Lisbon D.A.R.E. & Bicycle Coalition Offer Bike Ride‏

LISBON D. A. R. E. and Bicycle Coalition of Maine Offers Bike Ride Saturday, May 10

Lisbon School Department School Resource Officer, Jeff Picard (left) and Bicycle Bob Bruce from the Bicycle Coalition of Maine, offer bike safety tips to students Emma Tapley and Riece St. Amant.  Photo by Renee Bernard.  

The Lisbon D.A.R.E. Program is partnering with the Bicycle Coalition of Maine to offer a bike ride Saturday, May 10 at the Lisbon Wellness Fair.  The event is scheduled at the Lisbon Community School, 33 Mill Street, Lisbon from 10:30 to 12:30.  Weather permitting, the events during the day will be as follows:

10:30-10:45 – register for bike ride and door prizes

10:45 – 11:30 – pre-ride safety talk

11:30 – 12:15 – bicycle ride

12:15 – 12:30 – door prize drawings

Students should plan to bring their own bicycle and helmet to participate in the bike ride.  All participants in the bike ride will be entered for our door prizes.

Numerous door prizes will be awarded  – water bottles, bicycle horn, $25 gift certificate to Busytown Bikes and a gift certificate for a tune up at Busytown Bikes.  A raffle will also be held for a brand new bike!

In the event of inclement weather, the event will move inside to the gymnasium  and offer some bicycle safety and helmet fittings. 

FMI on other events, volunteer opportunities and partnership programs in Lisbon Schools visit the Community Resource News in Lisbon Schools on FaceBook or email mmillhime@lisbonschoolsme.org. 

It Was His Choice‏ !

Lisbon Police Chief David T. Brooks

IT WAS HIS CHOICE!!!

At last night’s budget workshop, the Town Council reviewed options for inclusion in this year’s budget.  Since the Finance Director did not provide copies of the sheet used during the meeting, I will have to give you what I heard during the workshop.  Chairwoman Ward did not mention the line items for the Police Department except when someone else mentioned it first.

The Council as a whole voted NOT to include the Mobile Radios; Document Imaging Unit and Voter Radio System.  One of the Councilors said if Chief Brooks wanted them he could use the Forfeiture Funds.  However, still an option on the table is the replacement of several vehicles.  According to the Police Department Vehicle Inventory dated July 11, 2013, Chief Brooks wants to replace four (4) vehicles this year.  Councilor Garrison asked Chief Brooks when he gave his departmental presentation if one of the vehicles he wanted to replace was the same unit that the town replaced the engine last year and the response by Chief Brooks was “YES”.  My question would be if we replaced the motor last year why are we replacing the car this year?  I would like to think we get more than six months use out of a new engine.

Now in September 2013, the Town of Lisbon received Forfeiture Funds in the amounts of $71,750.78 and $632.91 according to the bank statement.  On the Capital Improvement Plan, Chief Brooks listed the following items:

Animal Control Officer Vehicle - $24,000
    Mobil Radios (11) – $33,000
    Voter Radio System - $28,000
    Document Imaging Unit - $14,000

So come October 1, 2013, Chief Brooks had a total of $72,383.69 in forfeiture funds available and all the items on the Capital Improvement Plan qualified for these funds.  Chief Brooks needed to prioritize the Police Department needs.  Chief Brooks chose the items listed below over the ones on the Capital Improvement Plan. 

As you can see, Chief Brooks’ chose such items as assault rifles  with custom embroidered storage bags and mounts; GPS and balls and ball launcher for the Police dog over any item on the Capital Improvement Plan.  There are many more items on this list that Chief Brooks chose over the big ticket items.  Instead he brought toys for the boys and is now asking the taxpayers to pay for the big ticket items. 

There is sufficient monies remaining in the forfeiture funds to “Lease to Purchase” the vehicles he want to replace this year.  So tell me again why the taxpayers are being forced to pay for the replacement of any vehicles this year?

Chief Brooks looks the residents of Lisbon in the face and tells them what they want to hear while the whole time he is purchasing useless items and forcing the taxpayers to pay for BIG ticket items which he can purchase with forfeiture funds.   

No wonder  OUR taxes continue to rise.

