Lisbon Tax Dollars At Work!!!

One Hundred and Fifty something plus and hour.    Man What A Waste!!!!

Town Attorney Roger Therriault "briefing himself"!!!

Mariah Carey - All I Want For Christmas Is You

Hey Lisbon Do You Believe??? I believe by Dave Koz

I believe by Dave Koz

Lisbon Community School Receives Friendly's Grant‏

Lisbon Community School Library Awarded Grant

by Friendly’s Ice Cream of Brunswick

Thanks to a recent grant provided by Friendly’s Ice Cream of Brunswick, students at Lisbon Community School will have a literacy collection of books making connections in the library with the Every Day Math program.  “Education is the key to success.  We are willing to assist Lisbon Schools and their students on numerous projects,” shared Christine McLain, General Manager of Friendly’s in Brunswick.  McLain and High 5 Ambassador, Stefanie Decker, presented the grant check to building Principal, Carlene Iverson and Assistant Principal, Ryan Patrie.  Top student readers were also in attendance with District Librarian, Katy Dodge, Library Assistant, Victoria Worden, Grant Writer, Monica Millhime, and school committee member, Kathi Yergin.  “It was refreshing to hear the commitments from Ms. McLain as a new partner in education for the Lisbon School Department,” comments Yergin.  “Friendly’s offers programs supporting Anti-Bullying campaigns and others family-oriented nights for student recognitions.  In these economic times it’s wonderful to have the support from businesses who are still willing to dedicate their resources to education for the benefit of our students.”  Pictured (l-r) front row: Cameron Goslin, Kayla Melanson, Kiley Merritt; second row: Ethan Braley, Zach Maney, Hunter Davis, Sarah Crosby, Brooke Cossar, Levi Levesque, Jordyn Maloy;  third row:  Noah Chaisson, Cameron Bourget, Daniel Bolton, Willow Young, Christopher Howard, Kyleigh Dunigan;  fourth row:  Cameron Phelps, Nicholas Welsh, Alan Lavoie, Gregory Simpson, Dawson Martel, Michael Farrington, Eli Meagher-Touchette,  Victoria Worden; back row: Ryan Patrie, Katy Dodge, Carlene Iverson, Christine McLain and Stefanie Decker.  Photo by Monica Millhime.

Lisbon – On Friday, December 16, Lisbon Community School (LCS) Library, located at 33 Mill Street in Lisbon, was filled with 25 of the school’s top readers.  The avid young readers were gathered together for a special celebration marking their accomplishments by attending an award’s ceremony.  Friendly’s Ice Cream of Brunswick presented building administrators a $300 grant for the library to purchase Every Day Math picture books complimenting the new math program introduced into classrooms the beginning of this school year.   “Friendly’s Ice Cream is our newest community partner in Lisbon,” shares Principal Carlene Iverson.  “We are thrilled to have businesses in the greater community sponsor our student reward programs. We look forward to a number of events like Dr. Seuss night and monthly acknowledgements for top achieving readers with Friendly’s benefiting our students and their families.”  FMI on other opportunities within the Lisbon School Department as community partners and grant opportunities, call 754.0021 or email mmillhime@lisbonschoolsme.org.  Like us on Facebook at Community Resource News in Lisbon Schools. 

Participate Tomorrow Night Or Lube Up For Your Tax Bills

Show up now or stock up for tax season!!! Merry Christmas!!!

Pictorial by Editorial Staff










NOW IS THE TIME

At the next Town Council meeting marks the beginning of the 2012-2013 Municipal Budget schedule.  See the draft schedule published by the town manager for the upcoming budget meetings and workshops below.  According to the last workshop, the town council is in favor of increasing your taxes this year by increasing spending.  Now is the time for everyone to get involved and let the council know how you feel about your taxes before it is too late.  Tuesday night at 7:00 PM at the town office building will be a discussion on the capital budget for the upcoming year.  

We all remember two years ago when our taxes took a dramatic jump.  By the time residents realized it, it was too later.  Below is the draft schedule of meetings/workshops.   NOW IS THE TIME FOR CITIZENS TO GET OFF THE COUCH AND VOICE THEIR CONCERNS INSTEAD OF WAITING UNTIL IT IS TOO LATE!!!!
The Town Council has restricted the voice of the people to ONLY during Audience Participation of Town Council meetings.  This is the only time citizens have an opportunity to express their feelings or offer suggestions on the municipal budget.

This is a reminder, during workshops the public is NOT allowed to participate in any discussions.   However, at least you will learn which of the councilors are in favor of raising your taxes and which ones are trying to support the taxpayers.  This information will be critical in your decision come November 2012 when three councilors are up for reelection.

Larry Fillmore
Concerned Citizen

Green Christmas Predicted In Lisbon Falls This Year!!!!!!

