You Know You Live In Upside-Down Land If.....

You know you live in Upside-down Land if:

• A Muslim officer crying "Allah Akbar" while shooting up an army base is considered to have committed "Workplace Violence" while an American citizen boasting a Ron Paul bumper sticker is classified as a "Domestic Terrorist".

You know you live in Upside-down Land if:

• Your government believes that the best way to eradicate trillions of dollars of debt is to spend more money.

You know you live in Upside-down Land if:

• A seven year old boy can be thrown out of school for calling his teacher "cute" but hosting a sexual exploration class on a college campus is perfectly acceptable.

You know you live in Upside-down Land if:

• The Supreme Court of the United States can rule that lower courts cannot display the 10 Commandments in their courtroom, while sitting in front of a display of the 10 Commandments.

You know you live in Upside-down Land if:

• Children are forcibly removed from parents who appropriately discipline them while children of "underprivileged" drug addicts are left to rot in filth infested cesspools.

You know you live in Upside-down Land if:

• Working class Americans pay for their own health care (and the health care of everyone else) while unmarried women are free to have child after child on the "State's" dime while never being held responsible for their own choices.

You know you live in Upside-down Land if:

• Hard work and success are rewarded with higher taxes and government intrusion, while slothful, lazy behavior is rewarded with EBT cards, WIC checks, Medicaid and subsidized housing.

You know you live in Upside-down Land if:

• The government's plan for getting people back to work is to provide 99 weeks of unemployment checks (to not work).

You know you live in Upside-down Land if:

• Being self-sufficient is considered a threat to the government.

You know you live in Upside-down Land if:

• Politicians think that stripping away the amendments to the constitution is really protecting the rights of the people.         

You know you live in Upside-down Land if:      

• The rights of the State come before the rights of the individual.

You know you live in Upside-down Land if:

• Parents believe the State is responsible for providing for their children.

  You know you live in Upside-down Land if:

You pay your mortgage faithfully, denying yourself the newest big screen TV while your neighbor defaults on his mortgage (while buying iphones, TV's and new cars) and the government forgives his debt and reduces his mortgage (with your tax dollars).

   You know you live in Upside-down Land if:

Your government can add anything they want to your kid's water (fluoride, chlorine, etc.) but you are not allowed to give them raw milk.            

• You know you live in Upside-down Land if:
• Being stripped of the ability to defend yourself makes you "safe".

You know you live in Upside-down Land if:

• You have to have your parents signature to go on a field trip but not to get an abortion.

You know you live in Upside-down Land if:

• You can get arrested for expired tags on your car but not for being in the country illegally.

You know you live in Upside-down Land if:

• An 80 year old woman can be stripped searched by the TSA but a Muslim woman in a burqa is only subject to having her neck and head searched.

You know you live in Upside-down Land if:

• Using the "N" word is considered "hate speech" but writing and signing songs about raping women and killing cops is considered "art".

Unfortunately, this list could go on and on. Our world has been turned upside-down. We are in distress. Where do we go from here?

Submitted by: 'Rufus'

These Shouldn't Be Funny, But ...!

Cartoons We Can All Agree On 

 

 

 

Salary of retired US Presidents ............$180,000 FOR LIFE This is stupid

Salary of House/Senate ......................$174,000 FOR LIFE   This is stupid

Salary of Speaker of the House ............$223,500 FOR LIFE This is stupid

Salary of Majority/Minority Leaders ....... $193,400 FOR LIFE This is stupid

Average Salary of a teacher ................  $40,065

Average Salary of Soldier

DEPLOYED IN AFGHANISTAN............. $38,000

I think we found where the cuts should be made! If you agree... RE-POST

We The People......

Country Folk Aren't So Bad, Now Here's A Heart Warming Story - We Wish You Good 'Health' Kevin Hope You Have A Ball

Cancer-Fighting Teen Invites Taylor Swift To Prom; Gets Surprise Response

By Wendy Geller | Our Country – Fri, Feb 24, 2012

Lots of guys want to go on a date with Taylor Swift. So, what makes 18-year-old Kevin McGuire from Somerdale, New Jersey any different from the pack of Swift's would-be suitors?