Larry Fillmore

Here Is What "Real" Police Do, They Inform The Community Of Dangers; BDN: Maine police share latest ways young people hide their drug use from parents

By Nok-Noi Ricker, BDN Staff 

OLD TOWN, Maine — Items with secret compartments that look like everyday products — a stack of poker chips, a lint brush, a highlighter — are what some youth are using to hide their drugs, a team of law enforcement told parents recently at a drug education forum.

“These are the things that parents miss,” Deputy Chief Troy Morton of the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office said to a group gathered at Leonard Middle School, holding a blue highlighter that held a hidden marijuana pipe. “We’re trying to get people to pay attention to things that are not always obvious.”

“Sometimes it’s very difficult to look at the signs and tell if they are abusing substances, but they will not be able to hide all their paraphernalia,” he said later.

The April 30 forum was hosted by Old Town Police, the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office and Maine State Police, with RSU 34 and the River Coalition sponsoring the gathering.

“Things to look for [include] little pieces of tinfoil that are burnt — that is a sign,” Trooper Barry Meserve of the Maine State Police told parents. “Straws that are cut. If you have a straw that is that long [indicating about 3 inches with his fingers], they’re snorting something.”

 [Continue Reading and Watch Video]

OMG!!! Huffington Post: Dash Cam Shows Moments Before And After Deputy Kills 19-Year-Old Girl (VIDEO)

 Imagine if this happened to your child. How would you feel?

Authorities have released footage from a Kentucky deputy's dash cam that shows the events that took place just before a 19-year-old girl was shot dead.
Fox 19 reports friends and family of Samantha Ramsey are calling for justice to be served after they say the teenager was gunned down by Boone County, Ky. deputy Tyler Brockman as she left a party on Saturday morning.
Story continues HERE ...

Lisbon Finance Committee's Culture of Corruption Explained!!!

MORE PERTINENT INFORMATION!!

 Is this the Future of Lisbon?  
(photo: http://motorcitymuckraker.com/blog/2013/07/30/chinese-investors-start-gobbling-up-cheap-houses-in-detroit/  )

It is critical that someone take the time to look into how our tax dollars are being spent and why our taxes go up every year.  It is a sure bet that the Finance Committee will never find any of these abnormalities within the town because they are the ones that created them when they were councilors.

According to the 2012-2013 Annual Report, there are 227 residents who owe past taxes on Real Estate (Pages 30 – 33) and 60 businesses that owe past Personal Property (Page 34).  The total for Real Estate taxes is $398,125.83 and the total for Personal Property tax is $96,921.19.   This is a considerable amount of money and a clear indication of the economy, or is it?

I am struggling with the fact that on the Personal Property tax side the majority of unpaid taxes are possible members of the “Good Old Boy” network and have not paid their taxes for years without any repercussions.  I say this because there are some prominent businesses on this list.

I understand that the yearly raising of taxes has put a burden on many residents who are on a fixed income.  However, it is only fair that everyone pay their fair share of taxes.  Under the new management of the town and with the cooperation of the current Town Council, I am sure that arrangements can be made to collect these back taxes in smaller amounts.

Remember, former Chairman LaRochelle whose company owed back taxes due to a mistake supposedly made by the town but never recognized by LaRochelle Properties, Inc for over twelve (12) years.  Chairman LaRochelle only paid the back taxes and none of the Interest and Penalties owed to the town.  Rest assured, if you owe back taxes, the town will force you and I to pay both Interest and Penalties.

Our Undesignated Fund has been robbed by excessive and frivolous spending by members of our former Town Council, Chief Brooks and Stephen Eldridge to the tune of over $2,000,000.00 of our tax dollars.   These funds the people will never be able to recover, however, it is imperative that the current Town Council and the Interim Town Manager put an immediate stop to it and I believe they are doing just that.

People have said in the past that my reporting of discrepancies and abnormalities has hurt the town.  My only concern is to identify the problems and bring them to the attention of both the people and management.  It is the responsibility of the Town Council and the Interim Town Manager to correct these situations.

Who else will do the investigative research; the Finance Committee?

Larry Fillmore

What Good Is The Finance Committee Other Than To Support The Police Budget?

THE ROOT OF OUR PROBLEM AS I SEE IT!!!!

