The Lisbon Reporter

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Friday, August 5, 2011

Council Collusion and Cronyism‏ Lisbon Style

COLLUSION

During the Town Council meeting on August 2, 2011, I believe we witnessed an outrageous act of collusion. During the council reviewing the bids for revaluation of the town, Councilor LaRochelle and Councilor Pomelow spent ten (10) minutes making a strong argument to table the issue until KRT Appraisal was given an opportunity to prepare a presentation to the council, the same as Mr. Van Tuinen had presented in a previous council meeting. This would have enabled an even playing field and provided councilors with more information from which to render a better decision for the town. I DO NOT SAY THIS VERY OFTEN BUT THE ARGUMENTS BOTH COUNCILORS OFFERED SHOWED A CLEAR AND HONEST CONCERN FOR WHAT WAS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE TOWN. The moment Councilor Bowie made a motion to approve the Bid from Mr. Van Tuinen all concerns for what was in the best interest for the town went out the window. The puppet master had spoken and like good little puppets on a string both Councilor Pomelow and Councilor LaRochelle forgot what was in the best interest of the town and voted as Councilor Bowie desired.

COLLUSION IS DEFINED AS “A SECRET AGREEMENT OR COOPERATION FOR FRAUDULENT OR DECEITFUL PURPOSE”.

Please review the attached document provided by the town as agenda documentation. This document shows the town received bids from three organizations but under “Bid Proposal Amounts:” there are only two bids shown. So did Tyler Technologies submit a bid or not? I cannot comprehend a company taking the time to forward a bid but NOT submit a bid on a project. According to this document, KRT Appraisal submitted the lowest bid but it was not accepted by the town council.

Not only is this “collusion” but clearly demonstrates “cronyism”. Mr. Eldridge and Councilor Bowie and his puppets handpicked Mr. Van Tuinen to perform the revaluation for the town. Apparently, the fix was in prior to the meeting.

How does the town of Lisbon stop this outrageous conduct by the puppets and their master? Since Eldridge became the town manager, this town has been spiraling downhill. There is no more integrity, honesty or straight shooting Mainers and this is a loss I cannot accept. We have lost our values and are not setting a very good example for our children or fellow Mainers. How do we reverse this and get back to being true Mainers?

Larry A. Fillmore

Concerned Citizen