Lisbon Residents, Are You Satisfied With Your Elected Officials?

Councilors Evaluation‏

To All Lisbon Residents

I want to show the residents of Lisbon the make-up of their elected officials. These officials are elected by the people of Lisbon and entrusted with the Town of Lisbon. Elected officials are suppose to have the best interest of the residents and the Town of Lisbon at heart. In doing so, these elected officials are to ignore their personal feelings and vote what is best for the residents and the town. So lets take a look at their latest accomplishments:

1. This year’s budget (2011-2012) was increased by .09% over last years budget (2010-2011). So instead of cutting spending these elected officials vote to increase spending. Councilor Cote was the only councilor to vote no to this year’s budget. Our representative’s voted to increase spending next year but not as much as they have approved in the past. Wouldn’t it be nice if our elected officials actually cut spending in this economic crisis instead of increasing spending?
2. These same elect officials voted to change the Council Working Rules. The council has changed the rules to allow residents to only speak on pending issues in Public Hearing or Audience Participation sections of the meeting. Both Public Hearing and Audience Participation come before the issues to be voted on. What this means is if you have concerns or want to voice your opinion on any pending issue you have to do it prior to the issue being read, explained by the sponsor, or any discussion by members of the council. I clearly do not understand how anyone can address an issue until the issue has been explained to them. This makes no sense to me. Once the Public Hearing and Audience Participation sections are closed; residents will not be able to express their opinions or concerns on any issue put before the town council for a vote. I tried to explain this to the council but as usual they are not interested in anything I have to say.

Let’s see how your elected officials voted:

Roger Cote voted no to the proposal.

Mark Lunt voted yes. However, he did amend the proposal to remove two lines Mrs. Pomelow, the author of these changes, had included which also did not make any sense.

Roger Bickford voted yes

Lori Pomelow was the author of these ridiculous changes and was not even present at the meeting. I believe no issue should be voted on without the sponsor being present. All issues without a sponsor present should be tabled until the sponsor can explain the reason for the changes.

Fern LaRochelle voted yes. In fact, he spoke out in support of this issue.

Gina Mason voted yes. This is the same councilor who has been preaching she would like to see more residents involved in town government.

Mike Bowie voted yes. Prior to every Town Council meeting, there is a special meeting of selected councilors in Steve Eldridge’s office. I personally believe Mike Bowie provides instruction to the other councilor as to what to say, do and vote, so he can sit back and say nothing.

I am not sure any of the councilors, except Roger Cote, even read the changes prior to the council voting on the issue because anyone in their right mind would not compel someone to speak out on an issue prior to knowing what the issue is.

Keep in mind, this is one meeting. Review all meetings and you will clearly see the majority of this Town Council DOES NOT have your best interest at heart.

If this is what you expect of your elected official, vote them in again, but if you are not satisfied with the way they are representing you; vote them out in November 2012. I believe Roger Cote is representing me just fine. He is up for re-election this year and in my opinion we should keep him in office. Roger’s voting record clearly demonstrates he has the best interest of this town at heart when he votes.

Larry A. Fillmore

Concerned Citizen