Someone Care to wake the councilors up before they approve the budget again without making proper cuts?

US house price fall 'beats Great Depression slide'

by Stephen Foley

The ailing US housing market passed a grim milestone in the first quarter of this year, posting a further deterioration that means the fall in house prices is now greater than that suffered during the Great Depression.

The brief recovery in prices in 2009, spurred by government aid to first-time buyers, has now been entirely snuffed out, and the average American home now costs 33 per cent less than it did at the peak of the housing bubble in 2007. The peak-to-trough fall in house prices in the 1930s Depression was 31 per cent – and prices took 19 years to recover after that downturn.

The latest Case-Shiller house price index was just one of a slew of disappointing economic data from the US yesterday, which suggested ebbing confidence in the recovery of the world's largest economy. The Chicago PMI manufacturing index showed a sharp slowdown in the pace of expansion in May, missing Wall Street forecasts and sending the index to its lowest since November 2009.

And in the latest Conference Board consumer confidence survey more people expressed uncertainty over their future economic prospects. The confidence index fell unexpectedly to 60.8 from a revised 66.0, when economists had expected it to rise to 67.0. Falling house prices and negative equity combined with high petrol and food prices and a still-weak jobs market to raise consumers' fears for the future.

Thomas Di Galoma, the managing director of government securities at Oppenheimer & Co, said: "Based on the weakness in housing prices, Chicago PMI and consumer confidence, it appears as though the economy could be headed for a double dip, especially as federal and state spending slows rapidly over the next six months." 

Economists warned not to expect any immediate relief to the gloom from the housing market. Banks continue to demand high deposits from potential buyers and are pressing on with foreclosures against those who have fallen behind on mortgages, adding to the glut of unsold homes on the market.

Prices are back to their 2002 levels, according to the Case-Shiller National House Price Index out yesterday. "The national index fell 4.2 per cent over the first quarter alone, and is down 5.1 per cent compared to its year-ago level," David Blitzer, the chairman of the Index Committee at S&P Indices, said. "Home prices continue on their downward spiral with no relief in sight."

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/us-house-price-fall-beats-great-depression-slide-2291491.html

On The Money with Peter Hebert, “Conspiracy Theories And The Big Bad Wolf,”

Our lives are continually bombarded by competing narratives and also complete irrelevance on every topic under the sun. It starts in school, it happens at work, and it’s continued via the media whether we’re in the car or at home. And, so much of it is so negative that it skews our perception on all of life.

Consider the story of the Big Bad Wolf. Did it occur to anyone that the wolf may have been innocent, and that the deaths of the little pigs in the houses made of straw and wood may have been an unfortunate case of accidental homicide? Generations of people have assumed that the wolf with malice of forethought deliberately tried to blow down those houses with the little pigs huddled in fear inside. What if the wolf had a bad cold and was uncontrollably sneezing at the wrong time and in the wrong place?

Paul Simon said it best in the song Kodachrome when he sang, “When I think back on all the crap I learned in high school it’s a wonder I can think at all.” Politically correct indoctrination seems to have overthrown the fundamentals of reading, writing, and arithmetic in the schools. The end result is that functional illiteracy is on the rise as is cross dressing and school shootings. We assume so much and know so little.

The media overwhelms us with “useless information” as Rolling Stones observed in their classic song (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction. The “bubble headed bleach blonde” on the nightly news announces yet another fiery plane crash and she announces the grisly news with a programmed smile, a tempting display of cleavage, and a twinkle in her eye as observed by the Eagles in their song Dirty Laundry. Frank Zappa nailed it years before Jerry Springer showcased America’s exploited trailer trash for ratings with, “I am gross and perverted, I’m obsessed and deranged” in his song I’m The Slime, which slammed the media.

A few things are certain. There’s plenty of critical thinking out there. And, independent thought and unhinged madness are on the rise. The American people have an incredible appetite for conspiracy theories, regardless if they are based in fact and Congressional testimony or fueled by irrational logic that may be the result of a brain tumor or electrical misfirings between the frontal lobes. After having looked at many of these conspiracy theories, I conclude with the following synthesis: The upper crust is different. It’s really flaky. The financial and political elite want abortion legal for a reason. If you guessed it’s for depopulation of blacks, you fell for the bait, because that’s partially true since the elite are the Aryan masters and were the innovators of eugenics. The real reason is that they need to drink the fresh blood from the umbilical cords of aborted fetuses as a life extension medical technology and then use collagen treatments from these fetuses in order to hide their true reptilian skins. Republican men attend summer camp with the other global elite at the Bohemian Grove for these closet pedophiles to feel some respite from the populist masses. And, behind all of this is the half female-half male god Baphomet, who pulls the strings of the world’s debauched political puppets, who have sold their souls to gain the world. The New World Order army is destined to be all gay, like Alexander the Great’s army. As the gift of the god’s to the world, the elite want to serve mankind … well done with all the sides and trimmings.

Pink Floyd’s song Shine on You Crazy Diamond says it best, “You reached for the secret too soon, you cried for the moon.” Because of that, most Americans will cry guilty before hearing any of the potentially exonerating evidence and extenuating circumstances surrounding the Big Bad Wolf. That’s right. Those FEMA Camps with guillotines are real. I’ll bet the cattle cars have ankle cuffs to restrain the resisters. Every major malfunction in the corporate sector and in government was planned and is by design. And, guess who is behind the grand conspiracy? According to the many posts on Facebook, You Tube, and many websites it’s the usual suspects and culprits from the past. The Jews, of course, are numero uno. The Jesuits, the Illuminati that infiltrated the Freemasons, and the useful idiots within the Masons are also there with seats at the table. They’re spraying all of us with chemtrails and no one sees the positive side of this. I’ll bet there are no mosquitos left in the sky. And, those mercenaries are soldiers of fortune, a private security and army for foreign governments, because some American supported dictator would never stoop to trusting and enlisting their own people for defense. Hell, I would do the same thing. Yes, sharia law is a threat to Western values. Imagine if all porn sites required naked women to at least wear a hat, pearls, and heels for modesty. It’s so bad that even our own government officials believe their own propaganda, because they can’t keep their own lies and stories straight. How many times since 2001 did the media report the death of Osama bin Laden? Was it eight or was it nine times?

