Where Is The Merit Of Having Ordinances In Town If They Are Only Selectively Enforced?

By: Peter Reuter
The Lisbon Reporter


It is quite easy to see that Lisbon Public Safety Officials have no intention of enforcing the Winter Parking ban that is valid.  Case in Point, look carefully and you will see that Pomelow's truck is loaded and that it was there overnight during the snowstorm.  

 Truck parked on part of Town right of way.

Lisbon Winter Parking Ban Rules

Sec. 50-45. - Winter parking between 12:00 midnight and 6:00 a.m. 

The owner or operator of any motor vehicle found parked or left unattended upon any way for a continuous 60-minute period between the hours of 12:00 midnight and 6:00 a.m. of any day during the period from November 1 to April 1 of each year shall, physicians on emergency calls excepted, be punished by a fine as provided in article V of this chapter.

(Code 1983, § 9-106)

State law reference— Snow removal, 29-A M.R.S.A. § 2069.

 So is this yet another violation that a Town Councilor skates over but everyone else must abide by?   Double Standards for Lisbon's Laws, selectively enforced by officials.  Maybe we all should just ignore the Ordinances and do what we want.    

Do you think Brooks and Eldridge will have a problem with it?
What about limiting public speaking at town council meetings? Councilor Pomelow had absolutely no trouble creating the new rules.

 Lisbon Public Safety Enforcer Police Chief David T. Brooks

Lisbon Town Manager

Which Rules Do We Follow, and Which Ones Do We Ignore?

How Many People Have To Complain Before Action Is Taken By Town Officials?

Dear Joe,

 I used to drive truck for a long time. You are right about the damage a rig does to a residential street. I just went by Huston Park and thought you would like to see what is parked there for some time.

In case you don't see it that truck is fully loaded and probably 70,000 pounds to 80,000 pounds.  Sometimes you can see the street move as a truck goes over a Street. You ready to pay for a new street again, like has just recently been done to this street that this truck operates on, Scottsdale Avenue?

And Life Goes on in Lisbon!

Ken Smyth

Could Lisbon Be Next?

Former Chelsea selectwoman accused of corruption, illegally collecting workers’ comp in indictment

By BDN staff and wire reports, The Associated Press

Posted March 01, 2012, at 1:21 p.m.

PORTLAND, Maine — Federal officials in Maine say a former selectwoman from Chelsea has been indicted on extortion, tax evasion and fraud charges.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced Thursday that a grand jury has indicted Carole Swan, 53, and her husband, Marshall Swan, 54.

The indictment accuses Carole Swan of using her position as a Chelsea selectwoman to extort $20,000 from a local construction company. She also is charged with fraud for charging the town $130,000 for culvert pipe that actually cost her and her husband’s construction company, which was doing culvert work for the town, only $58,000.

She also is charged with making false statements to obtain workers’ compensation benefits.

In 2009, Swan stated on a workers’ compensation form that she had not worked for any employer or been self-employed in the prior 24 months, but she had worked at her construction company and a horse racing business, according to the indictment. She also “materially under-reported the hours she worked on the Board of Selectmen for the Town of Chelsea,” the indictment states.

Follow more here

A Reader Asks Why Are We Paying Taxes?

WHY ARE WE PAYING TAXES?

When it comes to Wing Street and Scottsdale Avenue and the violations of our ordinances what is being done?

It is very apparent, the Chief of Police is not doing his job and the Code Enforcement Officer is not doing his job why are we paying them? 

Also both work for the Town Manager and he obviously is not making them do their job so why are we paying him?

Mrs. Tugball
Very Senior Citizen

Thank You for voting! (It is in giving, that we recieve)‏

PLEASE VOTE AS WE ONLY HAVE TILL MARCH 5th.... Thank You! ♥

 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) 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).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!!!!!!!

 This Pony and All his other pals say, Thank You for voting!!!

Lisbon Junior Athletic League Announce Baseball Clinics Begin March 3rd

Baseball Clinics start March 3rd for Farm League and Cal Ripken. Register at the door if you have not already signed up.

 

$25.00 registration fee covers all clinics including Pitchers and Catchers. Kids will receive a free t-shirt sporting our new LJAL logo.

