As radioactive fallout skyrockets,

As radioactive fallout skyrockets, NaturalNews advises readers to consider precautionary doses of iodine, bentonite clay and zeolites

Monday, April 25, 2011
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger
Editor of NaturalNews.com

(NaturalNews) Based on the accumulation of information from multiple sources, it is now clear that the true scope of the Fukushima disaster has been greatly downplayed by both the Japanese and U.S. governments. NaturalNews is now urging its readers to begin taking regular, safe doses of three things: Natural iodine sources (seaweed or otherwise), bentonite clay (for internal use) and zeolites (any brand).

Naturally, be sure to check with a qualified nutritionist or natural medicine practitioner when taking supplements. Those on thyroid medications, in particular, should seek professional advice before consuming supplementary iodine from any source.

Bentonite clay is, of course, completely safe for internal use (yes, you can eat it) when used as directed. It is a cleansing substance that can bind with various radioactive isotopes and carry them out of your body. Zeolites are also extremely good at attracting both heavy metals and some radioactive isotopes which are also carried out of your body.

Radiation emissions are far higher than official reports

The reason for this action notice is due to the increasing realization that radiation emissions from Fukushima are far higher than what we are being told. Although I have analyzed reports from multiple sources on this, perhaps the best citizen blogger explaining this right now is found at http://ex-skf.blogspot.com/2011/04/...

This blogger is Japanese, and he reads the local Japanese news sources to get a lot of information about Fukushima before the translators screw it up (or distort it).

His latest post reveals that Fukushima is releasing 154 terabequerels of radiation per day. This is an order of magnitude higher than what the official Japanese sources were saying just a few weeks ago.

Another great blogger on Fukushima is Lucas Whitefield Hixson, who published an analysis of the photos that seems to indicate Reactor No. 3 already suffered a massive core containment breach from the very first explosion: http://lucaswhitefieldhixson.com/hi...

If true, this would mean that TEPCO has been lying to us from day one about the true extend of the reactor core containment vessel breach.

Why world governments won't tell you the truth

I have good reason to believe we may very well be witnessing an event that has already vastly exceeded the Chernobyl disaster in its total release of radiation into the environment. Yet the admission of that fact is so politically unviable that no government dare admit utter the words. Instead, it is much more politically expedient to simply imagine there is no radiation (it's invisible, after all), and hope no one notices the huge increases in cancer rates in the coming years.

Such is the cowardice is modern-day political leaders. To avoid causing a panic, they would rather people keep eating radioactive fish and drinking radioactive milk. Somewhere in Washington, a group of nuclear experts must be sitting around a table with the President, asking, "So when are we going to tell them about all this?" The answer is, of course, "Never."

After all, any increase in cancer can always be blamed on sunbathing, or tanning salons, or whatever convenient target the medical community is currently trying to discredit. (Heck, they could probably find a way to say that vitamin D causes cancer!)

This Fukushima fallout could even be a whole new profit center for the cancer industry which has long been in the business of irradiation women's breasts with mammography machines anyway. Cancer industry corporations must be drooling over the profit prospects that will emerge from the global radiation exposure under way right now.

Most people will take no precautions

The upshot of all this is that the masses may be suffering from very risky doses of radioactive fallout right now, with no precautions whatsoever being taken to protect themselves. After all, President Obama stood in front of his podium and told the American people there was nothing to worry about. He said no one needed to prepare, and this was followed up with yet more official urgings to avoiding taking potassium iodide. (http://www.naturalnews.com/031735_O...)

The game is apparently on. What game is that? The game of culling the human population by eliminating from the human gene pool those individuals who are too brain dead to think for themselves. Cancer + infertility, after all, is a fairly effective way to remove someone's genetic code from the future of the population, and what better than a massive, global radiation dump to sort out the brainwashed masses from those who actually take their genetic future seriously?

That's one theory behind all this, at least. Some say it's only a theory and nothing more. But when you look at what's really happening today with the mass intentional contamination and destruction of our planet -- the spread of GMOs, the fluoride poisoning of the water supply, the pesticide-induced honey bee population collapse, and so on -- you can't help but wonder if someone really is trying to kill off a very large segment of the human population. Fukushima either deliberately or coincidentally seems to play right into that agenda.

Or maybe that's all just paranoid conspiracy thinking, and the real explanation behind all this is just global government incompetence combined with pathological national leaders who have no compassion whatsoever for the lives and health of their own citizens. Either explanation is sufficiently bizarre enough to make intelligent people at least start asking questions... and hopefully to start taking some precautions against radiation fallout (hence the iodine, clay and zeolites). Bentonite clay, after all, doesn't cost much. Losing the genetic integrity of your sperm production, on the other hand, is a real show-stopper.

Then again, maybe all of this is just a bunch of hooey. If you believe the "scientific" community, the government figures are always accurate. There's no cover-up. The situation is completely under control. The radiation levels are miniscule. There was no meltdown. Go on about your business and stop worrying.

Just eat your imported fish, go get your CT scans at the hospital and take your antidepressants. Buy your slave-labor brand-name sports gear at the local mall, and be sure to slather yourself in perfumes, petroleum-based skin lotions and sunscreen (to protect yourself from cancer, of course).

And then, a few years down the road, if you find your DNA has mutated beyond your ability to reproduce in the future, don't worry: You can always trade a year's salary for some hormone injections at the local infertility clinic, right? Infertility clinics, by the way, are really great at increasing the survival rate of fetuses with birth defects which would otherwise normally be aborted by the mother's own body (http://www.naturalnews.com/020905_i...).

How Fukushima could create a real Spider Man!

