ALERT: Act NOW to Fight Pingree’s Media Takeover‏

Friends,

 

It’s finally official: Chellie Pingree and her billionaire husband have become part-owners of the state’s biggest newspaper chain.  The Portland Press Herald announced Friday that Maine’s biggest investor in left-wing electoral politics, Donald Sussman, has ‘loaned’ the Maine Today Media chain between $3 and $4 million, and will now sit on the Board of Directors of the company, which owns the Portland Press Herald, Kennebec Journal, and Morning Sentinel newspapers.

 

We’ve all known the Left has controlled these newspapers for some time, but now it’s official.  Has there ever been a greater need for an alternative to the legacy media in Maine?

 

This is exactly why we launched TheMaineWire.com – and why we need your help to expand our efforts to provide real balance to Pingree’s newspapers.  Click here to make a donation to help fuel the only barrier standing between the Left and complete media dominance in Maine – The Maine Wire.

 

The Maine Wire is less than two months old, but we’ve already made a huge impact. Maine’s newspapers tried to cover up for Dale McCormick and the Maine State Housing Authority, but we pushed harder and harder, uncovering out-of-control spending on things like luxury hotels, political donations, and even massages for staffers. After weeks of media blackout, we finally forced the press to cover this story – and the floodgates have opened.  As a result of our work and your support:

• The Legislature is working on revamping the MSHA’s governance structure.
• More than 30 elected officials have asked the Attorney General to investigate.
• Maine’s government oversight arm expedited its investigation into the Housing Authority.

Now that the average Mainer will get their information through a Chellie Pingree filter, the work we’re doing at The Maine Wire becomes even more important.  

 

Pingree will say or do almost anything to cover up her record of out-of-control spending, campaign finance abuse, and far-left social experimentation.  It’s clear that she wants to force more government control and squash the free market and personal liberties we all cherish.

 

We can’t let her newspapers go unchallenged!

Conservatives in Maine need a vehicle to reach the people of this state and ensure they have the facts. The Maine Wire is that vehicle, and we’re asking for your help to expand our capacity and increase our reach.

 

We’ve exposed the misuse of taxpayer dollars used by Maine State Housing Authority, but there are dozens of other issues that need attention.  Your support today will help hire more reporters and expand our audience.

 

Please consider making a contribution to help grow The Maine Wire into a true balance to Chellie Pingree’s newspapers.

 

We launched The Maine Wire thanks to your support, and it’s already made a difference. Imagine how much more impact we could have with your support and participation.

 

If you agree that we can’t stand by and let a liberal agenda take over Maine’s media, please consider making a donation today.

 

Thanks for your support,

 

Lance Dutson
Chief Executive Officer
The Maine Heritage Policy Center

Lisbon High School 3rd Annual chili chowder chocolate challenge!‏

Where's Our Money Going? Curious Of Your Tax Dollars,,,,Maybe A Lil'Bit?

CURIOUS ABOUT YOUR TAX DOLLARS

Below is a comparison of Department Head salaries between the thriving community of Skowhegan and the Town of Lisbon.  Can you tell why Lisbon’s taxes are so high or does a rock have to fall on your head?

Former Councilor Roger Cote has been preaching about the inflation of salaries and no one wanted to listen but here it is in black and white.   It is outrageous the cronyism and collusion going on with the Town Council and Town Manager.  In this economic crisis, it is a crime against the people of Lisbon to force them to pay these inflated salaries.

 Look at all the businesses forced to close in Lisbon.  The combination of the economy and taxes are driving them away.  This unfortunate situation cannot be turned around until the people take charge of the spending in this town.  The facts are the Town of Lisbon has to cut these inflated salaries and to reduce spending in order to reduce taxes.  There is no other way!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

DEPARTMENT           SKOWHEGAN SALARY             LISBON SALARY
Finance Director                   $39,483.                                     $51,231.

Assistant Assessor                $35,652.                                     $27,861.*

Town Manager                     $63,000.                                      $86,749.

Code Enforcement/Land

fill Supervisor                      $62,334.           $36,628.**CodeEnf.

                                                                 $46,248.TransferStation

Economic & Community

Development Director         $45,633.                                      $57,000. ***

Police Chief                         $60,586.                                      $68,107.

Fire Chief                            $50,229.                                      $53,403.

