Tyranny Lisbon Style: A Fine Performance

Editor's note:  Before reading the following article we thought it best to explain that Police Chief David T. Brooks is the TYRANT in Lisbon that we are explicitly referring to.  In all reality he is nothing.  Stand up to him. He has used his power of authority to rule Lisbon for HIS own benefit.  Using his "so called" power as Police Chief in a little community that really doesn't even need a police department as big as it is.  All in the name of making his own legacy.  Well whoop dee doo.  The town's financial situation is critical.  The state mandated monetary reserve is lower then suggested because of poor Town Management, mostly to keep the over funded Police Department going.  

tyr·an·ny

 [tir-uh-nee]  Show IPA

noun, plural -nies.

1.

arbitrary or unrestrained exercise of power; despotic abuse of authority.

2.

the government or rule of a tyrant or absolute ruler.

3.

a state ruled by a tyrant or absolute ruler.

4.

oppressive or unjustly severe government on the part of any ruler.

5.

undue severity or harshness.

  A Fine Performance

On Monday night Lisbon’s Ethics Panel gave a fine performance dancing around the most pertinent issues surrounding Councilor Bowie’s Conflict of Interest. 

    The following critically important facts were never addressed:

•      A large portion of the Bowie family income is derived from the Police Department payroll. To say that it is possible to be unbiased under these circumstances is expecting too much from human nature.

•     If  the Police budget and/or personnel ever need to be slashed can we really expect Mr. Bowie to have an open mind on the cuts.  Could YOU indirectly fire your own wife or spouse.

•     As long as the Councilor’s wife is a Police employee there is potential leverage to obtain a favorable vote from at least one Councilor.

This  relationship is in clear violation of our Town’s Charter  Chapter 12 “Ethics and Conflicts” section  12-5. - Additional standards.

(A)----Standard of conduct. A public official, other than the town manager or the superintendent of schools, who is a municipal or school department employee shall not hold a supervisory position, or be senior in the chain-of-command, to an individual with whom he or she has a personal relationship or a financial involvement (other than the municipal or school system employment relationship), unless:

Councilor Bowie is obviously a senior in  Mrs. Bowie’s  “chain of command” and is covered by the above charter excerpt. And due to the lack of a higher municipal governing body they are also unable to fulfill any exempting requirement that would rectify this conflict.

I feel that instead of confronting this conflict the Ethics Panel decided to skirt the real issue and use the ethics guidelines to hide from an uncomfortable ethics decision. By doing this “end run” they have placed their own integrity in question.

We all know what needs to be done here. Lets put integrity back in Lisbon Town Government.

Respectfully
Joe Hill
lisbonmaine.net

Ethics Panel Hearing, Just The Facts

ETHICS PANEL HEARING

I left the hearing last night in shock.  When I arrived home I went over my letter to the panel, all the documentation to see how I failed the people of Lisbon.  I also went over the meeting in my head and came to the conclusion; I did not fail the people.

During the summation of the evidence gathered, Chief Brooks stated Mrs. Bowie never received any additional compensation for filling in as a dispatcher, or words to that effect.  However, I have an email stating Mrs. Bowie received overtime pay for filling in as a dispatcher.  This can be easily verified.  Since overtime pay is an additional compensation, if true, means Chief Brooks’ statement would be false. 

Also, Mr. Cunningham asked Councilor Bowie how he could be sure members of his audience were aware of Mrs. Bowie involvement in the Lisbon Communication Center, or words to that effect.  Councilor Bowie responded by saying because she worked for the County in the Communication Center, or words to that effect.  Mrs. Bowie’s job description is Administrative Assistant and not Communications Specialist.  These two positions require completely different skill sets which are far reaching making it impossible to connect the dots.  Asking anyone to know what each member of the audience does or does not know about any situation requires speculation and not facts.  It is the intent of the charter to eliminate any speculation.  Requiring Public Officials to divulge a possible/perception of a conflict of interest and/or financial interest prior to speaking on any subject matters ensures each member of the audience has the same level of knowledge and enables them to render a fair evaluation of the Public Official’s input. 

The Ethics Panel’s advisory recommendation is based solely on speculation and not on documented facts.   There were no additional facts presented during the summation of evidence.  I was compelled to provide documented proof and Chief Brooks and Councilor Bowie were allowed to speculate.  This was not a level playing field.

I thought the Ethics Panel would render a fair decision.  I am extremely disappointed in the Ethics Panel.

Larry Fillmore
Concerned Citizen

The Facts For The Ethics Panel Hearing Regarding Councilor Michael Bowie

Laid out for ALL to see and draw their own conclusions from. 

Lisbon Ethics Panel
300 Lisbon Street
Lisbon, ME  04250

Dear Ethics Panel

I wish to bring to your attention Councilor Michael Bowie’s participation in the Androscoggin County Consolidation Communication Center project.  I believe Councilor Bowie’s action is a conflict of interest and malfeasance of office.