So even if the next generation of children in America are born mostly to irradiated, genetically-mutated parents, thanks to the "miracle" of modern infertility science we can probably manage to keep a fair number of them alive long enough for them to become the new generation of post-Fukushima X-Men with special mutant powers that can save our world from evil villains. Fukushima might also irradiate some spiders that could bite a few geeky teenage boys and magically transform them into acrobatic "spider men" who magically attain advanced hand-to-hand combat skills without ever having practiced them. What could be bad about that?

In fact, the entire Marvel universe of comic book characters might yet materialize out of the smoke and (radioactive) dust of Fukushima. So, you see, Fukushima is actually the solution to all our problems, not the source of any problems.

And if you think none of this could really happen because I'm quoting characters from comic books, just remember this: The Japanese government is reading you lines from a fairy tale and hoping you buy into it just the same.

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/032179_Fukushima_zeolites.html#ixzz1KYkrsvwt

Will America Replay The Fall of the Roman Empire?

Will America Replay The Fall of the Roman Empire?

Why is America like the Roman Empire?

Because it has garrisoned its troops all over the world?

That's one reason, but only one.

Because Americans are like Romans?

Some are; some are like the Roman Senators of the fifth century, one of the most rapacious and ruthless ruling classes that ever held power. Think Mafia. For the amount of wealth: think billionaires today. Perhaps other Americans have begun to understand this: Obama's election would indicate that. However, the selfish class is fighting hard to keep its privileges. Obama's election is no guarantee that they won't prevail in the end.

Roman Senators were selfish and self-absorbed, determined to hoard the huge wealth of the empire and determined to promote empire to enhance their wealth even further. The common people lost all power and were lucky if they had enough to eat (they were the humiliores, literally the humble, as opposed to the honestiores, the honored). To learn how this happened, click on Brief History.

Our CEO's and the well-connected, may even style themselves after those fateful Senators, the ones who presided over and helped connive in the Fall of Rome.

The Roman Empire fell because it was bankrupted by its leaders; well, look at the red ink now!

Budget deficits, trade deficits, a huge national debt that tripled when George W Bush took power and has now grown even faster under Obama. At least the deficits Obama is running now might prevent further economic catastrophe--if the bailout funds aren't all stolen by the high-fliers, and if the bloated financial system is radically reformed. What are the chances?

Does anyone remember when we were actually paying down the debt?

Romans, and now Americans, have had the misfortune of being ruled by a Selfish Class. Rome fell because of it. Will America replay the Fall of Rome?

What does all this have to do with "America now?"

For just a few examples of parallels:

think of corporations exporting jobs as comparable to driving the Roman peasants off the land (which leads us also to immigration: see this link for a debate on immigration. Think of the tremendous powers gathered by the President since 9/11 as comparable to the state created by Diocletian (it was in response to the fear of chaos); think of the drive to repeal the estate tax as an attempt to create a class like the Senators of fifth century Rome; think of the brutalization of crime and punishment, although we don't crucify our criminals yet; think of our increasing reliance on mercenaries (contractors) and the increasing professionalization of the military; and think of the state of US finances: growing deficits and huge trade imbalances with no end in sight. Is bankruptcy possible? Stay tuned.

A contemporary note: The financial turmoil generated by the sub-prime mortgage meltdown has had such widespread effects because real estate was the best source of credit for many Americans, who are spending more than they're earning, despite tremendous increases in productivity in the last two decades; their wages have not kept pace. Now, people can't finance all the things they were used to buying through a home credit line. They are not yet driven down to the modern equivalent of fifth century serfs, but they will if the selfish class (see below) has its way.

An economy based on a small wealthy class is highly unstable, and given the problems of a faltering empire, it is much more liable to collapse.

Why did Rome Fall?

There are adherents to single factors, but more people think a combination of such factors as Christianity, decadence, lead, monetary trouble, and military problems caused the Fall of Rome. Imperial incompetence and chance could be added to the list. Even the rise of Islam is proposed as the reason for Rome's fall, by some who think the Fall of Rome happened at Constantinople in A.D. 1453.

The End of the Republic

The Republic was dying. It had got its mortal blows long before Caesar crossed Rubicon and its constitutional institutions lost their vitality and could not be restored. However the myth of the Republic, its ideology and forms had been preserved. Romans could not put an end to the old tradition. When they did it at last, they did not resemble their ancestors from the times of the Republic in any way.

Submitted by: Councilor Roger Cote

The “Good Old Boys” are at it again.

All Residents of Lisbon

The “Good Old Boys” are at it again.

I am sure every resident in the Town of Lisbon is aware the current Town Engineer’s salary is $69,310 with an expected raise of 8% this year to offset his additional duties as Director of Public Works and two other departments. I brought this up at the April 19^th Town Council Meeting and was told he has worked for the town for ten years and the Town Manager was very pleased with his work. I think this is another scam by the management of the town.

The current Town Engineer is not even an engineer according to the Maine Professional Engineers. I talked to the Office of Professional Engineer on Friday, April 22, 2011 and learned E. Ryan Leighton or Ryan Leighton had never completed the requirements to become a licensed engineer in the State of Maine. Yes, Mr. Leighton has a degree as a Mechanical Engineer but has never passed the two exams required by the State of Maine to receive his stamp to be recognized as a Professional Engineer in the State of Maine. The position of Town Engineer requires a Civil Engineer and not a Mechanical Engineer.

This is like asking a brain surgeon to perform the duties of a heart surgeon.

