Residents of the Town of Lisbon

Residents of the Town of Lisbon

 

As you can see, more violations of the Town of Lisbon Charter by the Town Manager.  It appears on the surface, the Town Council supports violations of the Charter because they do nothing to stop the continued violations of the Town Charter by the Town Manager.  Can any resident of Lisbon tell me why we have a Town Charter if the Town Manager is not going to abide by it and the Town Council allows these continued violations to go on?  Keep in mind, the Town Manager and Town Council took an oath of office swearing to abide by and support the Town Charter.

 

Next Tuesday at 7:00 PM is the next Town Council meeting and I request all residents of the Town of Lisbon who are aware of more violations by the Town Manager to come forward and voice these violations to the Town Council.  Supposedly, the Town Council is going to review the Town Manager's contract for renewal.  The Town Council has totally ignored by letter of 8 November 2010 calling for the immediate termination of the Town Manager for cause.

 

I believe the delay in processing my letter of 8 November 2010 was a delaying tactic.  The residents of Lisbon will have to pay an additional FORTY THOUSAND DOLLARS to the Town Manager if the Council does not renew his contract.  I personally believe the residents of the Town of Lisbon have paid more than enough for the Town Manager's continued violations of our Charter.  I have provided the Council more than enough information on continued violations of the Town Charter.  Terminating the Town Manager for Cause will save the residents of Lisbon from having to pay an additional $40K.  Given the financial situation of the Town of Lisbon, why spend more than we have too?

 

Larry A. Fillmore

 

Letter 1

LARRY A. FILLMORE

38 Andrea Street

Lisbon, ME 04250

Tel: 207-407-1048

Cel: 207-755-1082

Subject: Filing an Official Complaint against Mr. Stephen Eldridge

Town Council

Town of Lisbon

ATTN: Mr. Mark Lunt

Lisbon, ME 04250

Dear Mr. Lunt,

On 7 October 2010, Mrs. Dorothy Fitzgerald filed a Recall Petition with the Town of Lisbon pertaining to Mr. Mike Bowie. This petition was certified and went through the entire process as outlined in Section 8-31 of the Town of Lisbon Charter. On 7 December 2010, the Town Council, accepted the petition as being legally sufficient, established a Public Hearing for 14 December 2010 and a Special Election date of 4 January 2011. The Town of Lisbon should not have been involved with any further action on this recall except to create the ballots, setup the voting station, count the votes and announce the outcome as outlined in the Charter.

However, Mr. Stephen Eldridge sent a letter to Mrs. Fitzgerald on 8 December 2010 requesting she provide the “public records” relating to the four allegations outlined in the recall petition in accordance with the Maine Freedom of Access Act. There are several unethical issues with this request:

a. The Town of Lisbon had since 7 October 2010 to request any type of information from Mrs. Fitzgerald. Once the Town Council established a voting date there should have been no further action taken because this interferes with the recall process. This is highly improper and should not have been allowed. The Town Manager over stepped his authority and should be cited for this.

b. By nature of the four allegations outlined in the petition and Mr. Eldridge’s letter, any reasonable person can tell these allegations were while Mr. Bowie served as the Chairman of the Town Council. Any “public records” requested would be in the minutes of the Town Council meetings which Mrs. Fitzgerald would not be the custodian. Mr. Eldridge’s action clearly demonstrates his lack of knowledge of Maine law and boarders on pure harassment of a private citizen of the Town of Lisbon which I fine to be extremely offensive and unethical.

c. The Maine Freedom of Access Act provides the rights of individuals to obtain “public records” from the custodian of the documents. In this case, the custodian of the Town Council Meetings is the Chief Administrative Officer for the Town of Lisbon, Mr. Stephen Eldridge. As Mr. Eldridge’s position required he know Maine laws, he had to be aware he was the custodian of the public records he was requesting. The letter he wrote to Mrs. Fitzgerald was totally unethical and he should be cited for his misuse of his position.

I believe I have clearly demonstrated the unethical behavior and misuse of his position of Mr. Stephen Eldridge, as Town Manager for the Town of Lisbon. Respectfully, request action is taken again Mr. Eldridge for this unconscionable act.

Thank you

Larry A. Fillmore

Letter 1 Addendum 

ADDENDEM TO 8 November 2010 letter Subject: Termination of Town Manager for Cause

The following subparagraphs outlined the continued violations of the Town of Lisbon Charter by the Town Manager. Some of these items are extremely picky but demonstrate a continued disregard for the Charter and demonstrated his dereliction of duties as prescribed by the Town of Lisbon Charter. According to the Charter and I quote “The Manager shall be appointed solely on the basis of character and executive and administrative qualifications with special reference to actual experience in, or knowledge of, accepted practice in respect to the duties of office as hereafter set forth.”

Section 3.01 – As the Chief Administrative Officer for the town Mr. Eldridge is responsible for the proper administration of all affairs of the Town. As such he is responsible for the sign board in front of the town office. The information on the sign board keeps the residents of Lisbon informed of upcoming meeting and events. The sign board displays information which has passed, sometimes up to a week. I have brought this to the attention of Councilwoman Gina Mason. As I am writing this, the sign board still has information about a meeting on January 27^th which is four days old. A minor infraction but clearly demonstrates a lack of supervisory skills required for the position.

b. The web site is another method of relaying information to the residents of the town. Again, the web site continues to display information on events which is old. I pointed this out to Councilwoman Mason and she worked to get it corrected but Councilwoman has better things to concentrate on than to go behind the Town Manager to ensure he is performing his duties as outlined in the Charter and his contract.

c. There have been several Town Council meetings I attended in which one or more Councilors were surprised by information which came out during the meeting. The latest is the burning of the house by the Fire Department and publishing the event on their web site. I believe burning of someone’s house is a big deal and the Town Council and all members of the Council should have been made aware of this action. And of course, we all remember the surprise over the tax issue. These continued surprises clearly demonstrate the lack of communication and are in violation of Section 3.02 of the Charter. It appears Mr. Eldridge would rather ask for forgiveness than permission.

d. The Town Manager sent a letter to Mrs. Fitzgerald requesting public record documents for which he is the custodian. This clearly demonstrates a lack of knowledge of who is the custodian of the Town Council Meeting minutes.

