BIG Night In Lisbon Tonight, Will They or Won't They Consider The Impact of Such An Outrageous Municipal Budget

By: Peter Reuter, Special to The Lisbon Reporter

Tonight Lisbon's Town Council has a grand hurdle to get over. The Municipal Budget is in limbo at the moment as it has not been voted on for approval.  It was tabled two weeks ago for more discussion that really never occurred last week during the special workshop.  The clarity of this type of a maneuver by the council is not really clear.  As during last week's workshop the aspect of making more cuts to the budget was really non existent.  I sat there perplexed because it was crystal clear that the council, all (5) that were present, as Mr. Pesce, and Mr. Metivier were excused, had absolutely no intention of making any suggestion of making cuts to the budget.

Sure there was discussion about chasing around the barn to make $35k in cuts, but if they cannot even find the missing $32,500.00 taken from the Economic and Community Development coffer, I have  no way of rationalizing a measly $35k.  Which the week before they allocated.  Duh!

Now how many communities have a budget where the Police Department makes up the largest portion?   I know this requires some work on the part of the taxpayers and really I am not sure if many even give a hoot. The answer, not many, if any at all.  But in Lisbon, a dilapidating  community along the banks of the Androscoggin River with one major and two other land routes dissecting the area, the Police Department budget is $1.3 Million, give or take.  Oh wait, there is no give, it is all take.  Chief Brooks as taken every dollar he possible could from the taxpayers over the course of his career here, and continues without remorse.
I find it hard to put into words the correct ones to describe the selfish act of continuing to literally rape the taxpayers of Lisbon.

So it is simply up to you to pass the word get you neighbors, friends, etc. and attend the meeting tonight and speak out about how you feel.  You have duly elected (7) people to represent and make a vote for you but if you do not communicate with them, they have no way of  understanding how you feel.

After we all get our tax bills it will be too late to do anything then.  NOW is the time to make the cuts in the Police Department.  Some have said that they could easily make $100k in cuts without much of an impact.  In reality the councilors should cut $200k to make up for the cuts they did not do last year.

Hope to see you at the Town Office tonight, meeting starts at 7:00 p.m. promptly with a Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.  A proper function but often overlooked meaning and purpose.

 Hopefully it will not be another waste of time.

May God Bless US All and pray for those fighting for us in harms way.