Why We Started the Lisbon Reporter

Dear Lisbon Community,

We wanted to stop and reflect back on why we originally started the Lisbon Reporter. We have had grave concerns for quite some time now about the way that business has been conducted at the Town of Lisbon municipal offices but we especially have had concerns since the Town Council form of government has been instituted in 2006.

Therefore, we needed an avenue of which to inform the citizens of what is actually going on when your backs are turned. We have dedicated hours and hours of our time researching and collecting data relevant to our cause. Unlike the Town of Lisbon, we want to share it with the community so you can come to your own conclusions.

After learning about the money that was missing from the Economic Development office and witnessing the employee revolving door at the Town of Lisbon in the last couple of years, we believe that the writing is on the wall.

We have both been paying close attention to the happenings in Lisbon for quite some time now. We actually met for the first time the night that Lisbon citizens demanded to know why all the extreme changes at the Lisbon Recreation Center were being made without any input from the community.

It was at that time that we decided it was time to start learning the truth because it appears that we have town leaders that are not only keeping information from us but are trying to hide information from us or put roadblocks up to prevent us from gaining access to information. If there isn't anything to hide then why all the fuss?

The Town Council's choice of Steve Eldridge as Town Manager was alarming. This man was ousted from a community on a technicality and from the research that we have conducted in the Sun Journal, it was for the same reasons that we want to get rid of him now. He was mismanaging town monies, hiding information from the community, lying to the community, and making decisions behind closed doors with a couple of the Board of Selectmen.

When Steve Eldridge hired his friend from Rumford, Rosie Bradley, as the Economic Developer and gave her an $18,000 dollar raise when she only holds an Associate's Degree, we decided to conduct research on her as well. What we found was shocking! Steve helped jumpstart her career in Rumford and after Steve left Rumford, Rosie followed suit. She did not do well in Fairfield and was even chastised by the Town officials on her way out the door. She was able to run into the arms of the founder and creator of her career: Steve Eldridge.

What we have learned since conducting research both in newspapers and in other towns about these two individuals is deplorable. Obviously, the Lisbon Town Council failed when they did not do their homework to find out what the truth was behind these people. We will not only help them to understand why their decision to hire these two was so improper, but we will also help educate the Lisbon citizens as to why, with steadfast facts straight from newspaper articles that we collected all the way back to 2003.

As for the Town of Lisbon Town Council, Roger Therriault, and Chief David Brooks, what we have recently learned about the way that they conducted themselves in regards to the fraud case and with other issues involving town monies will surprise you.

We are not on a "witch hunt" because "witch hunt" implies that we only have one person in mind. No, we are going to expose all of them, which will probably lead to the collapse of many, many people. We are looking forward to hearing what Dan Feeney has to say when he has to go to court. As a matter of fact, Dan Feeney and his legal counsel may address the very same issues that we plan to address. They had no problems using Dan Feeney to take the fall for the fraud that was discovered. And, we are here to tell you that there is much more to that story than you could ever imagine.

Lisbon community, please understand that in order to do this right, we must proceed carefully. We are asking that you support us in our efforts to rid our community of the filth that are using our money to benefit themselves. We have a great community with great people who deserve better than this. Don't be fearful. The truth will set you free.

Roger Cote
Todd Comber