This becomes even stranger since at the time of this employment (ten years ago) getting his stamp as a Professional Engineer by the State of Maine was a condition of his employment. He has had ten years to accomplish this requirement and has failed to do so. Normally, when a person is hired without the necessary requirements their salary is entry level until all the requirements are met but not in the Town of Lisbon. Instead, the Town of Lisbon hired this individual at a salary equal to someone with all the credentials of a Professional Engineer and the taxpayer have been paying a person who is not qualified top dollar for ten years and you wonder why our taxes are increasing every year. Again, the good old boys are protecting one of their own.

I guarantee you our taxes are going to go up again this year and the Town Council is going to say it is because of the loss of state and federal revenue. I believe this is a cover up for all the “good old boys” to pad their pockets. Look closely at the current proposed budget and you will see a 1.75% increase in the wages of all employee’s of the Town of Lisbon. This includes individuals such as the Town Manager, Chief of Police, Fire Chief and Town Engineer. At the same time, five individuals will lose their jobs and this is not fair. I am not saying that wage employees in the Town of Lisbon do not deserve this increase but not at the expense of five individuals.

It is a proven fact the salaries of key personnel in this town are inflated. The value of the town in property and revenues received does not justify these kinds of salaries. I understand the need to hire the best qualified personnel and pay them accordingly but not at the expense of raising our taxes every year. There needs to be a way to correct these inflated salaries. Bring these salaries back to reality will NOT reduce services provided and will correct some of the outrageous spending by the Town Council and Town Manager.

The “Good Old Boys” are allowed to cover-up all these issues I bring out because the residents of Lisbon do not come out to the Town Council meeting or contact their Town Councilor and complain about these issues. Once, the Town Council votes to approve these issues they become legal and then it is harder to correct. Prior to the Town Council voting on issues, the public has the opportunity to speak out against the issue they are voting on. I can tell you this, until we remove enough of the Councilors to make a difference we are going to continue to experience higher taxes. Roger Cote and Mark Lunt are the only two councilors who have displayed a sense of responsibility in putting the best interest of the Town of Lisbon first. Any Councilor who votes to approve this years proposed budget, needs to be replaced immediately through a recall process, so we can get new personnel on the Council who have integrity and vote what is in the best interest of the community and put a stop to these “Good Old Boys” destroying this town.

Larry A. Fillmore

Concerned Citizen


(The Following Information is from the Town of Lisbon's  website:)

 

Engineering

---

E. Ryan Leighton
Town Engineer
Phone: 353-3000 ext. 116
Fax: 353-3007

Engineering Functions

Developing Lisbon GIS
Technical Liaison to LACTS
Support of Building Needs Committee
Support of Ordinance Committee
Liaison between Town and DOT
Public Relations and technical assistance for citizens
Repository for mapping and technical information

Superintendent of Wastewater Treatment Plant

Coordinates and oversees Contract operator
Prepares annual reports to DEP
Oversees sludge disposal program
Specifies and Purchases capital needs

The Town Manager and the Town Council are at it again

All Lisbon Residents

The Town Manager and the Town Council are at it again. It is budget season and the Town Manager and Town Council are hiding outrageous spending. They are blaming raising taxes again this year on the decrease in state and federal funding. After reading the information below, see if you agree.

At the 12 April 2011 Public Hearing on the budget, the Town Manager did not give a presentation justifying their spending instead he tried to cover it up. The town budget should be prepared to show the residents where and why they are increasing spending or decreasing services to the residents.

The town budget has several items in there which needs to be addressed. In the latest budget proposal, five wage workers are losing their jobs in order to provide salary increases to personnel already receiving the highest salaries in the town. Originally, the Town Manager recommended six individuals to receive a ten thousand dollar pay raise. Below are the individuals and their current salaries (these figures were provided by the town):

Stephen Eldridge $83,842

David Brooks 68,653

Ryan Leighton 69,310

Sean Galipeau 53,840

Wayne Ricker 46,616

Mark Stevens 36,144

*The current proposal still has $13, 127 increases in the Town Manager’s budget. I believe the breakdown is $10,000 for his salary and $3,127 for his secretary’s professional development.

At the Public Hearing the Town Manager stated only two of these individuals were going to get the raises. One was the Town Engineer, Ryan Leighton, who is now going to receive an 8% increase to offset the additional duties as the Director of three departments which already have Directors in the proposed budget. One department is Public Works and Mr. Beale will receive the same salary he current is receiving but as a wage employee. It will be the same for the other two departments. These new wage workers will be eligible to collect overtime at the expense of the residents of Lisbon. This is their idea of cutting operating cost. It is a new scam.

The old scam was to inflate salaries as they hired new personnel. A prime example of this scam is in the Economic Development Department. Three directors ago had a Masters Degree in Economics’ and was paid $42,000. The next director had an Associated Degree in Liberal Art (which has nothing to do with Economics’) and received a salary of $60,000+. I guess it is who you know. The current director has a Masters Degree in Economics’ and is receiving $55,000. The key players in this town are receiving inflated salaries.

Another example of why our taxes are so high is the Town Engineer position. I believe it requires a Civil Engineer and the current Town Engineer is a Mechanical Engineer receiving $69,310 of our tax dollars. There is a great deal of difference between a Civil Engineer and a Mechanical Engineer. I do not see how the current individual is qualified to hold this position.

However, all of these scams are perfectly legal because the Town Council approved them. There is no one in the Town of Lisbon that can tell me the Town Council has the best interest of the town or its residents at heart when voting on such items. There are numerous other items going on which are not in the best interest of the town but because the Town Council rubber stamps anything the Town Manager puts before them they will continue to raise our taxes. I believe two councilors spouses are operating businesses out of their residence which is zoned residential. If true, this is a violation of our town ordnances. But the bigger question is why hasn’t anyone addressed this issue before. Town councilors should be setting the example not be the offenders.