Section 3.02(b) – “The Manager shall direct and supervise the administration of all departments, offices and agencies of the Town except as otherwise provided by this charter or by law. “ The word “supervise” according to the dictionary means to “oversee”. It is clear Mr. Eldridge failed to supervise/oversee the initial tax commitment produced by Mr. Dow because the Town had to hire another Tax Assessor to redo the tax commitment which in turn cost the tax payers of Lisbon approximately $10K.

Section 3.02(d) – “The Manager shall see that all laws, provisions of the charter and acts of the council, subject to enforcement by him or her or by officers subject to his or her direction and supervision, are faithfully executed.” This provision in the charter clearly states the Town Manage must have knowledge of Maine laws pertaining to the operation of a municipality. Mr. Eldridge has clearly demonstrated his lack of knowledge pertaining to Maine law when he did not know which documents are required for a valid commitment under Maine Property Tax Bulletin Number 15.

a. This section also states the Town Manager is responsible for “acts of the council, subject to enforcement by him or her or by the officers subject to his or her direction and supervision, are faithfully executed.” The Tax Assessor did not perform his duties as required by Maine law but the Town Manager also failed to perform his duties by not providing direction and supervision as required by the provisions of this section.

b. The Town Manager also did not understand the provisions of the Maine Freedom of Access Act when he sent Mrs. Fitzgerald an official letter requesting public record documents in which the Town Manager is the custodian. This is a simple law enabling individuals the rights to public record documents. Any reasonable person, reading the petition for recall, would have known the violations outlined in the petition pertained to Mr. Bowie’s duties as Chairman of the Town Council and therefore would be in the minutes of the Town Council Meeting minute for which Mr. Eldridge is the custodian as the Chief Administrative Officer for the Town of Lisbon.

Section 3.02(g) – “The Manager shall prepare and submit to the Council such reports and shall perform such duties as the council may require and shall make such recommendations to the council concerning the affairs of the Town as he or she deems desirable or as the Council may request.” Mr. Eldridge violated his section miserable when the Town Council ordered the Town Manager to send a “Letter” to all mortgage companies explaining the situation and requesting no action be taken on month mortgage payments until a new commitment was completed. Mr. Eldridge demonstrated his true feelings for the taxpayers of the Town of Lisbon by utilizing “internal letter head” stationary and four brief lines. This internal memo read “Please be advised that there were errors in the 2010-2011 Town of Lisbon Tax Commitment and Tax Billing that was mailed on September 1, 2010. The errors were caught and we are in the process of correcting them and this will be reflected in the March billing. We apologize for this inconvenience as we take the proper steps to prevent this from occurring again.” This internal memo sent to all mortgage companies, was never signed by anyone. This is another violation of the charters.

I have deal with the continued misinformation put out by the Town Manager at Town Council meeting. I asked the Town Council to have an independent audit performed on the Economic Development Department in support of the new Director. The Town Manager stated an independent audit had been conducted. I went in the next day to review the audit and it was not there. The only audit was the entire town audit which only has to do with numbers and not where or not we are following the requirements for funding in this department. Also Mr. Eldridge stated the case involving $32.5K which had to do with Mr. Feeney was closed. Upon further review, the Chief of Police informed me it was returned to the District Attorney for further action by the State Attorney General. The case is still pending. This comes under the heading of “integrity” which is a must in public office. I do not have any faith in anything the Town Manager says.

Lisbon Schools' CO Newest Addition‏

Lisbon Schools’ Central Office Newest Addition

                                                                                                                          Photo by Stan Craig

Lisbon – Rick Green, Superintendent of Lisbon School Department, welcomes the district’s Community Resource Coordinator / Grant Writer, Monica Millhime to a new location at Central Office, 19 Gartley Street in Lisbon.  “Millhime is on the move,” comments Green.  “This school year marks the seventh year Monica has been with us in Lisbon and with her expanded responsibility of grant writing for our district, having a presence at Central Office makes sense.  She still maintains points of presence at each of our Lisbon Schools working with administrators, teachers, staff, students and volunteers on specific days i.e. Lisbon Community School on Mondays and Fridays; Tuesdays at Philip W. Sugg; and Wednesdays at Lisbon High School.”   FMI on events and programs within Lisbon Schools, email mmillhime@lisbonschoolsme.org or call 353-6711, ext. 219.

Lisbon Community Celebrates Kindness‏

Lisbon Community School Students Celebrate Kindness Week 

   Assistant Principal, Ryan Patrie, proudly announced Joshua Warren, a Lisbon Community School (LCS) kindergarten student in Mrs. Nichole Boulet’s class, as the winner of the poster contest promoting kindness.  Pictured (l-r) back row:  Matthew Warren, Sierra Warren, Josh Warren, with his teacher, Nichole Boulet and Assistant Principal Patrie; front row: Josh’s little sister, Makayla and LCS Civil Rights Team member, Pearl Scribner.  Photo by Monica Millhime. 

