More Ignorance from Lisbon Councilors Is Just SOP

Council Recap August 2^nd

Last night’s Town Council meeting was a continuance of more and more ignorance. If I had to rate the effectiveness of the council, it would be somewhere below an “F” if that is at all possible.

The first item is during the Audience Participation, I pointed out to the Town Council the changes Councilor Pomelow made to the Council Working Rules were impossible to comply with. I explained to everyone the reason was because the ONLY time residents of the town of Lisbon can speak on an agenda item is during the Public Hearing or Audience Participation of the meeting and both these times are prior to the sponsor explaining the purpose of the change. Councilor Pomelow’s idea is to have residents speak about agenda items without knowing what the change is or why. The real reason is so no resident will be allowed to point out any shortfalls in the council.

Even after two members of the audience pointed out the changes cannot be complied with, the council vote 6-1 (Cote – NO) to approve the revised revised change as is. The council said “the council working rules is a working document and is subject to being changed”. This is nothing more than a cover-up for the council’s inability to do it right the first time. The original document had been in effect for numerous years without a problem. This council felt it was not getting enough town business completed because of the residents expressing their concerns on town business. The fact is town business concerns all the residents of Lisbon.

Let’s look at the time it has taken this council on this 3 1/2 double paged document. It has taken three months and changed three times since the council voted on the first edition of changes. Talk about wasting time and not getting town business accomplished. This council has plenty of time to change the working rules but does not have the time to do it right the first time. If anyone is wasting time, it is the council because guess what; they have to change it again. When does it stop? Why can’t we expect the council to do it right the first time? This is after several workshops with the last one being the Tuesday before the meeting.

Now let's move on to an even more bazaar situation. Councilor LaRochelle asked the council to table the agenda item on the “Revaluation Bid”. He did not make it a motion but explained he did not feel comfortable with the information he had because another company had bid lower than Mr. Van Tuinen’s bid. He explained his position for about 5 minutes and then Councilor Pomelow voiced her concerns for approximately 5 minutes supporting Councilor LaRochelle. When the issue looked like it was going to be tabled, Bowie (the puppet master) made a motion to accept Van Tuinen’s bid, which was not the lowest, and the motion was seconded by Councilor Bickford. The council then voted (4-3) to accept Van Tuinen’s bid. Councilor Pomelow and Councilor LaRochelle voted to accept Van Tuinen’s bid after arguing to table it until they had more information. The puppet master spoke and the puppets responded. If this is not a clear case of collusion, please tell me what is?

Where are the residents of the town of Lisbon? Why would anyone in their right mind allow this garbage to continue? Please do not talk to me about recalling a councilor because they took care of their own. According to the Town Charter, you can only recall a councilor if you have “…30% of the total number of qualified voters who cast votes for Governor in the most recent gubernatorial election.” Two Priests, a Nun, a Rabbi and the Pope could not get enough voters to vote in a special election to qualify for the 30%. On special elections you may get 2% if you are lucky. This is the exact reason Bowie is still on the council because the majority of the voters who voted during the special election wanted to recall Bowie but did not meet the 30%. Of course, Bowie seeing how the majority of his constituent’s felt did not resign because of a legal technicality. If you do not vote in an election, you have no right to open your mouth on any issues.

Please review last night’s meeting on Thursday August 4, 2011 at 7:00 PM on Channel 7. Watch your councilors in action.

Larry A. Fillmore

Concerned Citizen

Don't wait for the cable version, view it now on Great Falls TV here.