 

The clinics will focus on basic skills and drills. All kids are encouraged to attend. Anyone interested in Pitching and Catching this season will want to attend the Wednesday night clinics designed specifically for them. Instruction provided by the Lisbon High School and Middle School baseball coaches as well as coaches from the various leagues.

 

This clinic will be HIGH OCTANE, ENERGENIC, and FUN for all. The goal is to have kids up and running before we hit the fields and make this season a successful and competitive one!

 

This clinic is also considered a fund raiser for LJAL. This takes place of candy bar sales, car washes... in exchange the kids will be given a chance to improve their skills. It's a WIN, WIN for everyone.

 

The money raised will be put to good use. New equipment, Ball field maintenance, supplies... We have many plans this season to improve the quality of the LJAL baseball program.

 

Hope to see you there.

 

Dennis J. Douglass
VP Farm/Cal Ripken

"American Pickers" Comes To Lisbon Falls

 Lisbon couple Kathy and Jim Harris hosted the History Channel's "American Pickers" duo Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz for an episode that aired Monday titled, "Knuckleheads."  The show will repeat Friday at 8 p.m.  That's Tonight.







The Antiques Roadshow Missed the Biggest & Most Useless 'Relic' Lisbon Has to offer, Police Chief David T. Brooks!!!!!

Snowfall Amounts for March 1, 2012

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
SPOTTER REPORTS
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GRAY ME
847 PM EST THU MAR 01 2012

THE FOLLOWING ARE UNOFFICIAL OBSERVATIONS TAKEN DURING THE PAST 7
HOURS FOR THE STORM THAT HAS BEEN AFFECTING OUR REGION. APPRECIATION
IS EXTENDED TO HIGHWAY DEPARTMENTS...COOPERATIVE OBSERVERS...SKYWARN
SPOTTERS AND MEDIA FOR THESE REPORTS. THIS SUMMARY IS ALSO AVAILABLE
ON OUR HOME PAGE AT WEATHER.GOV/GRAY

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

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

MAINE

...ANDROSCOGGIN COUNTY...
   4 S TURNER             9.0   504 PM  3/01
   DURHAM                 8.1   325 PM  3/01
   2 E LEWISTON           6.5   317 PM  3/01  STILL SNOWING
   1 NW AUBURN            6.0   259 PM  3/01
   2 ESE LEWISTON         5.5   155 PM  3/01
   TURNER                 5.5   514 PM  3/01  LIGHT SNOW

...CUMBERLAND COUNTY...
   PORTLAND JETPORT      13.0   700 PM  3/01  OFFICIAL SNOW OBSERVER
   3 WSW SCARBOROUGH     13.0   821 PM  3/01
   WESTBROOK             10.0   804 PM  3/01
   BRIDGTON               9.5   758 PM  3/01
   CUMBERLAND             8.0   450 PM  3/01
   NEW GLOUCESTER         7.5   514 PM  3/01
   PORTLAND - N DEERING   7.2   200 PM  3/01
   2 SW CASCO             7.0   600 PM  3/01
   GRAY NWS OFFICE        6.9   655 PM  3/01
   STANDISH               6.8   215 PM  3/01
   4 ENE WESTBROOK        6.6   250 PM  3/01
   NORTH SEBAGO           6.0   445 PM  3/01

...FRANKLIN COUNTY...
   EUSTIS                 6.0   414 PM  3/01

...KENNEBEC COUNTY...
   3 WNW VASSALBORO       9.5   428 PM  3/01
   AUGUSTA                8.0   500 PM  3/01
   RANDOLPH               6.5   524 PM  3/01

...KNOX COUNTY...
   HOPE                   8.0   647 PM  3/01

...OXFORD COUNTY...
   4 WSW TURNER           8.0   821 PM  3/01

...YORK COUNTY...
   3 W BIDDEFORD         11.0   553 PM  3/01
   2 NE KENNEBUNK        10.3   627 PM  3/01
   SACO                   9.0   546 PM  3/01
   5 NW HOLLIS            8.3   536 PM  3/01
   1 SSW CORNISH          7.8   536 PM  3/01