  Special recognition was awarded by Assistant Principal Ryan Patrie to Lisbon Community School students for their posters and messages submitted during National No-Name Calling Week.  Pictured (l-r) back row:  Joshua Warren, kindergarten student of Nichole Boulet; kindergarten students of Gail Curtis, Aiden Parker and Anya Wight; and Abigail Cunningham, first grade student of Stacy White; front row:  Emily Brewer, fifth grade student of Jamey Martin; Courtney Bonsaint, second grade student of Lori Cloutier; Amanda Bergin, second grade student of Sheri Morrow; and Audrey Silver, fourth grade student of Marcia Jolicoeur.  Not available for photo, Clariece St. Amant, second grade student of Phyllis St. Pierre.  Photo by Monica Millhime.

Lisbon - Josh Warren and his family worked together during one of the recent snow day’s from school designing a poster promoting kindness.   Assistant Principal Ryan Patrie, invited all LCS students and their families to enter a poster contest in recognition of the National No-Name Calling Week during January 24 through 29.  A total of 140 entries were submitted promoting various acts of kindness, compassion, and empathy.  In addition to the poster contest, Carley Cox, a third grade student in Mrs. Marilyn Curtis’ class read poems during morning announcements and Evelyn LeBlonde and Seth Smith, first grade students of Mrs. Mary Arndt’s class, recited poems in classes.   Winners of the poster contest received a Sam’s gift certificate thanks to a Lisbon Schools’ partnership with Sam’s.  Every child who submitted a poster received a special LCS pencil for their efforts in promoting a healthy school environment.  FMI on Lisbon School events, programs, volunteering and grant opportunities contact, Community Resource Coordinator, Monica Millhime at 754-0021 or email mmillhime@lisbonschoolsme.org.

What Really Occurred In Egypt And How Explained Like Never Before, Speculation

Rampant corruption is nothing new in Egypt (or the
United States for that matter.)
 
What is new is widespread hunger in that country and
other countries throughout the Middle East.
 
Food prices, a big part of the average Egyptians budget,
have gone through the roof. 
 
Why?
 
Thank Goldman Sachs and friends. You can also thank
them for the price at the gas pump. 
 
How their latest scam works - and how the federal
government is helping them. 

Playing games with people's hunger

Not everyone gets billions of dollars in interest free money from the Fed.

Most people work for the money they get. This creates a real problem for people whose wages have been stagnant (or declining) while the US government shovels trillions of dollars to banks to help them cover their gambling losses.

What do banks like Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan do with the free money?

They "play" ... with wheat prices, with corn prices, with oil prices.

There is no supply/demand reason for commodities to be as high as they are now. It's all speculation based on free money given to bankers.

Note: The prices will come down eventually - precipitously - but in the meantime hundreds millions of people go hungry and have had their standard of living decimated.

Freshman Senator, Rand Paul Breaks Free From Politico Stigma, Finally Some Hope

Ditching unwritten rules for freshmen, Paul does it his way

By Alexander Bolton - 02/08/11 

 

Rand Paul has broken with tradition by eschewing the unwritten rules for freshman senators: Keep a low profile, learn the chamber’s arcane procedures and cozy up to senior colleagues.


Unlike ex-Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.), Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) and many others, Paul (R-Ky.) has tried to drive policymaking in the upper chamber instead of sitting quietly in the back. 

Several of Paul’s colleagues in the GOP freshman class are adopting the traditional, keep-your-head down approach.

He has pushed a proposal to cut $500 billion in federal spending over the course of a single year. That has applied pressure to GOP leaders, including Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell, to take a similarly hard approach or risk looking timid to Tea Party activists.

Read more here

Historical Society Meeting Wed., Feb 9th‏

The Lisbon Historical Society will meet at 7 PM Wednesday, February 9th, 2011, at the MTM Center, 18 School St, Lisbon Falls, Maine. The public is invited; there is no charge for admission. Please use the rear entrance behind the Methodist Church and MTM and go to Rooms 5 and 6. Doors will open at 6:30 PM.

After a short business meeting, Albert and Doris Gagne, of Bowdoin,will speak about Albert's childhood institutionalization at the Walter E. Fernald State School at Waltham, Massachusetts, as described in "The State Boys'Rebellion" by Michael D'Antonio. A video will show life at the institution. Maine's equivalent of Fernald was the former Pineland Center at New Gloucester. There will be an opportunity to ask questions
of Albert.

Following the presentation, a social hour will be held. Each person
attending is asked to wear something red, and to bring a home-made Valentine, or candy, or an original poem, or anything else celebrating Valentine's Day, that is home-made, to swap. Please bring a refreshment to pass.

The Trails Commission Public Hearing

The Trails Commission Public Hearing -
February 9, 2010 at 7:00 pm

Androscoggin River Trail -

Engineering Preliminary Design Presentation

It has been nearly a year since the Androscoggin River Trail design began and eight months since the kickoff public meeting, so it may be off your radar. This meeting will be the public feedback forum and opportunity to influence the design. A key factor in the success and functionality of public projects, can be the input from users.

The community should be familiar with the project to be sure that the $1,600,000 is being spent in the most effective manner. The trail route was supposed to be staked and flagged last July, for the community to be able to view the site. Since that didn't happen, the proposed route can be viewed, next to the alternative route, at: http://picasaweb.google.com/108931926848684583188/LisbonAndroscogginTrailRoutes#slideshow/5487690614773367282

Possible issues to be addressed with the engineers at the meeting include:

The proposed route has 40% of the project's cost going into 10% of the route

The proposed route is 1000' longer than the riverfront option

Will the expensive part will be too long, steep and slipery for people to enjoy?