Well, there are a few things, which I'll go over in a minute. But, suffice to say, McGuire, who recently asked Swift via Facebook to be his prom date in June, stands out for the response he got. Swift declined the offer...but asked him to accompany her to a prestigious awards show in April, instead!

           Taylor Swift

How did this all happen? The backstory: McGuire has had a painful struggle with leukemia since he was 13 years old. He went into remission in 2010, but sadly relapsed and is currently battling cancer for a second time.

His older sister, Victoria, impressed with her brother's bravery and character, started a Facebook campaign with the hope of granting his greatest wish--convincing Swift to attend prom with him.

Continue reading here.


"a story like this kind of makes you all warm 'n fuzzy inside after reading it... now don't it..?"

Speaking of Bells Ringing Lately,,,, Taylor Swift - Haunted (live)

Save The Country,,,Plant A Bush!!!

Jeb Bush eyed as latest 'white knight' candidate in GOP presidential race

Former Florida governor was critical of current field in a speech this week, prompting rumours he could be a surprise contender

Jeb Bush, right, with his brother President George Bush at an Orlando fundraiser in 2006. Photograph: Jason Reed/Reuters 

Speculation that a late challenger might still emerge in the increasingly bitter race for the Republican presidential nomination is set to surge after former Florida governor Jeb Bush made remarks criticising the current field.

Bush, who is the brother of President George W Bush and son of President George Bush Sr, is a beloved figure among many conservatives who see him as a strong and charismatic leader who is popular in the must-win swing state of Florida.

That contrasts with a widespread unease among many Republican leaders and grassroots activists with the remaining crop of Republican candidates and the vitriolic nature of the fight between frontrunner Mitt Romney and his main challengers Rick Santorum and Newt Gingrich.............

 http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/feb/24/jeb-bush-latest-white-knight-republican?newsfeed=true

Reminder: Please Help Out Our Local Rockn' "T" Equine Rescue, Voting is almost finished.

Please help someone in your Community!
 It's called (People Helping People)! 
 Rockin T Equine Rescue, Inc. (The Second Largest Farm in Maine, right in Lisbon Falls) 

 Janet Tuttle

 "hay, any help is appreciated"

 Any help to keep these wheel-barrows full and the chickens pecking would be Awesome!!!  Thanks!!!

When you get on the Bangor web site, click on vote then look for the Portland/ Lewiston/Auburn area. You will have to type in Rockin T Equine Rescue. You can vote 3 times (one per day). It only takes a couple of minutes of your time and would be greatly appreciated!

The Rockin’ “T” Equine Rescue is a non-profit organization under the provisions of 501©(3) IRS tax codes; who needs our assistance. An undertaking of this size is very costly and this is where the residents of Lisbon and the State of Maine can help. There are two ways people can assist. The first one is to logon to www.bangor.com/cmm which is a web site for the Bangor Savings Bank which has a contest going where the Bangor Savings Bank is giving back to the communities of Maine. All you have to do is logon to the web site; click on the box which reads “Cast Your Vote Today”; scroll down to the section for “Portland/Lewiston-Auburn” and click on a write in box and enter Rockin’ “T” Equine Rescue. THIS COSTS YOU NOTHING MORE THAN A FEW MINUTES OF YOUR TIME! According to the information I have received 68 grants will be awarded. The top vote-getting organization in each region, including write-ins, will receive $5,000. The remaining 60 organization will each receive $1,000. Any amount of money received will go a long way to feed, shelter and caring for these animals.

 
The second way is through tax free donations under the provisions of the 501©(3) of the IRS tax codes. You simple login to the rescue web site and follow the instructions provide. This web site is www.rockintequinerescue.com . I completely understand that times are hard right now and every penny counts but this also applies to these animals. If there are any organizations which would like to adopt the rescue farm or volunteer their time would be greatly appreciated. REMEMBER ALL DONATIONS ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE. There are no donations too small and every bit helps!!!!!!!

If there are any questions or concerns you have or even want to donate your time, please do not hesitate to contract Janet or Andy Tuttle at 353-6581. You can also call Lucie Bisson @ 576=5922.