Several years ago, Mike Bowie recommended that the town do away with the elected Budget Advisory Committee.  This was presented as a Charter change to the people and the people bought into it.  This was done because the Elected Budget Advisory Committee had recommended NOT to accept the proposed Municipal budget.

Instead, the Town Council formed an appointed Finance Committee with the majority of the Committee members being former Councilors.  Chairwoman Ward said at a council meeting that the reason the council did this was because these former councilors understood the municipal budget.  This is a very accurate statement because for the past six years they have been doing nothing more than protecting the Police budget at any cost.  These former councilors raided our Undesignated Fund until it is below the Charter recommended level.

These former councilors are the real reason that the town is in the financial disaster it is in. These councilors Mike Bowie, Lori Pomelow, Charlie Smith, Fern LaRochelle and Norma Wells are responsible for depleting the Undesignated Fund from three (3) million dollars to just barely over one (1) million dollars.  These funds did not go into our roads or infrastructure; they went into the Police Department for “Toys for the Boys”; assault rifles to be used on Lisbon residents; and a communication center that costs the taxpayers approximately $500,000.00 a year.

I have clearly shown how this occurred on several occasions.  The Town Council did not want to be challenged by the Budget Advisory Committee so they dissolved this committee and installed a committee that will always support the Police Department instead of doing what is in the best interest of the community.  The Budget Advisory Committee was elected by the people and always had the best interest of the people at heart.

The real question is why I can find all these discrepancies in the system and the Finance Committee cannot.  Why is Chief Brooks allowed to request Police vehicles be “purchased” from the council and then “Lease to Purchase” the vehicles?  Once the funds have been appropriated they cannot be used for any other purpose without the council approval.  This approval has NEVER been obtained from the council.

What good is the Finance Committee other than to support the Police Budget?

Larry Fillmore

Lisbon Police Department Bends The Taxpayers Over!

PROOF POSITIVE!!!

Well, the 2012-2013 Annual Report is available at the Town Office for those interested in seeing where our tax dollars are being spent.  A quick review will bring to light some very unsettling and disturbing facts. 

Councilor Cote and our blog sites have been telling the people about the Police Department sucking up the majority of our tax dollars.  Chief Brooks has made every effort to conceal the exorbitant cost of operating the Police Department.  The 2012-2013 Annual Report shows how much the Police Department is spending on  SALARIES ALONE.  The figures on the left below will show what the Town Council approved for the entire Police budget and the figures on the right will show you just how much was spent on salaries alone.  Keep in mind, when you are reviewing these figures that the numbers on the right are JUST SALARIES and cover no other operating cost while the number on the left was approved to cover everything.

                                Approved by              2012-2013
     Division            Town Council        Annual Report Salaries
Police                       $943,132.00                $951,989.75
Animal Control            75,030.00                    36,842.90
Comm Center             227,066.00                  204,584.32
        TOTAL:         $1,245,228.00             $1,193,416.97

This brings up something that Councilor Cote and we have been telling the taxpayers and that is Chief Brooks, Jessica Maloy and Stephen Eldridge had been shifting tax dollars into the Police Department for years and this is the proof.  Take a look on Page 36 of the 2012-2013 Annual Report and review the salaries of just our Police Officers.  Four officers make more than $70,000.00 each.  One Sergeant ($75,130.58) makes more than Chief Brooks ($72,159.70).  Six officers make more than our Lieutenant ($62,546.63) does.  

These figures are just salaries and do not cover any other operating cost.  Is there any doubt, what caused our “unfavorable expenditure budget variance”?  The taxpayers had to use Undesignated Funds in order to cover these salary increases that were never approved by the Town Council.

The current Police Department under Chief Brooks is the taxpayer’s biggest nightmare.  Instead of our tax dollars being used to improve the community, these funds are being diverted to the Police Department to fatten their pockets.  This will not stop until the Interim Town Manager and the Town Council gets rid of the cause of this corrupt spending.  Chief Brooks has served this community long enough and the town can no longer afford to pay the high price for his service.  These “Good Old Boys” need to go because we can no longer afford them.

Larry Fillmore

BUDGET CHALLENGE‏

In this morning's Sun Journal, Tuesday April 15, the Auburn City Council is calling for $million$ in cuts to the city budget.