Will maintenance and repair be a problem for this 500' built-up section?

What is the maintenance and replacement cost for the 150' steel footbridge?

Addional information is available at:

http://www.lisbonreporter.com/2010/06/news-flashtrail-project-public-meeting.html

Steve Warren

Christian Civic League Seeks To Stop Gambling In Lewiston

Carroll L. Conley, Jr., CCL’s Executive Director

Feb. 7. 2010.  The Christian Civic League of Maine (CCL) strongly opposes the expansion of gambling to Lewiston.  The CCL will now urge Christians and other anti-gambling groups to contact their local state and congressional representatives to oppose the bill before the state legislature.

“Urge your legislators to trust the ingenuity and determination of the Maine’s citizens to create sustainable, well-paying, environmentally responsible jobs that are consistent with our great heritage. Tell them we do not want them to cave into the pressure of the short-term, disastrous, non-benefits of the corrupt gaming industry,” said Carroll L. Conley, Jr., CCL’s Executive Director.

Current legal gambling in Bangor has increased crime and other social problems.  The League urges Mainers—especially our elected representatives—to note these facts on the real changes gambling bring to Maine:

• Already-besieged families will face quarreling, poverty, and divorce because household money is used to gamble.  Nearly every community in the nation where a casino has been built has experienced higher rates of domestic abuse, divorce, suicide, embezzlement, and foreclosures.
• There will be an inevitable rise in drinking, drugs, alcoholism, and addiction.  New federal statistics show that Maine leads the nation in the percentage of residents being treated for addiction to painkillers.  A population with a high addiction rate will quickly add gambling to its list.
• Crime will rise.  Gambling attracts criminal types and gamblers often deal drugs, embezzle, or steal to get money to gamble or to pay gambling debt.  Crime rates are dropping across Maine including in the cities of Lewiston and Portland. But in Bangor, home to Maine’s only gambling facility, crime has risen 38.6% since Hollywood Slots opened its doors in 2005.
•  Government will be corrupted.  Why don’t lawmakers outlaw gambling? It provides government money without raising taxes. But more importantly, many Republicans and Democrats receive major campaign contributions from gambling interests. 
• Prostitution and general sexual immorality will gain ground.  Casinos have a well-deserved reputation for sexually exploiting women.

How Did You Like Our 'Blue Whale "...

how did you like our 'Blue Whale " of a Christmas tree this year, compliments of our town manager and a 'citizen' who complained he was not happy with our traditional colored lights tree. ( A citizen who happened to be related to one of the town office workers, but who has never helped  in any way with the tree lighting as far as I can recall) The traditional multi-colored lights were strung on the tree, then this 'citizen' complained, and the town manager ordered that the lights be taken down and many strings of new lights,( not so nice to my taste), were purchased in Portland and the tree was restrung- We must have $$$ to burn!! It wasn't broken, but hey! a 'citizen' complained, so we had to fix it ! My taxes just went up a few hundred dollars, but hey! we needed 'blue' Christmas tree lights!! Then I was informed by the town manager's secretary that, for my information, those lights weren't 'blue',but 'clear' . I told her that 10 out of 10 persons not blind would have looked at that tree and called it blue, regardless of what the box said.

And let me  mention the 'snafu'  that nearly occured when the 'town office elves' asked our wonderful volunteer Santa to stand down so that someone from the town office could 'play' Santa instead.Since vounteers take care of the annual tree lighting in Gazebo Park, it would have been nice to have been informed of this interference . I was the one who had contacted 'Santa' and I also had $50 worth of  donated gifts for Santa to hand out to kids who would visit with him after the tree was lit at the Gazebo. As it turned out, 'town office' Santa got cold feet, and after a bit of confusion and scrambling, our  Santa graciously made his appearance to light the tree and visit the kids. If the town office staff wants to get more involved with volunteering, that's great! Just be a little more informative and considerate of the volunteers who have been doing it for many years. The Main Street Christmas celebration is a great addition to our annual lighting, and a warm fire station visit with Santa may be more inviting than a cold chair at the gazebo, but more information will be helpful to make that transition. As long as our town tree is lit by Santa at the Gazebo, kids will be on hand to visit him- perhaps the press release should say that as soon as Santa has lighted the Town tree, he will be visiting kids at the Fire Station for hot chocolate, goodies and photos.

PS Why wasn't the pretty tree at the town office lit this year?

Faye 

Creation Calls -- are you listening? Music by Brian Doerksen

Utilizing footage from the BBC Planet Earth Series, we take a look at the wonder and majesty of God's creation. Set to the song, "Creation Calls" by Brian Doerksen, this stunning glimpse of God's masterpiece is meant to glorify Him and draw the mind to new places of intimacy with Him.
The video was used in conjunction with the series of messages, "Blueprint" from Chris Seidman. In the series he discusses the subject of God's plan for His creation. The message "Creation Calls" can be viewed here: 

What Is A Trillion Dollars?

As the U S National Debt Climbs Over 14 Trillion Dollars, thought it would be best to show just what a trillion dollars looks like.  Prepare to be Amazed.   But stay asleep, no need to wake up.  Enjoy!

Councilor Cote's Public Character Assassination Continues

in·com·pe·tence

/ɪnˈkɒmpɪtəns/ Show Spelled[in-kom-pi-tuhns]

–noun

1.

the quality or condition of being incompetent; lack of ability.