Ozzy Osbourne shouts with demonic laughter, “All aboard!” And, what the Eagles sang about in Hotel California is as chilling as it is true, “You can check in anytime you want, but you can never leave.” So, the question remains: Why are we always blaming the Big Bad Wolf? Could it be that the little pigs were the victims of a product safety flaw in their front doors or preplanned obsolescence in the door locks? Or, could it be that they were the victims of an industry now acting as regulator? It’s after 4:20, and the paranoia is setting in as Americans head for the fridge to pig out and quell the munchies.

Join a 'Mainah' from Morocco at the Moxie Day 5K Race

  Tim Long & his Moxie Day 5K Race t-shirt at the Coliseum, Italy;

 Atop the Eiffel Tower in France

  The Sahara Desert, Morocco

 and with his wife Carolin at the 2009 Moxie Day 5K Road Race.  

Applications for the 2011 Moxie Day 5K Road Race are now available.

  If you sign up for the 2011 Moxie Day 5K Road Race on Saturday, July 9th, then you may meet fellow runner Tim Long.  Tim, a Brunswick native currently living in Morocco, considers the run a “must do” event.

Tim and his wife Carolin return to Maine about every two years.  In 2009, they decided to participate in the Moxie Day 5K Race. 

Tim wrote in a recent e-mail:  “Unlike other races we have been in, there was no jockeying for a better start position, no anxious anticipation of the starting gun; instead there was casual conversation, joking and laughing, pats on the back, and a general feeling of collective fun.

 

To make a long story short, we ran and we finished; not knowing or really caring about our time or place in the race.  While driving back to Brunswick, I recall thinking how this day marked a moment of great enjoyment and humble pride in the warmth and simplicity of life in Maine.

A short time after returning to Ecuador (where we have been living for the past ten years), I found myself wearing my Moxie shirt often, feeling even more prideful of my Maine heritage and our iconic beverage.  I even brought back a few bottles of the good stuff to share with friends, trying to convince them that while Moxie may be a peculiar drink and an acquired taste, it is more than that. 

There is a certain intangible quality to Moxie; inside each bottle of bitter-sweet elixir are years of tradition, countless stories, and myriad moments that represent the essence of Maine.  This is when I began my own Moxie tradition: my shirt would accompany me, like a bright orange security blanket, on some of my most exciting travel adventures. 

The Coliseum, Rome, Italy

And now, with my prized Moxie shirt somewhat battered and a bit faded in color (but not in spirit), we are on our way back to Maine for another summah visit.  As always our trip will include all the usual “musts”; lobstah and steamahs, I-talian sandwiches from the corner store, Frosty’s Donuts, Fat Boy Drive-in, chili dogs on The Mall, Wicked Joe’s every morning, camping on Casco Bay, candle pin bowling, maybe a Sea Dogs game, and definitely fireworks on the fourth…… and now, we officially add our newest “must” to the list: the Moxie 5K! 

See you at the starting line!”

The Lisbon Recreation Department and the Moxie Festival Committee are pleased to announce that the application for the 2011 Moxie Day 5K Road Race (3.1 mile) on Saturday, July 9^th is now available.  Last year’s Moxie 5K Race attracted over 480 runners from throughout New England.

The 16th Annual Moxie Day 5K Road Race begins at 7:30 am rain or shine.  It is an early and quick scenic run through the outskirts of Lisbon Falls. The route includes two steep upgrades, one at the start and the second at the two mile mark.  The Moxie 5K Race begins and ends near Lisbon High School.  The $15 preregistration and $20 day of race fee includes a free Moxie 5K Race t-shirt. 

Prizes will be awarded to the first male and female finishers. Awards will also be given to the first and second place male and female finishers in the following age categories: 12 and under, 13 - 16, 17 - 19, 20 - 29, 30 - 39, 40 - 49, 50 - 59, 60 - 69, 70 and over. Additional awards will be given to the first male and female “Lisbon Resident” finishers!

There is also a Kids Pre-Race Fun Run starting at 7 am where kids of all ages race and everyone receives a prize.

Since 1983, The Moxie Festival in Lisbon, Maine has been held on the second weekend in July.  The 2011 Moxie Festival weekend is July 8-10, 2011.  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.

To get a Moxie 5K Race application and Map, visit the Moxie Festival website: www.moxiefestival.com  or call the Lisbon Recreation Department at 207-353-2289.  

Special Report: Symptoms of Tyranny

http://RTR.org | An epidemic is sweeping the nation. In this special report, never seen on the mainstream news, we look at the symptoms of tyranny and take you to Arizona where the Oathkeepers converged to march for a fallen Marine. Jose Manuel Guerena was shot 61 times in his home when Pima County SWAT entered to serve a search warrant. You will get an inside look at the Oathkeepers memorial service where Stewart Rhodes and Sheriff Richard Mack spoke of the recent abuses, presented the widow with a plaque, and provided solutions on how you can overcome these symptoms of tyranny. 

Fly Navy: Celebrating the First Century of Naval Aviation

100 Years of Naval Aviation — Erik Hildebrandt's 'Fly Navy'

No one does aviation quite like the Navy, and carriers are only half of the story. In this vodcast, author/photographer Erik Hildebrandt talks about his experiences in shooting and compiling an impressive history of a century of naval aviation.

Did someone say BUGS were in Lisbon's Town Office?

A quick lesson on the Fourth Amendment
from Sheriff Andy Taylor. 
 
Can you imagine something like this on television
today - let alone in the schools?
 
We've fallen a long way.

The Fourth Amendment

It's a simple concept.

People aren entitled to privacy in their homes, papers, and privileged communications with their attorneys, doctors and other professionals.

Along comes one terrorist incident of highly murky origin and POOF! Fourth Amendment gone.

Do you think they teach kids this in school today? I guarantee they don't and most people under say 30 would probably be amazed to know that these rights even exist.

Searches of your home, your car, your private communications, your bank account require a judge's order - unless an agent of the President (the one with the forged birth certificate) decides otherwise.

 Not to worry Lisbon, your 'Barney Fife clone Top Cop would only think it was a "'Glitch' in the System"!

The Future of Lisbon?