General Assistance 

Case Worker                       $12,610.                                      None Listed

Health Officer                    $1200.                                          None Listed

Waste Water Treatment

Plant Supervisor                 $56,756.                                        $68570.

Road Commissioner           $60,926.                                        $58,742.

Parks $ Recreation

Director                         $47,074.                        $39,462.Recreation

                                                                                  $35.354.  Parks

Town Engineer                    None                                             $70.723.                          

*Partial Year
** Lisbon’s Code Enforcement Officer has nothing to do with the Transfer Station.
*** Was hired in 2010 for $57,000 but only paid $3,173 for 2010.

Skowhegan’s Salary is as of Municipal Budget for Fiscal Year 2012.
Lisbon’s Salary is as of the Annual Report for 2009-2010.  Employees received a 1.75% increase for 2011; the Town Engineer received an 8.5% increase; and the Recreation and Fire Chief received a $10,000 increase in their pay for 2011.

 Larry Fillmore
Concerned Citizen

THIS IS FOOD FOR THOUGHT FOR THE NEW YEAR AHEAD.

THIS IS FOOD FOR THOUGHT FOR THE NEW YEAR AHEAD.

 

I grew up in the 40's/50's with practical parents.
A mother, God love her, who washed aluminum foil after she cooked in it, then reused it. She was the original recycle queen, before they had a name for it.
A father who was happier getting old shoes fixed than buying new ones.

Their marriage was good, their dreams focused. Their best friends lived barely a wave away. I can see them now, Dad in trousers, tee shirt and a hat and Mom in a house dress, vacuum cleaner in one hand, and dish-towel in the other. It was the time for fixing things... a curtain rod, the kitchen radio, screen door, the oven door, the hem in a dress.  Things we keep. It was a way of life, and sometimes it made me crazy. All that re-fixing, eating, renewing, I wanted just once to be wasteful. Waste meant affluence. Throwing things away meant you knew there'd always be more. But then my mother died, and on that clear summer's night, in the warmth of the hospital room,  I was struck with the pain of learning that sometimes there isn't any more.. Sometimes, what we care about most gets all used up and goes away...never to return. So.... while we have it... it's best we love it..... and care for it... fix it when it's broken.... and heal it when it's sick. This is true for marriage.... and old cars.... and children with bad report cards....... and dogs with bad hips... and aging parents..... and grandparents. We keep them because they're worth it, because we are worth it. Some things we keep.  Like a classmate that moved away or a best friend we grew up with.. There are just some things that make life important, like people we know are special......and so, we keep them close! I received this from someone who thinks I am a 'keeper', so I've sent it to the people I think of in the same way. Now it's your turn to send this to those people that are "keepers" in your life. Good friends are like stars.... You don't always see them, but you know they are always there.  Keep them close!     TEN THINGS GOD WON'T ASK ON THAT DAY..  1... God won't ask what kind of car you drove. He'll ask how many people you drove who didn't have transportation. 2... God won't ask the square footage of your house. He'll ask how many people you welcomed into your home. 3... God won't ask about the clothes you had in your closet. He'll ask how many you helped to clothe. 4... God won't ask what your highest salary was. He'll ask if you compromised your character to obtain it. 5... God won't ask what your job title was. He'll ask if you performed your job to the best of your ability. 6... God won't ask how many friends you had. He'll ask how many people to whom you were a friend. 7... God won't ask in what neighborhood you lived. He'll ask how you treated your neighbors. 8... God won't ask about the color of your skin. He'll ask about the content of your character. 9... God won't ask why it took you so long to seek Salvation. He'll lovingly take you to your mansion in heaven, and not to the gates of Hell. 10... God won't have to ask how many people you forwarded this to. He already knows your decision.     Submitted by: Rufus

We Remember - Whitney Houston - Rest Well Girl

Whitney Houston - Where Do Broken Hearts Go

 

 

Didn't We Almost Have it All - Whitney Houston

 

 

 

Run to you with lyrics 

 

 

 

God Bless US All

"When Ordinary People Do A Simple Thing".... The 'Pink Ribbon' Scam

Must-see film: Pink Ribbons, Inc

Friday, February 10, 2012 by: Ethan A. Huff, staff write

(NaturalNews) They are everywhere these days, a symbol of cause-based marketing at its most profitable. But are those little pink breast cancer ribbons really making any difference at all in the fight against breast cancer, or are they merely a crafty tool to funnel billions of dollars into an industry that thrives on the never-ending quest to supposedly discover a cure?