2.

Law . the condition of lacking power to act with legal effectiveness.

 The following article pertains to the most recent Town Council Agenda item "Collecting Excise Tax".  Upon further research of the facts, TLR is exclusively presenting the details pertaining to this topic so that YOU the readers can have a full understanding of the "True Incompetence of Lisbon Officials".

It all begins with the registration process for a new vehicle ie.  Transfer of Registration to be exact.

Councilor Cote in 2009 purchased a new vehicle.  He went to the Lisbon Town Office to transfer the registration from his 2007 truck to his newly purchased truck.  Six months was left on that registration before it needed to be renewed.  Six months later he returned to the town office to register the vehicle for the full year.  Six months later it was now time to have his newly purchased vehicle inspected.   He was told  during that inspection process, by his dealer, that his truck was not registered.  Even though he had documentation given to him from the Lisbon Town Office indicating that it was.  Under further review, the town office had renewed his 2007 vehicle, that was now owned by someone else. He had been driving around with his new truck with "illegally attached plates" for the previous six months.   ( Imagine explaining that to Judge someplace after being stopped for a vehicular infraction.)

He returned to the town office and was told that "we are very sorry, for the mix up" and was issued a new registration for his new vehicle stamped with a "Validation Seal", which indicates that the Lisbon Town Office was satisfied with all financial obligations pertaining to this transaction.  Upon which leaving the counter the employee stated several times that,  "we are sorry for the confusion and it was our fault for it being done this way."   But get this,, they did not admit to registering a vehicle with no proof of ownership and no insurance card, as his 2007 previously owned vehicle was now in fact owned by someone else living in Brunswick.   

Hang on folks it is going to get much better.  Now the Stupid Starts.

In the mail councilor Cote receives a bill stating that he owes the difference in Excise Tax between the two trucks.  He contested the fact that he had to pay additional Excise Tax, stating that he has a receipt showing that his new vehicle excise tax has been paid in full, and he has a legal registration. (Try to register a vehicle without paying excise tax and see how you make out.) 

Now for the dumb.  Six months later again,  Mr. Cote returns to register his truck for the coming year.  And he is told that they will not register his truck until the contested Excise Tax from the prior year, in the amount of  $138.00,  is paid in full.  SO, Mr. Cote gives them a check for  $138.00 and gives them another check for the current year  Excise Tax and registration fee in excess of $650.00.  After returning home and discussing  with State Officials in the Bureau of Taxation Office, Mr. Cote decides to put a stop payment on the $138.00 check.  A few weeks later he receives a visit from a Detective with the Androscoggin County Sheriffs Office.   See Following Letters.  Result,  No Criminal Activity Was Verified.

And this all began with the Lisbon Police Department and Chief of Police David T. Brooks chasing after a "worthless instrument investigation".   Or Could this be  perceived as a personal vendetta by Chief Brooks?  (Remember February 17, 2009 Town Council Meeting?)

On January 5, 2011 Mr. Cote receives a letter from Lisbon Town Manager Steve Eldridge stating that he is the tax collector for Lisbon and his going to invoke his rights an proceeds to collect the contested Excise Tax under  Maine Statue.. Title 36, chapter 105, subchapter 9 article 1 section 95  which in fact  DOES NOT EVEN EXIST.  Click here for the Maine Statues relating to this.  SEE INCLUDED LETTER from Lisbon Town Manager.

This was all brought to the Lisbon Town Council meeting on January 25, 2011.

See letters below from Lisbon Town Manager, Androscoggin District Attorney and Maine Attorney General Offices.

AFTER SPEAKING WITH ANDROSCOGGIN DEPUTY SHERIFF, THIS ACTION HAS COST THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS ON THE PART OF LISBON , ANDROSCOGGIN COUNTY , DISTRICT ATTORNEY AND MAINE'S ATTORNEY GENERAL OFFICES. 

PEOPLE THIS IS WHAT IS GOING ON WITH YOUR MONEY.  YOU NOT ONLY HAVE A TOWN MANAGER WASTING YOUR MONEY, THE TOWN MANAGER'S ATTORNEY IS NOT EVEN GIVING THE PROPER INFORMATION FOR RECOURSE  and you have a Police Chief that lets his personal feelings interact with his job duties. 

We are wondering how many more mistakes like this in job performance goes on without anyone noticing. 

HOW MUCH MORE SLANDER SHOULD ONE PERSON HAVE TO PUT UP WITH BEFORE SOMETHING IS DONE TO END IT?

IS THERE AN ATTORNEY OR LAW FIRM THAT WOULD LIKE TO REPRESENT MR. COTE ON ALL THE ACTIONS OF LISBON'S SO CALLED FINEST AGAINST HIM?  

THIS HAS BEEN ONGOING FOR OVER TWO YEARS NOW.  PLEASE CONTACT MR. COTE AT : flagmann189@aol.com or phone: 353-2100.  HE WILL BE GLAD TO PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.

And yet some people can still come out at a public meeting about the expense of a couple of thousand dollars for a public vote on something that was done correctly according to the Town Charter.  

The Voting could and should have been counted by hand to minimize the expense to the public. Hell the city of Auburn in recent elections counted a vote by hand to do just that, save the city some money. 

But oh no, not Lisbon.  No, There they bill people two and three times a year before they even get their tax bills done correctly.  They also misregister vehicles, case in point.
 
If Further action is taken by Councilor Cote it may warrant the Town of Lisbon having to  give him a refund for services that they contractually could not or did not provide, and be subjected to perceived damages suffered or otherwise incurred.

