Lisbon Management Performs Another Illegal Act

ANOTHER ILLEGAL ACT

Town Manager Eldridge and the Town Council are up to their old tricks again by violating the Town of Lisbon Charter. In November 8, 2010, I cited 12 to 13 cases where Eldridge violated our town Charter. I presented these facts to the Town Council and the council decided these violations were not sufficient to remove Eldridge as the Town Manager.

In the minutes of the July 26, 2011 workshop is yet another violation of the Town Charter. The minutes state “The Council discussed each of the following charter amendments and by general consent asked that the Town Manager place them on the warrant for the November 8 Election”. Keep in mind, no vote can be taken at a workshop. Apparently, this Town Council and Town Manager have decided to ignore the provisions of the Town Charter provided below:

Sec. 2.07. Action Requiring an Ordinance.

In addition to other acts required by law or by specific provision of this Charter to be done by ordinance, those acts of the Council shall be by ordinance which (1) adopt or amend an administrative code, or establish, alter or abolish any Town department, office or agency; (2) provide for a fine or other penalty or establish a rule or regulation for violation of which a fine or other penalty is imposed; (3) regulate the rate at which a business or establishment may charge for its services; (4) convey or lease property of the Town except tax acquired property; or (5) amend or repeal any ordinance previously adopted. Acts other than those referred to in this section may be accomplished by ordinance, order, or resolve.

Sec. 2.08. Ordinances.

Procedure. An ordinance may be introduced by any Councilor at any regular or special meeting of the Council and may not be enacted except after public hearing thereon. All Ordinances shall be submitted in writing. Notice of all public hearings on any proposed ordinance shall be given at least seven (7) days in advance of the public hearing by publication in a newspaper or newspapers having general circulation in the Town and by posting copies of said notice at the Town Hall and such other places as the Council may designate. An ordinance, in order to be finally adopted, must be read and voted upon at two separate meetings of the Town Council held not less than seven days apart without any material amendment of the ordinance between the first and second vote. Except as otherwise provided in this Charter, every ordinance shall be effective 21 days after the date of final adoption.

It would appear the Town Council and Town Manager have no intentions of complying with the provisions of the charter by holding a Public Hearing or a First and Second reading at a Town Council meeting. The Council and Eldridge plan on putting these Charter changes on the November ballot without the residents having a voice on these changes. I have shown the citizens of Lisbon repeatedly how this council and Eldridge operate by NOT wanting the residents to be informed as to what is going on in the Town of Lisbon. This government in Lisbon is far from transparent. This council and Eldridge perform town business under the table to satisfy their needs.

This is an illegal act performed by the Town Council and /or Town Manager. When are the residents of Lisbon going to put a stop to this underhanded and flagrant abuse of power by this council and Eldridge? I can only expose these acts. The citizens of Lisbon have got to put a stop to these violations of our Charter and get rid of the Town Manager and members of the Town Council who support these violations (Bowie and the puppets).

Residents, do not allow the Town Council and Eldridge to violate our Charter and get away with it. Do not allow these items to be placed on the ballot in November and if they push them through; then vote NO to all charter changes. Let’s show them we will not tolerate their misuse of their positions. Let’s restore honesty and integrity to the Town of Lisbon.

Larry Fillmore

Concerned Citizen