LTE TLR

Dear Editor,

I keep up with your on-line journal and just want to say that I really respect the dedication and tenacity of your team.  Mr. Fillmore is doing an outstanding job and after doing the leg work always comes to the same conclusion that I did while working for the Town of Lisbon: SOMETHING STINKS!  I noticed some shady things while working as the Economic Development Director.  I noticed things go further South after they hired Steve Eldridge.  Eldridge, Brooks, and Therriault have been wasting taxpayer money from the get go.  Shortly after I left and Eldridge came on board, the three stooges decided that they were going to fight me getting unemployment. 

I applied for unemployment after leaving Lisbon.  I didn't want to leave the position but was forced out by Brooks and his threatening and intimidating behavior.  One must ponder why Brooks would be acting that way after the Economic Development Director discovered fraudulent use of funds.  You would think that the Town of Lisbon would be grateful for the discovery.  Instead I was treated as though I was the enemy who had the potential to harm them further if I stayed on the job.  With that said, why would these goons fight the unemployment?  Why would they be so hostile towards someone who discovered the illegal activity?

I applied for unemployment based on the rule that I left the position on my accord but for just cause:  Brooks.  After I plead my case, it was granted.  After a short period of time, the three stooges decided they were going to contest the fact that I was awarded unemployment.  Again, why?  Why treat me like the enemy to begin with?  And why fight the unemployment?  So, we had a hearing.  It was me against Brooks, Eldridge, and Therriault.  I don't know about you but I didn't expect a lawyer at the lowest level of the unemployment hearings.  Of course, it was stacked against me.  And, some how it got turned into me being terminated for wrong-doing.  Chief Brooks brought up that I had leaked information about the case.  Of course Brooks denied treating me badly in any way and the whole thing got turned on me.  I lost the case and lost the ability to collect future unemployment earnings.  I had collected roughly $2,500 thus far.

I contested the decision made at the Administrative Hearing and the case went to the next level which was in front of the Unemployment Insurance Commission.  I prepared my case thinking that the three stooges would pull the same crap they did at the first hearing.  They accused me of wrong-doing therefore I went prepared to prove that I never engaged in any wrong-doing of any kind including talking about the case.  They had accused me of leaking the information to Dale Crafts so I got a sworn statement from Dale Crafts stating that I never said a word to him.  Low and behold, the three stooges showed up again.  This time I had an attorney.  Not once did they mention anything about any wrong-doing.  I had my attorney do all the questioning.  The three stooges sat there and denied and lied.  They didn't accuse me of anything, they didn't offer an affirmative defense, nothing.  They didn't even ask me any questions.  For some reason, they were all tight lipped this time.  All the preparation I had done for the case was all of a sudden null and void.  

In the end, the Town of Lisbon won this case as well but this time it was because of a technicality.  The Unemployment Insurance Commission decided that I should have told Brooks what he was doing wrong so that he would have had an opportunity to accommodate me.  We all know that it wouldn't have changed a thing but nonetheless the decision was made based on case law and I respected it.  This decision meant that I had to pay the $2,500 back to the State.  But, I never had to pay back the money because I was told that I could apply for a waiver.  I applied for the waiver and it was granted.  All of the time and money wasted by the Town of Lisbon was for what?  $2,500 that didn't even go back to them?  $2,500 that I never even had to pay back?  It still dumbfounds me.  Why even bother Lisbon?  It cost them money and time to go through this process. I know Therriault isn't cheap and given the salaries of Brooks and Eldridge...  Why the hostility?  Why the lies?  Why fight the unemployment?  I still cannot come up with a logical explanation on their behalf.  

Mr. Fillmore is bringing up all the ways that Eldridge has wasted taxpayer money recently.  I am writing to tell you that he has been wasting taxpayer money since the day that he was hired.  He had just started his job when he made the decision to contest the unemployment.  The three stooges which included the town attorney not only prepared for this but they spent a significant amount of time dealing with the unemployment bureau to ensure that I lost.  The money stopped when they won the first time.  I was not collecting unemployment when we went in front of the unemployment insurance commission.  One has to ask why these men found it so important to not only stop me from getting unemployment but assuring that I had to pay back the amount that was awarded.  Why?  Why was it worth spending taxpayer money to go after me, especially when I was considered a witness in a case (that has since been dropped by the Attorney General's office).  Why all the trouble? 

I'm not going to speculate on behalf of Eldridge, Brooks, and Therriault but this information certainly does confirm Eldridge's pattern of wasting taxpayer's money.    

--

Jennifer Norris

Western Maine

 

"Do the right thing even when no one is looking." - US Air Force