Looks like it is shaping up to be quite a Budget Season in Lisbon, let alone a lot of other towns.   Watch what areas get hit the hardest.  Too bad Lisbon hadn't started preparing before now.  With less money then originally anticipated coming in from the State,  you must  now look at a sacrifice of services for your area.  Now watch the redundancies open up!

 

Lisbon Junior Athletic League Announces Registration Dates

It is that time of year again for Baseball and Softball registration.

Lisbon Junior Athletic League (LJAL)

Registration dates: February 15th, 6pm-8pm  February 17th 6pm-8pm and February 19th, 10am-2pm at the MTM Center in Lisbon

Registration Dates:

Feb. 15^th 6pm-8pm

Feb. 17^th 6pm-8pm

Feb. 19^th 10am-2pm

Place

MTM Center

Cost:

Boys or Girls T-Ball $35

Farm, Cal Ripken, Softball U-8, U10 & U12 $45

Babe Ruth & U14 Softball $55

U16 Softball $65

Senior Babe Ruth $150

^{Full Payment is due at registration}

Requirements:

• First time participants must provide a copy of their birth certificates.
  • copies only as they will not be returned
• Some leagues require that participants must attend a clinic to ensure proper team placement.
• Towards the end of the season there will be tryouts for All Star teams for Cal Ripken, Babe Ruth, U10, U12 & U14 Softball. If your child makes this team they will be required to have black

baseball / softball pants.

• Please direct all questions to Norm Hall at 449-1083 or Christina Houde 408-4561

REGISTER BY MAIL

If you are unable to attend one of the registration dates, you have the option to register by mail. Complete the form on the back and mail to:

Lisbon Junior Athletic League

Attn: Pam Hall- Treasurer,

13 Second St.

Lisbon Falls, ME 04252

Make checks payable to LJAL

Lisbon Survey

Just a reminder to Lisbon/Lisbon Falls residents that there is a survey available on the town website that is facilitated through a third party and anonymous, SurveyMonkey.com. Please visit the town websites home page, scroll the bottom and access the 2011/2012 budget survey and give your feedback on items that are important to you.

Your feedback is important and is your opportunity to voice your opinion and let town councilors know what is important regarding services. Please take the time to give your feedback/opinion.

Please visit: http://www.lisbonme.org

Announces that Marci Jouver has earned top honors in its Excellent Beginnings Program

 LISBON, MAINE – Lia sophia announces that Marci Jouver has earned top honors in its Excellent Beginnings Program for outstanding sales accomplishments and professionalism.

Having joined the high fashion jewelry business, Jouver has earned this prestigious accomplishment in the first 15 weeks by attaining certain sales levels and by sharing lia sophia with others.

As a lia sophia Advisor, Jouver presents high fashion jewelry at in-home shows. “Our hostesses receive tremendous benefits, including free jewelry and half-price selections,” she says. “Customers enjoy a fantastic save plan with an incredible 50 percent discount on every third item purchased. Plus, every item includes a Lifetime Replacement Guarantee.” 

 

It is attention to detail that has allowed Jouver’s business to stand out. She provides personal service and immediate access to the trends and styles customers want most. “I’m thrilled to be part of a company that offers beautiful, high-quality jewelry, an incredible Lifetime Replacement Guarantee and the opportunity to achieve unparalleled success in my own business.”

For more information about lia sophia, how to host a jewelry show or how to start your own lia sophia business contact Marci Jouver at www.liasophia.com/marcibejeweled or by phone at 207-353-4102.

Birds Feeding Locally

Local resident Jean Dwinal photo captured some Cedar Waxwings feeding.  Thank You for sharing.

The National Debt Explained As A Road Trip

The National Debt Road Trip

How do the Obama deficits compare with past presidents? And how did the national debt get so big anyway. This video tries to answer those questions by looking at the debt as a road trip and seeing how fast different administrations have been traveling.

Historical debt data: http://www.treasurydirect.gov/govt/re...

Inflation data: http://www.westegg.com/inflation/

Future debt data (2010 - 2016): http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/assets/...

Maine State Treasurer's Report

Treasurer's Blog

Contact Information

Bruce L. Poliquin
Maine State Treasurer
111 Sewall St., 3rd Floor
39 State House Station
Augusta ME  04333-0039
207.624.7477 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              207.624.7477      end_of_the_skype_highlighting (p)
207.287.2367 (f)
state.treasurer@maine.gov

1/20/2011

The Golden Goose, and State Debt

The new leadership team in Augusta wants what you do:  more and better jobs with fatter paychecks for our fellow Mainers.  Your State Treasury will play an important role in getting there.

The private sector funds state government.  Businesses and their employees create new income and wealth, part of which is taxed.  These income and sales taxes hire the state workers who deliver services, such as public education, to every Mainer. 

The private sector is the golden goose.  It must be nurtured in order to grow.  Doing so will create more and better-paying jobs, a higher quality-of-life, and plenty of tax revenues to provide government services for our citizens.

Forbes Magazine ranks Maine as the 50th most difficult state in which to do business.  We're dead last.  Our golden goose has been cooked by 30 years of poor economic development decisions in Augusta.

To correct this, state government needs to address six important issues.  Together, they will attract business investment and jobs, and help to keep our kids here.

1.       Reduce the size of state government to save money.
2.       Lower taxes and fees as a result of downsizing government.
3.       Lower energy costs.
4.       Lower health insurance premiums.
5.       Remove job-killing business regulations.
6.       Reduce state debt.