I challenge the town of Lisbon's Town Council and Finance Committee to do the same.

Ways to cut:

Town Engineer:

MDOT is asking for  a $5,500 Trail Match

plus a $20,000 Trail Match.

Those $$$$'s should have been built into the $1,200,000,

One Million Two Hundred Thousand, dollars,plus Lisbon's

matching funds of $320,000, for a grand total of $1,520,000.

ONE MILLION FIVE HUNDRED TWENTY THOUSAND DOLLARS.

                         Savings $$25,500.

Savings could be realized if we had a Town Engineer that was actually a licensed Engineer.

Savings $$$ ?????.

Town Attorney:

Hire an attorney from Lisbon, Lewiston or Auburn instead of one who travels from Bath, some twenty plus miles each way @$150.00 per hour.

                       

Police/Public Safety:

The Police Department receives Forfeiture money that could be used to pay for assault rifles, document imaging, mobile radios.

The list goes on, But asks the taxpayers to pay for these items.

In a budget of $1.000,000, One Million $$$$$, the Town Council and Finance Committee should be able to find significant savings.

Redevelopment Department:

About 2 years ago former Town Manager hired a Town Planner to the tune of $20,000 per year, to develop a Route 196 Master Plan and Sign Standards, and to assist the Planning Board.

The Route 196 Master Plan and Sign Standards is almost

completed, just needs to be accepted by the Town Council.

Why continue to pay $20,000 for a Town Planner when we

have a highly qualified Codes Officer in Dennis Douglass?

The Planning Board has new direction, thanks to Town Planner, Amanda Bunker, and  we are paying over $55,000 a year for a Redevelopment Director, who also heads up the Moxie Festival.

This is a Duplication of Services. 

A savings of $20,000 or $55,000.

The town Council has asked the School Department to cut their budget.

The Library Department is already bare bones but is willing to cut hours of service, a savings of only pennies compared to the police department! ! ! !

Other savings ?? Readers, taxpayers?

          A Challenge ! ! ! ! ! !

Dot Fitzgerald

A Lisbon Concerned Citizen

TOWN REPORTS ARE OUT! ! ! !

And yes, my name is under unpaid taxes,

both real estate and personal property.

The real estate taxes have been paid.

I am struggling as are many others.

Chief Brooks' Latest Performance - Final‏

CHIEF BROOKS' LATEST PERFORMANCE – FINAL

Lisbon Police Chief Brooks

During last Tuesday night’s Town Council workshop, Chief Brooks presented his 2015 budget proposal to the Council.  Attached are the slides that were presented; and as you can see the total is $1,366,120.00 yes that is right over 1.3 MILLION tax dollars.

Is there any doubt that our taxes are going up again this year?  Keep in mind; this is without the bonds for the Public Works garage, gym or track.  A wise councilor once said that Chief Brooks has been sodomizing the taxpayers of Lisbon for years.  A review of Chief Brooks’ priorities and his spending habits confirm this councilor’s statement.

Chief Brooks has been abusing his position by wasting taxpayers’ money for years.  Now, I understand that there are a few of you that support Chief Brooks over the years but given the facts, do you still support Chief Brooks?  He has been in this community for many years and has cost the taxpayers an enormous amount of tax dollars.  Even though he has done some good for this community, the cost is too high.  The town cannot afford this frivolous spending by Chief Brooks. 

Without any bonds, our taxes are going to skyrocket again this year because of the Police Department budget.  The people need to put a stop to all this waste, fraud and abuse by Chief Brooks.

Larry Fillmore

Chief Brooks' Latest Performance - Part III‏

CHIEF BROOKS LATEST PERFORMANCE – PART III

During Chief Brooks’ performance in which he presented to the Council his budget this year, he is asking the taxpayers to foot the bill for a Voter Radio System and eleven (11) mobile radios at a combined cost of $61,000.00.

This is extremely weird because if you remember correctly Chief Galipeau received a grant in January 11, 2011 for $14,690.00 for the following:

1. A Repeater Station (SHSP)
2. Two Control Stations
3. Batteries
4. Program/Install Radios
5. Re-program Existing Radios
6. TIA Compliant Tower System

Remember, the town installed a tower up on Route 9 because it was the highest point in the town.  This enabled the Police/Fire Departments to have communications throughout the town.  Chief Galipeau’s grant covered both Fire and Police. 