NEW HAMPSHIRE

...BELKNAP COUNTY...
   LACONIA                9.5   606 PM  3/01  LIGHT SNOW

...CARROLL COUNTY...
   3 SE NORTH SANDWICH   12.3   428 PM  3/01

...GRAFTON COUNTY...
   2 NNW PLYMOUTH         3.6   620 PM  3/01

...MERRIMACK COUNTY...
   1 SSE HENNIKER        11.0   546 PM  3/01
   NEW LONDON            11.0   200 PM  3/01
   CONCORD ASOS           8.9   700 PM  3/01  OFFICIAL SNOW OBSERVER
   CONCORD                8.0   430 PM  3/01

...ROCKINGHAM COUNTY...
   2 ENE STRATHAM        14.0   803 PM  3/01
   HAMPSTEAD             13.0   213 PM  3/01

...STRAFFORD COUNTY...
   2 SSE STRAFFORD        8.5   255 PM  3/01  LIGHT SNOW

...SULLIVAN COUNTY...
   1 S UNITY             10.0   641 PM  3/01
   EAST LEMPSTER          8.3   410 PM  3/01
   2 N LEMPSTER           7.0   731 PM  3/01

Part Two: Councilor Lori Pomelow ----Law Maker or Law Breaker?

Councilor Lori Pomelow   ----   Law Maker or Law Breaker?

PART TWO:

There has been much debate about the weight limit on Wing Street but no one seems to know what that weight limit is. The signs at both ends of Wing Street state “No Thru Trucks” but the other part of the regulation “The weight limit is conspicuously absent.

After much searching I found what the sign should read. I refer you to the Minutes of the March 1 2011 Council meeting. In this Official Town document It clearly states that Wing St. should not be used by vehicles exceeding 5 ton. This restriction of 10,000 lbs would exclude some heavy duty 4 wheeled pickup trucks along with almost all six wheel vehicles. This posting is a correct reflection of the roads inability to handle heavy loads.

It is my understanding that many Tractor Trailers have a front axle weight capability of about 12,000 lbs and drive axles GVAW of around 34,000 lbs. (each) along with a total legal weight rating including trailer of about 80,000 lbs. This is up to 8 times the weight limit of Wing Street.

 Empty Imagine Loaded!

What do you think happens to a road designed for 10,000 lbs. when it is regularly used by a tractor trailer weighing many times  the roads design weight? Does the Lisbon Council think that  these road crushing loads are somehow lightened if the trucks are owned by a Councilor or other Lisbon resident?

If we are going to continue to ignore this obvious problem we should set aside a few hundred thousand dollars, every few years, to cover the cost of rebuilding Wing Street and Scottsdale Ave. on a regular basis.

 I resent having to subsidize illegal activity.


Respectfully
Joe Hill
LisbonMaine.net

What A Tangle Web We Weave When We First Practice To Deceive

WHAT IS WRONG WITH THESE PICTURES

At the town council meeting, February 17, 2012, the town council voted 5-1 to approve the memorandum submitted by the Public Works Director to post “Weight Restrictions” signs on various streets because of the early thaw. Also on the memorandum, it stated Webster Road and Wing Street were posted year round. 

Now compare the two photos below and tell me if they read the same. The “Weight Restriction” sign is from Webster Road and the “No Thru Trucks” is from Wing Street. To me there is a big difference in these two signs. The one on Wing Street is designed to allow David Pomelow to drive his tractor trailer rigs to and from his residence. This is the manner in which Brooks takes care of his councilors to protect his police budget.

 

Webster Street Sign

Wing Street Sign

According to the Town Code Enforcement Officer: We do not have a specific definition of business in our ordinance where as there are numerous descriptions for the word business. As for what constitutes having a business in different areas of town, zoning regulates where businesses can take place. There is such a use called "home occupation" where a person can run a small business within the confines of their home and not having any type of advertisement out-side their home.

Now let’s compare the next two photos and see if this is true or a double standard for the Pomelow’s.

Pomelow's Truck

Lisbon Public Safety Sign

Both of these pictures are advertising to the Public, both are on wheels and both have a trailer hitch; so what is the difference? Both are advertising so how can anyone state that the Pomelows are not operating a business from their residence. Once again, a double standard being applied because Lori Pomelow is a town councilor and receiving special treatment in order to protect Brooks budget.

Councilor Lori Pomelow

 
TALK ABOUT CORRUPTION AND COLLUSION IN THE TOWN OF LISBON!!!!!!!!!