BACKGROUND:  In January 7, 2009, the Ethics Panel prepared and submitted to the Town Council an advisory recommendation. (See Enclosure 1)  In the Ethics Panel comments it states “The fact that a Councilor’s spouse is an employee of the town does present a conflict of interest regarding the spouse’s salary.  Councilor Bowie has abstained in the past, when the salary line was voted on.  The Panel’s recommendation supports this action as appropriate.”

On December 7, 2010, Council Bowie was the deciding vote on whether or not to hold a Public Hearing on Council Bowie’s recall.  I understand the error was discovered too late because the Public Hearing had been held but there is no way Councilor Bowie should have been allowed to vote on this motion.  (See Enclosure 2)

PRESENT:  On September 27, 2011, Councilor Bowie spoke to the entire Town Council on the issue of the Androscoggin County Consolidation Communication Center. (See Enclosure 3) 

On October 26, 2011, Councilor Bowie spoke at Chief Brooks’ presentation on the Androscoggin County Consolidation Communication Center before the Androscoggin County Commissioners.

On November 1, 2011, Councilor Bowie spoke to the Town Council pertaining to the Androscoggin County Consolidated Communication Center.  I called for a “Point of Order” and explained to the council Councilor Bowie’s wife involvement in the Lisbon Communication Center.   I provided a copy of Mrs. Bowie’s job description outlining her duties with the Communication Center to the Town Council.  (See Enclosure 4)  The Town Council totally ignored my point of order and allowed Councilor Bowie to speak on the Consolidation of Communication Center.  The video should be posted to the town web site.  I have no idea when the minutes of the meeting will be approved.

DISCUSSION:  These recent incidents of Councilor Bowie’s participation in the discussion of Androscoggin County Consolidation Communication Centers are a clear violation of Chapter 12 Section 12-2 Definitions.  The definition of Conflict of Interest:  “The term “Conflict of Interest” means a situation where a public official cannot participate in a matter because of a personal relationship, financial involvement, or other situation that would cause a reasonable person to believe that the public official cannot act in his or her official capacity without self-interest or bias.”  Councilor Bowie’s wife job description at Enclosure 4 outlines her involvement in the Dispatch and Communication Center of Lisbon.  Mrs. Bowie’s salary is directly determined by duties she performs in the Lisbon Police Department and since a large portion of her job description involves the Communication Center; a consolidation would increase her salary by taken on more responsibility or would decrease if the Lisbon Communication Center is consolidated with either the Androscoggin Sheriff’s Office or Lewiston/Auburn 911Center.  Councilor Bowie’s financial interest in this project constitutes a conflict of interest.

The definition of Participation in a matter states “The term “participation in a matter” means action by a public official to vote, decide, deliberate, influence or direct others regarding matters currently before, or anticipated as coming before, a municipal board, committee or commission or which involve the operation of municipal government or the school system.  As stated above, Council Bowie’s participation in any discussion pertaining to the Androscoggin County consolidation of Communication Centers is a direct violation of this section because Councilor Bowie’s wife’s involvement in the Lisbon dispatch and communication center.  Her duties determine her salary and therefore constitute a conflict of interest.

In accordance with Section 9-03 Conflict of Interest Councilor Bowie is guilty of malfeasance of office because prior to speaking out on September 27, 2011, October 26, 2011 and November 1, 2011, Councilor Bowie did not reveal his financial interest.  Paragraph 9.03 states “Any such person who willfully conceals said financial interest or that of his or her spouse, or willfully violates the requirements of this section shall be guilty of malfeasance in office or position and shall forfeit the same.”  Since Councilor Bowie made no attempt to explain his wife’s involvement in the Dispatch and Communication Center prior to speaking constitutes malfeasance of office.  I am sure everyone in the audience was aware Mrs. Bowie works for the Lisbon Police Department but I am sure no one understood Mrs. Bowie’s involvement in the Dispatch and Communication Center.  By not divulging this information to the audience first, Councilor Bowie committed malfeasance of office.   Once the Androscoggin County Commissioners make a final decision, Lisbon will have to enter into contractual agreements.

SUMMARY:  This is not the first time the Ethics Panel has had to make an advisory recommendation on conflict of interest pertaining to Councilor Bowie.  It would appear Councilor Bowie does not understand what constitutes a conflict of interest and malfeasance of office.  Respectfully, request the Ethics Panel render yet another Advisory Recommendation to the Lisbon Town Council pertaining to Council Bowie’s latest conflict of interest and malfeasance of office.

Respectfully, request a copy of the Ethics Panel’s Advisory Recommendation.

                        Thank you,




                        Larry A. Fillmore

Town of Lisbon Job Description-- Administrative Assistant (Denise Bowie) to the Chief of Police (David T. Brooks)

Shockingly the Ethics Panel found NO CONFLICT of INTEREST with Councilor Michael Bowie. All we can do now is present the FACTS to you for your own conclusions. Three panel members were present at last night's gathering, Chair David Bowie, Ross Cunningham, Michelle Swatsworth Turmelle. BUT the kicker is the chair interviewed and took statements alone previous to the meeting from Councilor Michael Bowie & Police Chief David T. Brooks. Not one other panel member was present for this questioning. Now does that seem a bit odd or what? 

Be sure to click on each of the following four pages of information to get the full facts.  Thanks for reading. 