Continue reading

Got Snow Map?

For Friday January 21, 2011

Medical Marijuana Maine's Money Making Monopoly

 Rep. Diane Russell of Portland has sponsored a bill that would make Maine the first state to fully legalize marijuana for its citizens. Washington County Sheriff Donnie Smith questions the effectiveness of the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency and offers some frank criticism of the "war on drugs" in general.

Maine will soon have medical marijuana dispensaries, and officials are learning how best to approach them from other states. News 8's Jim Keithley reports.

Here is a segment put out by WMTW that explains what Maine has done.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w77to4LMH44

Barack Obama and Medical Marijuana (interview Q&A) 

The War on Drugs in 100 Seconds (MPP-TV)

Hemp Oil Nutrutional Profile, MaryBeth Augustine, RD,CDN

An Integrative Medicine Nutritionist, MaryBeth Augustine describes the nutritional profile of Hempseed Oil; the Therapeutic role of EFAs (Essential Fatty Acids);and a comparison of Hemp Oil to Fish Oil, Flaxseed Oil and Soybean Oil.
Presented to 2002 Cannabis Therapeutics Conference, hosted by Patients Out of Time.

Hemp Paper in Tasmania

 

Hello!

You’re invited to attend an “All About Medical Marijuana” seminar this Saturday, January 22^nd, from 1pm to 4pm at the Auburn Public Library. Dr. Dustin Sulak, D.O., will be our guest speaker. See the attached flyer for more information. We hope to see you there!

Wishing you wellness!

Jenna and Tim Smale

Remedy Compassion Center

800-809-1464

207-312-5798

www.remedycompassioncenter.org

Now This Is Funny

That Up River Paper Is Right On Top Of Things  and yet people pay money for their information.

And All We Have Is A Donation Button.

Lisbon council meeting postponed

Published Jan 20, 2011 12:00 am | Last updated Jan 20, 2011 12:00 am

LISBON — The town council meeting scheduled for Tuesday night was postponed until at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 25.

Click here to View For Yourselves.

Embezzlement In Newburgh Goes To Court

1/20/11 12:55 pm  Updated: 1/20/11 01:06 pm

By Christopher Cousins
BDN Staff

BANGOR, Maine — Cindy Dunton entered no plea Thursday during her first court appearance since being accused last year of stealing nearly $200,000 from the town of Newburgh.
Dunton’s arraignment before Superior Court Justice S. Kirk Studstrup lasted only a few minutes, but was attended by at least 17 Newburgh residents who have vowed to attend her every court appearance. Dunton, who arrived in the courtroom alone, said very little as Studstrup advised her of her rights. Dunton’s attorney, Dale Thistle, did most of the talking.
“My client’s intent is to offer no plea this morning,” said Thistle. Studstrup, as a procedural matter, recorded a “not guilty” plea on Dunton’s behalf.
Dunton, who is Newburgh’s former deputy clerk and treasurer, is charged with Class B theft by unauthorized taking for allegedly embezzling $199,536.54 between Jan. 1, 2006, and the end of 2009. That sum was compiled by a forensic audit commissioned by Newburgh selectmen last summer. In June 2010, three months after she was fired by selectmen, Dunton signed a promissory note admitting to the thefts and pledging to pay the $200,000 back plus more than $50,000 in audit and legal fees incurred by the town.

Continue reading here.

Funny how things can proceed so quickly in other towns, Yet Lisbon Investigations of Fraud, Drag OUT and On for Years.   

"Kind Of Makes Ya Wonder Don't It?"

But other Investigations pertaining to Lisbon Residents Get Accelerated Right Through The System.  

Just hold onto your britches,  WE Will Have More On This Very Soon.  Guaranteed.

****News Flash**** Mafia Mob Take Down

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Feds arrest dozens in mob takedown

Arrests in NY, NJ and RI

Updated: Thursday, 20 Jan 2011, 1:31 PM EST
Published : Thursday, 20 Jan 2011, 8:48 AM EST

• TOM HAYS,Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP/WPRI) - In what is reported to be the largest organized crime sweep in FBI history, federal agents have arrested dozens of suspected mobsters, including several in Rhode Island, as part of multiple investigations of New York's organized crime families.
The FBI says most of the arrests were made Thursday morning throughout New York City, in New Jersey and New England. Charges include murder, extortion and narcotics trafficking.
According to a reports in the New York Times , several of the arrests were made in Providence as well during a series of pre-dawn raids.

http://www.wpri.com/dpp/target_12/inside_mafia/ny-feds-arrest-dozens-in-mob-takedown

Sorry couldn't resist this one,,, New Theme Song For Those Just Arrested...

U.S. House repeals Obama health care reform

 

by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor

(NaturalNews) The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a repeal of Obama's health care reform, voting largely along party lines at 245 to 189 (three Democrats supported the vote). The bill now moves to the U.S. Senate where Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid promises to block it from ever coming to a vote there.

Congressional Republicans characterized Obamacare as "job-killing" and called it a "trillion-dollar tragedy." In response, one Democrat compared Republican rhetoric to World War II Nazi propaganda.

Democrats, predictably, attempted to emphasize how Obamacare would "create jobs." Of course it would create jobs: When the system doesn't help anybody get healthy, the number of patients needing disease management services skyrockets, and that translates into job creation in the sick-care industry.

A person could similarly "create jobs" by unleashing an infectious virus in a major U.S. city and seeing how many people line up for emergency care at the hospitals. But that's moronic. "Creating jobs" shouldn't be done on the backs of sick people -- especially when that sickness could be prevented through the application of commonsense nutrition.