Urine or You're Out - To Pee Or Not To Pee...VERY TRUE!‏

I have a job. 

I work, they pay me. 

I pay my taxes & the government 
Distributes my taxes as it sees fit. 

In order to get that paycheck, in my case, 
I am required to pass a random urine test 
(with which I have no problem). 


What I do have a problem with is the distribution of my taxes 
To people who don't have to pass a urine test. 

So, here is my question: 
Shouldn't one have to pass a urine test to get a welfare check 
Because I have to pass one to earn it for them? 

Please understand, I have no problem with helping people get back on their feet. 
I do, on the other hand, have a problem with helping someone sitting on their BUTT ----doing drugs while I work. 


Can you imagine how much money each state would save 
If people had to pass a urine test to get a public assistance check? 

I guess we could call the program "URINE OR YOU'RE OUT"! 


Pass this along if you agree or simply delete if you don't. 
Hope you all will pass it along, though. 
Something has to change in this country - AND SOON! 


P.S. Just a thought, all politicians should have to pass a urine test too!
 oh, and by the way,.. town councilors also!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Submitted by: Gordie 

Plans to drug test welfare recipients gain momentum

By BEN NEARY and IVAN MORENO, The Associated Press

CHEYENNE, Wyo. — Conservatives who say welfare recipients should have to pass a drug test to receive government assistance have momentum on their side.

The issue has come up in the Republican presidential campaign, with front-runner Mitt Romney saying it’s an “excellent idea.”

Nearly two dozen states are considering plans this session that would make drug testing mandatory for welfare recipients, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. And Wyoming lawmakers advanced such a proposal this week.

Driving the measures is a perception that people on public assistance are misusing the funds and that cutting off their benefits would save money for tight state budgets — even as statistics have largely proved both notions untrue.

 More here.

Who Is Protecting Whom..?? Brasscheck: FBI foils their own terror plot once again‏ (fake terror, false flag, FBI, fraud, Muslim, US Capitol, Washington)

Lisbon,

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has once again proven that the only thing Americans need to fear, is their own government, with the latest "terror attack" foiled being one entirely of their own design. The FBI is carrying out what is essentially a campaign of entrapment, as these 'patsies' serve to fuel fear and keep people willing to give up their rights for a false sense of security. It's not funny, but it IS interesting that, in each case, they admit running the operation from the ground up and yet people still fall for this fake terror routine. Not as many any more though, as you'll see, less and less people are falling for it...

Video:

 FBI tries to coax Muslim
into bombing US Capitol

 



 http://www.brasschecktv.com/page/9583.html

  Goodman Green 

- Brasscheck

Related article...

Washington DC: FBI Foils Own Terror Plot (Again)

Tony Cartalucci
Infowars.com

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has once again proven that the only thing Americans need fear, is their own government, with the latest “terror attack” foiled being one entirely of their own design.

USA Today reports that a suspect had been arrested by the FBI who was “en route to the U.S. Capitol allegedly to detonate a suicide bomb.” While initial reports portrayed the incident as a narrowly averted terrorist attack, CBS would report that a “high ranking source told CBS News the man was “never a real threat.”" The explosives the would-be bomber carried were provided to him by the FBI during what they described as a “lengthy and extensive operation.” The only contact the suspect had with “Al Qaeda” was with FBI officials posing as associates of the elusive, omnipresent, bearded terror conglomerate. The FBI, much like their MI5 counterparts in England, have a propensity for recruiting likely candidates from mosques they covertly run.

This is but the latest in a string of national terror plots carried out from start to finish by the FBI, who has made a business of approaching likely candidates and grooming them to carry out terror attacks. In September 2011, another FBI terror operation targeting the Capitol was “foiled,” involving a patsy who believed he was to take part in an assault that would involve multiple gunmen and even a drone bomber provided to him by the FBI.

And perhaps the most dubious of all, was the December 2010 Portland “Christmas Tree Bomber,” who was also approached by the FBI, provided demolition training, including a demonstration with live explosives performed in a Lincoln County park, and a van within which the patsy believed his handlers had provided him a bomb. The van with the inert device was parked next to a crowded Christmas tree lighting ceremony where the patsy attempted to detonate it remotely before being arrested by FBI agents.