Lisbon Has A Reign Of Tyranny, But What About America: Future of Freedom or Future of Tyranny?

America: Future of Freedom or Future of Tyranny?

| By Bob Russell

This is an open letter to those in America who still support, and will vote for, Barack Obama and the Democrats in 2012. It is also for those who will blindly support Republicans because they aren’t Democrats. Please take time to read through this and really think about what I say. Don’t read this through the eyes of politics or party line rhetoric, read this as an American citizen.
I remember a Republican president and a Republican controlled Congress giving us the Patriot Act for our “protection”. They also gave us the Department of Homeland Security. The Department of Homeland Security has given us the TSA. Have you been on an airplane lately? To fly these days you have to be either photographed virtually nude or felt up by a guard who fondles people for a living. Now stay with me here, think about this. While they are busy strip searching an 89 year old, wheel chair bound, diaper wearing, woman in an airport, they are allowing millions of people to just walk across our southern border.
There is even less security on the Canadian border and Muslim terrorists have easy access to Canada. So the TSA keeps you safe on an airplane while they allow these same people, terrorists that now can’t get on an airplane, access to your homes, your churches, your shopping malls, your children’s schools. Think about this for a minute before you continue. Terrorists don’t need airplanes any longer. Our government is so focused on air travel that a terrorist can’t get on a plane with a box cutter, but they can walk across the Mexican border like they are out for a Sunday stroll in the park. And what do terrorists bring with them on these strolls? I bet it isn’t bundles of marijuana. Both parties speak of “fearing” a nuclear attack with a suitcase bomb but neither party is willing to close the main source of access for that attack they “fear”. How safe does this information leave you feeling?
Do you know what Homeland Security has “prevented” in the last few years? I know of two much bally-hoed “attacks” prevented by the federal government in recent years. Both were thwarted by alert FBI agents, who just happened to have recruited the bomber, supplied all of the information and access necessary to carry out the attack, AND supplied a dummy bomb to the would-be terrorist. This link is to a story about the Dallas incident. This has happened under both George W. Bush and Barack Obama, no partisanship here. The government arrests these poor morons and trot the “terrorist” out like they have “saved” us. And the “Times Square Bomber”, a legitimate attempt, was thwarted by alert citizens not government officials.

Please continue reading the rest of the story here.

Banking Malfeasance: It's a fraud problem, not a business cycle problem"‏

Lisbon,

You could watch the US news media for
a month straight, all channels, 24 hours
a day...

And never learn these basic facts about
our current financial predicament.

And never, ever see the facts woven together
in a comprehensive form.

Must watching. Must sharing.

Everything you ever wanted to know
about the meltdown but the
bullshit news media will never tell you

"It's a fraud problem, not a business cycle problem"

 

William Black put over 1,000 bankers in jail
during the S & L crisis

When someone takes the time to explain it to them, people get it.

This is not a class struggle.

It's a struggle between a deeply entrenched criminal class and the productive class, the vast majority of people who work hard at work, at home and in school.

The US is being gutted from the top down much in the same way the USSR was gutted at the end of its life by its elites.

We're not dead yet and thanks to people like William Black and tools like the Internet, we may have a chance yet.

Takeaway: "It is not a few bad apples. It is an orchard of 1%'ers who a rotten to the core."

If we don't stop this now, the US as we know it (opportunity for the honest and hard working) is done for.

I try not to be too judgmental (yeah, right), but anyone who doesn't get this basic fact is an idiot.

 What does this have to do with Lisbon?  Please stand by, you have had the very same thing occur right under your noses. And people, public officials have openly lied about it to YOU the taxpayers. And we shall prove it, shortly.

Members of Ethic's Panel Lisbon Me. From Lisbon Web Site

Members of Ethic's Panel Lisbon Me.

David Bowie

(Chairman)

Phone: 353-4735

Location:

Lisbon,  ME  04250

==============

Tom Whitney

(Alternate)

Phone: 353-5321

Location:

Lisbon Falls,  ME  04252

==============

Ross Cunningham

Phone: 353-7685
Cellphone: 751-2417

Location:  Lisbon Falls,  ME  04252 ==============

Michelle Swatsworth-Turmelle

Phone: 353-8902

Location:

Lisbon Falls,  ME  04252

==============

Mary Callahan

(Alternate)

Phone: 353-4223
Cellphone: 409-8331

Location:  Lisbon,  ME  04250

Lisbon Community School Student Council Supports Troops with Candy Drive‏

 

LISBON COMMUNITY SCHOOL STUDENT COUNCIL SUPPORT TROOPS THROUGH OPERATION GRATITUDE

Lisbon – Students and staff of Lisbon Community School, 33 Mill Street in Lisbon, recently collected 138 pounds of candy for our service men and women through the Operation Gratitude (www.operationgratitude.com) program.  “Members of our LCS Student Council wanted to let our troops know we were thinking of them and that we are also thankful for the contribution they are making serving our country,” shares Student Council Advisor, LCS Assistant Principal, Ryan Patrie.  “Thanks to assistance from Center Street Dental in Auburn, The Lisbon Chapter of Veteran’s for Foreign Wars and the LCS Parent Teacher Organization our troops received their candy delivery before the Thanksgiving Holiday.”  FMI on other events and programs in the Lisbon Schools visit www.lisbonschoolsme.org or contact Monica Millhime, 754.0021 or email mmillhime@lisbonschoolsme.org.  Like us on FaceBook at Community Resource News in Lisbon Schools. 