Larry Fillmore
Concerned Citizen

Recap Of Last Night's Budget Workshop: How Much Are Taxes Going To Be? Noone Knows!!!!!!

TUESDAY’S WORKSHOP FEBRUARY

Lisbon Assessor William Van Tuenin

At last night’s workshop, Mr. William Van Tuenin, Tax Assessor, gave a bleak presentation of the town’s situation going into this year’s budget.  It was an excellent presentation outlining exactly where we are right now. 

However, Bowie asked Van Tuenin to project what the figures would look like if the town added $300,000 dollars more to the spending.  Van Tuenin computed it for them and when Van Tuenin showed how much it would raise the taxes Bowie and his followers broke out into a chorus of laughter.

Councilor Bowie

THERE IS NO MAGIC FORMULA TO REDUCE TAXES.  THE ONLY WAY TO REDUCE TAXES IS TO CUT SPENDING!!!!  In the past, the Lisbon Reporter has asked its readership to submit possible ways to cut spending.  Below is the consolidated list:

Cost Savings

The biggest cost savings is to completely turn the Lisbon Communications Center over to the County lock, stock and barrel.  This would assist the County Commissioners with their dilemma and as Gina Mason stated “It is time for Lisbon to reach out to our neighbors and offer our help and service to them.”  This is a cost savings to the taxpayers of Lisbon of approximately $500,000 dollars.

Why not combine the Police and Fire Department forming the Public Safety Department?  Depending on how the town decides to combine these two departments, there is a cost savings of between $70,000 and $80,000 dollars.  It is only a matter of which department head you want to be the new head of the Public Safety Department, of course, if you let both current department heads go there would be additional savings.  Remember, Brooks has already retired once and Galipeau is not fully qualified for the position.

Reduce the salaries of the Town Engineer and the current Fire Chief in half.  This is an additional cost savings of approximately $70,000 dollars.  Both individuals were hired with the understanding they would obtain the necessary credentials and since both have breached their employment agreements there should be no problem reducing their salaries.  Neither of these individuals has obtained the required credentials and yet the taxpayers are paying them as if they are fully qualified.

Sell the equipment stored in the old Lisbon Emergency building.  There is no sense storing equipment not being utilized.  This building is being maintained at an unknown cost to the taxpayers.  Why do we need to store equipment not being utilized?  Why not sell this equipment and utilize that money to update some of the equipment we are utilizing. 

Cutting Lisbon’s department heads salaries to match that of Skowhegan would save the taxpayers approximately $160,539.  This would go a long way to reducing our tax bills.

Generate Revenue

Gina Mason suggested overnight camping at Beaver Park.  Why not?  We have a park ranger there 24/7 to supervise.  If it was controlled, it would generate additional revenue to the town.

If the town was to turn the Lisbon Communications Center over to the County and the County utilized the Lisbon town office space, then the town of Lisbon could charge the County rent on the space being occupied by the Androscoggin County Consolidated Communication Center (A4C), once again generating revenue for the town.

The above are my suggestions on how to cut spending in the Town of Lisbon.  Reducing spending is the ONLY method to lowering our tax bills. 

It is very apparent, by Bowie making the suggestion of adding $300,000 dollars of spending to last year’s budget, this council has absolutely no intentions of attempting to reduce spending.  Bowie and the puppets are trying to justify increasing your taxes this year.

Larry Fillmore
Concerned Citizen

BIG RIGS‏

ATTENTION, OWNERS OF BIG RIGS

 

To all the big rig owners who live and drive their trucks, illegally, in Lisbon, and especially Huston Park, there could be an easy solution.

 

There is a large paved parking area right on Route 196,

across from the former Church, now Ammerell's Antiques.

Call/contact the owner. Perhaps he would be willing to

lease parking spaces on his lot.   

 

The Flea Market in Lisbon; open during the day on

Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in the summer.

Perhaps he would be willing to make a little money offering

big rig parking for the night.

 

Surely there are other places in town that are large enough 

and lot owners willing to make a little extra money by

renting spaces to park those big rigs.

 

Concerned about vandalism? Your trucks can just as

easily be vandalized right in front of your home.

There are insurances for that! ! !

 

Protect our children.

 

Look around, call/contact the land owners. All you have to do is ask.