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

Republicans circle wagons on the White House

House torpedoes unconditional hike to $14.3 trillion debt ceiling

By Russell Berman - 05/31/11 07:19 PM ET 

The House overwhelmingly voted down an unconditional increase to the $14.3 trillion debt limit Tuesday, as the Republican majority delivered a symbolic rebuke to President Obama ahead of a meeting at the White House.

The vote was 318-97, with 82 Democrats joining every Republican in rejecting legislation that would have authorized $2.4 trillion in additional borrowing by the federal government. Seven Democrats voted present on the legislation.

Obama has invited the entire House Republican Conference to the White House on Wednesday, and Carney said the president wanted to “hear and listen to their ideas, their concerns.” He will meet with House Democrats on Thursday. The Biden group will hold its next meeting June 6.

 http://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/house/164067-house-torpedos-unconditional-raise-to-debt-ceiling

Good Ole Boys and American pie

5,000 Residents of 'Dying City' Lip Dub Song About Day the Music Died

  by Caryn Ganz

In January, MainStreet.com named Grand Rapids, Michigan, 10th on its list of America's "dying cities." It's possible nobody would have ever learned about this dubious distinction, but Newsweek picked up the story on its website, giving folks living in the Midwestern city -- and nearby Detroit and Flint -- something to be bummed about in addition to massive unemployment and home foreclosures.
To prove they're still thriving and have the same taste in classic rock as Madonna, 5,000 residents of Grand Rapids turned to the power of music and motivated to break the world record for largest lip dub on May 22nd, lip synching to Don McLean's sombre "American Pie."

"We disagreed strongly [with the article] and wanted to create a video that encompasses the passion and energy we all feel is growing exponentially in this great city," the clip's director and executive producer Rob Bliss wrote in a statement posted on YouTube (via Buzzfeed). "We felt Don McLean's 'American Pie,' a song about death, was in the end, triumphant and filled to the brim with life and hope." McLean's 1971 track is indeed morbid -- it chronicles the tragic 1959 plane crash that killed Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and the Big Bopper (known as "The Day the Music Died") and makes references to the deadly 1969 Altamont free concert where a Hells Angel stabbed a Rolling Stones fan. "Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In" it's not, but it is good for a vigorous dorm-room sing-along.

Bliss wrote that the nearly nine-minute video is the longest and largest of its type -- take that Today show and Emerson College! -- cost $40,000 provided by local sponsors, and involved a near total shutdown of the city's downtown. The one-take, one-camera video set to an acoustic version of the song is indeed a huge survey of the city's landscape, featuring four fire trucks, a wedding, a marching band, kayaks, and about a million amateur acoustic guitar players (that's a rough estimate, but if the car manufacturing business in Michigan is slumping, the cheap acoustic guitar trade is thriving).

http://new.music.yahoo.com/blogs/amplifier/89191/5000-residents-of-dying-city-lip-dub-song-about-day-the-music-died/

NATIONAL CHAIR DAVE NALLE TO ADDRESS MAINE RLC LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE

AUGUSTA -   The National Chairman of the Republican Liberty Caucus (RLC), Dave Nalle of Austin, Texas, will be the keynote luncheon speaker at the Maine RLC Leadership Conference.

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

 

The Maine Republican Liberty Caucus Leadership Conference is 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday. June 4, at the Best Western Senator Inn and Spa, 284 Western Avenue, Augusta. Non-members of RLC are welcomed but only dues-paid RLC members can vote during the business meeting in the afternoon. Pre-registration for limited seating is $49, slightly higher at the door.

 

The program begins in the morning with campaign training for potential candidates and campaign managers presented jointly by consultants Vic Berardelli, author of The Politics Guy Campaign Tips – How to Win a Local Election, and Adam Mack, a former member of the Maine Legislature. They will be followed by a panel of RLC members who sit in the 125^th Maine Legislature, who will discuss the current session. Nalle will be the luncheon speaker. The afternoon will be a state business meeting of the Maine RLC chapter.

 

Nalle, representing the RLC National Committee, has recently been speaking nationally against extension of the Homeland Security Act because of abuses by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).

 

"The Republican Liberty Caucus strongly supports state legislative efforts to counter TSA practices which infringe on privacy rights and threaten passenger safety. We call for a nationwide response and demand that federal authorities stop using bully tactics and instead work to change TSA policies which have generated the public outrage which has inspired
anti-TSA legislation in Texas and other states," Nalle said in a recent statement.

 

He also recently spoke on behalf of the RLC National Committee against increasing the federal debt ceiling, noting that the average American holds $46,000 in debt because of the federal borrowing policy.

 

“This is moment when we absolutely must decide how much government we need and how much we can really afford. It’s time to stop passing on a snowballing burden of debt to future generations,” Nalle said.

 

Nalle is Senior Politics Editor at Blogcritics online magazine. He started writing political blogs during a campaign for Texas state legislature which evolved into the present position. While in college, he worked for Al Gore at the Clearinghouse for the Future as a newsletter editor and worked for the National Republican Senatorial Committee, He is also CEO of Scriptorum Fonts, which designed the official merchandising type font for the Harry Potter movies and consulted on the redesign of Whole Earth Magazine. He was also a scriptwriter for the 1989 historical television series Timeline.

 

“We are delighted that his schedule worked around our Conference and that we will have Dave Nalle with us in Maine, it brings our local RLC members closer to their national organization,” said Maine RLC Chair Ken Lindell, a former member of the Maine House of Representatives.

 

Maine Republican Liberty Caucus is independent of the official Republican Party state or county committees and is free to endorse candidates in primaries. In the 2010 elections, 12 of the 15 candidates endorsed by RLC won seats in the Maine legislature. Current-Gov. Paul LePage won pre-primary endorsement from RLC last May.

 

“The RLC supports individual rights, limited government and free enterprise. We endorse only candidates who reflect those goals and we testify in support of bills which promote those aims,” Lindell explained.

 

Hey  Dale Crafts,  we want to know, are you going to align yourself with this group because it seems popular or are you going to ride their coat tales cause you seem to think it makes a difference that you are the "son of an honest Car Salesman"? Is there such a thing?   So You Say.   Hypocrisy is Rampant In Lisbon.  Takes a Certain Caliber to Segregate itself from such.  Are You That Type Dale Crafts?  We Know Better.  Please stay tuned.  Much Much More to come in the near future. 