Lisbon Falls Horticultural Experiment 2011      Photo by: anonymous

You sure are getting your money's worth, don't you Think?

Oh by the way,,, Merry Christmas Thank You Lord Jesus!!!


And Don't Forget To Take OUR Polls At The Top Of The Page! 

WE TRIPLE DOG DARE YOU!!!!! 

 

Report Shows Raising Taxes to Address DHHS Deficit Would Cost Maine 6,400 Jobs

Report Shows Raising Taxes to Address DHHS Deficit Would Cost Maine 6,400 Jobs

 

PORTLAND – A report released today by The Maine Heritage Policy Center (MHPC) shows that raising taxes to fill the estimated 121 million dollar DHHS budget gap for this year would lead to the loss of more than 6,400 Maine jobs. As lawmakers work to decide how to fix the structural problems that have led to this massive shortfall, ultimately they will have to decide whether to decrease spending or increase taxes. The MHPC report indicates that a tax increase of this magnitude would cost Maine taxpayers $631 in lost personal income per household, or a total of 6,463 private sector jobs.

 

"Raising taxes to temporarily smooth over this problem would be a critical mistake,” said the author of the report, MHPC Chief Economist Scott Moody. “Maine’s private sector is already in a precarious situation, and we can’t afford to make it even more difficult for Maine’s families and businesses to get by in these tough times. A better solution is to address the structural budget problems that have led to this deficit and reduce government spending going forward."

 

The report explains that the cost of a tax increase goes far beyond the initial price tag, showing that a $121 million tax increase would ultimately remove $351 million in personal income from the Maine economy, a net cost nearly three times larger than the initial tax increase. The additional tax burden would further shrink the private sector in Maine, where private sector share of personal income is already at an abysmal 64.1 percent, ranking Maine 39th in the country.

 

"Taking more money out of the private sector and funneling it to government will further damage our economy," said Moody. "What we need in Maine to turn the economy in a positive direction is investment from our businesses and entrepreneurs. New taxes will keep people from investing and keep new jobs, the very thing we need most of all, from being created."

 

"Decades of increased welfare spending have put us in this position, and we can no longer afford the tax-and-spend ways of the past,” said MHPC CEO Lance Dutson. “Progressive special interests and the welfare industry want to raise taxes on hard-working Mainers to protect their revenue streams, even if it means lost private sector jobs. Raising taxes is the last thing Maine can afford to do right now. Instead, we should focus on reducing government spending to get us headed in the right direction." 

 

Download the Full Report Here (PDF)

Town Council Agenda For Tuesday, That's Tomorrow!!

AGENDA
TOWN COUNCIL MEETING
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2011
LISBON TOWN OFFICE
7:00 P.M.

1. CALL TO ORDER & PLEDGE TO FLAG
2. ROLL CALL
___Councilor Bickford
___ Councilor Bowie
___ Councilor Larochelle
___ Councilor Lunt
___Councilor Mason
___ Councilor Pomelow
___ Councilor Ward
Town Clerk reading of meeting rules

3. PUBLIC HEARING
A. Amendments to Chapter 70 Zoning Ordinance & Maps
B. Renewal Junkyard Permits for Campbell’s Used Auto Parts & Huston’s Auto Salvage
4. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION

5. CONSENT AGENDA

2011- 129 ORDER −
A. Minutes of November 29, 2011
B. Minutes of December 6, 2011

C. Renewal Junkyard Permits for Campbell’s Used Auto Parts & Huston’s Auto Salvage

6. COUNCIL ORDERS, RESOLUTIONS, & ORDINANCES
2011- 130 ORDER −
Chapter 70 Zoning Ordinance & Maps (Second Reading)
2011- 131 ORDER −
2012-2013 Capital Improvement Budget

7. OTHER BUSINESS
A. Finance Director’s Report
B. Western Maine Transportation – Lisbon Connection
C. Town Manager’s Report

8. APPOINTMENTS
2011- 132 ORDER −
Voter Registrar

9. COUNCILOR COMMUNICATIONS

10. EXECUTIVE SESSION
2011- 133 ORDER −
1MRSA § 405 (6) (D) Labor Negotiations Sergeants Unit

11. ADJOURNMENT
2011- 134 ORDER −
To Adjourn

12. WORKSHOP
A. Council Orientation

LISBON COUNCIL MEETING RULES

1. Please obtain a copy of the evening’s agenda and note the order that items may be acted upon by the Council (if this is a regular or special meeting where action may be taken by the Council). In some instances, the Council may elect to change the order of the agenda.

2. If the Council is holding a Council workshop, public comment is not typically allowed. There are occasions where some public comment may be recruited, but generally speaking, the workshops are reserved for Council members to educate themselves on and discuss a variety of issues facing the Town.