 

Now, how hard is that?

 

Dot Fitzgerald

A Concerned Lisbon Citizen

Lisbon HS 2nd Qtr. Honor Roll‏

LISBON HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL HEALEY ANNOUNCES 2^ND QUARTER HONOR ROLL

Lisbon – Principal Ken Healey proudly announces the second quarter honor roll students for the 2011-2012 school year at Lisbon High School:

SENIORS – HIGH HONORS

Jordan Beauparlant, Jessy Bosse, Ryan-Lee Buzzell, Jessiah Carlson, Breanna Cota, Alex Danforth,  Haley Eck, Maranda Eveson, Samantha Foote, Sarah Giraldo, Holly Hogan, Bethany Lemay, Katherine Lemieux, Danielle Malesiewski, Cassandra Morin, Garrett Starr

SENIORS – HONOR ROLL

Jessica Campbell, Justin Campbell, Nehemiah Chase, Steven Elwell, Kenneth Fairbanks, Jamalyn Fowler, Justin Grant, Alexander Hall, Alexa Harmon, Melissa Hoskins, Patrick Hutchins, Kimberly Morse, Kyle Priddle, Jeremy Skelton, Shane Tanguay

JUNIORS – HIGH HONORS

Miranda Carroll, Tyler Daly, Aaron French, Leah Goldsberry, Aaron Halls, Chelsea Huston, Brenten Laffely, Logan McGuire, Jaymi Thibault

JUNIORS – HONOR ROLL

Kayla Angelico, Rachel Ball, Ryan Brewer, Nicholas Collins, Sarah Stone, Denise Thomas

SOPHOMORES – HIGH HONORS

Dillon Clifford, Jennifer-Lynn Clifford, Sierra Crosby, Robert Dall, Paige Galligan, Shantal MacWhinnie, Abigail Roy, Jennifer Smith, Coby Williams

SOPHOMORES – HONOR ROLL

Dylan Busler, Nicholas Corey, Bailey Cutler, Andrea Danforth,  Delanie Ouellette, Cameron Ramich

FRESHMEN – HIGH HONORS

Monica Austin, Stevie Charest, Abigail Curtis, Patrick Dexler, Mia Durgin, Amanda Hazelton, Kailyn Hill, Arianna Kahler, Taylor Plourde, Hannah Stritch, Charles Sult, Draven Walker, Johnny Yim

FRESHMEN – HONOR ROLL

Allison Bubar, Connor Craig, Taylor Feehan, Erika Gardner, Jeffrey Willey

FMI on events and programs at Lisbon High School call 754.0021 or email mmillhime@lisbonschoolsme.org.  Visit us on Facebook at Community Resource News in Lisbon Schools. 

A dieing Priest

In Washington , D.C. an old priest lay dying in the hospital. For years he had faithfully served the people of the nation's capital and was well known among the elected officials. He motioned for his nurse to come near.

 

"Yes, Father?" said the nurse. 

 

"I would really like to see President Obama and Speaker Pelosi before I die", whispered the priest.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"I'll see what I can do, Father", replied the nurse. 

 

The nurse sent the request to The President and Congress and waited for a response. Soon the word arrived; President Obama and Nancy Pelosi would be delighted to visit the priest.

As they went to the hospital, Obama commented to Pelosi, "I don't know why the old priest wants to see us, but it will certainly help our images and might even get me re-elected."

Pelosi agreed that it was a good thing. 

 

When they arrived at the priest's room, the priest took Obama's hand in his right hand and Pelosi's hand in his left hand. There was silence and a look of serenity on the old priest's face. Finally President Obama spoke. "Father, of all the people you could have chosen, why did you choose us to be with you as you near the end?" 

 

The old priest slowly replied, "I have always tried to pattern my life after our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." 

 

"Amen", said Obama.

"Amen", said Pelosi. 

 

 

 

The old priest continued, "Jesus died between two lying thieves; I would like to do the same."