Oh Wait Dale, we know , you seem to align and  protect yourself from the 'ill effects' of things through the coverage offered by Lisbon's crap of police chief,  isn't  the real truth?  Well let us ask this,  How the hell as that been working out for Dale Crafts?  

 

Legislatures with guns!  Doesn't that just scare the dickens out of you readers?  And who was it that proposed a bill to allow guns in legislative quarters?   Ahhh,  wasn't it none other then Lisbon's own Dale Crafts? Any one Nervous Yet? 

Now even Graziano's wants to leave LISBON!!!

The Next Twenty Years, will not be like the last twenty years

Exposing The Disconnects
 
Chris Martenson does an excellent job of explaining exactly why "The next 20 years are going to be completely unlike the last 20 years."

He is a an economic researcher and author of The Crash Course, a video presentation that is offered online for free.

This series of videos clearly explains how our economy, energy systems and environment face increasing challenges, and explores likely implications for the future.

In the Crash Course, he makes the point that we have never before in history faced such exponential growth in three key areas: debt (as related to GDP), energy consumption and environmental resource depletion.

The idea of exponential growth is a profound topic unto itself. When you have doubling upon doubling of say, interest on the national debt - you eventually have a situation that is mathematically catastrophic. You cannot have a continuously rising level of demand - for anything - in a finite sphere.

Our use of natural resources, energy and the our collective debt have all been growing exponentially, and there's a very sharp corner to be turned soon on these levels. It's coming to a head.

In this condensed version of The Crash Course, he spotlights the economic aspect of the converging challenges.

The US is insolvent at the federal level. We can only keep the show running by "opening the credit markets" which means everybody's able to borrow a bit more right now -- but it's a wicked sugar fix. He explains why this time, we have no way of paying for it later. It is mathematically impossible.

"How is it possible for an insolvent nation to borrow money from an insolvent financial system to bail out insolvent financial institutions?" he asks.

There is rich wisdom and practical advice to be found in the work of Chris Martenson. At the core, his message speaks to the urgency of a change of collective lifestyle and mindset.

He declares in this video, subtitled The End Of Money: "Money is not a comprehensive descriptor of wealth. Your deepest wealth lies in the strength and resiliency of your community."

Amen.

--Bibi Farber

May God Bless Us All This Memorial Day 2011

May We Never Forget all Those Who Served this Great Country!!! God Bless Our Military... Past, Present, and Future.






Fields of Honor
Visiting America's Overseas Military Cemeteries and Memorials and discovering the American Battle Monuments Commission.

Lisbon High School Interact Students Assist LACO

  

Interact members from Lisbon High School were among the many helping hands at the recent LACO dinner in Lisbon Falls.  Providing Service Above Self pictured with Carol Day, LACO Director were Paige Galligan, Morgan Reeves, Day, Jenna Clifford and Shantal MacWhinnie.  Not available for photo, Dillion Poole and Sarah Craig.  “Thank you all for being neighbors helping neighbors in the towns of Lisbon, Durham and Bowdoin”, commented Day.  Photo by Monica Millhime. 

Lisbon - Lisbon Area Christian Outreach’s (LACO) spaghetti and lasagna supper at Holy Trinity Church in Lisbon Falls on Saturday, May 21 was a huge success, according to Carol Day, LACO Board Director.  “Thanks to the support, generous contributions  and volunteer assistance from the community, we were able to raise over $1,220 for the food pantry,” shares Day.  “This will enable us to purchase 7,632 pounds of food to help feed the 510 families we have registered at the food pantry.”  LACO, located in the MTM building on School Street in Lisbon Falls, is a non-profit organization, sponsored by Churches of various denominations located in the Lisbon, Durham and Bowdoin Communities.  FYI visit www.lacopantry.org or www.lacopantry@ymail.com. 

Do not let Mr. Bowie and his puppets silence the residents of Lisbon.

THE DISAPPEARANCE OF DEMOCRACY

On the 24^th of May 2011, two Town Councilors, Mrs. Lori Pomelow and Mr. Fern LaRochelle spoke out in favor of changing the Town Council Meeting Rules in order to eliminate any resident from speaking on agenda items. These two councilors want the Audience Participation moved to first on the agenda. Audience Participation is normally used to bring up NEW business and comes after Council, Orders, Resolutions & Ordinances which in the past the residents of Lisbon were allowed to voice their concerns on each item. By moving the Audience Participation to the top of the agenda, no resident of Lisbon will be able to take part in a discussion for the rest of the meeting.

I believe Abraham Lincoln described democratic government as “government of the people, by the people and for the people”. The residents of Lisbon are the people and should have every right to enter into discussions on items on the agenda affecting them. We have elected these councilors to represent the people but it is our right to voice our opinions prior to the council voting on any issues. How are our representatives going to know how we feel if we are not allowed to speak out on agenda items?

According to Mrs. Pomelow and Mr. LaRochelle, these actions are necessary in order to shorten the meetings and to allow the council to process items more quickly. This is a far cry from the truth. The real reason is because Councilor Bowie and Town Manager Eldridge do not want the residents of Lisbon to know what they are doing. You can see this at every council meeting because the Town Manager only provides the information he wants each councilor to know in order to reach the decision he wants them to arrive at. If the Town Manager presented ALL the facts to the councilors, there would be no need for lengthy discussions by both the councilors and the residents. This is the real reason meetings are so long and very little gets accomplished. We waste so much time trying to get all the facts on the table when the Town Manager should have all ready provided this information. Once the Town Manager gets into the habit of presenting all the facts to both the council and the public; there will less need for any discussion because the FACTS speak for themselves. Again, Mr. Eldridge’s lack of professionalism has created this problem.

Now is the time for all residents to put a stop to this clear violation of our rights. I would say it is time for you to call your councilors and let them know how you feel but that is not going to help. You only need to call only two councilors, Mr. Michael Bowie, 353-2607 (who controls the council) and Mr. Mark Lunt, 353-9903 (Council Chairman). If you review the voting on items, you will see Mr. Roger Cote and Mr. Mark Lunt always vote with the best interest of the town at heart. The rest of the councilors always vote with Mr. Bowie. In fact, Mr. Bowie conducts a meeting before the meeting to ensure the puppets know what he expects from them.