It would later turn out that Portland had heroically withdrew from the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, (JTTF), with the operation then being carried out behind Portland Mayor Sam Adam’s back only for its conclusion to humiliatingly catch the mayor off guard. The city of Portland would eventually rejoin the JTTF after the fallout from the FBI’s own terror plot.

The FBI is carrying out what is essentially a campaign of entrapment fueling what alternative news outlet Media Monarchy appropriately calls “terronoia.” And while it is true that these incidents are being used to foment a climate of fear to justify the ongoing “War on Terror,” there is a more sinister implication readers must be aware of...

Read more here

America's Numbing Agent: 30. Normalcy Bias

Http://TheGreatestTruthNeverTold.com

Witness To Collusion

RECAP FEBRUARY 21, 2012

At last night’s town council meeting, the people learned what kind of a councilor Lisa Ward was going to be.  Ward fell right in with the rest of the puppets and voted to renew the town manager's contract for another year.  

 The council is now made up of a puppet master (Bowie) pulling the strings of the rest of the puppets.  

 Councilor Bowie

 Councilor Bickford

This also means your taxes are going to sky-rocket this year; the lack of transparency in government will continue and more important the town of Lisbon will continue to be mismanaged. This gloomy look into the future is a direct result of the people of Lisbon not caring what this council does until they receive their tax bills.  Well, your tax bill will probably increase even more than that of two years ago and you have no one to blame but yourselves.  We have been telling you for a year now what is coming and no one has taken an interest.  So when your tax bills come, don’t bother coming to the town council meeting to cry and whine because it is too late.  Just sit on your couch with your remote in hand and watch your favorite television shows and shell out your hard earned money to pay for the inflated salaries and excessive spending by the town council.  As long as you do not care, this town council will continue to ignore taxpayers.

 Council Chair LaRochelle

Another fruitless attempt at doing something right, Leighton recommended to the town council to place  weight restrictions on several roads because of the early thawing.  This was approved by the council by a vote of 5-1.  What is really strange is the memo states both Wing Street and Webster Road are weight restricted year round.  Wing Street has a “No through Truck” sign instead of a “Weight Restriction” sign in order to protect Pomelow Transport.  Brooks needs Pomelow’s vote to keep his inflated budget and to keep control of the council.  

 There is no way Brooks will ever cite David Pomelow for driving his tractor trailers in Huston Park, a housing area full of kids.  This town has numerous ordinances on the books which Brooks and Eldridge refuse to enforce so why even have them?  Creating ordinances with no intentions of enforcing them is wasting volumes of time and money. 

The council approved the 2012-2013 Capital Improvement Budget by a vote of 6-0.

The Fireworks Ordinance was sent off to a committee for review.  I do not object to having fireworks during July 4th and over New Year’s but with the surrounding towns having a city-wide ban on the use of fireworks in their towns; I am totally against selling fireworks in Lisbon.  Lisbon should respect the wishes of their neighbors and not add to their problems by selling fireworks.

There was an excellent article written by a colleague of mine back on August 15, 2008 called “The Common Denominator: David Brooks” which is at http://www.lisbonreporter.com/2008/08/common-denominator-david-brooks.html and after reading it again I am convinced it is as true today as it was then.  

Police Chief David Brooks

Town Manager Eldridge 
"Yes, I'd hang my head too..!"

Lisbon is deteriorating rapidly under Brooks, Eldridge and Bowie and the people of Lisbon do not even care.  If you cannot see this then you are blind.  If you do not try to correct the situation, you have no right to complain.  

The only recourse the people have to begin taking back our town is to make a clean sweep in November and elect new people to the council in hopes of getting honest people with integrity that will always put the best interest of the community first.

CLEAN SWEEP IN NOVEMBER

Larry Fillmore
Concerned Citizen

In Lisbon - 'Bells Will Be Ringing' come voting time

This is not only a cute story, but who wouldn't love this absolutely beautiful rooster, "Old Butch."

Old Butch

John was in the fertilized egg business.

He had several hundred young layers (hens), called 'pullets,' and ten roosters to fertilize the eggs.