 

Lisbon Music Boosters Hosting Spaghetti Dinner‏

Lisbon - Don’t want to cook,  or clean up after dinner?  Lisbon Music Booster Association  has the perfect solution!  Come join us for a delicious spaghetti supper on Wednesday, March 7 at the Lisbon High School Cafeteria, 2 Sugg Drive in Lisbon Falls.  The supper will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.  Tickets available at the door.  Adults, $6, Ages 10 and under $3.  Proceeds from the event benefit the scholarship fund to send students to Summer Music Camps.  FMI call 754.0021 or email mmillhime@lisbonschoolsme.org.  Find us on Facebook at Community Resource News in Lisbon Schools.

Lisbon Parent/Volunteers Thanks Mr. Patrie‏

Good Morning,

Every now and then, we all receive good news. Following is an email from Laurie Pitcher, a Lisbon parent and volunteer for the Lisbon School Department, praising our Lisbon Community School Assistant Principal, Ryan Patrie. I wanted to share with you to see if her message could be shared with your readers.

Mr. Patrie shows random acts of kindness on a regular basis. What a wonderful role model for our students and families.

If you have any questions, please let me know. We understand you have the right to edit for publication. Thank you for your consideration.

Monica







From: Pitcher
Sent: Friday, February 17, 2012 4:13 PM
To: Monica Millhime
Subject: Mr. Patrie




Hi Monica,


I would like to publicly thank Mr. Ryan Patrie, assistant principal at Lisbon Community School, for helping me this afternoon and I knew you would know how to go about this. I thought about a letter to the editor and/or school board, but I am not sure if there is another avenue.


This afternoon I was stuck in the mud at pick up time at LCS. You can't imagine how many cars drove right past me looking at me struggling to get my car out of the mud, some of the drivers even smirking in amusement as they drove by. I was amazed at the lack of compassion from all the adults driving past me, not one stopping to help. It actually brought back a memory of when my oldest daughter was a freshman and threw up in the hallway not being able to make it to the bathroom in time. She verbalized amazement at the same exact lack of compassion she saw. No one offered her help, many laughed at her.


I just got done helping my 7 and 5 yr olds make posters for kindness week at LCS and am struck by the helpfulness and kindness that I have witnessed in the younger ages. Why does that kindness and compassion have to leave the majority of the population and at what age does this occur? There are so few people in this world that really have a heart and I am saddened by that.


BUT, I do see in Mr. Patrie constant giving, a constant smile, a constant manner of kindness. He is such an asset to our school system. Today, I called into the school office asking if there was anyone that could come help me with a push or to drive my car so I could push it out of the mud. A secretary answered the phone. A minute later Mr. Patrie came out to help me and he pushed me out of the mud without question and always a smile. I felt so bad that I got him full of mud and apologized to him, but he said, "don't apologize". I need to do something for him.





Thank you, Monica,


Laurie Pitcher

Mr. Patrie shows random acts of kindness on a regular basis. What a wonderful role model for our students and families.

Lisbon Presents Dancing with the Staff‏

Reminder: Register Today For MHPC's Online Learning Conference - March 9, 2012‏

The Maine Heritage Policy Center Cordially Invites You To Attend   Developing Student Success  Through Online Learning: Inform, Inspire, and Connect   Please Reserve Your Space Today If You Have Not Already Registered     Friday, March 9, 2012 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Portland Marriott at Sable Oaks 200 Sable Oaks Drive South Portland, Maine   Tickets are $45 and include lunch. Tickets are complimentary to current elected officials  and current school board members.   Click Here To Register   Please register online at www.mainepolicy.org or respond to Amanda Clark at 207-321-2550 or aclark@mainepolicy.org by Friday, March 2, 2012.

Agenda

 

9:00 a.m. Registration

 

9:30 a.m. Welcome

• Mr. Lance Dutson, Chief Executive Officer, The Maine Heritage Policy Center

 

9:45 a.m. The Blended Learning Model – 

“Leveraging Technology, Maximizing Results”

What is “blended” learning and who or what makes it successful? Where in Maine is it best to build this “hybrid” learning model? What are the steps to establishing blended learning and finally “maximizing” results? How do we make blended learning a truly comprehensive education?

• Mr. Rick Ogston, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Carpe Diem Schools

 

11:30 a.m. Curriculum Converted – 

From Paperback To “Padback”

• Mr. Jeff Hanjian, Regional Manager, Emantras, Inc.