Now is the time for all residents to show up at the next Town Council meeting (7 June 2011 7:00PM) and voice your opinions in order to keep our right to be heard. Do not let Mr. Bowie and his puppets silence the residents of Lisbon.

Larry A. Fillmore

Concerned Citizen

Lisbon Councilors Change rules to fit their gameplan, once again, somethings never change !

                                  SILENCING THE PUBLIC

Some of our, your, town council members want to change council meeting rules.

 They feel they are "blindsided" by some questions asked by the public; they might not know the answer

to some of the questions asked. They also feel that some meetings last too long with too much discussion.

Do you remember town meetings?

At town meetings, the moderator would read the article, including a dollar amount.

A spokesperson for the selectmen could make an amendment if they wished.

Next a spokesperson from the Advisory Board would amend that amendment, if so wished.

Then a discussion on that particular article would ensue.

Discussions were often long and heated.

BUT, The public had an opportunity to be heard!

Now, the Town Council, it seems, would like to silence the public.

The Town Council is considering making serious changes to the Town Council meeting rules

that would place Audience Participation near the beginning of the meeting, and no public input

or discussion after reading each Order of Business.

This is, in effect, silencing the public.

We, the taxpayer can always call the councilors, they say. Yes, we can.

How many actually do?

Many do not attend council meetings for many reasons. Many elderly do not drive after dark.

The reasons are many. Many, if they would attend do not want to speak in public, in front of a

crowd.

All meetings are televised and aired the Thursdays after the Tuesday meetings.

Meetings are held the first and third Tuesdays of the month.

In my opinion, and I always have an opinion, it would seem, this is wrong.

We, the public, the taxpayers, elect the town council to represent us.

We may not always agree with their opinions and/or decisions, BUT, in the end, it is us,

the public, the taxpayers, that PAY THE BILLS ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

I, personally feel that it is wrong to silence us ! ! !

What say you, the public?

Please, send a letter to lisbonreporter@hotmail.com with your opinion.

Better yet,

               CALL YOUR TOWN COUNCILORS ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

Dot Fitzgerald

A Very Concerned Lisbon citizen !

Lisbon TIF Troubles Explained, but really you taxpayers suffer and here's why

Crony Capitalism and Social Engineering: The Case against Tax-Increment Financing

by Randal O'Toole

Randal O'Toole is a senior fellow with the Cato Institute and author of The Best-Laid Plans: How Government Planning Harms Your Quality of Life, Your Pocketbook, and Your Future.

---

Tax-increment financing (TIF) is an increasingly popular way for cities to promote economic development. TIF works by allowing cities to use the property, sales, and other taxes collected from new developments — taxes that would otherwise go to schools, libraries, fire departments, and other urban services — to subsidize those same developments.

While cities often claim that TIF is "free money" because it represents the taxes collected from developments that might not have taken place without the subsidy, there is plenty of evidence that this is not true. First, several studies have found that the developments subsidized by TIF would have happened anyway in the same urban area, though not necessarily the same location. Second, new developments impose costs on schools, fire departments, and other urban services, so other taxpayers must either pay more to cover those costs or accept a lower level of services as services are spread to developments that are not paying for them.
Moreover, rather than promoting economic development, many if not most TIF subsidies are used for entirely different purposes. First, many states give cities enormous discretion for how they use TIF funds, turning TIF into a way for cities to capture taxes that would otherwise go to rival tax entities such as school or library districts. Second, no matter how well-intentioned, city officials will always be tempted to use TIF as a vehicle for crony capitalism, providing subsidies to developers who in turn provide campaign funds to politicians.
Finally, many cities use TIF to persuade developers to build "new-urban" (high-density, mixed-use) developments that are supposedly greener than traditional designs but are less marketable than low-density suburbs. Albuquerque, Denver, Portland, and other cities have each spent hundreds of millions of dollars supporting such developments when developers would have been happy to build low-density developments without any subsidies.
TIF takes money from schools, fire departments, libraries, and other urban services funded by property taxes. By eliminating TIF, state legislatures can help close current budget gaps and prevent cities from taking even more money from these urban services in the future.

...continue

We the People , , , , , shall never forget . . . . .

Memorial honors 11 Maine servicemen killed in action

By Kevin Miller, BDN Staff

AUGUSTA, Maine — Eleven dog tags bearing the names of servicemen with ties to Maine who died in Iraq or Afghanistan were added to a State House memorial Wednesday afternoon during a solemn, emotional military ceremony.
Addressing family members of the slain men, Maj. Gen. John Libby said combat soldiers share a unique bond in which they eagerly will give their lives to protect others within their “band of brothers.”

The draping ceremony was repeated 11 times as new tags were added to the 39 others already on the memorial honoring Maine service members who have died since September 2001.
The 11 military personnel honored Wednesday were:
• Capt. Christopher S. Cash of Old Orchard Beach, killed in Iraq on June 24, 2004.
• Lance Cpl. Joshua M. Bernard of New Portland, killed in Afghanistan on Aug. 14, 2009.
• Pfc. Jordan M. Brochu of Oakland, killed in Afghanistan on Aug. 31, 2009.
• Sgt. Joshua J. Kirk of South Portland, killed in Afghanistan on Oct. 3, 2009.
• Spc. Wade A. Slack of Waterville, killed in Afghanistan on May 6, 2010.
• Staff Sgt. Brandon M. Silk of Orono, killed in Afghanistan on June 21, 2010.
• Staff Sgt. Eric B. Shaw of Exeter, killed in Afghanistan on June 27, 2010.
• Pfc. Clinton E. Springer of Sanford, killed in Afghanistan on Sept. 24, 2010.
• First Lt. James R. Zimmerman of Smyrna Mills, killed in Afghanistan on Nov. 2, 2010.
• Cpl. Andrew L. Hutchins of New Portland, killed in Afghanistan on Nov. 8, 2010.
• Pvt. Buddy W. McLain of Mexico, killed in Afghanistan on Nov. 29, 2010.

http://new.bangordailynews.com/2011/05/25/politics/memorial-honors-11-mainers-killed-in-action/

BUDGET, REVISITED‏

When reading my today's, Wednesday, May 25, 2011, issue of the Brunswick Times Record, a headline at the bottom of the page caught my eye. It reads:

BUDGET TINKERING RESTORES , etc., etc It brought to my mind the Town of Lisbon budget.