The real injustice in the Town of Lisbon is residents never come out and speaking up at town council meeting before the items are approved. At Town Council meeting there is two of us speaking out trying to make a difference. The only time we see the rest of the residents is after the fact. Everyone was so upset after last years tax increase but once it is done it can not be changed. Now is the time to speak out. 

Come to the final budget meeting on 3^rd May 2011. It is currently being held at the new Lisbon Community School Cafeteria at 7:00PM.

My personal feelings is any Councilor who votes for any budget increasing our taxes again this year need to be immediately recalled. We need Councilors who have the town’s best interest at heart.

Larry Fillmore

Lisbon, Me.

INCOMPETENCY OR AN INSULT TO THE INTELLIGENCE OF LISBON VOTERS?

One of the items on the agenda at the last council meeting was the removal of any public participation at the council meetings. One councilor felt it was an insult to her intelligence to have constituents come forward with concerns. This councilor was concerned as she felt she may be blindsided and therefore not be able to answer immediately. As a councilor in the Town of Lisbon, I am a public servant. All of the council members are public servants. Isn’t the goal of the town council to bring the wishes of the majority of the people of Lisbon to a reality? 

 

I did not become a town councilor to protect incompetency. The people who live in the Town of Lisbon have a right to have their voices heard in a public forum. If you don’t know the answer, just say I don’t know…and go find out. The right to be heard overrules the right to not being worried about lack of preparation. The town council should not be allowed to limit the rights of the people in the town of Lisbon simply because the councilors feel they are not prepared to answer. The message that closing the town meeting will send is one of secrecy and far worse, exclusion.

The public has been denied answers to questions continuously by the town manager and lied to on several occasions. Lisbon has had to re-issue property tax bills TWICE, at extra expense to Lisbon taxpayers, both last year and this year due to the fact that the bills were incorrect. A diversion was played out with the assessor in an attempt to protect budgets. Budgets are being protected by public servants who in some cases are retired rehired or, in other words, are double dipping. Last week, the council had a work shop after the meeting to discuss sending the municipal budget out to referendum, like we do with the school budget (the workshop was not taped) Voters were openly in favor of the referendum. The council took a straw poll and Mr. Bickford and I were the only ones in favor. As mentioned, the voters were openly in favor.
Some of the reasons given for closing the meetings to the public are as follows…the people think we are doing a good job, I have not heard anybody wants to vote on the budget, one councilor said the public was not competent, as it took him years to understand the budget. 

 

A councilor’s short fall or inability to understand a budget should not be a deciding factor in giving the public what they have requested. These are all excuses for not giving the voters the budget, department by department, so the voters, the people who live in the town of Lisbon, can determine how their money is spent or not spent. 

 

Please don't wait to come out and speak up after you receive your tax bill. Now is the time to be heard. The rubber stamp council is set as you can all see and have seen the last few meetings.

The town manager is the tax collector, therefore by law he is responsible for all tax issues in the town. The renewal of the town manager’s contract after what has taken place, with tax bills incorrect two years in a row, is difficult to understand. In fact, it’s an insult to the intelligence of the voters of Lisbon.

Councilor Roger Cote

Council Chair Had Misgivings About Town Manager Over Bowie Recall

Steve,

 

After several days of thought, I am forced to write to you with severe misgivings about your letter to the Ethics Committee dated November 15th (and emailed to the Council on the 17th).

 

(Letter from Town Manager,  Original was written on Town Letterhead.)

November 15, 2010

David Bowie, Chairman
Town of Lisbon, Ethics Committee
300 Lisbon Street
Lisbon, ME 04250


Dear David,

Twila Lycette, Town Clerk for the Town of Lisbon has received a petition that requests that Michael Bowie, Council Chairman, be recalled from his Council seat.  The petition reads to recall Michael Bowie from the office of Councilor for the following reasons:

 A. denying any councilor the right to place an item on the agenda (sec 2.04)

B. not consulting with the councilors when dealing with the town manager (charter, sec. 2.04)

C. improper influence and/or conflict of interest regarding use of town funds (chapter 12)
   
D. failure to properly preside over a town council meeting.

I am requesting that the Ethics Committee review this petition and offer an opinion on several criteria.
1.     That the reasons A – D are sufficient and valid to having a Councilor recalled.
2.    That the petition was misrepresented to the individuals who signed the petition.
 I have had 1 Councilor (not Michael Bowie) question the validity of the four reasons in the petition.   The Councilor has also questioned whether it is ethically appropriate to misrepresent the reasons for removal. I have sufficient evidence to prove that the petition was misrepresented to the signers.  If possible I request that the Ethic Committee provide their recommendation prior to the Town Council Meeting scheduled for December 7, 2010.

Sincerely,


Stephen G. Eldridge
Town Manager

 

 

 

You write to Mr. David Bowie asking for the Committee's advice on the recall petition of Michael Bowie, yet we on the Council were never even informed that such a petition had been received by the Town or certified by the Town Clerk. We had a meeting on November 16, the day after you sent your letter, yet you failed to inform us of such a development. Additionally, from the letter, it appears that at least one unnamed Councilor has seen and been informed of this filing. I am personally hurt and frustrated by your failure to treat all Councilors as equals and provide us all with the information we need to do our jobs correctly. Why were we, the Council, not asked for our opinion before you took it upon yourself to make formal inquiries?

 

Secondly, the filing with the Ethics Committee is inappropriate as the Committee does not even have any jurisdiction in this matter. The ordinance empowering the Committee, Section 12-3 of the Lisbon Code, only authorizes the Committee to adjudicate disputes over Conflicts of Interest involving public officials and employees; it has no say on political matters involving private petitioners.