3. Note that “Consent Agenda” items (if there are any) are acted upon first, voted upon as a group, and will most often be voted on without discussion as these items often involve “housekeeping” issues (such as minor parking changes). On occasion “Consent Agenda” items are separated out as stand-alone action items by the Council to allow for more discussion.

4. The Council Chairman presides over the meeting. When the Chairman is not present, the Vice Chairman serves that function.

5. Action on agenda items. As each item on the agenda for any meeting is brought to the floor for discussion:
a. The town clerk reads the agenda item and the action being requested of council.

b. The sponsor of each item or, if there is no council sponsor, the town manager or town staff, shall first be allowed to present their initial comments for consideration by the public and other councilors.

c. Following this introduction of the issue, there will be time devoted to any questions of the sponsor or the town manager or staff regarding the agenda item which any councilor may have which would help to clarify the question presented by the agenda item. The chair may allow questions from the public during this time (4b), and no debate or discussion of collateral issues shall be permitted.

d. Once the agenda item has been explained by its sponsor or the town manager or staff and clarified by any questioning as provided above in (4c), the discussion on the specific agenda item will remain with the council and public comment will only be allowed at the Chairman’s discretion. The public shall address the item during the Public Hearing or Audience Participation section of the agenda.

e. The chair may, if the topic warrants, allow a second period of public comment no longer than two minutes per person, prior to final council vote. Second comments by the public must be to furnish new or undisclosed information or viewpoints.

6. If an “Executive Session” is conducted by the Council, State Statute prohibits public attendance for any discussion of the action to be addressed by the Council. Any action taken by the Council on any “Executive Session” matter must be acted upon in a public meeting, and may occur at the end of the “Executive Session” (which has no time element relative to the length of the discussion involved in the “session”).

Note: Detailed Council governing rules may be found on our website under Town Council

Christian Civic League (Maine) Files 2010 IRS 990 Return Late‏

Things of note from the recently filed 2010 IRS 990-EZ return for the Christian Civic League of Maine (Employer Identification Number 01-0044660), which is attached in two parts:

 

The filing was prepared 10/4/2011 by Edwards, Faust, & Smith, (Bangor, Maine) CPAs, and they had an extension to file, which ended 10/31/2011.  It was not signed until 11/7/2011 by Conley, Jr.  It was filed late, received by the IRS on 11/14/2011.  It was scanned 12/7/2011 by the IRS, and sent to me 12/14/2011 by IRS.

 

Three of the five listed Board of Directors members are no longer current/active: Alfred J. (Al) Cooper III (139 Congress Street, Millinocket, ME 04462 207-723-9867 Home, 207-731-7965 Cell t3r8lake@myfairpoint.net), Mrs. Christiana Poole (544 River Road, Newcastle, ME 04553 207-563-1232 Home 207-380-9252 Cell jepoole@roadrunner.com), and Rev. Samuel Moore (Sam) Logan, St. Paul’s Anglican Church, 279 Congress Street, Portland, ME 04101, P.O. Box 79, Waldoboro, ME 04572 207-828-2102 Work 207-607-1801 Cell Frlogan7@aol.com).

 

See the Board of Directors attachment for additional contact information for the other current Board members and Executive Director.  

 

All Board members and the Executive Director have listed the P.O. Box (5459) of the CCLM as their address in the filing, which was odd.  It is odd, too, that Rev. Robert K. (Bob) Emrich is not listed as a Director in 2010.  My understanding is that he was a member of the Board of Directors that year.

 

The $23,715 in compensation for Conley, Jr. (from Page 2) was a partial year salary only.  He began employment in late July, 2010 and so that figure represents salary for only five months.  Annualized, his salary would have been $55,620 without any additional benefits included.  Per the attached Board meeting minutes from 2010, Conley, Jr. is allowed an additional $27,000 in benefits and paid expenses in addtion to this income.

 

On Page 7 (overall) of the form, in Schedule O of the 990-EZ, the "Primary Exempt Purpose" of the League is listed as: "To make the public aware of ethical issues so that good laws can be enacted and impartially enforced." 

 

I have never, in my years of working at the League previously, heard of this 'primary purpose' before, like someone (the CPA?) was just making it up.

 

Finally, I requested from the IRS a copy of the Christian Education League's 2010 990 return also, at the same time as this return, but have not received it as yet (two business days now after receiving this CCLM return).  The CEL (Employer Identification Number 01-6018966) is the 501(c)3 counterpart non-profit corporation to the CCLM, which is a 501(c)4 non-profit corporation.

 

This could potentially indicate that the CEL has not yet filed its required 990 return for 2010.  Some enterprising person or reporter should inquire with them about this.  