The budget presented to the Town Council and Budget, Advisory Committee last night, most recent one dated 5/23/2011, bears little resemblance to the original budget dated 3/10/2011.



Go to lisbonme.org and click on the 2011/2012 budget.
If you attended the May 3rd public budget hearing and have a copy of the 4/29/2011budget draft, compare the figures and you will get an idea of how the budget changes from draft, to draft, from workshop to workshop.

Now, I know, preparing a town budget is no easy task.

It is not easy to please ALL town employees, taxpayers and the public. But, it would seem that by now, Town Manager and department heads should have a clear understanding of their wants and needs.

Each and every budget since has been "tinkered" with. Something added here, a line item transferred from one budget to another. Transferring electric, gas, from one department to another.

For instance, in the Assessing Department, the latest budget presented has, on line 5215, CONTRACTED SERVICES Manager (recommendation) $40,000 Elected $120,000. William Van Tuinen Assessing Services & Revaluation Services over a 4 YR period.

The $40,000 is to pay William Van Tuinen to work in the Assessing Department for the fiscal year 2011/2012. The remainder, $80,000, not broken out, is for a revaluation, at $80,000 a year for 4 years.

Now, Mr. Van Tuinen has been employed at the Town of Lisbon since March. Has been going over and updating the assessing records. It would seem that the job, revaluation, should be able to be completed in no more that 3 years, what with all the updating. Wouldn't you think?

A revaluation has been discussed since February, but I assumed the job would go out to bid. That is the fair and honest way to run a town. Put a job out to bid, and hire the firm best qualified for the fairest price. As for our revaluation, it would seem that it is a done deal.

Town Manager says "no".    We'll see ! ! ! ! ! ! !



By-the-way, I WILL be buying my Moxie t-shirts from Kennebec's, THE MOXIE STORE ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !



Dot Fitzgerald
A Very Concerned Lisbon Citizen

Lisbon HS Class of 2012 Offering Car Raffle‏

 Photo By Karen Whitney

 Ryan Fairbanks and Lindsey Whitney, members of the LHS Class of 2012, pictured with the car donated by Crafts.  

Lisbon - The Lisbon High School Class of 2012 is holding a car raffle fundraiser for a Honda Accord, automatic, four cylinder with air conditioning.  Students are selling tickets for $5.00 each,  or 3 for $10.00. LHS students and parents will be displaying the car and selling tickets at various locations in Lisbon and surrounding towns. Tickets are on sale now through Saturday, July 9th.   The winner will be drawn on Moxie Day, Saturday July 9th. The car was donated, free of charge, by Crafts Auto Sales, 711 Lisbon Falls Road, Lisbon Falls.  Proceeds from the raffle benefit Project Graduation for the Class of 2012. Tickets are available at the main office at Lisbon High School, 2 Sugg Drive in Lisbon Falls, or from any member of the Class of 2012.  FMI contact class advisor, Karen Whitney at 353-5321.

Latest Lisbon Budget just doesn't make any sense, once again.

SMOKING MIRRORS

The Town Manager and the Town Council are intentionally keeping information from the taxpayers of Lisbon. If the Town Manager and Town Council are on the up and up, why are they concealing information from the residents? Every taxpayer in Lisbon needs to know where his tax dollars are being spent.

The Town of Lisbon has a web site which could provide the latest on critical information like the proposed budget but instead they post information from last year such as 2011-2012 Budget is dated September 20^th 2010; or 2012 Budget presentation dated 15 March 2011 or the Custom Budget Report dated 29 April 2011. You can see how useful this information would be since the town just put out the latest version of the proposed budget dated 23 May 2011 but failed to post it to the web site for the taxpayers to review. Tonight is a special Town Council budget workshop so you can see why the Town Manager and Town Council do not want you to see the proposed budget. A taxpayer might want to question some of the figures like:

Dept/               2011                     2011                          2012

Div                Budget                Year to date                Proposed

01-135

5271              20,000                   15,158.35                     58,000

01-135

5405              21,000                   13,210.92                     25,000

01-140

5220              52,000                   36,676.76                     66,000

01-140

5245              20,000                   10,305.34                     32,500

I could write a ten page report and it would all read the same because almost every department is identical. Why would you budget so much more than you actually spent last year? I can see adding a small percentage for cost of living increases but never the mark up Mr. Eldridge is proposing. It is plain ignorant to pad the town budget by so much. This is exactly the reason the taxes in Lisbon are so high. Keep in mind the proposed budget is fifty (50) pages of the same mess.

Let me continue on more incidents in the proposed budget. The town of Lisbon paid $79,294.54 year-to-date in OVERTIME in the Police Department. Are you kidding me, the Lisbon Top Cop (Chief Brooks) can not establish a budget which eliminates almost $80,000 dollars of overtime. I think I could get one of our high school students to do a better job on the budget than Chief Brooks. You do realize the Police Department is our largest spender. The only reason the Public Works budget is higher is because the Finance Director moved Hydrant Rental ($290,000) and Street & Traffic Lights ($93,775) to the Public Works Department to conceal the Police Department budget.

Also, the Fire Chief and Recreational Director are receiving a 1.75% pay raise like everyone else in the town. The problem with this is the Fire Chief goes from $53,839 to $63,839 and Recreational Director goes from $36,144 to $46,144 which is actually a $10,000 dollar raise. According to my calculator, this is more than 1.75%. 1.75% would have been approximately $942.18 for the Fire Chief and $632.52 for the Recreational Director which is a far cry from $10,000 dollars. Again, the Town Manager is not being truthful with the taxpayers.

Let us look at another of the “Good Old Boys”, the Town Engineer is receiving a 1.75% raise like everyone else except he goes from $34,655 to $37,428. This increase is $2,773 which is much higher than 1.75%. Also in the proposed budget it says this is 50% of his salary but does not tell us where the other 50% is. Again, where are they hiding the money?

I could go on forever on the mismanagement in this proposed budget but it will do no good because the Town Council does not care about the taxpayers. They are there ONLY to support the Town Manager and ignore the best interest of this town. It is abundantly clear Mr. Stephen Eldridge has no clue what he is doing or does he? I can tell you this he is a master at manipulating the truth and hiding money. I also can tell you he DOES NOT have the best interest of this town at heart.