The new film Pink Ribbons, Inc., which recently made its debut in theaters across Canada, takes a hard look at all the pink ribbon mania and asks some serious questions about what it is actually accomplishing. Acclaimed filmmaker Lea Pool does a marvelous job exposing the corporate agenda behind those little pink ribbons, and her findings are sure to shock millions.

You can watch a two-minute trailer of the film at:
http://tv.naturalnews.com/v.asp?v=A6850654D4A85F4EA97EE37046D074F3

Little known to many, for instance, is the fact that the original breast cancer ribbon was created by a woman named Charlotte Haley, now 68 years old, as an awareness tool to expose the fact that the National Cancer Institute (NCI) spent virtually none of its budget on cancer prevention. Today, that ribbon, which was originally a salmon color, has been hijacked by corporations and turned pink for the purpose of raising gobs of money in the name of "finding a cure."

"Raising money has become the priority, regardless of the consequences," said one woman interviewed for the film, concerning what all the breast cancer hullabaloo is really about. "If people actually knew what was happening, they would be really pissed off," added another woman.

 Most people have no idea where their donations to groups like Susan G. Komen for the Cure actually go, and whether or not any of it is being used for legitimate purposes. And at the same time, many of the products with pink breast cancer labels on them actually contribute to the disease, including KFC chicken (http://www.naturalnews.com/028631_Komen_for_the_cure_pinkwashing.html), Diet Coke (http://www.naturalnews.com/031415_Coca_Cola_diet_soda.html), and even alcoholic beverages (http://www.naturalnews.com/030018_pinkwashing_breast_cancer.html).

"It is hypocrisy to use carcinogens in products and at the same time be raising money for a cure," pointed out one woman in the film about the countless consumer products that contain known carcinogens.

So how can organizations like Komen for the Cure and its numerous corporate sponsors claim to be interested in ending breast cancer when they continue to do nothing to oppose the use of cancer-causing chemicals and additives in consumer products?

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/034927_pink_ribbons_documentary_film.html#ixzz1m4kYXf3q

"That's What We Do, We're Americans" Take Time to Give Thanks to Those Who Give All

A Change Is Coming--------THUNDERBIRDS

A Change is Coming . . .

New Air Force Thunderbirds Team

OBAMA QUESTIONING A FOUNDING FATHER‏

Submitted by: "Gordie"

Is Ron Paul Americas Only Hope? Super PAC supporting Ron Paul is operated by a 9/11 'truther'

Super PAC supporting Ron Paul is operated by a 9/11 'truther'

By Bill Dedman
Investigative Reporter, msnbc.com 

As libertarian Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul looks for a state he can win, some of his supporters have turned to a new theme: voting fraud.

A Super PAC supporting Paul has pledged to monitor the vote in all the remaining states, using an army of exit pollsters to fight what it calls results that are "outrageous, unacceptable and patently un-American." The group, called Revolution PAC, has spent half a million dollars supporting Paul with videos, webcasts, online ads, direct mail, billboards and radio ads in primary and caucus states.

We first noticed Revolution PAC last week, when it told the Federal Election Commission that it couldn't meet the deadline to identify its donors, because of an error by its bank. Now Revolution PAC has filed its report.

Read more.

The Power Of Fear: TSA Help Wanted - hilarious satire animation about TSA perverts, Janet Napolitano and the Bill of Rights - See The Video Banned by Others - (health ranger mike adams natural news freedom government air travel tsa airport security dhs janet napolitano fourth amendment )

The latest activism video from Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, hilariously depicts "TSA perverts" watching naked body scanner porn, stealing expensive electronics from the luggage of air travelers, digging for crotch gold during "enhanced pat downs" and turning into total psychopathic criminals.

See more activism videos by Mike Adams at:
www.NaturalNews.com/activism

"Total genius Mike Adams. Unbelievable genius. What won't he come up with next?"
- Alex Jones, InfoWars.com, February 7, 2012, national radio broadcast, 3rd hour

Before we get into today's news, we've got some breaking news about our recent TSA Help Wanted satire video. Google / YouTube has censored the video, preventing it from going viral! This is how scared the system is that people might actually see the truth about the TSA.
Alex Jones posted a short commentary video expressing outrage over this total censorship:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rwh6Gobyq9k
Fortunately, NaturalNews runs its own video network, so you can still view the full satire animation at our website:
http://tv.naturalnews.com/v.asp?v=979D7B9F44BA6EAE0DF65B3DE6E4EE33
I guess this one hit a little too close to the truth about TSA perverts, huh? You know a video is really, really hard-hitting when they actively censor it to make sure the public can't see it.