 

Mike Hein

Augusta, Maine

U.S. Government Committed Treason against Citizens - Indefinite Detainment PLUS Rights to Kill

The U.S. government both the Congress and Senate and Obama committed Treason against the U.S. Citizens! The bill 1031 written by Senators McCain and Levin which was part of the Defense Bill for 2012, gives the U.S the right to use the military on U.S. streets and to be able to take and hold a U.S Citizen without rights to a lawyer, trial or charges for the rest of their lives! Besides that Graham on 12/15/11 on the Senate floor disclosed it gave the U.S. Rights to KILL U.S. Citizens also.
To see that portion go here:
http://sherriequestioningall.blogspot.com/2011/12/video-and-transcript-confir...

The Media has been silent about this! 99% of the American Public does not know about this new law!

PLEASE GET THE WORD OUT!

BUT another shock is OBAMA IS THE ONE WHO REQUIRED THAT U.S. CITIZENS BE PART OF THE BILL! Video of that disclosure is included in this video.

You do realize this is how the Nazis started.

Proof the FEMA Camps have begun preparing:
http://sherriequestioningall.blogspot.com/2011/12/us-is-going-gazanazi-concen...

When A Man Can't Stand It Anymore

When a man can't stand it anymore ! Priceless shot...............

(A photographer will die of old age waiting to get another shot like this one.)

Happy Monday!!!

Fireside Christmas: relaxing jazz (The Christmas Song)

Dave Koz & Friends - Smooth Jazz Christmas Overture

Best Christmas Mood Music - Relaxing Fireplace & Fireworks 12 Degrees Was A Bit Nippy Out to say the least!!!

 So we are throwing you a little fire to warm you up!

2011 Christmas Lights- Thank You Troops and Veterans!

Since 1775, over 1.3 million American troops have made the ultimate sacrifice. Thank you and please visit SemperFiFund.org to help give back to those who protect our freedom.

A Big Thank you to everyone who voted and helped us win the Good Morning America Contest.

Now on iTunes! All Profits go to the Semper Fi Fund.
The America Patriots- God Bless The Usa and Armed Forces Medley
http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/god-bless-the-usa-armed-forces/id489731812?i...

Do You Believe In Angels?

Celtic Woman - O Holy Night 

 

 

Bing Crosby - Mele Kalikimaka (Hawaiian Christmas Song)

Hey Robin, Will This Make You Giggle Too? ( It is original)

Birders excited by invaders from the north

By Bob Duchesne, Special to the BDN

As you read this, we are being invaded. Devious birds are sneaking across our defenseless borders. They are Canadian birds heading south for the winter, and we’re the south. Many of these birds gather in predictable numbers in predictable places each winter. But some are just plain unpredictable.

In birding terms, they are called winter irruptives. The words “erupt” and “irrupt” come from the same Latin root and mean roughly “exploding forth.” One particular definition of irrupt relates to the sudden upsurge in natural populations, especially when ecological balances and checks are disturbed. That’s exactly what happens when food shortages or frigid weather drives birds south. Irruptive owls were discussed last week, but there are plenty of other northern breeders on the list, including birds that eat seeds.

White-winged and red crossbills are highly irruptive, wandering south into Maine even in summer, where they may nest in a good cone year. Both species are widespread breeders across Canada, but the red crossbill tends to wander a little farther south in the western states.

Follow more here.

A New Voice For Maine Taxpayers‏

Dear Friends,

This has truly been an amazing year for MHPC.

After years of playing the role of the opposition, this organization was able to make real changes in Maine in 2011.  Our work with government officials resulted in positive changes for Maine taxpayers:

-          Pension reform that will save Maine taxpayers more than $1 billion.

-          Welfare reform that will protect the safety net and save taxpayers

            millions of dollars.

-          The first free-market health insurance reforms in recent memory.

-          The largest tax cut in Maine history.

These were important major victories, and they were made possible only because of your generous support.  MHPC does not rely on government grants or contracts.  We exist solely due to the support of our more than 1,800 members.

These victories are even more amazing when you look at what we’re up against – an army of taxpayer-funded advocacy groups that receive hundreds of millions of government dollars each year.

We’ve had great success in Augusta, but now we need to take this message from the state house to the Main Streets of our communities all over Maine.  We need to get rid of the main stream media’s filter and make sure Maine people get the truth about what our government is up to.

Our first step along this path was taken this week – we launched our own news bureau Web site – TheMaineWire.com.  We’ve received an incredible response, and our first batch of reporting was read by tens of thousands of people all over Maine.  This is an ambitious project, but I believe it’s a critical step if we’re going to finally get our state back on track.

Let’s face it – we’ve got a long way to go.  Last week, Forbes Magazine again ranked Maine 50th in the nation for doing business.  Last place.