Lisbon Community School Students Artwork Featured on ME Website‏

 Sue Lahti from the Maine Geographic Alliance presents Katie Scroggins, daughter of Heather and Scott Scroggins of Lisbon Falls, with a National Geographic World Atlas and a certificate of merit.  Katie is a fourth grade student of Mrs. Candace Barrett and Mrs. Barbara Thompson with the Gifted and Talented Education Program at Lisbon Community School in Lisbon.  Photo by Barbara Thompson.

LISBON COMMUNITY SCHOOL STUDENT KATIE SCROGGINS’ ARTWORK FEATURED ON MAINE WEBSITE

Lisbon - Katie Scroggins, a fourth grade student at Lisbon Community School, 33 Mill Street in Lisbon, has been notified that her artwork will represent the State of Maine on the new website for the New England Geographic Education Network.  The NEGEN advocates and supports shared expertise in content knowledge and organizational resources in order to achieve a broader regional impact in geography education.  They recently hosted a poster contest where students were asked to address the theme of “Our New England Community.” Katie designed and completed her poster as a class assignment for the GATE program instructed by Thompson.  FMI on other events and programs in Lisbon Schools visit www.lisbonschoolsme.org or contact Community Resource Coordinator, Monica Millhime, 754.0021 or email mmillhime@lisbonschoolsme.org.  Like us on FaceBook at Community Resource News in Lisbon Schools.

Lisbon HS/Mt. Ararat Hockey Fundraiser

Lisbon – Christmas Tree Sales will be held on Saturday, December 3, Sunday, December 4, Saturday, December 10 and Sunday, December 11 from 9 a.m. to  7 p.m. at two locations – Dairy Maid in Lisbon Falls and Dairy Queen in Topsham.  Trees are $30 – Delivery available.  Sales support Lisbon / Mt. Ararat Hockey.  FMI Contact Officer Renee Bernard, 353.3030, ext. 2003 or email rbernard@lisbonschoolsme.org.

The Indefinite Detention of American Citizens Without Charges‏,,, Hello Anyone Awake Yet?

Lisbon,
 
Way back in 2009, President Obama gave a speech in which he called
for the power to detain individuals indefinitely and without
charges. He stated his intention to create a new 'legal regime' to
make indefinite detention legal. 
 
Of course, in his speech he cites Al Qaeda and foreign terrorists. 
However, now that the Senate is about to vote TODAY on a bill that
would give the President the powers he was asking for, the ACLU and
others are claiming that the bill CAN and WILL be used on American
citizens here at home.
 
This is kind of a red alert...

 

The Senate is gearing up for a vote on Monday or Tuesday that goes to the very heart of who we are as Americans. The Senate will be voting on a bill that will direct American military resources not at an enemy shooting at our military in a war zone, but at American citizens and other civilians far from any battlefield  even people in the United States itself.

Senators need to hear from you, on whether you think your front yard is part of a battlefield and if any president can send the military anywhere in the world to imprison civilians without charge or trial.

The Senate is going to vote on whether Congress will give this president and every future president  the power to order the military to pick up and imprison without charge or trial civilians anywhere in the world. Even Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas) raised his concerns about the NDAA detention provisions during last night's Republican debate. The power is so broad that even U.S. citizens could be swept up by the military and the military could be used far from any battlefield, even within the United States itself.

The worldwide indefinite detention without charge or trial provision is in S. 1867, the National Defense Authorization Act bill, which will be on the Senate floor on Monday. The bill was drafted in secret by Sens. Carl Levin (D-Mich.) and John McCain (R-Ariz.) and passed in a closed-door committee meeting, without even a single hearing.

I know it sounds incredible. New powers to use the military worldwide, even within the United States? Hasn't anyone told the Senate that Osama bin Laden is dead, that the president is pulling all of the combat troops out of Iraq and trying to figure out how to get combat troops out of Afghanistan too? And American citizens and people picked up on American or Canadian or British streets being sent to military prisons indefinitely without even being charged with a crime. Really? Does anyone think this is a good idea? And why now?
read more: http://www.aclu.org/blog/national-security/senators-demand-military-lock-american-citizens-battlefield-they-define-being

OH Christmas Tree ! ! !

Re: The Lisbon Reporter‏

I totally agree y leave that tree and gazbo dark...everyone always looks forward to this time of year how nice it looks y should only berry ave and addison st see the tree It seems this town is going to HELL and going fast when only certain people are running it the way THEY want it.!!!!!!!Thank God we have a few people like Dot Fitzgeral and Larry Filmore  to Speak for the rest of us???God Bless you both and Thank You for what you do...