Speaking of Google, by the way, a few months ago the FDA went after Google for a $500 million fine for Google allowing so-called "online pharmacies" to advertise on Google. It's all part of the FDA's total monopoly enforcement to protect U.S. drug profits:
http://www.naturalnews.com/034930_FDA_Google_online_pharmacies.html

The FDA has also demanded that men cannot donate their sperm without being subjected to FDA regulations. So they now regulate your body fluids, too!
http://www.naturalnews.com/034929_sperm_donation_FDA_regulation.html

Have you seen the trailer for the hard-hitting new film Pink Ribbons, Inc? This film exposes the total sham of the cancer fundraising industry:
http://www.naturalnews.com/034927_pink_ribbons_documentary_film.html

Here are five lies repeated by so-called "personal improvement gurus." A real eye-opener:
http://www.naturalnews.com/034926_personal_growth_gurus_lies.html

P.S. I've just posted a new video interview with Jeffrey Smith about the latest breaking news on GMOs:
http://tv.naturalnews.com/v.asp?v=392D72A0CD569C34A603BB4883029B51

More news continues below...

Today's Feature Stories:

FDA monopoly enforcement goes after Google for $500 million in online pharmacy ad profits (NaturalNews) The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently snagged a hefty $500 million forfeiture, one of the largest in history, from search engine giant Google for running advertisements on its AdWords service for Canadian pharmacies. The agency...

FDA now regulating free online sperm donation (NaturalNews) The burgeoning world of online social media has now tapped the fertility market, with free sperm donation websites that match willing donors with infertile couples quickly growing in popularity. But according to a recent report by ABC...

Government overhaul of school lunch program will not affect the rising rate of obesity in children (NaturalNews) The National School Lunch Program announced its decision to raise nutrition standards for school children across the United States. This is the first implemented change to the program in 15 years. Led by First Lady Michelle Obama, the claimed...

Must-see film: Pink Ribbons, Inc (NaturalNews) They are everywhere these days, a symbol of cause-based marketing at its most profitable. But are those little pink breast cancer ribbons really making any difference at all in the fight against breast cancer, or are they merely a crafty...

Five lies personal growth gurus love to tell (NaturalNews) Personal growth gurus tell some impressive lies in order to sell their products. That's right. Lies. These convenient little falsehoods are effective motivators because they play on primal human needs and emotions. Shouldn't people who promote...

Roughhousing with your kids keeps them emotionally intelligent, ethical and physically fit (NaturalNews) Modern society has become obsessed with keeping everything as sanitary, standardized, risk-free, and "safe" as possible. But this approach to life is making it difficult for younger generations to learn important life lessons and build strong...

Consume healthy snacks for weight loss (NaturalNews) Snacking is almost universally viewed as bad for health, primarily because snacks are associated with convenience foods like chips, popcorn and soda. The last thing many of us imagine is that snacks can not only be healthy, but also supportive...

Government-distributed spam canned meat products linked to causing doubled risk of diabetes (NaturalNews) A new study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition has found that processed, canned meat products -- these are collectively known as "spam," as is the brand-name version of the canned meat popularly known as "SPAM...

High fiber foods reduce disease (NaturalNews) According to a health review put together at the Rain Forest Research Institute in India, and recently published in the International Journal of Food Safety, Nutrition and Public Health, increased dietary fiber consumption can reduce...

TSA Help Wanted animation video goes viral across the net as public outrage against airport molestations boils over (NaturalNews) NaturalNews.com released its latest satire animation video just two days ago: TSA Help Wanted, an outrageously comical look at the TSA perverts, thieves and scumbags who molest little children (and our grandmas!) while claiming it's...

Black raspberries prevent colorectal cancer (NaturalNews) Black raspberries contain natural compounds that may significantly reduce the risk of colorectal cancer, according to a study conducted by researchers from Ohio State University and published in the journal Cancer Prevention. Researchers...