Now this bedroom community of Lisbon has all of this communications equipment and a communication center and they are unable to communicate.  If a Police Officer has all these radios, how is he going to hold his assault rifle?  It is totally ridiculous for Chief Brooks to force the taxpayers to spend $61,000.00 for more communications equipment.  Chief Brooks wants eleven (11) radios for whom?; according to him there are only one or two police officers on duty at any given time.  So where are the other nine radios going? Everyone today has a cell phone to communicate with.  

So exactly what is the purpose of the Communication Center?  If the Communication Center cannot communicate with the Police and Fire Department why are we paying $500,000.00 annual for it?  Think about how large Lisbon is and how relatively structure free, and then tell me again why we need to spend $61,000.00 of our tax dollars for the purchase of more radios to communicate with. 

 

Someone needs to remind Chief Brooks that this is not Detroit.
 

Let’s see if I can recap, our officers whether Police or Fire have cell phones, at least one mobile phone, vehicle radios, and a communication center.  Next, tell me again why Chief Brooks needs $61,000.00 of my tax dollars for yet another means to communicate with the town officers?

More fraud, waste and abuse of our tax dollars!

More to come!

Larry Fillmore

CHIEF BROOKS' :::: > LATEST PERFORMANCE PART II

CHIEF BROOKS LATEST PERFORMANCE – PART II

During last Tuesday’s night Town Council Workshop, Chief Brooks provided the council will a lot of misinformation.  He was talking out of both sides of his mouth at the same time.  During this article, I will try and explain how Chief Brooks can double-talk. 

Chief Brooks stated in October 1, 2013
when he was explaining the Federal Forfeiture Funds and what can be purchased using these funds.   He also stated that he would be using these funds for the purchase of vehicles.  Well, Tuesday night Chief Brooks stated he wanted the taxpayers to pay for the purchase of two cruisers and one Animal Control Officer truck.   However, he has added a twist this year by recommending all items on the 2015 Capital Improvement Plan be leased instead of purchasing outright.  Leasing cost the taxpayers additional funds! 

Councilor Garrison asked Chief Brooks if Unit 3 was the cruiser the town replaced the motor last year and Chief Brooks said YES in a very weak voice.  I always thought that once you replace a motor it would extend the life of the vehicle.  So what is the rush to replace this vehicle? 

Up until this year, Chief Brooks always comes into the council with a quote to purchase the vehicles.  Last year, he needed $48,816.00 for the purchase of two 2014 Ford Utility vehicles.  The Council approved the $48,816.00 for the “purchase “of two vehicles.

However, Chief Brooks and Mrs. Maloy, Finance Director, converted the approved purchase to a Lease to Purchase.  The Lease to Purchase cost the taxpayers $15,331.21 and the remaining $33,484.79 went somewhere else.  However, once this money was appropriated by the Council it cannot be spent unless the money is re-appropriated by the Council which was never done.  So this $33,484.79 was misappropriated by either Chief Brooks or Mrs. Maloy.  This is the reason our taxes continue to go up every year.  Leasing adds additional cost for each of these items to the taxpayers.  More BS from Chief Brooks! 

Chief Brooks stated that the reason he wanted to Lease to Purchase the vehicles is to establish a routine to replace these vehicles on a yearly basis.  This is the same line of crap he has been giving the Council every year for the last four or more years.  Establishing a Life Cycle Management takes about fifteen minutes to complete and Chief Brooks cannot accomplish this in four/five years. 

Chief Brook continues to double-talk the Council by asking the Council to spend taxpayers’ dollars instead of using the Federal Forfeiture Funds.  Each and every one of the items on the 2015 Capital Improvement Plan qualifies for purchasing under the Federal Forfeiture Fund program.  Chief Brooks acknowledged these items fall within the programs but did not explain why he has not purchased anything off the list since October 1, 2013.  Of course, Chief Brooks’ priority has been assault rifles, GPS Bundle and toys for the K9 Officer.  There is approximately $44,282.04 left in the Federal Forfeiture Funds which could be spent to cover some of the items on the 2015 Capital Improvement Plan.