Imagine what would happen if the people of Maine understood the truth: that this bottom-of-the-barrel ranking is a direct result of out-of-control government.  We believe that by bringing the truth to the people of Maine, we can ignite a groundswell against the crippling effects of an over-reaching government.

Imagine if our state got out of the way of our job creators and finally let the free market thrive.  Imagine if conservative ideas could finally take hold in our state.

This is our vision, and to get there, we need your help.  Your support at this critical time will ensure we have the resources to make this vision a reality.

We at The Maine Heritage Policy Center wish you all happy holidays, and we thank you for all you do to advance limited government in Maine.  I hope you’ll consider making a year-end contribution to help keep up this momentum.

Sincerely,

Lance Dutson
Chief Executive Officer

TLR Is Going To Take You Back In Time,,, Sept.2006 Bush Did The Same Thing

Bush Detainee Bill Hides Immunity for Too Many Crimes!

Sep 27, 2006

Andrew Sullivan tries to explain the deliberately confusing detainee bill. Then AC interviews -- the canadian that was detained, tortured, then found innocent.

California commits economic sabotage against Organic Pastures with raw milk frame-up‏ and more NaturalNews

Out of a desire to punish Organic Pastures -- the largest raw milk producer in California -- the state of California has engaged in what call only be called an act of economic sabotage against the company by claiming its products were causing children to get sick, then forcing it to shut down for several weeks.
But tests show that Organic Pastures milk products contain no e.coli and are perfectly safe. Read more:
http://www.naturalnews.com/034422_Organic_Pastures_California_Ecoli.html

Obama is about to fill Gitmo with Americans by signing what is undoubtedly the most traitorous and criminal act in American history: the National Defense Authorization Act. Find out why the ACLU, Human Rights Watch, Dianne Feinstein, Ron Paul and many other people have spoken out against this outrageous betrayal of the American people:
http://www.naturalnews.com/034414_NDAA_military_detention_Bill_of_Rights.html

Need some spare cash? Just cook up some meth inside your local Wal-Mart! That's what this one woman tried, before getting busted by police:
http://www.naturalnews.com/034417_Wal-Mart_meth_woman.html

What does the phrase "for added freshness" on a food label really mean? It means that food contains synthetic chemical preservatives:
http://www.naturalnews.com/034418_added_freshness_BHA_BHT.html

And finally, in Australia a Health Department official got caught stealing $11 million from taxpayers:
http://www.naturalnews.com/034420_Australia_health_department_fraud.html

P.S. We've got a special event happening near Laguna Park, CA - a NaturalNews Talk Hour Holiday Dinner Party on Thursday evening, Dec. 29th.
Meet Charlotte Gerson, Jay Kordich, Jonathan Landsman and many other leaders of the natural health movement (the Health Ranger will be calling in by phone to share a special holiday message).

Enjoy a delicious, 5-course (vegan) meal; receive over $125 in gifts and develop friendships that will last a lifetime. 25 tickets remain for this exclusive, private event. The exact location will be emailed to each attendant. Get tickets at:http://www.naturalnews.com/NN-talk-hour-holiday-dinner-party.html

More news continues below...

Today's Feature Stories:

California regulators frame Organic Pastures and force raw milk shut down over fabricated E. Coli scare (NaturalNews) It has been nearly a month since the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) swooped in like vultures on Organic Pastures Dairy in Fresno, Calif., and demanded that the farm recall and stop selling all of its raw milk products...

Saga of 12-year-old foster boy reveals state's psychiatric drug abuse of children (NaturalNews) A 12-year-old Texas boy testified before Congress that he was drugged for four years with multiple anti-psychotic medications while in the state foster system. The boy, identified only as Ke'onte, recalled that the drugs left him "in a stupor...

Australian authorities to shut down health department after official steals $11 million from government coffers in one week (NaturalNews) For years, Joel Barlow, a senior official at Queensland Health in Australia, had been embezzling millions of taxpayer dollars from the region's government-run health system in order to enrich his own lavish lifestyle. But when Barlow, whose...

Gift Wrapped Emptiness (Opinion) (NaturalNews) Gift giving during Christmas time has become a worrisome experience for many people. The day before "Black Friday", practically everyone is trying to figure out what should I get so-and-so for Christmas? What will make him or her happy?...

"For added freshness" label claim really means "added chemicals" when it comes to BHA and BHT (NaturalNews) The "dynamic duo" BHA and BHT, both used to preserve products and fight fungus, have both been linked to allergic reactions, hyperactivity, rashes, asthma, and other health problems. In studies BHT has caused various disorders in animals...

Woman spends six hours cooking meth inside Walmart before anyone takes notice and calls police (NaturalNews) When 45-year-old Elizabeth Alisha Greta Halfmoon was finally arrested for trying to set up a methamphetamine lab inside a Tulsa, Okla., Walmart store, she told police that she did not have the money to actually buy the chemicals and mix...