Congress OKs 30,000 flying drones spying on Americans across U.S. cities (NaturalNews) It's the most benign thing in the world. In fact, it's a concept whose time has come and it will only help protect us and keep us safe. Naturally, there's nothing to worry about because there won't be any abuse of the technology....

An idea for retired people

Working people frequently ask retired people what they do to make their days interesting. Well, for example, the other day, Tommy, my husband and I went into town and visited a shop.

When we came out, there was a cop writing out a parking ticket.   We went up to him and I said, 'Come on, man, how about giving a senior citizen a break?'  He ignored us and continued writing the ticket.

I called him an “a--hole” . He glared at me and started writing another ticket for having worn-out tires.

So Tommy called him a “s--- head”.  He finished the second ticket and put it on the windshield with the first.

Then he started writing more tickets.  This went on for about 20 minutes. 

The more we abused him, the more tickets he wrote.

Just then our bus arrived, and we got on it and went home.

We always look for cars with "OBAMA 2012" stickers.

We try to have a little fun each day now that we're retired.  It's important at our age.

 

Apache Truck

This is how it should be. Communities working together.

Thinking of others, not self-serving.

 

Dot Fitzgerald

a very concerned citizen

Apache Truck News Story....beautiful story...!

Try watching this without getting a tear in you eye

Delivering one last gift

Delivering one last gift. Dave Delozier reports. 9NEWS at 10 p.m. 11/27/11

 

 Thanks Gene for the submission.

In Case you Missed It: Violent Offender Threatens Governor, MaineHousing Fails to Report

In Case you Missed It: Violent Offender Threatens Governor, MaineHousing Fails to Report Incident 

 

PORTLAND, ME – As reported in The Maine Wire today, “It was a gun threat against Maine Governor Paul LePage by an alleged violent offender. And yet, according to Maine Housing information manager Deborah Turcotte, the Maine State Housing Authority never reported the threat to the police. Neither did MSHA contact the governor’s security detail.”

 

MaineHousing reported the incident as a threat against MaineHousing, not as a threat against the governor. The threat was publicly revealed in a MaineHousing press release 14 days after the January 10, 2011 incident, and did not mention Governor LePage. “Instead, the threat, falsely portrayed as a threat against Maine Housing, was used to justify the under-siege mentality the agency had adopted toward individuals attending the public commissioners’ board meetings.”

 

MaineHousing has yet to report the incident to the governor’s security detail.

 

For the complete story, please go to http://www.themainewire.com/2012/02/breaking-violent-offender-threatens-governor-msha-fails-report-incident/.

Town Council Agenda for Feb. 7, 2012

AGENDA
TOWN COUNCIL MEETING
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2012
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. Pawnbroker Establishment License d/b/a Double Diamond Pawn

4. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION

5. CONSENT AGENDA
2012-10 ORDER −
A. Minutes of January 17, 2012
B. Minutes of January 24, 2012
C. Pawnbroker Establishment License d/b/a Double Diamond Pawn

6. COUNCIL ORDERS, RESOLUTIONS, & ORDINANCES
2012-11 ORDINANCES −
Chapter 24 Public Safety Article 1 Fireworks (First Reading)

7. OTHER BUSINESS
A. Charter Discussion/Budget Referendum
B. Municipal Budget Schedule 2012-2013
C. Lisbon Spirit of America Tribute
D. Town Manager’s Report

8. APPOINTMENTS
2012-12 ORDER −
Recreation Committee (1) Term expiring 6/30/2014

9. COUNCILOR COMMUNICATIONS

10. EXECUTIVE SESSION
2012-13 ORDER −
1 MRSA § 405 (6) (A) Personnel Matters – Town Manager Evaluation
2012-14 ORDER −
1 MRSA § 405 (6) (D) Labor Negotiations – MAP & Sergeant Units

11. ADJOURNMENT
2012-15 ORDER −
To Adjourn

12. WORKSHOP- Department Heads
A. Police
B. Fire
C. Library

Winter Blonde‏

WINTER BLONDE

As a trucker stops for a red light, a blonde catches up. She jumps out of her car, runs

up to his truck, and knocks on the door.

 

The trucker lowers the window, and she says "Hi, my name is Heather and you are

losing some of your load."
The trucker ignores her and proceeds down the street.

When the truck stops for another red light, the girl catches up again.
She jumps out of her car, runs up and knocks on the door.
Again, the trucker lowers the window and again says "Hi my name is Heather,

and you are losing some of your load!"

