Norma says there's no conflict

Council-Manager Charter of the Town of Article IX

9.03 Conflict of Interest.
If any elected or appointed officer, official, employee, or the spouse of any such person, has a substantial financial interest, direct or indirect, in any contract with the Town or in the purchase or sale of any land, material, supplies, or service to the Town or to a contractor supplying the Town, that person shall make known that interest and shall refrain from voting or otherwise participating in his or her capacity as an elected or appointed officer, official, or employee in making any such purchase or sale or in making such contract. Any such person who willfully conceals said financial interest or that of his or her spouse, or willfully violates the requirements of this section shall be guilty of malfeasance in office or position and shall forfeit the same. Any contract made in violation of this section shall be voidable by the Town.

Municipal Code – Chapter 12

Sec. 12-4. Conflicts of interest.

(a) Standard of conduct. A public official shall refrain from participation in a matter when there exists an actual, potential or reasonably perceived conflict of interest.

Sec. 12-2. Definitions

Personal relationship. The term "personal relationship" means any family, affectional, or social relationship that is characterized by one or more of the following:

a. Persons who are husband and wife, or parent and child;
b. Persons who share an ongoing physical intimacy with each other;
c. Persons who acknowledge an ongoing romantic relationship with each other;
d. Persons who live together in the same residence;
e. Persons who intermingle their financial assets without an accounting of separate ownership interests.

The Lisbon Concerned Citizens have brought to the attention of the council the conflict of interest with councilor Mike Bowie on several occasions. This council refuses to address the issue and do what is right. Mr. Bowie has voted on the town budget, the new chief’s police car as well as the three new detective police cars. Mr. Bowie’s wife works for the Lisbon Police Department.

This is a direct conflict of interest that should not be tolerated. We bring this to the attention of the citizens and ask that they review the ordinance changes to inform them of the refusal to follow our town charter.

Now the council wants to change the ordinances to gain the ability to call the shots. Chair Wells and the council have shown their inability to do what is right on this issue.

The Lisbon Concerned Citizens have brought to the attention of the council that the charter specifies an Ethics Board must be established to review conflict of interest issues in our town politics.

Chief Brooks acting as interim town manager is a direct conflict of interest that needs to be dealt with. The issue of our town manager hiring an economic developer for sixty thousand dollars a year and working three days a week is also another ethical question.
Not to mention, double tax bills and ridiculous pay for traveling expenses are all issues that should be dealt with. So far, the council sits idly by and does nothing except try to change policy.

This town deserves much better. Our roads are deplorable, we have bridges in need of repair and we don’t even have an auditorium for our children to hold a graduation ceremony.

We pay ridiculous salaries in all aspects of town employees. We as citizens and town representatives must work together in trying to bring some reasonable solutions to these issues. Sitting idly by is not the answer. Let’s correct wrong doings and work in the common interest to better our community.