Larry A. Fillmore

Concerned Citizen

Hope and Change Lisbon can only wish for?

Poland town manager resigns

By Daniel Hartill, Staff Writer 

POLAND — Town Manager Dana Lee sat behind his desk Monday looking tired.
"I think you have to become almost soulless, maybe, to do this job in this environment," said Lee, a veteran administrator who led Mechanic Falls for 16 years before taking the Poland job in 2007. "I don't want to be that type of a town manager that's got that dead look in his eyes when you come to see him and doesn't care and isn't really going to follow up and try to help you."
So he's quitting.
On Friday, Lee sent a short resignation letter to members of the Poland Board of Selectmen.
He's grown tired of dealing with an angry minority from the public who believe that their local government is hiding secrets, squandering tax money or bending rules for some residents, he said. The complaints from people — including Poland resident Michelle Arsenault — have inflicted too much stress, he said.

http://www.sunjournal.com/city/story/1034349

Lisbon Students Learn Financial Fitness‏

  

Lisbon students Kristianna Benoit (left) and Annalise Ciccareli work together planning their personal budgets as part of a real-life scenario for income and expenses as a 22 year during the Financial Fitness Fair.  Students were invited to attend the fair by Lisbon’s Community Partners in Education, Ryan O’Connor, Marketing and Training Officer at Lisbon Community Federal Credit Union.    Photo by Monica Millhime.

Lisbon – Students from Lisbon recently had a opportunity to participate in  a unique out of the classroom learning experience on sound financial planning and investment strategies.  Freshman through senior members of the Lisbon High School young adult volunteer group and their peers at the Gartley Street Program (GSP), along with students from other area high schools, attended a session on money management at the Financial Fitness Fair in Lewiston.  The intense two and half hour event sponsored by Maine’s Credit Unions  invited students to engage in real-life scenarios into the future at age 22.   Students were provided with current market values of expenses and income levels at the specific  jobs of interest according to their personal participant profile.  Members of the area Credit Unions provided portfolios equipped with calculators, fact sheets, charts and spreadsheets for students to prepare their own monthly/annual budgets based on their lifestyle choices.  Credit Union coaches  guided students through the budgeting process and planning of the major expenses associated with the basics in life  including housing, food, transportation, education, clothing, investments, insurance, entertainment, home furnishings, cell phones and credit applications.  “Students were actively engaged with the various aspects of the program all morning, working together as teams to make sure they could meet their monthly expenses,” shared GSP instructor Brian Breton.  Students attending the program were Kristianna Benoit, Paula Caron, Jenna Clifford, Annalise Ciccareli, Meghan Craig, Sarah Craig, Sierra Crosby, Samantha Foote, Sarah Giraldo, Mercedes Hursh, Brandon Laurelez, Branden Murray, Kody Priddle, Kyle Priddle, Brandon Proctor, Abigail Roy, Jared Scipione, Taylor Stevens, Joshua Thompson, David Torres, Molly Watson and Emma Wilson.  Students were accompanied by Breton, guidance counselor, Jean Dolan and Community Resource Coordinator, Monica Millhime. 

Lisbon High School Principal, Ken Healey, accepts a $3500 Drive for Education Grant check from Berlin City Auto Group.  The grant is earmarked for updating the existing sound system in the LHS gymnasium.  Pictured (l-r) Healey; Paul Giggey, LHS technology integrator; Stacy Dalphonse, BCAG Brand Ambassador; D J Judd and Shane Chubbuck, LHS Tech Hounds; Bruce Wood and Mike McPherson, BCAG.  Photo by Monica Millhime.

Lisbon – The numerous events and ceremonies at Lisbon High School will soon feature a new and improved sound system thanks to a grant from the Berlin City Auto Group.  On Tuesday, May 3, a check for $3,500 was presented to school principal, Ken Healey.    “All of the Lisbon School Department’s grant applications are a collaborative effort.  Our community resource/grant writer, Monica Millhime, works diligently to identify grant opportunities with building administrators and teachers in the specific content areas,” shares Healey.   “The application for the Drive for Education grant was submitted in March and we were delighted to hear Lisbon High School was selected as one of the twelve schools in New England receiving the award. Fine arts teacher, Jennifer Fox, and technology integrator,  Paul Giggey were part of the team for the grant.  Giggey’s  student club, The Tech Hounds, assisted with preparing a DVD for the application process.  Our consultant, Henry Eichman, of Midcoast Theater Productions worked with us to recommend the most cost-effective equipment for the project.  We’ve done our homework and the Drive for Education grant monies will be the driving force in providing an environment for learning while greatly enhancing  a plethora of performances at LHS.”

The Drive for Education foundation was created by the employees of the Berlin City Auto Group, donating $40,276 to twelve K-12 schools spanning New England.  “We’re excited to hand out the first batch of awards in New England,” said, Vice President, Yegor Malinoviskii.  “Schools are in need of support more than ever and we’re thrilled to be able to give back to the communities we serve.  This is just the beginning of our support too, we’ve pledged to donate $100,000 to New England schools by the end of the year.”

FMI information on programs in the Lisbon School Department call 754-0021 or email mmillhime@lisbonschoolsme.org

Lisbon Honors Community Partners & Volunteers‏

  Photo by Steven Sharp.

Lisbon School Department Superintendent, Administrators, Teachers and Staff honored its Volunteers and Community Partners for contributing 19,249 volunteer hours throughout the 2010 – 2011 school year.  Outstanding volunteer of the year Pamela Shane contributed 1997.5 hours of volunteer assistance.  Shane is a member of the Lisbon Adult Volunteer program and is the newly elected Vice President of the Parent Teacher Organization  at Lisbon Community School.   “Lisbon is a proud Community of hard working people who truly enjoy giving back to their community and schools,” shares Community Resource and Volunteer Coordinator, Monica Millhime.  Over the last seven years, the galvanized force of over 900 Lisbon Volunteers donated 90,773 volunteer hours.   Pictured (l-r) Millhime; LCS Assistant Principal, Ryan Patrie; Lisbon’s top volunteer, Pam Shane;  Pam’s mother and fourth grade teacher at LCS, Maxine Shane, and LCS Principal, Carlene Iverson. 