 

11:45 a.m. Break

 

12:00 p.m. Lunch

 

12:15 p.m. Journey Of A Pioneer

• Dr. Reza Namin, Superintendent, Spencer-East Brookfield Regional School District, Massachusetts

Nominated 2012 National Superintendent of the Year

 

1:00 p.m. Education Virtually Anywhere, Anytime Around The World

Where exactly do students participate in Florida Virtual School? How do you fund a state-based virtual learning program that is used around the world? What are the cost savings in furthering the development of virtual learning? Should Maine develop a state-based virtual school – why or why not?

• Ms. Julie Young, Founder, President, and Chief Executive Officer, Florida Virtual School

 

2:30 p.m. So … How Does It Work?

• Ms. Kim Quinn Hutchinson, Vice President of School Development, K12, Inc.

 

2:45 p.m. Education 2.0 And Individualized Learning In Maine

• Commissioner Stephen Bowen, Maine Department of Education

 

Featured Exhibitors (to date)

Americans For Prosperity

Apex Learning

Baxter Academy for Technology and Science

Connections Learning

Education2020 | Giant Campus

Emantras, Inc.

K12, Inc.

"High On His Power" Breathing fresh air now a federal crime‏.....(Illegal Everything , drugs, FOX News, internet, John Stossel, lemonade, private property, prostitution)

Lisbon,
 
Well, OK. Maybe not yet. But according to John Stossel's "Illegal
Everything" just about everything else IS against the law.
 
I don't often praise the so-called 'main stream media', especially
FOX News, but this mini-documentary on the criminalization of just
about everything is spot-on. It is as entertaining as it is
frightening and revealing.
 
Lemonade anyone?
 

 
Goodman Green
- Brasscheck

 John Stossel's Illegal Everything

 

Related article...

I’m a Criminal, You’re a Criminal

by Katherine Mangu-Ward
Reason.com

Harvey Silverglate, a Boston-based criminal defense and civil liberties attorney, is the co-founder of the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education, which fights speech codes on college campuses. He is also the author, most recently, of Three Felonies a Day: How the Feds Target the Innocent (Encounter Books), a book about “how the United States Department of Justice targets all segments of civil society by means of abusive prosecutions based upon unacceptably vague federal criminal statutes and regulations.”

Senior Editor Katherine Mangu-Ward spoke with Silverglate in November.

Q: When did you notice that people were committing crimes without knowing it?

A: Starting in the mid-1980s, I noticed in my federal criminal cases that people who were being indicted would ask, “What the hell did I do to get myself indicted?” We would read the indictment, and neither I nor my law partners could figure out why the feds considered what this person did to be a crime. We weren’t contesting that the client did what he was charged with, but we couldn’t figure out when what he did had become a federal crime.

This is the same period of time when I started keeping track of what I later realized was a related phenomenon. In universities in the mid-1980s, students were being charged under these incredibly vague speech and harassment codes on campuses when the student was engaging in what the student—and I—considered to be normal college-age behavior: saying things that were provocative, sometimes kind of sharp, sometimes insulting.

I can’t help but think that they’re related, that they have something to do with a decreasing emphasis on language with real meaning, that there is a kind of corruption of the English language that enables these kinds of codes and federal statutes to wreak havoc in the lives of people who would not normally be on notice that they’re doing something that can get them thrown out of school or into federal prison.

Read more here

The Power Of Encouragement

Change Your Thinking

It will take just 37 seconds to read this and change your thinking..

Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room.

One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs.

His bed was next to the room's only window.

The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back.

The men talked for hours on end.

They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on vacation..

Every afternoon, when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window.

The man in the other bed began to live for those one hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and color of the world outside.

The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake

Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats. Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every color and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance.

As the man by the window described all this in exquisite details, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine this picturesque scene.

One warm afternoon, the man by the window described a parade passing by.

Although the other man could not hear the band - he could see it in his mind's eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words.

Days, weeks and months passed.

One morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths only to find the lifeless body of the man by the window, who had died peacefully in his sleep.

She was saddened and called the hospital attendants to take the body away.

As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch, and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone.

Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look at the real world outside.
He strained to slowly turn to look out the window besides the bed.

It faced a blank wall..

The man asked the nurse what could have compelled his deceased roommate who had described such wonderful things outside this window.

The nurse responded that the man was blind and could not even see the wall.

She said, 'Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you.'