Charlene Foss

On Monday Nov. 28th there will be an Ethics Panel Meeting

Ethics Panel Meeting

On Monday Nov. 28th there will be an Ethics Panel Meeting to consider the possible problems associated with Councilor Michael Bowie discussing and voting on any issue involving the Lisbon Police Department. As many of you probably already know, Councilor Bowie's wife is employed by the Lisbon Police Department.

I believe it would be very difficult for anyone to make an unbiased decision on Police Matters when a large portion of their family income comes from the Police Department payroll. To say that it is possible to be unbiased in such a situation is expecting too much from human nature.

If in the future it ever becomes necessary to cut the police budget or personnel, can we really expect Mr. Bowie to be unbiased on the matter. I don't think anyone should  be required to indirectly fire their spouse.

As long as the Councilor's wife is a police employee there is potential leverage, in the departments favor, on a Council Vote.

At the very least there is an appearance of Conflict of Interest.

It will be interesting to see how the Ethics Panel handles this problem.

Joe Hill
LisbonMaine.net

Town Christmas Tree‏

 

  IS THERE A GRINCH HERE STEALING CHRISTMAS? ? ?

                    NO TOWN CHRISTMAS TREE! ? ! ? ! ? !

NOW, A LIGHTED CHRISTMAS TREE IN BACK OF THE MTM CENTER

FOR THE RESIDENTS OF BERRY AVENUE AND ADDISON STREET

                                 TO ENJOY?

          WHAT ABOUT THE REST OF THE COMMUNITY?

                I APPLAUD ROSS CUNNINGHAM.

       HE CAME FORWARD WHEN NO-ONE ELSE DID.

HE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CONCERTS IN THE PARK

THAT SO MANY ENJOY ON SUNDAY SUMMER EVENINGS.

    HIS OCTOBER FESTIVAL IS A POPULAR EVENT.

THE MERRY MAIN STREET IS LOOKED FORWARD TO.

                   IT IS A THANKLESS JOB.

I KNOW. I HAVE WORKED ON MANY AN EVENT IN THE

     PAST, AS A MEMBER OF THE LISBON ROTARY

               AND MERCHANTS ASSOCIATION.

               BUT  

    LEAVE THE TOWN CHRISTMAS TREE, THE LIGHTING

AND ALL THAT GOES WITH IT RIGHT WHERE IT BELONGS!!

WHERE ALL WHO TRAVEL ROUTE 196 CAN SEE AND ENJOY.

                   AFTER THE TREE LIGHTING

       LET SANTA LEAD A CHRISTMAS PARADE! ! ! !

       DOWN ROUTE 196 TO THE MTM CENTER ! ! ! ! !

          

                 WITH CHRISTMAS CAROLS,

           PICTURES AND VISITS WITH SANTA.

WHO KNOWS, MAYBE AN ELF AND REINDEER MAY SHOW UP.

THE FOLLOWING PICTURE OF THE GAZEBO, COMPLETE

WITH MULTI-COLORED CHRISTMAS LIGHTS AND SANTA

             IS TRULY A SIGHT TO BEHOLD! ! ! ! !

THIS IS THE TRUE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT OF LISBON! ! !

WITH MANY THANKS TO THE TIRELESS EFFORTS OF

             OUR ONE AND ONLY FAYE BROWN.

  LETS KEEP OUR LISBON CHRISTMAS TRADITION ALIVE.

   MULTI-COLORED LIGHTS ON THE GAZEBO AND TREE

AND SANTA LIGHTING THE TREE FOR ALL TO SEE.

Dot Fitzgerald

A Lisbon Concerned Citizen

Anonymous said...

Who order this change? The town manager as payback to Faye Brown for her departing gift to him or the town social director Gina Mason.

November 27, 2011 10:35 PM

Ethics Panel To Convene Again, Over Councilor Michael Bowie's Conflict of Interest

On Monday evening, November 28, 2011, 7:00PM at the Lisbon Town Office building there will be another chapter written in the Town of Lisbon history book.  The Ethics Panel will be holding another conflict of interest involving Councilor Michael Bowie.  The Town of Lisbon has had to go through this  before.  The real question is how many times do we have to go through this before Councilor Bowie understands what a conflict of interest is?  Please come out and bear witness to another display of your government at work. Come One, Come All

Merry Christmas To All.

Hi.

I am very, very upset as are many, many people,  that the Christmas Tree Lighting is to be held at the MTM Community Center instead of at the Gazebo at Rt 196 this year. (2011) Personally I believe the Gazebo is at an ideal location. Visible from Rt 196, at all Seasons. Sure is beautiful, especially during the Christmas Season when covered with COLORED Lights. Evidently the Council changed them to Blue, last year. Was that a power play by our Council people?

AND also would it be because Ms Faye Brown is the Founder and Developer of the Original Green Thumb Gang was involved from day one of OUR GAZEBO and also the BEAUTIFUL GARDENS we have in our Town, and that she is not a fan at all of the Council Members because, mainly, she tells it like it is and does not play the Political game? Could it be a vendetta?

The Memorial Plaque at this sight is also put together well, honoring the many Family's, Folks and Deceased Loved Ones who have contributed to the Success of the Gazebo.

