Lisbon Residents Definitely Need A Change For The Positive

DO WE NEED A POSITIVE CHANGE IN LISBON??

Lisbon Town Manager Stephen G. Eldridge

As we enter in 2014 are we going to allow things to continue as usual or are we going to ask this council to make a positive change?  As we reflect on the last six (6) years of our town under Stephen G. Eldridge as Town Manager; let’s reflect on the growth or the lack of growth of our community.

Let’s take a look at our tax dollars:

a.        $33,484.79 – This is the amount of tax dollars unaccounted after Chief Brooks decided to Lease to Purchase two vehicles instead of purchasing the vehicles that was approved by the Council for $48,816.00.  Where did this remaining money go?

b.      $223,514.00 – This is the difference in the Undesignated Funds from 2012-2013.  The Auditors called this an “Unfavorable Expenditure”.  So what were these tax dollars used for?

c.       $71,750.78 – This is the Forfeiture Funds received by the Police Department for use by the Police Department.  The money was received in September so why has Chief Brooks not utilized any of these funds to the outstanding items on his Capital Improvement Plan?  Are the taxpayers going to use tax dollars instead of forfeiture funds to purchase items on the Capital Improvement Plan?

d.      $2,000,000.00+ – This is the amount of money used by Stephen Eldridge since he became Town Manager from the Undesignated Fund.  So what was this money used for?  It certainly was not used on our roads.

e.      $22,307.00 – This is the current fine by the state for two spillages and the lack of an Operations & Maintenance Plan dating back to 2012.  If Mr. Leighton had an Operations & Maintenance Plan in place and had trained the personnel in the Sewer Department in proper maintenance there is a possibility these spills could have been prevented.  These are our tax dollars wasted.

f.        $32,500.00 – The investigation into the misappropriations lasted less than nine (9) months and resulted in no one being charged or the funds returned to the town.  These are Federal funds to be utilized by town citizens.   

Where is this money and who is responsible?

On August 21, 2012, the town transferred $84,424.00 from Overlay/TIF account to numerous other accounts.  The following year the town transferred $87,460.84 from the Overlay/TIF account to numerous other accounts.  Do you get the feeling the town intentionally over budgeted the Overlay/TIF account?  

 Is this their slush fund?

The residents of Lisbon continue to have to pay rising taxes.  With all of the funds I have cited above, I wonder why it is necessary to raise taxes in our community. 

In January 2014, the Town Council will be reviewing Stephen G. Eldridge’s contract.  I am sure many of you could come up with many many reasons why we need new leadership in Lisbon starting with the Town Manager.  If you agree, please contact your Councilors and support the removal of Stephen G. Eldridge as Town Manager.

POSITIVE CHANGE IN LISBON WOULD BE THE REMOVAL OF STEPHEN G. ELDRIDGE AS TOWN MANAGER IN 2014.

Larry Fillmore