Talk about fraud, waste and abuse by Chief Brooks.  Why doesn’t the Council put a stop to this frivolous spending?

More to come!

Larry Fillmore

CHIEF BROOKS’S LATEST PERFORMANCE! PART 1

CHIEF BROOKS’S LATEST PERFORMANCE!
PART 1

In September 2013, Chief Brooks received $71,750.78 in Federal Forfeiture Funds.  These funds could only be used by the Lisbon Police Department.  As of March 11, 2014, Chief Brooks had spent $27,468.74 on such things as:

1.   Three (3) 16M4A4 Telestk MPC assault rifles.  What possible use is there for assault rifles in Lisbon?  The loudest noises here are people snoring too loud.  Contrary to what Chief Brooks says Lisbon is not Detroit.

2. A GPS bundle.  What possible need is there for a GPS in Lisbon?  If we have a member of the Police Department who cannot find his way to work or how to find his way back home then I suggest that person maybe over qualified for the Police Department.  Get serious, a GPS to find your way around Lisbon.

3.Finally, plastic balls, ball launcher and bed for the K9 officer.  These maybe items used in the training of our K9 officer but these items should be part of the operating cost and not Federal Forfeiture Funds.

This is the priority that Chief Brooks decided to put ahead of the items on the 2015 Capital Improvements Plan.  
The items on the 2015 Capital Improvement Plan are listed below:
Animal Control Truck                $24,000.00
    Mobil Radios (11)                    33,000.00
    Voter Radio System                  28,000.00
    Document Imaging Unit           14,000.00

Chief Brooks put on an excellent performance when he justified the purchase of the Document Imaging Unit.  I personally believe that this is a necessity and should have been purchased before the assault rifles, GPS or doggie toys.  Chief Brooks continues to stick it to the taxpayers’ year in and year out.  The big ticket items are always purchased by the people instead of any Forfeiture Funds the town receives. 

Chief Brooks could have purchased two or three of the items from the list above in September but instead he spent some of the forfeiture funds on “Toys for the Boys” and screwed the taxpayers.  Well, he has approximately $44,282.04 remaining from the Federal Forfeiture Funds and should immediately purchase the Document Imaging Unit and the Animal Control Truck which the combined cost is approximately $38,000.00 dollars.  This will save the taxpayers some tax dollars.

Chief Brooks’ proposal the other night was to LEASE these items and have the taxpayers pay for the items over years.  If we have the money we should always purchase the items.  Leasing cost the taxpayers more in the long run.

Why should the taxpayers have to suffer because Chief Brooks cannot get his priorities straight?
 
More to come!

Larry Fillmore

Lisbon Town Council Workshop/Meeting April 08, 2014

Part One

Part Two

Recap Special Town Council meeting/workshop April 8th‏

                 RECAP SPECIAL TOWN COUNCIL MEETING/WORKSHOP – APRIL 8TH

At last night’s special Town Council meeting, the council deliberated for approximately an hour.  When they came out of Executive Session, Councilor Bickford made a motion to remove Steve Warren from the Trails Commission.  The motion was seconded and the vote was 6-1 with Councilor Pesce voting NO.

Then the Council moved into a workshop and we listened to three departmental presentations.  The first was the Library which the Finance Director covered for the Library Director in her absence.

Next was a performance by Chief Brooks on the needs of the Police Department.  Chief Brooks wants the taxpayers to pay for two cruisers and one Animal Control vehicle.  Chief Brooks also wants a Document Imaging Unit; Voter Radio System and Mobile Radios.  These items qualify for the use of Federal Forfeiture Funds but Chief Brooks wants the taxpayers to pay for these items. 

The town is currently committed to $28,700.00 in previous Leased to Purchase police vehicles.  These are the same vehicles the Council approved and allotted tax dollars for the outright purchase of the same vehicles.

There was a lengthy discussion pertaining to Shelter Fees.  These fees are based on population.  The Council had numerous questions Chief Brooks could not answer so they asked Chief Brooks to find out the answers before a decision would be made on which shelter to use.

Chief Brooks also wants the taxpayers to set aside $20,000.00 for future costs in the Communication Center.

Finally, Chief Galipeau provided a briefing on the Fire Department which included an increase $9,469.00.

More to follow!

Larry Fillmore

WHO'S TO BLAME?