He kept records, and any rooster not performing went into the soup pot and was replaced.

This took a lot of time, so he bought some tiny bells and attached them to his roosters.

Each bell had a different tone, so he could tell from a distance, which rooster was performing.

Now, he could sit on the porch and fill out an efficiency report by just listening to the bells.

John's favorite rooster, old Butch, was a very fine specimen, but this morning he noticed old Butch's bell hadn't rung at all!

When he went to investigate, he saw the other roosters were busy chasing pullets, bells-a-ringing, but the pullets, hearing the roosters coming, would run for cover.

To John's amazement, old Butch had his bell in his beak, so it couldn't ring.

He'd sneak up on a pullet, do his job and walk on to the next one.

John was so proud of old Butch, he entered him in the Saint Lawrence County Fair and he became an overnight sensation among the judges.

The result was the judges not only awarded old Butch the "No Bell Piece Prize," but they also awarded him the "Pulletsurprise" as well.

Clearly old Butch was a politician in the making. Who else but a politician could figure out how to win two of the most coveted awards on our planet by being the best at sneaking up on the unsuspecting populace and screwing them when they weren't paying attention.

Vote carefully this fall, the bells are not always audible.

Getting High Gasoline Prices Now, watch this segment change on the air

 

By Sarah Amos

Feb 22, 2012 8:39pm

Price Shock: Watch Cost of Gas Jump 10 Cents During ABC’s ‘World News’ Broadcast

 

The headlines of major newspapers and TV networks this week have been dominated by rising gas prices.
Drivers across the country have shared their stories on the cost - with many already paying more than $4 a gallon at the pump.  There have even been reports of gas prices rising at a rate of 10 to 15 cents in a matter of hours. 
Read:  How high will gas prices go?
The swiftness at which those gas prices continue to climb was crystal clear Wednesday night during the broadcast of ABC News’ “World News with Diane Sawyer.”
As ABC News’ Cecilia Vega introduced her piece on high gas prices, the sign at the downtown Los Angeles gas station behind her showed the price of regular gas at $4.99 a gallon.   However when the piece concluded nearly two minutes later the price of regular gas had jumped 10 cents to $5.09 a gallon.

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/business/2012/02/price-shock-watch-cost-of-gas-jump-10-cents-during-abcs-world-news-broadcast/





Submitted by: 'Gordie'

Brasscheck: How children are harmed by prohibition‏ (children, Law Enforcement Against Prohibition, LEAP, prohibition, war on drugs)

Lisbon,
 
Speakers for the organization 'Law Enforcement Against Prohibition'
discuss the War on Drugs and the various ways that prohibition
harms children more than the drugs themselves.
 
Sound crazy? If so, it's all that more reason to hear them out...
 

 
Goodman Green
- Brasscheck

 

Related article...

Why Legalize Drugs?

Law Enforcement Against Prohibition

We believe that drug prohibition is the true cause of much of the social and personal  damage that has historically been attributed to drug use. It is prohibition that makes these drugs so valuable –  while giving criminals a monopoly over their supply. Driven by the huge profits from this monopoly, criminal gangs bribe and kill each other, law enforcers, and children. Their trade is unregulated and they are, therefore, beyond our control.

History has shown that drug prohibition reduces neither use nor abuse. After a rapist is arrested, there are fewer rapes. After a drug dealer is arrested, however, neither the supply nor the demand for drugs is seriously changed. The arrest merely creates a job opening for an endless stream of drug entrepreneurs who will take huge risks for the sake of the enormous profits created by prohibition. Prohibition costs taxpayers tens of billions of dollars every year, yet 40 years and some 40 million arrests later, drugs are cheaper, more potent and far more widely used than at the beginning of this futile crusade.

We believe that by eliminating prohibition of all drugs for adults and establishing appropriate regulation and standards for distribution and use, law enforcement could  focus  more on crimes of violence, such as rape, aggravated assault, child abuse and murder, making our communities much safer. We believe that sending parents to prison for non-violent personal drug use destroys families. We believe that in a regulated and controlled environment, drugs will be safer for adult use and less accessible to our children. And we believe that by placing drug abuse in the hands of medical professionals instead of the criminal justice system, we will reduce rates of addiction and overdose deaths.
Visit  Law Enforcement Against Prohibition

Taxpayers Get Shafted Again, Eldridge Tenured For Another Year

Lisbon Maine Council snubs it's nose at taxpayers

A reliable source reported that Lisbon Councilors totally ignored the advice of numerous sources and without any public debate approved the Town Managers contract for another year.