When the light turns green the trucker revs up and races to the next light.

When he stops this time, he hurriedly gets out of the truck, and runs back to the blonde.
He knocks on her window, and after she lowers it, he says...   "Hi, my name is Mark, it's winter in Maine, and I'm driving the SALT TRUCK!"

" Hey, It Happens..!"

Submitted by: Gordie

Stop Distorting The Truth!!!!

DO CITIZENS OF LISBON DESERVE A READABLE BUDGET?

Below is an extract of the Police Department’s portion of the Skowhegan’s Municipal Budget for 2012. This budget is broken down by departments and clearly explains all the entries in the budget. This budget outlines everything clean and concise so everyone can read this and know how their tax dollars are being spent. The Town of Skowhegan is extremely transparent and the people of Skowhegan should be proud of the outstanding management of their town.

Now, try and compare Skowhegan’s budget with Lisbon’s budget. Lisbon’s budget is so convoluted no one will be able to read and understand anything. This is the method the town manager and the town council used to hide mismanagement of our tax dollars. Bowie continues to conspire with Brooks to keep the people from knowing how much money is being spent by the police department. I used the Skowhegan police department to compare to Lisbon’s police department to ensure I am comparing apples to apples. The Lisbon police department is the most costly department in Lisbon. Brooks has openly admitted to spreading the operating cost of OUR communications center in different areas of the budget. There is no telling how much money for the police department is scattered throughout the budget. How can anyone determine what the actual operating costs of any department is when line items are spread throughout the budget?

Look at Skowhegan’s budget and you will find all the operating costs for each department is listed under the correct department. This provides anyone who wants to know what the total operating cost is to see it clearly. In Lisbon’s municipal budget there is no transparency, citizens have to search and search for line items pertaining to a department to determine the total operating cost of the department. Creative accounting is how the town manager, town council and Brooks conceal and misuse tax dollars. People have a right to know how their tax dollars are being spent.

The people must make a stand and demand management create a budget more in line with Skowhegan’s in order to determine where to make cuts in our operating costs so we can lower our tax bills. Let’s put a stop to this mismanagement and restore transparency in Lisbon.

Larry Fillmore

Concerned Citizen

Been A Rough Week...!

We Hear From Mrs. Tugball...!

I read the reporter daily and when I was a little girl heard a saying.

The only difference between the Boy Scouts and our town government is the Boy Scouts have adult leadership.

Seems this is true today.

Mrs. Tugball

Senior Citizen

Portland Luncheon: Green Energy And The Ballot Box - February 16, 2012‏

Please Join Us for

"Green Energy And The Ballot Box:

How Maine's Renewable Mandate Could

Drive The Economy (Into A Ditch)"

Portland

Thursday, February 16, 2012

DiMillo’s On the Water

  25 Long Wharf

Luncheon

 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Mr. Christopher O'Neil

Government Relations Consultant

O'Neil Policy Consulting, Inc.

Maine voters will likely decide energy policy at the ballot box.  February's luncheon will explore the renewable mandate referendum, and why it makes no sense for Maine.  Presenter Chris O'Neil is president of Friends of Maine's Mountains, the state's only free-market conservation organization, whose mission is to protect Maine's environment and economy.

Click Here To Register

MHPC Member: $17 per person, inclusive of tax and gratuity.  Non-Member: $22

For more information or reservations, please contact Amanda Clark

at aclark@mainepolicy.org or 207-321-2550.

About MHPC The Maine Heritage Policy Center is a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit, nonpartisan research and educational organization based in Portland, Maine.  The Maine Heritage Policy Center formulates and promotes free-market, conservative public policies in the areas of economic growth, fiscal matters, health care, education, constitutional law and government transparency - providing solutions that will benefit all the people of Maine.  Contributions to MHPC are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.

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READING BLOGS OR FIGHTING CRIME?

Posted: 020212  9:32pm

 By: Peter Reuter
The Lisbon Reporter


What is our police department doing daily? 

Statistical data gathered for the last three days displayed below indicates the police department is spending a great deal of time logged on to the Lisbon Reporter. 

I am going out on a limb and say “The police department will never stop domestic violence, burglaries, speeders, rape, parking violations in Huston Park or even find drug dealers reading the Lisbon Reporter.”