 

You ask that the Committee advise us on the merits of the reasons and their sufficiency, but the Charter merely states (Article VIII, Part 3) that a reason must be given, not that we as a Council or anyone else find that reason subjectively sufficient. A recall is a purely political device, not a judicial one such as impeachment. The voters could decide to recall a Councilor for any reason, even something as silly as disliking the color of his hat. It is not up to us to judge the voters, merely to count their votes.

 

Furthermore, advice from the Committee would be pointless, as we the Council have no discretion in this matter. If the petition is certified as legal by the Clerk, then we MUST schedule a date for an election within 30 days of that certification - any other action would be illegal under the Charter and Maine State law. If the Clerk does not certify the petition, it would be up to the petitioners to file an appeal. The only person with an opinion that would matter here would be the Town Attorney. Have you consulted with him on the matter?

 

I personally have had no involvement with the recall petition in any way, but I feel that your actions here are both inappropriate and ill-advised. We are the servants of the people, not their masters.

 

 

Mark Lunt

Town Councilor, Lisbon, ME

 

(The original letter is attached.)

Lisbon American Sign Language Talent Show‏

2011

Featuring:

Lisbon High School Students

And…

 CJ Jones

DATE: April 30^th, 2011

TIME: 6pm – 9pm

PLACE: LHS Gym

COST: $5.00 and/or

Donations

* Tickets sold at door*

(We want to welcome all families to join us.)

CJ Jones is an internationally known deaf entertainer who has been delighting audiences young and old with his unique style of visual imagery and storytelling for over 25 years.

For more information on CJ Jones go to: www.cjjoneslive.com

***This is a community and student sponsored event. All monies will go towards next year’s event. Your donations will help us achieve future success with inviting special guests.***

Contact Information: Gail Carlson @ gcarlson@lisbonschoolsme.org, or call 353-3030 and leave message. VP: 1-866-948-6434

Current Sponsors are: GOLD – American Sign Language Honor Society, Lisbon Community FCU, Kohl’s, SILVER – Dingley Press, Moody’s Collision, Wilton Free-Public Library, Lisbon Emergency BRONZE – Craftcars.com

Lisbon Students Video Conference with Wiscasset Students‏

Lisbon – Generations of children, past and present, have made friends through pen pals.  Some friendships last a lifetime even though some pals never get the chance to actually meet each other.  On Wednesday, March 30 pen pals at Lisbon Community School (LCS) and Wiscasset Primary School (WPS), had the opportunity to meet each other without a bus trip or a carpool.  Thanks to a video conference provided by the technology personnel at both schools, students were able to meet each other via the Internet.  Third grade LCS students in Sue Hardison’s class and WPS teacher Karen Erdmann’s students have been co-teaching communication skills with their students since the beginning of the school year by writing letters to each other.  “Students were thrilled to use their letting writing skills with kids their own age and everyone looked forward to receiving mail,” shares Hardison.  “Integrating the video conference component was a natural extension for content learning and exploration.  The adventure was most successful for both schools and we look forward to future endeavors.  Aside from the traditional classroom lessons students experienced real-life telecommunications and networking.”

Lisbon Community School third grade teacher, Sue Hardison, (left) along with third grade Wiscasset Primary School teacher, Karen Erdmann, introduced students to each other during a video conference as part of their unit of studies in letter writing.  Students have been pen pals since the beginning of the school year.  Photo by James Churchill.

Lisbon PWS Ashlee Stone Student Awards‏

Lisbon – Philip W. Sugg Middle School Principal, Kate Race,(pictured far right) and Assistant Principal/CCD, Thomas Landberg (at left), congratulated the first and second quarter Student Achievement Ashlee Stone Memorial Awards at a recent assembly. 

First quarter award winners were (l-r):  Sixth grade students, Jacob Fusaro, son of Jeannette and John Fusaro of Lisbon; Conchita Thomas, daughter of Conrad Thomas of Lisbon Falls; seventh grade students, Alexa Lachance, daughter of Lori and Danny Lachance of Lisbon; Cody Campbell, son of Laura and Mark Campbell, Lisbon; eight grade students, Charles Sult, son of Heather and Kevin Sult of Lisbon Falls; and Amanda Hazelton, daughter of Dennis and Judy Hazelton of Lisbon. 

Second quarter students receiving the award (l-r): eighth grade students, Ashley Conrad, daughter of James and Debra Conrad of Lisbon Falls; Johnny Yim, son of Melissa Becker-Yim of Lisbon; seventh grade students, Samantha Bolduc, daughter of Tara and Patrick Bolduc of Lisbon Falls; Joshua Chapman, son of Julie and Robert Chapman of Lisbon; sixth  grade students, Jasmin Le, daughter of Christy and Erik Le; and Michael Yohe, son of Barbara and Michael Yohe of Lisbon.  Photos by Monica Millhime.

“Each quarter, students from the sixth, seventh and eight grades are nominated by grade level teachers.  The award has been renamed in honor of the memory of former PWS student, Ashlee Stone.   The award is given in memory of Ashlee Stone, a seventh grade student, who was a positive role model in our school, shares Principal Race.   “Ashlee was known for her willingness to learn, having a positive attitude, being respectful to adults and her peers, being a risk taker, persevering when the going got rough, handling conflict with grace, being a friend to everyone, being a leader, and especially for her smile,” commented Assistant Principal Landberg.    These students were chosen for this award because they demonstrate all or many of these qualities.

FYI on student programs and other projects at Philip W. Sugg Middle School, contact Community Resource Coordinator, Monica Millhime at 754-0021 or email mmillhime@lisbonschoolsme.org or visit www.lisbonschoolsme.org. 