By doing so the Councilors gave tacit approval of the previous actions of Mr. Eldridge. Their actions would indicate they approve of the way the manager treats his subordinates along with the other questionable actions Mr. Eldridge has engaged in during the last year.

Why were the Councilors so quick to approve a contract without more public scrutiny? No other contract they will sign will set the tone more for the coming year. They spend months on whether we can be trusted with fireworks but  quickly approve the contract of the man that will run the town.

This Council doesn’t reflect the views of the public. We need Councilors that do the will of the people, not ones that place their own interests first.

The only solution for this “good old boys network” is at the ballot box in November.

Respectfully
Joe Hill
LisbonMaine.net

Check This Out!

Lisbon Maine Town Managers Contract Renewal

                         Town Managers Contract Renewal


Lisbon’s Managers Contract will  be up for renewal at the next council meeting 2/21/2011. I feel that the following incidents should be taken into consideration at that contract renewal session.


Mr. Eldridge  authored the infamous Memo to his subordinates calling two sweeper operators idiots.  This is one of the most egregious management infractions any town manager could make. It gives insight into his true character and feelings about  his subordinates.


He has cost the taxpayers of Lisbon at least 7 thousand dollars in unnecessary legal fees because he repeatedly refuses to comply with  legal FOAA requests.


The Manager Has not been able to manage his staff effectively.

•     He has not insisted that his  Police Chief  enforced the town statutes evenly. (i.e. winter parking in Houston Park)

•     He hasn’t kept the Town’s Web Site up to date.  Especially when it comes to placing workshop and town meeting materials on the town web site even though this has been requested many times.

•     His  judgment in recommending and promoting unqualified personnel and giving excessive salary increases in this challenging economic environment has proven to be less than insightful.

My understanding is that at least on one occasion he has yelled at and/or  attempted to intimidate  a taxpayer at Town Hall .


If Mr. Eldridge were a rank and file employee any one of the previous acts would be enough to terminate his employment. At the very least he should be placed on probation and be required to attend management training classes.  A masters degree in and of  itself doesn’t make a good manager.


This renewal decision will ultimately fall on the shoulders of our Councilors.  I hope they have the intestinal fortitude to do whats in the best interest of the Town and not shirk their responsibility.

Respectfully
Joe Hill
Lisbonmaine.net

Lisbon Leaders Need To Make The Right Choice

MAKING THE RIGHT CHOICE IN LIFE

Life is all about making the right choices and this Tuesday night our town council will have to make a choice on retaining our town manager or letting Eldridge go.  As you all know, I am in favor of letting him go because it is the right choice.  I am going to spend a few minutes reviewing Eldridge’s CHOICES as our town manager.

 

 Lisbon Police Chief David T. Brooks

aka:
"Blog Boy"

 Since Eldridge was hired as town manager, on the recommendation of Interim Town Manager Chief Brooks, the town of Lisbon has been going downhill.  There are numerous businesses which have closed causing a large loss in revenue to the town.  This loss of revenue forced the town to increase taxes.  The amount of taxpayers’ dollars for legal fees has skyrocketed because of poor choices on the part of Eldridge.  Also let’s review the individuals Eldridge hired such as Rosie Bradley, Pat Dow, Scott Benson and finally William Van Tuenin.  We all know about the loans Mrs. Bradley made only to have them fail and the town wrote them off such as Maria’s.  Pat Dow could not even perform a simple task such as a valid commitment and the town had to redo the commitment costing the taxpayers approximately $10,000.  The book is still out on Scott Benson and William Van Tuenin but I do not see an improvement in the town since Scott Benson took over instead I see the closing of the Lisbon Falls Florist, Inc,; T&A Variety; Firehouse Diner; and Kitty Korner.  Also, there were two loans which matured in 2008 still on the books.  This clearly demonstrates Eldridge’s inability to hiring competent personnel to handle our tax dollars.