Of course this my own personal feeling and opinion and mine only.

Thank You.

Pappy

Now did Faye Brown get this right when she presented this to Town Manager Stephen G. Eldridge or what? 

11/27/2011 9:40 am 

 Our so called town officials are also in the dark. I just can't believe what is happening lately in this community.

 How does moving the Christmas tree to School Street promote Merry Merry Main Street?  The Lisbon Christmas tree will be on display behind the MTM Center in clear view of whom?  

In years past, the Gazebo was beautifully decorated by the Green Thumb Gang and was a tribute to the Town of Lisbon. The Gazebo was viewed by people traveling along the Lewiston-Topsham corridor and those utilizing the Lisbon Connection.

   Now, this area will be dark as is the rest of Lisbon and demonstrates how our town officials are also in the dark.   Why is Mr.Cunningham making changes to a Lisbon tradition?  He is not even an elected official. Do the citizens have a any say in these matters anymore? Did I miss a survey someplace where people were asked?

 Merrily,

Mrs. Tugball

Lisbon Maine Town Council

The Lisbon Seven

Upon the throne sits Lisbon’s high Seven
Gorging on visions of spending our wealth
Debating foul plans never thought of in Heaven
Abounding with high craftiness cunning and stealth

With a nod from the Master another plan takes form
To relieve Lisbon’s poor of their hard earned money
Never considering the price so far from the norm
Just taking the prize with a laugh thats not funny

Without remorse or fear they scheme and plan
Reveling with glee for each new demand
Directing the new among their clan
Promising her wealth gifts and a command

But alas - as November draws near for All
They fear nothing but silence in their great hall

Acting behind the scenes like common crooks

While all the time being protected by Bowie & Brooks

By: Anonymous 

Anonymous said...

Congratulations - you are now elected officials! I know you will enjoy your time serving the public. It's an exciting and challenging time to serve. Before you take office, you need to be sworn in. You are invited to the December 6 Lisbon Town Council meeting. At 7pm the meeting will come to order and the color guard will post the colors. After the Fire Department promotions are done, I will call your name and then you will come forward to take your oath of office. You may bring your family and friends. There's usually plenty of room. You may take pictures if you like. After the oaths are done, we will elect the next Council Chairman and Vice Chairman, and then recess the meeting for a few minutes so family and friends who wish to leave can without feeling disrespectful...

November 25, 2011 5:55 PM

Anonymous said...

Now I am just wondering. Will this be the same "Hypocritical Oath" as Vice-Chair Pomelow and Re-elected Councilor Mason took or is this the same meaningless bunch of words from years past or something new and exciting?

Seems like they both got caught after the fact and then had to go get the paperwork trail smudged out so that they we not in fact in violation of this so called Pomp & Circumstance called Oath of Office and the swearing in process regarding the Town Charter and Ordinances that they in fact so solemly swore to up hold.

But with Bowie & Brooks providing cover I really don't expect much to change. Too bad I can't sell my home and leave Lisbon. Mainly because I just cannot fathom supporting the immoral actions of this town's administration. Let alone the taxes that will be increasing significantly next year.

Look around, business' closed, people vacating homes and you cannot even believe the figures that the Town Council votes on.

How good it of gotten so terrible?

Oh, and Councilor LaRochelle buying a piece of land to improve his property fromt the town with no record of it ever going out to bid. Talk about an inside job. Twist up a couple more Fern you and Eldridge are quite the pair. Really helping out Lisbon.

Signed,
a life long retired resident that does know what is going on.

p.s. Thank You to the Lisbon Reporter and all their efforts for bringing us citizens the true facts.

Keep up the excellent work. People are reacting a lot differently now.

November 26, 2011 1:06 PM

A Alaska School Project: Hallelujah Chorus

 Done like you've never seen before. This video from the small Yupiq Eskimo Village of Quinhagak, Alaska , was a school computer project intended for the other Yupiq villages in the area. Much to the villagers' shock,  over a  million  people have viewed it. 

Now this comes from our 50th state, not 56th or 57th and it is not a part of Asia for those that are confused by one of our so called leaders. So that we don't upset those still in the closet we will leave it at that.  Enjoy!!!  and  Think About It !!!  Eat more Pork!!!

Hallelujah Chorus -Kuinerrarmiut Elitnaurviat 5th Grade - Quinhagak, Alaska

Wow!! Thank you for all for the wonderful comments. The village of Quinhagak is glowing because of them. The amount of views is mind blowing!! Considering this video was intended for an audience of about 200. As many of you have thought, the kids worked very hard on this project. They put in 10 hours of work shooting all the scenes (on a weekend nonetheless!!) I am very proud of them!

Thank you also for pointing out the apostrophes! I now have a very teachable moment once we start school again. One they will never forget!! I'm just glad I spelled "Hallelujah" correct.

Thank you on behalf of Quinhagak, Alaska!! Merry Christmas!!

I Paid, didn't you?

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT.

THE ONLY THING WRONG WITH THIS CALCULATION IS THEY FORGOT TO FIGURE IN THE PEOPLE WHO DIED BEFORE THEY COLLECTED THEIR SOCIAL SECURITY!!!! WHERE DID THAT MONEY GO????????????