MAINE RLC ENDORSES ACT TO PROTECT CITIZENS FROM UNCONSTITUTIONAL FEDERAL REGULATIONS (LD 1172)

AUGUSTA – A bill which would uphold the Interstate Commerce Clause of the U.S. Constitution by allowing Maine farmers, fishermen, tradesmen and other individuals to ply their trades without interference from unfair federal mandates has been endorsed by the Maine Republican Liberty Caucus.

An Act to Prohibit Enforcement of Federal Laws in Violation of the Constitution of the United States (LD 1172) was introduced in the 125^th Legislature by Rep. Melvin Newendyke (R-Litchfield). The bill prohibits federal or state officials or government employees from enforcing any federal act, order, law, statute, rule or regulation that attempts to regulate goods grown, manufactured or made within the state for consumption within Maine. 

 

“The Commerce Clause of the United States Constitution is valid for regulation of interstate commerce but nowhere does the federal government have constitutional authority to regulate intrastate commerce,” said Maine RLC Chair Ken Lindell, a former state legislator.

Lindell said the federal government consistently oversteps its authority when Congress or regulatory agencies promulgate rulings which have an impact on commerce within Maine borders.

“Organic dairy farmers, for instance, who produce milk products for local consumption, are handcuffed by federal directives which prevent them from doing business. Fishermen who land fish for local consumers face expensive and unnecessary restrictions on their livelihoods because of draconian federal rules. Small businesspeople throughout Maine suffer because of unconstitutional intrusion by federal agencies,” Lindell explained. “I even had a tradesman tell me that he would have to charge an extra $3,000 for a kitchen renovation simply to comply with federal regulations because our house was built before 1978. With all of the wonderful old homes and family farms in our state, that is evidence of how these federal actions have had an unfair impact on Maine people.”

The bill, which is before the Judiciary Committee, notes that the power to regulate intrastate commerce is reserved to the states or the people under the Ninth and Tenth amendments. 

 

LD 1172 reads in part, “A person may not enforce or attempt to enforce or attempt to enforce a federal law that regulates or attempts to regulate goods grown, manufactured or made in this State or services performed in this State when those goods or services are sold, maintained, retained or performed exclusively in this State.”

A federal official who tries to enforce an unconstitutional federal mandate could be charged with a Class C crime, punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000. A state official could be charged with a Class D crime, punishable by less than one year in prison and a fine of up to $2,000.

“It’s sad that it has to come to a bill like this,” Lindell said, “but government has grown so large and overreaching that it is necessary to reinforce the constitutional separation of powers between the federal and state governments. It also protects the many conscientious government employees by giving them legal protection from being forced to follow unconstitutional directives.”

Lindell said the Republican Liberty Caucus is guided by a statement of principles for smaller government and individual liberty. He will testify at the Committee hearing on behalf of the organization.

“We have endorsed LD 1172 because it is consistent with our principles and it protects the hardworking people of Maine who are producers and contributors to society from undue harassment by bureaucrats who flaunt government power over their lives,” he said.

Maine RLC previously endorsed a Resolution sponsored by Rep, Richard Cebra (R-Naples) which reasserts states rights and would nullify unconstitutional federal mandates imposed on Maine.

Maine RLC is part of the national Republican Liberty Caucus, a grassroots organization of libertarian-leaning Republicans who work within the party for policies which promote smaller government and individual liberty.

Lisbon Gartley Street Program Mock Interviews‏

 Retired Navy Commander, Tom Whitney, assisted Jared Scipione and other students enrolled in the Gartley Street Program in Lisbon, during a mock interview day.  Whitney and other community members worked with students on numerous aspects of the interview process and the importance of preparing for the appointment.  Photo by Monica Millhime.

Lisbon – Students attending the Gartley Street School in Lisbon had an a opportunity to participate in mock interviews with members of the business community.  Students provided letters of interest and resumes to retired Navy Commander, Tom Whitney; former business owner, Kathi Yergin; and Lisbon Library’s Reference/Information Services Technician, Anita Marenius.  The interviewers shared real life experiences of hiring and offered tips on the art of interviewing.  Students worked with each other preparing for interviews and were quick to relate to the suggestions of maintaining eye contact, and other helpful hits including the importance of good communication skills to secure a job.

In Government We Don't Trust

In Government We Don’t Trust

This broadcast from Russia Today is the most articulate and accurate assessment of the state of the United States that I have heard to date. Perhaps, one day academics will set aside the theories and models, connect the dots, and start openly talking about what is actually taking place in front of all of our eyes. I do not like fear mongers or slanderers in the media. This summary by Alex Jones, better known for promoting what many might dismissed as conspiracies, has delivered a better analysis and summary than is what is coming out of Business Week, The Wall Street Journal, or CNBC.

Peter Hebert 

State budgets are broke, the federal government is mired in conflict and partisan divide and people all over the country are taking to the streets. Is the system itself collapsing? Alex Jones says the US Empire must go down or we all go down with it, we don't have a choice, choose sides, it is either us or them we're at historic crossroads right now.

 

 

 

Christian Civic League & Maine Jeremiah Project merge‏

Christian Civic League and Maine Jeremiah Project merge to strengthen the Christian voice in the public square

Bob Emrich, former Director of the Maine Jeremiah Project.

Carroll Conley, Jr., Executive Director of the Christian Civic League.

 The Christian Civic League of Maine and the Maine Jeremiah Project announce their merger in order to become a more effective Christian voice in Maine’s public square and Augusta’s legislative halls.  The united group, the Christian Civic League of Maine, will combine resources and efforts to become a stronger, more visible Christian presence in Maine public policy and culture.