Homeopathic treatment slows progression of Alzheimer's disease (NaturalNews) A huge leap in the natural treatment of Alzheimer's disease was recently reported at the Neuroscience Conference in Washington by the National Center for Homeopathy. Homeopathic manufacturer and research organization, Heel, presented studies...

Another woman in her 80s says TSA sexually molested her at JFK airport (NaturalNews) Not even 24 hours after 85-year-old Lenore Zimmerman came forward to announce that US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York had strip-searched her in a back room and left...

Obama to fill Gitmo with Americans as NDAA law passes (NaturalNews) The right to due process in America is coming to a sudden end as traitorous members of Congress have now passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) which gives the U.S. military the power to arrest, detain, interrogate, torture...

Maryanne Godboldo finally gets daughter back from state child abductors; all charges confirmed as unwarranted (NaturalNews) The horrific saga of Maryanne Godboldo's battle with domestic terrorists in the government of her home state of Michigan appear to finally be coming to an end. The Detroit Free Press reports that two higher courts have confirmed the...

Sad Aviation Mishap...‏

Merry Christmas  

This "crash" site is near the Oak Creek Bridge on the St. Michael’s Road [MD 33]. 

The folks who own the property always have eye-catching displays celebrating various ‘holidays’ through the year… this year for Jületide they have certainly outdone themselves! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Submitted by a loyal reader, C.C. Bondermann

Obama will NOT veto 'indefinite detention' bill‏

Lisbon,

Obama and his media accomplices have tried their best to play off
his 'veto' threats as being out of concern for the
constitutionality of detaining American citizens indefinitely and
without any kind of constitutionally protected right to due process.

But that's not the case at all.

Obama is no longer threatening to veto the bill, and it still
contains the ad hoc legal framework to allow black bags to be
thrown over the heads of American citizens and have them whisked
away from their homes to some unknown location indefinitely.

Things have changed indeed...

 Obama will NOT veto 'indefinite detention' bill

On National Defense Authorization Act,
Obama pulls veto threat

By JOSH GERSTEIN |
12/14/11 4:19 PM EST

President Barack Obama does not plan to veto a defense bill seeking to direct more terrorism suspects into military custody, the White House signaled Wednesday afternoon.

White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said in a statement that changes lawmakers made to the legislation to accomodate White House concerns were sufficient to avoid a veto. The statement was issued just before the House was expected to vote on the conferenced House-Senate version of the National Defense Authorization Act.

Obama's decision disappointed members of his liberal base, some of whom took comments from the White House in recent months to indicate an increased willingness on the president's part to fight for his approach to the war on terror. By deciding not to veto, however, the president may have taken away one point Republicans could have used to argue that he favors a law-enforcement approach to fighting terrorism and that he was even willing to hold up various defense programs in order to insist on his approach.

"After intensive engagement by senior administration officials and the President himself, the Administration has succeeded in prompting the authors of the detainee provisions to make several important changes, including the removal of problematic provisions. While we remain concerned about the uncertainty that this law will create for our counterterrorism professionals, the most recent changes give the President additional discretion in determining how the law will be implemented, consistent with our values and the rule of law," Carney said in his statement.

"As a result of these changes, we have concluded that the language does not challenge or constrain the President’s ability to collect intelligence, incapacitate dangerous terrorists, and protect the American people, and the President’s senior advisors will not recommend a veto.  However, if in the process of implementing this law we determine that it will negatively impact our counterterrorism professionals and undercut our commitment to the rule of law, we expect that the authors of these provisions will work quickly and tirelessly to correct these problems," Carney added.

Critics of the detainee provisions were clearly disheartened by Obama's decision and said he had caved to political pressure.

"The President should be leading, but instead he’s apparently prepared to compromise national security and the rule of law for politics," said Raha Wala of Human Rights First. "This bill bundles the worst counterterrorism ideas devised since 9/11 into a nice little package.  As a former constitutional law professor, the President should know better.”
Read more here

Severe Weather Alerts A Lot of Air Moving Around Lisbon AREA Til 4 PM

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Local Weather Alert

Wind Advisory for Androscoggin, ME

From 7:00 AM EST, Fri., Dec 16, 2011 until 4:00 PM EST, Fri., Dec 16, 2011

---

Issued by The National Weather Service
Portland, ME

Fri, Dec 16, 2011, 4:08 AM EST

Local Radar Map

Updated Dec 16, 2011, 6:25am E

Weather in Motion®   |   Enlarge Map

Get WeatherReady

• Tips for Driving in Windy Weather
• Driving Safety Tips
• Interstate Driving Maps
• Get Live Traffic Reports
• Check the Latest Driving Forecast (video)

... WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 7 AM THIS MORNING TO 4 PM EST THIS AFTERNOON...
* WINDS... WEST 20 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 45 MPH... BECOMING NORTHWEST.
* TIMING... THIS MORNING THROUGH THE AFTERNOON.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
A WIND ADVISORY MEANS STRONG WINDS OF 31 TO 39 MPH OR GUSTS OF 46 TO 57 MPH CAN LEAD TO DAMAGE DUE TO DOWNED TREE LIMBS AND SCATTERED POWER OUTAGES.
&&

More Information

... STRONG WIND GUSTS TODAY...
.A STRONG COLD FRONT WILL CROSS THE REGION THIS MORNING. STRONG NORTHWEST WINDS WILL DEVELOP FOLLOWING THE FRONT.