Then again, one should never expect the rhetoric of lawmakers to follow any economic logic in the first place. Both war and disease create plenty of jobs. But those aren't the kind of jobs that improve the quality of life for the American people.

The real story behind health care reform

The bitter debate that took place in the House of Representatives today is little more than elaborate cover, of course, for the underlying truth that neither political party supports real health care. Both parties are so strongly influenced by Big Pharma financial interests that passing meaningful health care reform which would serve the best interests of the American people is a political impossibility.

Sadly, the U.S. Congress has long passed the stage where legislative votes are conducted in the best interests of the American people. Instead, votes are cast as political ballast, to appease campaign contributors and gain favor with party officials. The very structure of Congress -- with its corporate-funded campaign contributions and lobbyists -- is no more able to meet the real needs of the American people than a disturbed mental patient is to spontaneously achieve cognitive clarity.

Pleasing the corporations

What's wrong with Congress and health care is not that members of Congress don't want to improve the health of Americans, it's that they exist in a system of corporate political influence that makes such action impossible.

There's simply too much money to be made from sickness and degenerative disease. The idea of keeping the American people healthy is far too threatening to the profits of the drug companies and cancer industry (not to mention the diabetes industry and heart disease industry) to allow realistic health solutions to become law.

This isn't being cynical; it's being realistic about the underlying motivations and influences of the U.S. Congress. When you have a nation whose lawmakers are funded by powerful corporations, it should be no surprise that you end up with laws and regulations which strongly favor those corporations.

Revoke the personhood of corporations

The real problem in all this is that corporations continue to have legal standing as individuals. This long-established precedent has allowed corporations to claim protections under the Bill of Rights as if they were individuals. This is how the corporate funding of politicians has become "protected" by the U.S. Supreme Court as a Free Speech issue.

But Free Speech was never intended to apply to corporations. The Bill of Rights enumerated rights of the People, not rights of multinational, multi-billion dollar corporate giants.

As a result, the U.S. has become a corporatocracy rather than a democracy. Your puny little vote at the polls, in other words, counts for naught against the never-ending flood of dollars from corporations into the campaign reelection funds of congressmen and Senators. You can't out-vote a suitcase full of $100 bills exchanged under the table.

Vote all you want. The corporations still run Congress and set the legislative agenda.

Elaborate theater

That's why all this activity you see on Capitol Hill right now with the repeal of Obamacare is really just elaborate theater designed to create the appearance that members of Congress are somehow standing up for the American people. And it's all being done under the much larger illusion that you need a government to take care of you in the first place. Why do we need representatives in Washington at all? That structure is a carryover from the horse-and-buggy days when Morse code telegraphs were considered cutting-edge technology. It wasn't dot-com. It was dot-dot-dash.

Today, we could all vote on laws via the internet, without the need for Washington bureaucrats to vote for us (or so they claim). How about a Direct Democracy?

Of course, the other side of that argument is that the average U.S. citizen is incapable of grasping the ramifications of important legislation and would be easily swayed by national television advertising. That's probably true to some extent. But it's difficult to see how theoretically ignorant voters could produce worse results than Congressional sellouts who actively vote against the interests of the American people time after time.

You can be sure, by the way, that Congress will never vote itself out of power. Its members want to maintain power over you, your health care, your money and your actions for as long as the American people will continue to allow them to do so.

The real theater, you see, is not that Congress allows itself to be ruled by corporations, but rather than the People allow themselves to be ruled by Congress!

More than 4000 troops were overcharged for their mortgages by JP Morgan Chase

You may have heard this horrific story on NBC News this week.  More than 4000 troops were overcharged for their mortgages by JP Morgan Chase, while 14 more were foreclosed on improperly.  Under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA), active-duty troops generally get their mortgage interest rates lowered to 6 percent and are protected from foreclosure.  JP Morgan Chase had been charging troops interest rates of over 9 and 10 percent.

This cannot go without investigation.  We need you to co-sign our letter to the Chairs and Ranking Members of the relevant committees in the House and Senate.

CO-SIGN OUR LETTER TO THE HILL, CALLING FOR INVESTIGATIONS, NOW!

While JP Morgan Chase admitted their fault, and will be reimbursing those troops overcharged and foreclosed on, we must know how this was allowed to happen.  More importantly, we need to know if this is happening at other banks, as well.  NBC News was only alerted to the story when a Marine chose to bring a lawsuit against JP Morgan Chase.

Troops are risking their lives for America, and the law protects them from this kind of nonsense while they are in harm’s way.  That the law was violated by JP Morgan Chase, and not caught until they were sued over it demands an investigation.  We simply don’t know if JP Morgan Chase is the only bank to violate the law.  How many other banks could be getting away with the same thing?  We need to know, and take care of the troops who may have been harmed.

JOIN US IN DEMANDING INVESTIGATIONS INTO THE BANKS ON TROOP MORTGAGES

This is not a partisan issue, or an ideological issue.  This is an issue as to whether the law is being followed, and our troops are afforded the protection of the law.  They’re fighting for us.  Let’s fight for them.

Sincerely,
Ashwin Madia
Iraq War Veteran

Chairman, VoteVets.org

Source

Maine's Health Bill Repeal Debate

Health Bill Repeal Debated in Augusta

In Washington D.C. the talk today was of repealing the federal health care bill passed last year. Reaction in Augusta was mixed. Governor LePage and DDHS Commissioner nominee Mary Mayhew speak in favor of repeal. Outside, protestors gathered to express their desire to keep the bill on the books.