The Lisbon Reporter

WELCOME TO THE LISBON REPORTER. In an effort to keep our community informed of what is going on at local and Federal levels of government, we decided to create this on-line newspaper. It is our hope that this on-line newspaper will help you stay informed so that you can get involved and take action for the benefit of our ENTIRE community. Thank you for visiting and please check back frequently for information about what is happening in LISBON/LISBON FALLS, MAINE USA

Saturday, September 14, 2013

Town Council Meeting Tuesday Night, September 17, 2013 Business As Usual Planned

IN ONE EAR AND OUT THE OTHER!!

At the Public Hearing on September 10, 2013, Town Manager Stephen Eldridge let it slip that the council had already made up their minds and were going ahead with putting the million dollar bond on the November ballot. Mr. Albert Austin questioned Mr. Eldridge about this and Vice Chair Ward stepped in and stated that the council had NOT decided on whether to put the question on the ballot or not. According to Vice Chair Ward, the purpose of the Public Hearing was to hear from the citizens. I suggested a show of hands but Vice Chair Ward never did call for a show of hands.

A review of the upcoming Tuesday’s night agenda contradicts Vice Chair Ward. It would appear that the intent of Public Hearing was not to hear from the people but a legal formality. Even though there was no show of hands it was very clear that out of the approximately 135 citizens present; the majority was NOT in favor of floating a million dollars bond or wasting everyone’s time by putting it on the ballot. Please look below and you will see the November Warrant which our council is going to be voting on Tuesday. It is agenda item 2013-148 and states the question on the Worumbo Mill project is question 1.

This certainly puts a different spin on the credibility of Vice Chair Ward. This also brings out some disturbing facts (1) this council does not listen to the majority of the people; instead they listen to the minority; (2) Public Hearings are a legal requirement and not for hearing from the people. The council clearly could care less about hearing from their constituents. It is apparent this has been a done deal from the beginning. Why is the council pushing so hard for the approval of this project? What deals have been made behind closed doors?

The real question is who will benefit the most. Someone will make a killing on this project and it definitely will not be the taxpayers.

Larry Fillmore