Lisbon Students Visited by CMCC Director of Admissions‏

LISBON’S ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION STUDENTS GEARED IN THE COLLEGE DIRECTION

 Central Maine Community College Director of Admission, Marc Gosselin,  was introduced to Lisbon students attending the Gartley Street Alternative Education program by LHS Guidance Counselor, David Ferrick.  Gosselin met with Lisbon students to provide the latest course offerings and admissions information needed to apply to the college.  Pictured (l-r):  Enrique Mainit, David Evans (slightly hidden), Joshua Hyde, Kayla Higgins and Gabrielle Miller and Gosselin.  Photo by Monica Millhime.

Lisbon – Students in the Alternative Education Program offered at 19 Gartley Street in Lisbon, attended a seminar on college aspirations provided by Marc Gosselin, Director of Admissions at Central Maine Community College in Auburn.   “CMCC has been a wonderful resource for Lisbon students and a strong community partner within our school district,” shared Community Resource Coordinator, Monica Millhime.  “Our connection with the college continues to grow. Contacting the admissions office, on behalf of our program’s educators, Andy Despres and Brian Breton,  to meet with students in the Gartley Street Program provided us with another opportunity and a new focus for students.”  Gosselin shared the prerequesits required to attend CMCC and answered specific questions by students on areas of study.  “We wanted to offer the students an opportunity to hear for themselves that a college education is within reach for all of them.  Students should know about the entry level skills and knowledge they need to be accepted into the community college system,”  commented Despres.  FMI on programs and other events within the Lisbon Schools call 754-0021 or email mmillhime@lisbonschoolsme.org.  Like us on Facebook at Community Resource News in Lisbon Schools. 

Lisbon Class of 2015 Goin' Bruins‏

LISBON CLASS OF 2105 OFFERING A CHANCE TO WIN BRUIN TIX

Lisbon - On Saturday, December 4 members of Lisbon High School Class of 2015 participated in the Lisbon Boosters Annual Holiday Expo.  Students sold Boston Bruin Raffle tickets to raise funds for their class.  All money raised will benefit their Project Graduation.  Tickets are $5 each for a chance to win four tickets to the Boston Bruins game against the Buffalo Sabres in Boston on Saturday, April 7, 2012.  FMI contact advisor Debbie Weddle, 353.3030 or email dweddle@lisbonschoolsme.org.  Pictured (l-r) Montana Hern, Dakota Hern, Connor Craig, Hailey Chesnel, and Debbie Weddle, advisor.  Like us on Facebook at Community Resource News in Lisbon Schools.  Photo by Monica Millhime. 

Maine's Christians Team Up with Casino Backer Mendros‏

As is often the case with news these days, what is left out of this article today (below) is as important, or more important, than what is being reported.  The veteran reporter, Mal Leary, is being beyond charitable ('sloppy,' might be a better description) in not reporting on the very checkered recent past of Stavros Mendros.  The connections, though, that Leary misses in the article are incredible, and incredibly important.

 

Mendros, as recently as 2006, was under investigation by, and in collections with, Maine Revenue Services for not having filed individual State income tax returns for many consecutive years in the late 1990's and early 2000's.

 

Plus, Mendros was the principal and co-owner/developer this year of the failed proposed Lewiston casino project.  Mal Leary had to be aware of this, but only reported that Mendros was "a former lawmaker and owner of a company that conducts petition drives."

 

Conley, Jr., of the Christian Civic League of Maine, is keenly aware of Mendros's gambling ties and his very recent gambling interests.  Conley, Jr. joined last month and this fall with a coalition including the pro-gambling Friends of Oxford (Maine) Casino to oppose the Mendros/Lewiston casino project.

 

In addition, a recently installed League Board member, Scott C. Mitchell (www.cclmaine.org/our-leadership/), was the former campaign director for Mendros in his failed Congressional bid from 2002.  That tie between Mendros and Conley, Jr. (through Mitchell) is left unreported in the article.