Epilogue:


There is tremendous happiness in making others happy, despite our own situations.

Shared grief is half the sorrow, but happiness when shared, is doubled.

If you want to feel rich, just count all the things you have that money can't buy.

'Today is a gift, that is why it is called The Present .'

The origin of this letter is unknown, but it brings good luck to everyone who passes it on.

Do not keep this letter.

I pray you will forward it to all your friends to whom you wish God's blessings

 Moral:

Submtted by:  Art

ACTION ALERT: MaineHousing Accountability Bill Work Session - March 1st , 1pm‏

 

MHPC Action Alert:

MaineHousing Accountability

_______________________________________________________________________



What: MaineHousing Account​ability Bill Work Session



When: Thursday, March 1st, 1pm



Where: Augusta, StateHouse (Cross Building) - Room 208: Committee on Labor, Commerce, Research and Economic Development



Why: To Show Support for LD 1778, A bill that would make the Maine Housing Authority

Director accountable to the MSHA Board of Commissioners.


_______________________________________________________________________

The problems at MaineHousing have been well documented. The nearly $300,000 for one-unit "affordable" apartments, bonuses of $1,000 handed out to all employees, $60,000 spent on gift cards and millions spent on advertising and "carbon credit" projects - all paid for with public dollars.

Currently, the Director of MaineHousing is accountable to no one. The Director was appointed, and is in the beginning of a 4-year term as Director that cannot be changed. LD 1778, Sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Jon Courtney, would make the MaineHousing Director accountable to the Board of Commissioners at MaineHousing.

If you are concerned about what is going on at MaineHousing - please plan to attend the Work Session on Thursday, March 1st to show support for LD 1778. Unlike a public hearing, you cannot submit testimony at a work session, but it is open to the public, and a public show of support for more accountability and oversight at Maine Housing will go a long way.

If you are not able to attend the work session, please make an effort to contact the legislators who will decide LD 1778 and let them know you support increased accountability at Maine Housing.

You can find their information by clicking the link below:

Click here for a list of legislators on the Labor, Commerce, Research and Economic Development Committee

If you have questions - please contact Sam Adolphsen:

CONTACT:
Sam Adolphsen
207.975.6617 (c)
sam@mainepolicy.org

Spring Cleaning Has Begun By The Lisbon Republican Town Committee

Tonight the LRTC held their election of officers in Auburn  They elected a whole new executive committee, NEW are; chair Tim McClure, vice chair Fred Stacey, sec/treas. Tom Barry


Outed were Gina Mason, ex-chair, Garret Mason, ex-vice chair


Is this what we can look forward to come this November?

LRTC Ex-Chair Gina Mason

LRTC ex-vice-chair  Sen. Garrett Mason

Councilors, Cover-Ups, Corruption, It's Just Business As Usual In Lisbon

Lori Pomelow ---- Law Maker or Law Breaker

 Lori Pomelow

Part One:


The February 22nd Town Council Meeting exposed what appears to be an intentional cover up of a Council member breaking Lisbon’s ordinances.


On Feb 17th Mr. Leighton sent a memo to the Town Manager requesting that the annual weight restrictions be placed on a number of town roads.  In that memo two roads were listed that have year round weight restrictions. The two roads are Webster St. and Wing Street.


Last Fall  there was a lot of controversy over Councilor Pomelow breaking Town Ordinances by using Wing St. and Scottsdale Avenue as a tractor trailer route for the Councilors trucking company.  After many attempts by townspeople to stop this destructive practice  “NO Thru Trucks" signs were placed on both ends of Wing St. where “weight limit" signs should have been installed.  This incorrect posting gave the Councilor  grounds for using this route for their tractor trailers.

 Pomelow Transport Home Scottsdale Avenue

but the Town of Lisbon says they operate No Business!

 In my opinion this is a conspiracy by  the Town Manager, Town Engineer (both were aware evidenced by the above memo) The Public Works Department (someone had to change the signs) and the Police Department who is in charge of enforcing the Town Statutes.


 If this was what it appears to be, a concerted effort by the above officials to ignore the laws then we have a much more serious problem.  This is systemic Corruption.


It will  be interesting to see how the “powers that be” in Lisbon get out of this one with their integrity intact.


Respectfully
Joe Hill
LisbonMaine.net