 

            I Paid -- Didn't You?



This was sent to me, I am forwarding it because it does
touch a nerve in me..

This is another example of what Rick Perry called
"TREASON in high places" !!!

Get angry and pass this on!

Remember, not only did you contribute to Social Security
but your employer did too. It totaled 15% of your income before taxes. If
you averaged only $30K over your working life, that's close to $220,500.

If you calculate the future value of $4,500 per year
(yours & your employer's contribution) at a simple 5% (less than what the
govt. pays on the money that it borrows), after 49 years of working you'd
have $892,919.98.

If you took out only 3% per year, you'd receive $26,787.60
per year and it would last better than 30 years (until you're 95 if you
retire at age 65) and that's with no interest paid on that final amount on
deposit! If you bought an annuity and it paid 4% per year, you'd have a
lifetime income of $2,976.40 per month.

The folks in Washington have pulled off a bigger Ponzi
scheme than Bernie Madhoff ever had.

Entitlement my ass, I paid cash for my social security
insurance!!!! Just because they borrowed the money, doesn't make my
benefits some kind of charity or handout!!

Congressional benefits ---- free healthcare, outrageous
retirement packages, 67 paid holidays, three weeks paid vacation,
unlimited paid sick days, now that's welfare, and they have the nerve to
call my social security retirement entitlements?

We're "broke" and can't help our own Seniors, Veterans,
Orphans, Homeless.

In the last months we have provided aid to Haiti, Chile ,
and Turkey And now Pakistan ......home of bin Laden. Literally, BILLIONS
of DOLLARS!!!

Our retired seniors living on a 'fixed income' receive no
aid nor do they get any breaks while our government and religious
organizations pour Hundreds of Billions of $$$'s and Tons of Food to
Foreign Countries!

They call Social Security and Medicare an entitlement even
though most of us have been paying for it all our working lives and now
when its time for us to collect, the government is running out of money.
Why did the government borrow from it in the first place? Imagine if the
*GOVERNMENT* gave 'US' the same support they give to other countries.

Sad isn't it?

99% of people won't have the guts to forward this.

I'm one of the 1% -- I Just Did.



Offered by John C.

 

LHS Athletic Boosters Holiday Expo

Very Merry Main Street‏

3rd Annual Very Merry Main Street

Lisbon Promotions Committee

Greetings! LISBON TREE LIGHTING TO BE HELD AT MTM COMMUNITY CENTER AS PART OF VERY MERRY MAIN STREET EVENT The Lisbon Promotions Committee will host its 3rd annual Very Merry Main Street event on Saturday, December 3rd, 2011, commencing with the arrival of Santa Claus and the lighting of the Christmas Tree at MTM Community Center on School St. The event is scheduled to run from 4:30 pm to 7:00 pm. This will be the first time in the event's history that the tree lighting and Santa's arrival will take place at the MTM Center. Previously, the tree lighting had been held at Gazebo Park on Route 196. "We felt that the tree lighting event had really outgrown that relatively small space on Rt. 196," said Ross Cunningham, chairman of the Promotions Committee, chief organizers of the event. "Moving Santa and the tree lighting to the MTM Center will give us more room, and create a nice synergy between the tree lighting and the Very Merry Main St. event." The annual Very Merry Main Street event was founded by the Promotions Committee in 2009 as a means of drawing attention to the retailers and other businesses and organizations located in downtown Lisbon Falls. Several of those businesses open their doors in an open-house style format to welcome visitors with refreshments and entertainment at various locations, while the downtown's retailers offer special sales and promotions. "It's a great chance to support our traditional commercial districts, and learn more about what they offer to our community," said Cunningham. "It's also a chance for friends and neighbors to get together and welcome the holiday season to Lisbon." The festivities will kick off at the MTM Center performance pavilion at 4:30 p.m. with caroling and refreshments offered by the members of the Lisbon Falls Baptist Church. At 5:00 p.m., Santa Claus will arrive to herald the start of the Christmas season in Lisbon by lighting the new Christmas tree behind the community center. Once the tree lighting is complete, Santa will adjourn to a small slice of the North Pole to be located inside the community center, where attendees young and old will have the chance to view Christmas displays and even have their picture taken with St. Nick for a nominal fee. Proceeds from the $5 per picture fee will go to support the costs of the event. The North Pole will be open from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm that evening. Meanwhile, a horse drawn carriage will transport attendees from the MTM Center to the business open-houses along Main St. and Rt. 196 in Lisbon Falls. A promotional card will encourage attendees to visit participating businesses and earn a chance in a drawing for a holiday gift basket. Among the other attractions will be musical performances by Present Company (at Drapeau's Costumes of Maine) and Steve Hildonen (at Tangles). Kids will also have the opportunity to make their own Christmas ornaments at the Lisbon Falls Community Library at 28 Main St. All downtown events will occur between 5:00 and 7:00 pm that evening. FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CALL LISBON DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR SCOTT BENSON AT 353-3000 EXT. 122

Have A Happy Thanksgiving and May God Bless US All !

