More On Lisbon's "Creative" Book Keeping,,, Just Lie...

HOW ARE OUR TAX DOLLARS BEING SPENT??? –Part 2

This town council is trying desperately to keep the truth from the taxpayers of Lisbon as to how the council is spending our tax dollars.  I do not know about you but if you are taking my money, I want to know how you are spending my tax dollars?  I do not mind paying my FAIR SHARE in taxes but when the town continues to raise my taxes and then does not provide any answers as to why, I become concerned. I am like most people and I have worked hard for my money and want to know my tax dollars are being spent correctly.

Can anyone tell me why certain residents have to pay Personal Property tax on their businesses and others (Good Old Boys) do not?  So for the ones who do not pay Personal Property tax; who has to make up the difference?  The two illegal garages on Route 9 are not paying Personal Property tax to Lisbon and yet the town wants to make these businesses legal without paying taxes.  There are a number of other businesses in town who are not paying Personal Property taxes.  Can you imagine how much your taxes would go down if everyone in Lisbon shared equally in paying taxes?  What really burns me is the town knows of these businesses and yet they do nothing to force them to pay their fair share of taxes. 

 Lisbon Police Chief David T. Brooks

It is budget season again.  I wonder how much money will be declared as grants (money received from other sources).  I requested a copy of the grants issued to the Police Department for the furniture in the Communications Center and come to find out there never was a grant instead they utilized taxpayers dollars to upgrade the furniture.  What is even worse than being lied too is the fact the town manager helped Chief Brooks sell this lie.  It is terrible to have to verify everything said by our town staff because they lie so much.  How can you trust anyone who lies to you?

 Lisbon Town Manager Stephen G. Eldridge

As long as Mr. Eldridge is the town manager, there will always be funds hidden throughout the budget in order to conceal the high operating cost of the Police and Fire Departments.  I have exposed this several times and it makes no difference to anyone.  Hiding funds in other departments is how management can justify the misappropriations of funds by the Police Department.  

Case in point, the actual cost for the Communication Centers furniture was charged to the Equipment, General Government/Town Buildings ($15,000) and Police Department Officer Reimbursement ($8,830.00).  Neither one of these line items are associated with the Communication Center.  So, not only did Mr. Eldridge use tax dollars not designed for the Communication Center but he also charged the furniture to different departments in order to cover-up the additional cost of the Communication Center.  This is clearly misappropriation of town funds and a violation of the law.   But who is going to charge Mr. Eldridge????     Certainly not Chief Brooks.

In both Part 1 and 2 of “How are our Tax dollars Being Spent?”, I have shown how the Town Council is not keeping the residents of Lisbon informed on matters pertaining to the use of our tax dollars and why the people are forced to pay higher taxes.  The town council is suppose to be the voice of the people and represent the citizens of Lisbon but instead they are marching to their own agenda or someone else's agenda.  On numerous occasions, the people have voiced their feelings to this town council only to be ignored.  This council is a disgrace to this community and the people they represent.

This community desires a form of government in which the voices of the people are heard and respected not ignored.  This town council is not working for the people and does not represent the wishes of the people so let’s change it. 

Larry Fillmore

Concerned Citizen

 Update:
 Concerned taxpayer said...
Larry, changing to the Council form of government was Bowie's dream come true. He didn't have to bother with the tax-paying citizens. He collaborated with Brooks to increase police dept. spending ad nauseam. Of course his "missus" received raises along the way. We need an actual Police Chief," not a master manipulator/intimidator. You know, someone whose only concern is for peoples' well-being and having some guts when it counts. Brooks will never receive any awards for bravery or heroism. Let's get a real cop to run the department, not a "long in the tooth Barney Fife. At least all his cache as an intimidator has worn off thanks to TLR and it's fearless reporters. Things have always been whose ass you kiss and if you support their budget. After Brooks' lie about having a grant, he should be immediately discharged.

December 10, 2012 9:48 AM