The Maine Jeremiah Project is best known for networking Maine pastors and its leadership in overturning same sex marriage in 2009.  The Christian Civic League, a voice in Maine politics since 1900, has recently undergone a change in leadership and staff.

“I truly believe that God will be honored from our desire to serve Him in Christian unity,” said Carroll Conley, Jr., Executive Director of the Christian Civic League.

“We are convinced that this will enable us to all be better informed and equipped to impact the culture of Maine,” said Bob Emrich former Director of the Maine Jeremiah Project and now the Chairman of the Board of the Christian Civic League.

Christian leaders concur.  Clergy and laity from across the state planning to attend next week’s Unity Banquets include Adventist, Anglican, Assembly of God, Baptist, Episcopalian, Pentecostal, Roman Catholic, and non-denominational Bible church leaders.

Christian Civic League of ME

http://www.mainefamilypolicycouncil.com/artman/publish/index.shtml

70 Sewall St.
Augusta, ME 04330
Carroll L. Conley, Jr. Executive Director


Media requests:  Debra Wagner, 207-992-8997, debwagner@gwi.net

This and That‏

WELL, WELL, WELL, IF THAT DON'T BEAT ALL! ! !

Did you know  ? ? ? ? ?

that town Manager, Steve Eldridge's contract was renewed at the Tuesday February 15, 2011 Town Council meeting?

No?

I didn't think so.

Did your Councilor let you know that his contract renewal was coming up?

No?

I didn't think so.

What would your reaction have been, your response to that?

Yes?

No?

And the town office talks about transparency in government.

Listen up folks. There is NONE!

Councilor Roger Cote informed me and several of his constituents of the upcoming contract renewal, and he voted my opinion!

Roger was the only dissenting vote.

At the February 15, 2011 Town Council meeting, after a lengthy executive session, the council reconvened, a motion was quickly made to renew Eldridge's contract, and just as quickly a vote was taken. It passed 6 in favor, one opposed. No public comments allowed.

How would you have voted? What is your opinion of Town Manager Steve Eldridge?

"Sec. 3.02. of the Town of Lisbon Town Charter states that "The Town Manager shall be the chief administrative officer of the Town and the head of the administrative branch of the Town government. The Manager shall be responsible to the council for the proper administration of all affairs of the Town."

He is responsible for all town affairs, finances and department heads.

It would seen that only one member of the council recalls the screw-up in the Tax Assessors department, 2 years in a row!

In my opinion, hiring an unqualified person for the position of Tax Assessor, allowing that person to insult taxpayers while attempting to do a revaluation, and screwing up, not only once, but twice, is irresponsible.

Allowing tax bills to be sent out, and collecting real estate taxes illegally is irresponsible.

Shortly after taking the oath of office, not only hiring an unqualified person for the Department of Economic Development, but increasing the salary by $20,000, to $60,000 per year is irresponsible.

Regarding the Recall of Town Councilor and former chair of the Council Mike Bowie, sending me a letter requesting information under the Freedom of Information Act was irresponsible.

How many violations of the Town Charter, how many more screw-ups does it take for the Town Council to wake up and vote him out of office?

Evidently the Town Charter applies when it does not apply to Eldridge or to Councilor Bowie.

Case in point: At the February 15th council meeting, Lisbon Fire Chief Marc Veilleux cited Councilor Cote for violating the charter in his remarks at the February 1st meeting, concerning the burning of the Village Street Lisbon property. I guess it depends who is in violation of the Charter.

ON ANOTHER NOTE:

At several Town Council meetings, Larry Fillmore, a resident of Lisbon, has been requesting a forensic audit of the Development Department, going back 10 years. The request has fallen on deaf ears. Why? If I were head of a department or Town Manager, I would welcome a forensic audit. Unless I had something to hide. To not do one would put one under suspicion of wrongdoing, would it not? I am going a step further and requesting a forensic audit of all the town books, going back 10 years. In view of what is happening in other towns across the State of Maine, I feel that a good, forensic audit most appropriate. What say fellow citizens and taxpayers? Do we need a revolt here in Lisbon similar to Egypt to make things right? to take back our town?  Maybe if enough citizens contact their councilor requesting a full and complete forensic audit, just maybe it will be done.  

What do they have to hide?

Dot Fitzgerald

A Concerned Lisbon citizen.

Lisbon HS Drama Wins 2 Place Regional Comp

Members of the award-winning Lisbon High School Drama Production of William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream   Pictured (l-r) Mercedes Hursh as an attendant to Oberon;  Cody Watson, Oberon; Jordan Beauparlant, Titania;  Joshua Oakes, Puck;  and Tabitha Porter, Mustardseed.  Photo by Jennifer Fox.

Lisbon - Congratulations to the Lisbon High School Drama Club for winning 2nd place in the 2011 Maine Regional Drama Festival on Saturday, March 12.  The event was  held at the Westbrook Performing Arts Center and was sponsored by the Maine Principal’s Association . “A lovely cohesive vision, well executed and acted. It was a visual feast populated by well-clad actors who made compelling acting choices,” according to one of the judges.  LHS Drama also won a special commendation from the judges for creating a “Magical Atmosphere” in their production of William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, stating that the play was “visually strong and vibrant with effective lighting choices that enhanced the atmosphere, mood and fantasy”. Congratulations as well to Josh Oakes for winning an “All Festival Cast” award for his role as Puck.