                     WHO'S TO BLAME????

I look on tomorrow’s agenda of the Town Council and see three bonds issues.  It is truly amazing that no one can see the taxpayers cannot afford another tax increase this year.  However, due to recent events the town council has to make a decision on what to do about the burning of the Public Works garage.  This is not an item that can be put off because the taxpayers are paying a monthly rental fee of $4,500.00.  This has to take a priority over everything else and should be kept in a separate category than the other bond items.

Keep in mind that several years ago the County Commissioners wanted to consolidate dispatch centers.  They asked if Lisbon would like to consolidate our dispatch center (Communication Center) with the Androscoggin County Dispatch Center and the Town Council at the time (Mike Bowie, Lori Pomelow, Fern LaRochelle, Gina Mason, Roger Bickford, Mark Lunt and Roger Cote) voted NO.  Roger Cote was the only councilor in favor of consolidating Dispatch Centers.  Chief Brooks pushed the council to keep our Dispatch Center.  Had they consolidated Dispatch Centers our town could have invested approximately $1,500,000.00 tax dollars into our town’s infrastructure.  The town would not be struggling for money right now.

If the town had $1,500,000.00 saved, the town would be able to purchase both the Public Works building and the track with this money.  Also, there is a possibility that the town would not have had to raise our taxes every year.

If Chief Brooks had been thinking about what is best for the community, he would have let the County Commissioners consolidate Dispatch Centers and save the taxpayers all this money.  It was and still is the right move for the residents of this town for as long as Chief Brooks is allowed to keep the Dispatch Center and purchase assault weapons there will never be any money for roads, track or gym.

The Dispatch Center needs to go so this community can grow!!!!!

Larry Fillmore

Dear Anonymous

To Anonymous:

 

I may be old but I am not dead.

I began attending town meetings before you were a pup.

I cared about my community then, and I still care.

I hope to leave Lisbon a better place than it is now.

 

I remember when Lisbon and Lisbon Falls were thriving.

People shopped in town, because there were stores to shop in.

Our streets were in good shape.

Our town was in good shape financially.

 

Fast forward to today!

 

We are spending $20,000 a year for a Town Planner,

working on a Route 196 Master Plan and Design Standards 

with the hope that it will entice new business to town.

 

If you had attended the Tuesday March 25 Town Council

and Budget meeting you would have heard Interim Town Manager Dale Olmsted say that we need to put more money into our roads.

 

He said that when someone is wanting to start or relocate their business, 

the first thing they look at is a town's roads and infrastructure.

 

Have you driven our roads lately?

Great aren't they?

 

For our Police Department, we are spending $1,018,154.00,

One Million, Eighteen Thousand, One Hundred Fifty Four Dollars.

That is 24.1% of our total municipal budget! ! ! ! 

 

With not much left over for our roads. 

 

I own property in Lisbon. I pay real estate taxes, water and sewer bills.

 

That, along with the right to free speech, gives me the right to voice my opinions.

 

And I am not afraid to sign my name to what I write.

 

I DO NOT HIDE BEHIND "ANONYMOUS".

 

Dot Fitzgerald

A Very Concerned Lisbon Citizen

 

 

CHIEF BROOKS , ARE THESE VEHICLES NEXT???

Beyond the Walls and Halls of the Lisbon Police Department Purchase of "Toys For The Boys" Explained In Detail

TOYS FOR THE BOYS

Lisbon Chief of Police David T. Brooks

In September 2013, Chief Brooks received $71,750.78 in Federal Forfeiture Funds.  These funds had strings attached and could ONLY be used by the Lisbon Police Department.  So on February 14, 2014, I submitted a Freedom of Access Act (FOAA) for a copy of all the Purchase Orders utilizing these Federal forfeiture funds.  On March 11, 2014, I received copies of fifteen (15) Purchase Orders totaling $27,468.74 dollars (See Attachment).

As you can see, there are a lot of miscellaneous items to include three (3) 16M4A4 Telestk MPC assault rifles.  I have several issues with this particular purchase.   

The first one is why does the Lisbon Police Department need assault weapons?  

 Could it be because of the numerous riots in Lisbon or maybe it is all the gun battles held in our streets?  

