakes, character, with the cornerstones of wrestling being respect. The winning became a by-product of what we were doing in practice and it seemed to be a good recipe. 

“One of the things I pride myself in was whether you win or lose, you shouldn’t have an expression on your face that showed anyone any different. Kids don’t get that these days. If you have a tough battle and won, don’t show that until you are on the bus. If you lost because the kid was better than you and trained harder, keep your head high, same exact handshake, get on the bus and if you have to cry, cry. Just have honor and respect.”

In conclusion ...

“What Lisbon wrestlers have accomplished in the past 17  years has been truly amazing. The trophies are nice, but nothing compared to the unforgettable memories and experiences we shared. Those wrestlers, parents and coaches who have been a part of this journey have some great stories to tell. It would be more of a series of books once all these stories were told. The relationships that have been built, and the life lessons that have been learned through the experiences the past two decades are priceless. It was always about building ‘champion kids’ not just champion wrestlers.”  

“He has a way of bonding with his men and women,” said Earle. 

“He is a special human being. Mark prided himself in doing well when he coached at the middle school and continued that in high school. The kids bought in and believed in him. His kids, and myself, would go through a wall for Mark. Lisbon wrestling is Mark Stevens!”

BOB CONN is the Times Record assistant sports editor. He can be reached at bconn@timesrecord.com

http://www.timesrecord.com/news/2014-03-26/Sports/End_of_an_era_for_Mark_Stevens.html

Posted in its entirety with permission.

Monday, March 24, 2014

Town Council Workshop Agenda‏ March 25, 2014 with SUMMARY OF LISBON COUNCIL MEETING RULES

AGENDA
TOWN COUNCIL WORKSHOP
TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 2014
LISBON TOWN OFFICE
7:00 P.M.

1. PUBLIC WORKS FACILITY UPDATE

2. DEPARTMENT HEAD BUDGET PRESENTATION
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a. Public Works
 
b. Solid Waste
 
c. Parks
 
d. Recreation

SUMMARY OF LISBON COUNCIL MEETING RULES 
This summary is provided for guidance only. The complete council working rules may be found on the town website www.lisbonme.org on the Town Officials, Town Council page.
The meeting agenda is available from the town website under Council Agendas and Minutes. 
1. Please note the order that agenda items may be acted upon by the Council, however, if necessary, the Council may elect to change the order of the agenda. 
2. The Council Chairman presides over the meeting. When the Chairman is not present, the Vice Chairman serves that function. The chair shall preserve decorum and decide all questions of order and procedure subject to appeal to the town council. 
3. Public comment is not typically allowed during Council workshops,. There may be occasions where public comment may be recruited, but normally, workshops are reserved for Council members to discuss and educate themselves on a variety of issues facing the Town. Prior to the conclusion of a workshop, if time permits, the chair may allow questions from the public. 
4. During audience participation, anyone wishing to address council will wait to be recognized by the chair before beginning any remarks. Audience members will move to the lectern to address council, and shall provide name and address prior to addressing the council. 
5. Note that “Consent Agenda” items (if there are any) are acted upon first, voted upon as a group, and will most often be voted on without discussion as these items often involve “housekeeping” issues (such as minor parking changes). On occasion “Consent Agenda” items are separated out as stand-alone action items by the Council to allow for more discussion. 
6. Public comment on agenda items. General comments on agenda items should be made during audience participation. After introduction of an agenda item, appropriate motions, and time for explanation and council questions, the public may be allowed to comment on that agenda item at the discretion of the chair. During that period of time, the public comment shall address only the agenda item before council. 
7. Action on agenda items. As each item on the agenda for any meeting is brought to the floor for discussion:
a. The town clerk reads the agenda item and the action being requested of council.
b. The sponsor of each item or, if there is no council sponsor, the town manager, or town staff, shall first be allowed to present their initial comments for consideration by the public and councilors.
c. Following this introduction of the issue, there will be time devoted to any questions of the sponsor or the town manager or staff regarding the agenda item which any councilor may have which would help to clarify the question presented by the agenda item. The chair may allow questions from the public during this time however; no debate or discussion of collateral issues shall be permitted.
d. When authorized by the chair, any additional public comment shall be no longer than two minutes per person and must be to request or furnish new or undisclosed information or viewpoints only.
e. Once an agenda item has been explained and clarified by any questioning, the discussion on the specific agenda item will remain with the council. Additional public comment, prior to final council vote; will only be allowed at the chairman's discretion. 
8. New business is for the council to receive input on town matters not on the agenda for that meeting. It is not intended, nor shall it be construed as an opportunity for debate of previous agenda items or reinforcement of a point made by another speaker. Comments shall be to furnish new or undisclosed information or viewpoints and limited to a time period of two minutes or less and shall be directed through the chair. 
9. If an “Executive Session” is conducted by the Council, State Statute prohibits public attendance for any discussion of the action to be addressed by the Council. Any action taken by the Council on any “Executive Session” matter must be acted upon in a public meeting, and may occur at the end of the “Executive Session” (which has no time element relative to the length of the discussion involved in the “session”). 
Current as of December 31, 2013