Now let’s review Eldridge’s managerial skills or the lack thereof.   Eldridge has violated more than twelve provisions of the town charter. In June Eldridge sent an official correspondence to the head of Public Works calling one of the town employees an idiot.  Publishing such a document defaming an employee is not in any managerial handbook and does not present a good working environment for town employees. A citizen came into the town office to pay back taxes he owed on property and the town, under orders from Eldridge, would not accept his payment.  The council had to overturn this decision and allow the individual to pay his back taxes.  This is not managing our tax dollars very effectively when a resident is trying to pay back taxes and is refused.  If the town council had not stepped in; the town probably would have burned his house to the ground too.  Instead of working with the people to find an equitable solution, it is much easier to turn your back on the people of Lisbon who pay Eldridge’s inflated salary.  Do you really call these examples of good management; because I surely do not?

 
The latest example of Eldridge’s decision making process is the consolidation of Public Works, Solid Waste and Waste Water Treatment Department under the town engineer.  This was clearly a mistake as stated by the town engineer at the last workshop.  When asked by Bowie, Leighton stated he was experiencing problems with the employee’s not following his orders.  This is a problem because Leighton has absolutely no experience managing personnel.  Why in the world would you place an individual who has no experience managing personnel in this position?  Eldridge tried to defend his decision by explaining to the council all department heads are receiving management training.  You can be assured this training is costing the taxpayers, when in fact; these department heads should already possess this trait because the town is paying their inflated salaries.  Keep in mind, the department heads, which were already in place and were doing an outstanding job, retained their same salaries; so where was the cost savings to the town? 

Now for my favorite and very personal to me; I submitted two requests for information under the Maine Freedom of Access Act (FOAA) which was ignored by Eldridge.  I then sought the services of an attorney to determine why I did not receive a written denial within 5 days which is required by Maine law.  My attorney contacted the town attorney and was ignored by Therriault.  The only course of action left was to file a law suit against the town for not complying with Maine Law.  As stated by Eldridge in one of his monthly managerial reports it had cost the taxpayer over $7,000 to defend my law suits.  This cost to the taxpayers could have been eliminated if Eldridge had reached out and offered to discuss this with me or my attorney.  This is the first rule of a manager; try and resolve any confrontation informally but since Eldridge has no managerial traits this was not done.  A good manager has to be able to identify potential situations and to informally try to resolve them.  This course of action probably would have eliminated both law suits and saved the taxpayer a great deal of money because I won both cases. 

 Town Attorney Therriault

The real tragedy here is that two individuals in key positions in this town are making decisions which  cost the taxpayers a great deal of money and they do not live in Lisbon or pay taxes here.   Both Therriault and Eldridge have no vested interest in how they spend our tax dollars.  Last year our legal fees were over $46,000 dollars and this year they are already over $37,000 dollars.  I cannot believe this figure is accurate because the law suit filed against Celotex would have exceeded the $37,000 dollars.  By the way, do you ever hear about any law suits or their results; NEVER.  In my case, Therriault delayed the preceeding’s two or three times adding to his legal fees paid.  This is his normal process in hopes you either run out of money or will give up because it is taking so long but the whole time he is collecting his legal fees from the taxpayers.  Truly a perfect scam!!!!!!

 

 Councilor Mark Lunt

As you can see Eldridge has not made many good choices for the taxpayers of Lisbon so why keep him around.  The town of Lisbon cannot begin its healing process and move forward until we get rid of Eldridge.  Eldridge is mirroring his actions the same as he did in Rumford and they are still suffering from his reign there.  Let’s end the damage he has done to this community and begin to rebuild Lisbon.

 

 Councilor Lisa Ward

Councilor Lori Pomelow

 Pay close attention to the vote Tuesday and see which councilors really have the best interest of the town at heart.  This vote is the first test for Councilor Ward to demonstrate if she will put the people first or turn into a puppet for Bowie.  

Councilor Gina Mason

Will these councilors make the right choice?

Larry Fillmore
Concerned Citizen