The citizens of Lisbon are the only ones here and our Officers are not traveling to Afghanistan to fight in a war; so who are they planning to use these weapons on?  

 I cannot remember one time a Lisbon Police Officer has discharged his weapon in the performance of his duties except possibly on the firing range.  Also, how far do you think a round will travel in the town of Lisbon?  Are you kidding me; this is a pure waste of funds.

Chief Brooks turned in a 2014-2015 Capital Improvement Plan with numerous items needed by the Lisbon Police Department and yet he did not purchase any of them with these Federal forfeiture funds.  All of the items qualify for purchase under the guidance outlined by Chief Brooks.  The following are items Chief Brooks could have purchased:

            Animal Control Truck                                         $24,000.00

            Mobile Radios (11)                                                33,000.00

            Voter Radio System                                                28,000.00

            Document Imaging Unit                                        14,000.00

                                                            TOTAL:                99,000.00

As you can see, Chief Brooks could have purchased three (3) of these items if they were so important to the Lisbon Police Department.  Now, Chief Brooks is going to ask the taxpayers' to purchase these items in the Municipal Budget (See 2015 Capital Improvement Plan). 

Is this really being fair to the taxpayers?

 Click to enlarge or print each document

Take a look at the Town Tax Allocation and you will see that the Police Department costs this town over $1,260,705.00 tax dollars (See Attached).   

The Police Department is the most expensive department we have.   

This is ridiculous!!!!  It is time our Councilors and the Interim Town Manager enlighten Chief Brooks on proper budgeting protocols.

It is imperative that Chief Brooks put the needs of the taxpayers' before he purchases anymore “Toys for the Boys”. 

Larry Fillmore

America's Newly Trained Gestapo Police Force ~ "Pig" Cop Kills Family Pet, warning graphic; GOPDD:Cop Describes Killing Family Pet: “Awesome – Did You See Her Collar Fly Off?”‏

by Rick Wells

Is this incident just more evidence that America is pinning badges and placing trust in many of the wrong kind of individuals to be police officers? Is this the logical progression when you deploy an authoritarian force and expect them to act as peacekeepers? This dog, Cali, got out of her backyard on Wednesday, March […]

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We have a few in Lisbon that are "money sucking leeches and more"

How Much Does A "Hot" Dog Cost The Taxpayers' Of Lisbon?

CAUGHT IN THE ACT

Lisbon Fire Chief Sean Galipeau, Police Chief David T. Brooks at a recent Town Council Meeting.

On or about 1130 hours March 21, 2014, I witnessed the Lisbon’s Fire Command vehicle traveling along Lisbon Street.  I could not see how many people were in the vehicle.  I then proceeded to my grandson’s eye doctor’s office to see if I could get his glasses fixed.  After, I leave his eye doctor’s office, I took my two grand kids to lunch at Simones Hot Dog Stand at 99 Chestnut Street in Lewiston.  Upon arrival at approximately 1200 hours, I was shocked to see Lisbon’s Fire Command vehicle parked in front of Simones.

Upon entering Simones, I observed Chief Sean Galipeau sitting with an unknown female companion.  Mr. Richard Mains was talking to Chief Galipeau at the time.  Chief Galipeau and his female companion finished their lunch and proceeded to the town owned Fire Command vehicle.  I personally observed this unknown female companion get into the town owned vehicle and they drove off.  I had people tell me that Chief Galipeau carries his friend's kids and his kids to school every morning but I have never witnessed this because I do not get up that early.

Why are the taxpayers paying for a vehicle, gas and maintenance for Chief Galipeau to utilize for his personal use? 

Are the taxpayers' paying for the liability insurance on this vehicle and does it cover unknown female companions?  This is a gross violation of town policy on the utilization of town owned vehicles. 

It is not right whether a person is on duty or not to utilize a town owned vehicle for his personal use.  Chief Galipeau was not in uniform at the time so I am going to assume he was off-duty.  When Chief Galipeau is off duty, I am sure that he has appointed another qualified Officer to fill in for him.  Chief Galipeau has got to be held accountable for his action and a tighter control has to be implemented to eliminate town employees using town owned vehicles for their personal use at taxpayers’ expense.

How many more town employees are doing this; how long has this has been going on and how much has it cost the taxpayers?

Larry Fillmore