Check it out, on January 31 the police department logged in 14 times; February 1 they logged in 4 times and to top it all off on February 2 they logged in 22 times with the last entry 7:23PM. This is not even a full day. 

Apparently, there is no crime in Lisbon if our police department has so much free time on their hands to read blog sites. 

This is what our tax dollars are being utilized for. 

Why isn’t Chief Brooks supervising his department because this falls under the heading of mismanagement and misappropriation of town equipment? 

The residents of Lisbon are not receiving much value for their hard earned dollars.

Chief Brooks cannot manage his department but has asked the three county commissioners to entrust him with a consolidated communication center worth well in excess of a half million dollars. 

Please check out the story in the Sun Journal pertaining to Lewiston/Auburn 911. This is absolutely the right way to go for Androscoggin County. 

LA 911 could expand to cover Androscoggin County, dispatch chief says

By Daniel Hartill, Staff Writer

Published on Thursday, Feb 2, 2012

AUBURN — If Androscoggin County wants to create an emergency dispatching hub — one place to answer 911 calls and send help — it can be done. But it must be done soon, an official said.
"I'm not going to put a hard and fast deadline on it," said Phyllis Gamache-Jensen, executive director of Lewiston-Auburn 911. But it must happen sooner, rather than later. "The end of the year is probably too late."

The reason is a state-mandated update of dispatching technology that will be rolled out over the next 20 months. The center will need more than six months to make that transition.
Becoming a countywide institution would be an even larger transition.
"We couldn't do them at the same time," Gamache-Jensen told the Androscoggin County Commission on Wednesday.

The three-member commission met with Gamache-Jensen at her communications center beneath Auburn's central fire station on Minot Avenue. It was the second in a three-stop tour the commission is making before taking another shot at solving the decade-old county dispatching debate.

Last week, the commission met with Sheriff Guy Desjardins and Patrol Capt. Raymond Lafrance, who oversees the county's dispatch center. Next Wednesday, the commission is scheduled to tour the Lisbon dispatch center

 Read more here.


Here are the Stats just click on for larger image.

 

Update 02/03/2012:

6:25 pm

Councilor Cote has left a new comment on your post "READING BLOGS OR FIGHTING CRIME?":

"Blog boy Brooks is going to have a hard time explaining this one. This has been going on for years we have the proof. This will leave a scare on the blog boys Legacy"

7:15 pm
Larry Fillmore has left a new comment on your post "READING BLOGS OR FIGHTING CRIME?":

"Thanks you Peter for pointing out just how our tax dollars are being utilized. It is a shame Chief Brooks and his staff cannot concentrate more on protecting the citizens of Lisbon; since crime is on the rise. Residents have a right to expect our Chief of Police to devote his time and equipment to combatting crime in this community instead of wasting time and resources reading a blog site. Roger Cote has been trying to explain this to people for years."

020412  
9:30 am

 Gregg has left a new comment on your post "READING BLOGS OR FIGHTING CRIME?":

"I am at a loss here guys, what exactly is Chief Brooks explaining. I will give you points that he does have some to do, but on this … really?
While you might be right “The police department will never stop domestic violence, burglaries, speeders, rape, parking violations in Huston Park or even find drug dealers reading the Lisbon Reporter.” But knowing what is going on in the Town of Lisbon is part of their job.
(Let me know when you find that ordinance on parking in Huston Park.)
Offhand I would assume the "login's" being documented (which in and of itself bothers me) were probably dispatchers and or police officers reviewing different articles in the Lisbon Reporter looking for news and current events.
If you had ever sat a shift as a dispatcher you would realize that like any other office job, unless a major incident is going on, their “day” is spent stuck behind a desk with the main exception being that emergency service dispatchers do not have the luxury of leaving that desk without relief or in some way remaining in contact with both the units on the road and telephones and any alarms they monitor. On the other side you have the other members of the police force who could be on a meal or other break and want to see what local news is available. I personally support the fact that they are reviewing the Lisbon Reporter and would further assume they are using it as a tool in their roll of community policing. I have usually found the Lisbon Reporter to be a good source for local information and appreciate the service you provide. In that context I fail to understand why you or your readers would begrudge the members of the Lisbon PD the opportunity to view the service you provide. I applaud these visits to the Lisbon Reporter and wish the Town’s “upper management” would utilize this more as a way to communicate with the citizens."