THE NEED FOR SOCIAL MEDIA!!!!!
On Tuesday night, August 20, 2013, I attended a Town Council
meeting/Public Hearing on the Worumbo Mill project. I am sure that Town Manager Stephen Eldridge
was there. I verified his presence with
the Great Falls TV video of the meeting.
However, Mrs. Darcie Moore reported on August 23, 2013 inThe Times Record (click to view), that “However, Tuesday, Eldridge said the council was never able to hear questions, share information or have a dialogue as about six or seven
members of the public criticized the council for about 20 minutes about
bringing the proposal forward ---objections including the price tag and making
the mill a priority over other needs in town can get.” This is as far
from the truth as you can get. Members
of the Public were limited to 3 minutes and approximately fifteen to twenty
individuals spoke before Vice Chair Ward terminated the Public Hearing. Numerous questions were asked but never
answered. The design of the Public Hearing did NOT allow for a dialogue. The Public came to the podium, asked questions
and left. At the end of the Public
Hearing, both Mr. Eldridge and Vice Chair Ward answered a few questions.
The entire council chamber was full and
numerous others were in the hallway. A
friend of mine estimated there were approximately 100 residents in attendance. It is apparent that Mrs. Moore did not
verify her information. Those
that attend council meetings regularly know that Mr. Eldridge is known for not
telling the truth or twisting the words for his agenda. There have been many times Mr. Eldridge has
provided the council with half-truths or false guidance in order to get his
desired results. This has been going on
since January 2008 when Mr. Eldridge became Town Manager.
It is important that the real truth be
provided to our people to keep them informed so the people can make intelligent
decisions when they are asked to vote on issues. I
know in Lisbon, residents are provided ONLY what the council and Mr. Eldridge
want them to know.
The people
are never provided all the facts or all the options. This is exactly why Lisbon is in such poor
condition today.
Unfortunately, Lisbon
can never move forward as long as Mr. Eldridge is the Town Manager. Lisbon is on the same destructive path
Rumford suffered when Mr. Eldridge was the Town Manager there.
Social Medias, such as blog sites, are a vital avenue for
the people to get the truth. You can
tell these sites are very effective because councilors, both past and present,
object to these sites. It must be
terrible when the truth comes out exposing these councilors. When Lori Pomelow gave her outgoing speech
she claimed the information on the blog sites were lies so we started providing
documents supplied by the town as proof.
It is hard to deny anything when you use the town documents as
evidence. The only time they complain is
when they are caught in a lie.
Another means of getting the truth to the people is through
Facebook. Facebook reaches a large
number of people both locally and around the world. This is another example of “social
media”. Anyone who criticizes the use of “social media” needs a checkup from
the neck up.
I personally have been forced to verify everything said by
management of Lisbon. I utilize the
Freedom of Access Act (FOAA) for documents supporting statements made. I believe I am well over one hundred
FOAA’s. Also, for every copy I receive I
have to pay $.50 of my own money. As a
resident of Lisbon, I do not believe I should be forced to go to these
lengths.
Tell me again where the transparency is in Lisbon.
Larry Fillmore
Editors Note:
_______________________________________________________
Councilor Mason Does Not Get It, Never Has Never Will!
Except for her self proclaimed and Self Promoted Events.
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