Cast members were Cheyenne Cameron, Theseus; Alexandria Campbell, Hippolyta; Emily Shedd, Egeus; Cody Watson, Lysander; Seth Boucher, Demetrius; Jordan Fox, Hermia; Devon Brewer, Philostrate; Christine Pfusch, Nich Bottom; Robert Dall, Peter Quince; Melissa Hoskins, Francis Flute; Dani Malesiewski; Robin Starveling; Bre Cota, Tom Snout; Bethany LeMay, Snug; Dillion Fox, Oberon; Jordan Beauparlant, Titania; Josh Oakes, Puck; Michelle Hatherley, Peaseblossom; Sierra Crosby, Cobweb; Amy Law, Mote; Tabitha Porter, Mustardseed; Kaitlynn Morse, Fairy; Paula Caron, Mercedes Hursh, Zoe Mullen and Emily Stevens, Attendants to Oberon.  Production crew members included:  Jennifer Fox, director; Alexandria Campbell, assistant director; Katie Freve, stage manager; Shayne Chubbuck, Lighting; Tyler Daly, sound; Jennifer Fox and Dillon Fox, set and costume design; Jem Weddle, make-up; Katie Baker, Ryan Buzzel, Sarah Giraldo, Mercedes Hursh and Cassidy Morin, stage crew. 

  FMI contact Jennifer Fox at 353-3030 or email jfox@lisbonschoolsme.org

MDEA still raiding medicinal marijuana patients

The MDEA continues to raid medicinal marijuana patients. Most of you probably
do not use marijuana or think you have a dog in this fight but we must all stand
together when the constitution is violated. Please watch this video and share
if you see fit.

In recent months a pattern has emerged with the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency raiding the homes of medicinal marijuana patients and caregivers. One Washington couple is demanding answers after the MDEA violated several of their constitutional rights by conducting an unreasonable search, taking away their ability to feel secure in their own home and denying them their right to confront their accuser.

Lisbon School 27th On State List For Replacement

The Maine Department of Education released its proposed priority list Wednesday ranking 71 eligible schools that have applied for school construction projects.

 

Source 

Read more here.

"Moxie....it's Maine in a bottle!" wins‏

“Moxie....it's Maine in a bottle!” wins 2011 Moxie Festival theme contest

 (from left)  Frank Anicetti, owner of The Kennebec Fruit Co.; Jeff Moxcey the 2011 Moxie Festival theme winner; and Scott Benson, Lisbon’s Director of Economic and Community Development.

Lisbon-   The Moxie Festival Committee is pleased to announce that Jeff Moxcey of Waterville has won the 2011 theme contest with his entry, “Moxie....it’s Maine in a bottle!.”  The Committee received entries from Maine, California, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, and Texas. 

Jeff, a product evaluator and song writer, said, “I thought the theme idea up by thinking how Moxie, is a lot like Maine....unique, fresh, crisp, lots of good taste, unlike anything else.   To me Moxie is one of the best beverages. I liked it from the first taste.”

Jeff received a basket filled with Moxie items from The Kennebec Fruit Company store in Lisbon Falls.  He will also join the VIPs at the 2011 Moxie Festival Parade review stand on Saturday, July 9^th. 

The Moxie Festival parade which attracts over 100 participants starts at 9 am and follows the two mile plus route that begins on Capital Avenue and Route 196 and ends at the Kitty Corner store on Main Street Lisbon Falls.

Since 1983, The Moxie Festival in Lisbon, Maine has been held on the second weekend in July.  The Festival now includes a three day Pow Wow; Friday night fireworks; a Saturday parade, Festival, and 5K race, and on Sunday, the Chief Worumbo Androscoggin River Race.  Moxie was designated Maine’s official soft drink on May 20, 2005.

According to Lisbon Public Safety Officials, an estimated 40,000 people attend the three-day Moxie Festival.  The Town of Lisbon has approximately 9,300 residents.

For more 2011 Moxie Festival information visit:  www.MoxieFestival.com

Lisbon Students Supported by Local Restaurant‏

Lisbon High School Freshman (pictured l-r) Dillion Poole and Brianna Bennett welcome the newest partnership for Lisbon Schools with owners of Chummy’s Diner, Tim and Ben Berry.  Photo by Monica Millhime.

Lisbon – Members of Lisbon High School’s Class of 2014 spent February vacation week volunteering and making new partnerships in the Community.  Dillon Poole and Brianna Bennett met with Berry brothers, Tim and Ben, at  Chummy’s  Mid Town Diner, located in the Mid Town Plaza in Lisbon Falls.  Chummy’s, a family owned business offers both breakfast and lunch from 6 a.m. until 2 p.m.  Chummy’s new owners opened in November and join the list of community-minded partners assisting students at Lisbon High School supporting fundraising efforts and student recognition programs.  “We are excited about becoming a community location for our patrons to contribute to the students’ collection of Box Tops for Education labels,” shares Ben Berry.  FMI on other projects and partnership opportunities call 754-0021 or email mmillhime@lisbonschoolsme.org.    

Free Volunteering in the Community Class

Free Volunteering in the Community Class

Do you want to know how to get involved in your community helping others
that are less fortunate or have trouble getting around? There are so many
ways a person can help. Whether it is getting groceries, helping at local
food banks or helping clean someone’s home or just sit for a while with
someone just to make them smile for a day. Schools are also a great place
to get involved in your community. Come to this one night workshop to
learn about nonprofit organizations and ways you can get involved. So many
people want to help out in their community, but do not know where to start.
Don’t let lack of information stop you from the most rewarding job you
will ever do. Class is held on March 24, 2011 from 5pm-7pm. Call Lisbon
Adult and Community Education at begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              207-353-3037      end_of_the_skype_highlighting if you have any questions or
would like to register. You can also register online at
http://lisbon.maineadulted.org/207-353-3037