HOW CAN WE BELIEVE IN OUR COUNCIL?

HOW CAN WE BELIEVE IN OUR COUNCIL?

The Town of Lisbon has a Town Council run exclusively by one individual (Mike Bowie).  Councilor Bowie holds illegal meetings prior to every Town Council meeting with his puppets to provide instructions on what they are required to do during the meeting.  Only certain councilors are allowed to attend, Councilor Cote is NEVER allowed and Council Chairman Mark Lunt is allowed on certain meetings.  Councilor Bowie and the puppets are hypocrites because they do not comply with the Town Charter. 

A prime example of these continued violations is the Vice Chair Pomelow and Councilor Mason situations.  Both of these councilors, at the time they took the oath of office, swore under oath to:  “I solemnly swear (or affirm)that I will support the Constitution and will obey the laws of the United States and of the State of Maine; that I will, in all respects, observe the provisions of the Charter and ordinances of the Town of Lisbon and will faithfully discharge the duties of the office of Town Councilor”, had knowledge their husbands were operating a business out of their residence, which at the time was a violation of the zoning ordinance for their residence.  Councilor Mason’s husband applied for and was granted, after the fact; a waiver to operate the business by the Planning Board. 

However, Town Charter, Section 2-11(b)Forfeiture of Office A councilor may forfeit the office of Councilor  (2) “knowingly and willfully violates any express prohibition or other provision of this Charter, of the terms of their oath of office, the Town’s Ethics Policy, or any other Town provision relating to the conduct of a Councilor, including violation confidentiality requirements”.  I provided to the Chairman Mark Lunt documentation which clearly showed both of these Councilors, at the time of their oath of office, were in violation of the town Charter.  No action was taken on this matter by the Town Council.

These councilors protect each other in order to keep control of the Council.  Councilor Bowie will do anything, legal or illegal, to protect one of his puppets.  These continued violations of the town Charter just go to show residents the honesty, integrity and professionalism of these councilors.  These councilors have shown a total lack of respect for the residents of Lisbon, the Town Charter or what is best for the Town of Lisbon.  These councilors have their own agenda and will perform any act, legal or illegal, to accomplish their goals.

Councilor LaRochelle preaches the council will police its own but to this council; these are ONLY words to passify the residents.  This council has absolutely no intentions of policing their own or putting what is best for the Town of Lisbon first.  A review of their record speaks volumes about their protecting each other.  Also, look at their record on the Town Manager, who is the biggest violator of the Town Charter and Maine law.  The Town Manager is the direct supervisor of the Tax Assessor.  Eldridge stated last year the town had a valid commitment and nothing could be done about the tax bills.  Come to find out there was no valid commitment and the mill rate was lowered $.60 per thousand.  A true Town Manager would have reviewed the tax commitment process to ensure it was 100% correct before presenting it to the council.  Remember what a goat rope we had to go through to prove to the council there had been a mistake made in the process. 

It should never be the citizen’s responsibility to provide documentation or provide proof to the town council of errors in the management of the town.  The taxpayers are paying over $80,000 dollars for a Town Manager who has demonstrated a lack of knowledge in the daily operations of a municipality, Maine law and the provisions of the Town Charter.  Again, Town Charter, Section 3.03, Removal allows the town council to police one of their own, the Town Manager, for continued violations of Maine laws, and the Town of Lisbon Charter.

I can only point out to the citizens of the Town of Lisbon the continued violations performed by the Town Council and the Town Manager.  IT IS UP TO THE RESIDENTS OF THE TOWN OF LISBON TO FORCE THE TOWN COUNCIL TO PERFORM THEIR DUTIES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TOWN CHARTER. 

Take action and restore honesty, integrity and professionalism back into the management of the Town of Lisbon.  Call your councilors and demand they take the action required by the Town Charter and get rid of those who lack honesty, integrity and professionalism regardless of their position.

Larry A. Fillmore
Concerned Citizen