Lisbon – On Thursday, May 5, the Lisbon School Department honored their Community Partners and Volunteers for the assistance of 19,249 hours during the 2010-2011 school year.   The event was held at Lisbon High Schools’ partner in education, The Green Ladle in Lewiston marking the seventh annual night of celebration.  Community Resource Coordinator, Monica Millhime, welcomed close to 100 adult volunteers, staff and community members and introduced Superintendent of Schools, Richard Green.  Green, assisted by Lisbon Community School Principal, Carlene Iverson; Assistant Principal, Ryan Patrie; Philip W. Sugg Principal, Kate Race; Assistant Principal/CCD, Tom Landberg; and Lisbon High School Principal, Ken Healey hosted the event.  The program of events acknowledged and thanked the efforts of community volunteers, staff members, community partners and stakeholders in education.  The excitement built throughout the evening with a number of door prizes and the anticipation of who would be receiving the top National Presidential Awards. 

“Lisbon School Department is proud to be aligned with the prestigious National Presidential Volunteer Service Award Program,” commented Millhime.  The program recognizes adult volunteers achieving over 100 hours of service.  Recipients receive a letter from the President of the United States, an award certificate and a National Volunteer Service pin.  Volunteers and community partners contributing up to 100 hours and partnership opportunities in Lisbon received a Lisbon School Department Certificate of Appreciation.  “Lisbon volunteers pride themselves on viewing their volunteer services a central part of their lives.  Each and every time a volunteer assists with a project, whether it is in the classroom, tutoring, assisting as a reading buddy, chaperoning on a field trip, working from home on a special project, baking, or assisting in the office, our volunteers are making a difference with students, shares Millhime.    “We have generations within families who all volunteer.  Our program continues to grow in surrounding communities with a number of people joining our volunteer program.  Over the last seven years, the galvanized force of over 900 Lisbon Volunteers donated 90,773 volunteer hours,”  shares Millhime.

“The outstanding volunteer of the year was Pamela Shane, contributing 1,997.5 hours of service. In addition to working full time and being a very busy mom, Pam continued her gift of giving her time to the staff and students at Lisbon Community School.  Pam, like so many other of our volunteers, loves being involved in our schools.  Our volunteers donate their time not for the awards, but to make a difference in our community and set an example for others,” commented Millhime.  The National Presidential Volunteer Service Gold Award for over 500 hours was also presented to Kathi Yergin, 1,726; Trisha Thebeau, 910; Roxie Dobson, 799; Lisa Caron, 631.  Silver award winners for contributing 250 to 499 hours:  Donna Rimiller, 462; Tara Grondin, 353.5; Jonathan Carsley, 350; Marilyn Curtis, 300;  Melvin Curtis, 300; Kim Simpson, 284; Amy Austin, 278.5; Bobbi Hill, 260; Robin Roy, 254.5; Carol Leclair, 230; Christina Maney; 215; Carol Day, 210.5; Adam Thebeau, 210; Denise Morin 185.5; Cheryl Gardner, 183; Roland Grondin, 177.5; Annette Clark, 156.5; Tim Verrill, 151; Dottie Carsley, 150; Karen Whitney, 150; Angela Shambarger, 134; Jennifer Libby, 131.5; Kaitlyn Boulet, 131; Traci Austin, 127; Jim Millhime, 121; George Caron, 120; Annette Wilson, 114.5; Ashley Harmon, 111.5; Connie Fowler, 108; Cathy Williams, 107.5; Michelle Huston, 102. 

Certificates of appreciation were awarded to media partners Great Falls TV, Sun Journal, Times Record, Twin City Times, Turner Publishing,  WCSH, WGME, and WMTW.  Community partnership certificates of appreciation were awarded to Flagship Cinema, Town of Lisbon, Lisbon Library, Lisbon Federal Credit Union, LCS PTO, PWS PAG, LHS PAG, Lisbon Music Boosters, Lisbon Athletic Boosters, Sam’s, Subway, Wal-Mart, The Green Ladle, Hannaford’s, Solo Bistro, Topsham Grange, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Lisbon Police Department and Lisbon Fire Department.   A special thanks to Chummy’s Mid Town Diner, Community Credit Union, DiMillo’s Restaurant, Downeast Energy, Greater Portland Landmarks, Gridiron Restaurant, Grill 233, Hannaford’s of Topsham, JP Thornton’s, Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority, Papa Gino’s, Portland Dine Around, Raffel Brothers, Studio C and T. G. I. Fridays for their support of gifts and certificates for the banquet. 

“Lisbon School Department is extremely fortunate to have such a wonderful group of people willing to assist our students and teachers.  The amount of time they contribute truly makes an impact in our community,” shares Superintendent Green. 

FMI on the Lisbon volunteer and partnership program call 754-0021 or email mmillhime@lisbonschoolsme.org.

Fern, most likely found near Babbling Brooks!

The benefits of eating fiddleheads

By Georgia Clark-Albert, Special to the BDN

I’ve seen the first roadside sign of the season: Clean Fiddleheads, $2.75/pound. I have to commend the fiddleheaders who go out early each spring to forage for these little ostrich fern delicacies and then go home and clean off the brown, papery skin covering each one. It is a labor-intensive activity.
Fiddleheads actually are the curled young fronds of a fern. In the early spring, new growth of a fern emerges as curled leaves. Fiddleheads grow in New England and along the east coast of Canada as well as in Quebec and Ontario. In Maine, fresh fiddleheads are usually available from late April to mid-May.
There are many varieties of ferns around us, but the ostrich and cinnamon fern are the only two that are edible and safe to eat. Other varieties of ferns look similar but may be poisonous.
When gathering fiddleheads, you only want the first one to two inches of the stem that is attached to the coil. Anything else should be broken off and thrown away. Never harvest all of the fiddleheads from a patch or it could destroy the whole fern. It is best to take just two or three coils from each patch.
Fiddleheads should be cooked thoroughly before eating. Raw fiddleheads can carry food-borne illness and may cause stomach upset if you eat too many of them.

http://new.bangordailynews.com/2011/05/23/health/the-benefits-of-eating-fiddleheads/