In 1952, Red Skelton gave this Thanksgiving Day message to his viewers. This message is just as true today as it was back in 1952. He seemed very sincere each week as he ended his great show with "Good night and may God bless" Many people would think at the time the communist threat but I believe he has referring to just plain evil acts of all kinds.
 
Here is a link to his Official site:
http://www.redskelton.com/BIOGRAPHY.htm

Have a Safe and Happy Thanksgiving!

Where Are Lisbon's Priorities?

Priorities

I find it unconscionable that our town leaders see fit to increase pay rates for many of our employees and give a 10k increase to a Department head at a time when most of the country is cutting back on expenses.

Someone needs to let our Councilors know that we are in a nationwide depression. Millions of Americans have lost their jobs and Millions more are underemployed  or forced to take part time work.

Lisbon residents are not immune from this economic down cycle as evidenced by the number of Lisbon taxpayers having a hard time paying taxes and sewer/water bills.

If our leaders feel such a great need to spend tax money they should at least spend it to help those who are having a hard time. They should spend it on The Bus Service or Food pantry where it can do the most good.

The main role of a Councilor is to improve the quality of life for residents but in doing so they shouldn’t take money from the poor to give raises to Lisbons upper middle class.

In my opinion its just morally wrong.


Joe Hill
LisbonMaine.net

Current Maine Snowfall Totals

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
SPOTTER REPORTS
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GRAY ME
426 PM EST WED NOV 23 2011

THE FOLLOWING ARE UNOFFICIAL OBSERVATIONS TAKEN DURING THE PAST 24
HOURS FOR THE STORM THAT HAS BEEN AFFECTING OUR REGION. APPRECIATION
IS EXTENDED TO HIGHWAY DEPARTMENTS...COOPERATIVE OBSERVERS...SKYWARN
SPOTTERS AND MEDIA FOR THESE REPORTS. THIS SUMMARY IS ALSO AVAILABLE
ON OUR HOME PAGE AT WEATHER.GOV/GRAY

********************STORM TOTAL SNOWFALL********************

LOCATION          STORM TOTAL     TIME/DATE   COMMENTS
                     SNOWFALL           OF
                     /INCHES/   MEASUREMENT

MAINE

...ANDROSCOGGIN COUNTY...
   DURHAM                10.7  1015 AM 11/23
   1 NW AUBURN           10.0  1106 AM 11/23
   4 S TURNER             9.5  1133 AM 11/23
   LEWISTON               9.0  1052 AM 11/23  SLEET
   TURNER                 8.0   930 AM 11/23

...CUMBERLAND COUNTY...
   NORTH SEBAGO          10.0   948 AM 11/23
   CASCO                 10.0  1149 AM 11/23
   4 WSW NEW GLOUCESTER   9.6   920 AM 11/23
   GRAY NWS OFFICE        7.9   920 AM 11/23  SLEET
   BRUNSWICK              7.5   932 AM 11/23  SLEET
   CUMBERLAND             7.0   923 AM 11/23  SLEET
   1 WSW BRUNSWICK        7.0  1242 PM 11/23
   2 WSW CUMBERLAND       5.0   128 PM 11/23
   1 ENE SOUTH WINDHAM    4.8   700 AM 11/23  .70 LIQUID
   2 SSW CUMBERLAND       4.0   720 AM 11/23
   WESTBROOK              1.0  1106 AM 11/23

...FRANKLIN COUNTY...
   2 S WILTON            11.0   353 PM 11/23  NEAR JAY ME
   NEW SHARON             9.0  1030 AM 11/23
   2 S JAY                9.0  1244 PM 11/23
   EUSTIS                 3.0   351 PM 11/23

...KENNEBEC COUNTY...
   RANDOLPH              10.8  1235 PM 11/23
   1 E AUGUSTA            9.3  1100 AM 11/23
   4 NNE MANCHESTER       6.0   820 AM 11/23
   ALBION                 2.6   718 AM 11/23

...KNOX COUNTY...
   HOPE                  10.0  1042 AM 11/23  SLEET
   CAMDEN                 5.0  1212 PM 11/23

...OXFORD COUNTY...
   1 S WEST FRYEBURG     15.0   230 PM 11/23
   1 W OTISFIELD         11.5   423 PM 11/23
   OTISFIELD             10.5   936 AM 11/23  S-
   BETHEL                10.0  1026 AM 11/23
   FRYEBURG               8.5  1017 AM 11/23

...SAGADAHOC COUNTY...
   RICHMOND              10.0  1149 AM 11/23

...SOMERSET COUNTY...
   CORNVILLE              6.0   139 PM 11/23
   SKOWHEGAN              6.0  1015 AM 11/23
   HARMONY                1.0   702 AM 11/23

...WALDO COUNTY...
   2 N KNOX               8.0   240 PM 11/23

...YORK COUNTY...
   1 SSW CORNISH          9.6   320 PM 11/23
   CORNISH                7.8   851 AM 11/23  MIXING WITH SLEET
   HOLLIS                 7.4   934 AM 11/23  SLEET

Keep up with current totals in your area by going to the NOAA website.