 

More importantly, Mal Leary does not mention that the very young Matthew James Boucher

 

 

 

(see attached pic from last year, Matthew is on the right), who is quoted prominently in the article, is yet another recently installed League Board member (per an e-mail alert sent by the League last month at http://ericrussell.bangordailynews.com/2011/11/05/faith-and-the-race-for-maines-house-district-24-seat/).  The reporter only identifies Boucher as an "Ellsworth City Councilor."

 

That Conley, Jr. has thrown in again with the likes of casino backer Mendros is surprising and disappointing to be sure, considering Conley. Jr. being the leader of the Christian Civic League of Maine, which was founded in 1897 upon opposition to gambling. 

 

But more surprising and disappointing is how poorly investigated (and completely unreported by Mal Leary) the deep, direct connections are between Conley, Jr., Mendros, and Boucher. 

Group pushing mandatory sex offender sentences in Maine

By Mal Leary, Capitol News Service

http://bangordailynews.com/2011/12/14/politics/group-pushing-mandatory-sex-offender-sentences-in-maine/

December 14, 2011

 

AUGUSTA, Maine — A coalition of groups, individuals and lawmakers wants anyone convicted of a sex crime against a child under age 12 to serve a mandatory sentence of at least 25 years in prison. If the Legislature fails to pass such a bill in the session that opens in January, the coalition plans to collect signatures to put the issue on the ballot in 2013.

 

“We really need to take them off the street because the recidivism rate is so high,” said Ellsworth City Councilor Matthew Boucher, a member of the coalition. “They will in one form or another hurt hundreds of children over their lifetime. We really need to get a grasp on this; it’s really about protecting our children.”

 

Even as its members hoped the Legislature would take it up this session, the group filed paperwork with the Secretary of State’s Office on Wednesday to begin the process of putting the issue, often called “Jessica’s Law” after a similar measure in Florida, on the 2013 ballot. Petitioners must get 57,277 valid signatures, 10 percent of the votes cast in 2010 for governor.

 

“We are ready to go forward and collect the signatures if the Legislature does not pass this during this session,” said Stavros Mendros, a former lawmaker and owner of a company that conducts petition drives.

 

Lawmakers have rejected the proposal twice, adopting a law in 2006 that set a 20-year sentence as a “benchmark” for judges to use in setting a sentence and requires a judge to explain why he went below or above that target sentence.

 

Boucher said sentences that have been actually handed down average between seven and eight years and are woefully short of the penalties he says are warranted for sexual abuse of children.

 

“We need to put these people away so they can’t prey on any more children,” he said.

 

Carroll Conley, executive director of the Maine Christian Civic League, agreed. He said the league is supporting the effort to pass the tougher penalties both in the January session and through a petition drive if that is necessary.

 

“We believe that any society has as its first responsibility to protect children,” he said. “This law is talking about adults committing sex crimes against children. We need to protect our children from predators.”

 

Rep. Emily Cain, D-Orono, House minority leader, has opposed the legislation in the past and said it would face opposition if allowed into the session. She has not heard any request to allow the bill into the session.

 

“We passed our own version of Jessica’s Law by an overwhelming, bipartisan majority,” she said. “I would have to be convinced that is not working,”

Rep. Anne Haskell, D-Portland, the lead Democrat on the Criminal Justice Committee and a former co-chairwoman of the panel, said mandatory sentences are a bad idea with unintended consequences.

 

“I am not a supporter of mandatory penalties,” she said. “I believe the judges ought to have the discretion in sentencing.”

 

An example of an unintended consequence could be a situation in which a victim has been seriously traumatized and can’t testify, and instead of some punishment through a plea bargain, the perpetrator could be freed to offend again.

 

Rep. Tyler Clark, R-Easton, also a member of the coalition, said he supports the coalition efforts and will support the measure if it is allowed into the session. He serves on the Appropriations Committee and acknowledged any measure with a price tag will be difficult to fund as millions of dollars in spending cuts are being made.

 

“In all of government, there needs to be priorities,” he said. “That includes crimes.”

 

Sen. Garrett Mason, R-Lisbon Falls, co-chairman of the panel, said he would support the bill if it is allowed into the session. He said he is not part of the coalition, although he supports its goal.

 

Mendros said he believes the measure will be allowed into the session and that there will be enough support to pass it. But no one in Senate President Kevin Raye’s office was aware of a request. Raye is chairman of the legislative council that would have to vote to allow consideration of the after-deadline request for a new bill.

 

“If we have to get the signatures, I think we will get them in plenty of time to file and get it on the ballot,” Mendros said.”We are better organized than we were last time.”

 

In 2009, Mendros led an effort to put the question on the ballot for 2010, but collected only about 30,000 signatures, well short of the minimum. He also said the measure has the support of Gov. Paul LePage, but the governor’s legal counsel, Dan Billings, said he could not confirm that.

Michael Hein

Augusta, ME