Did McConnell Just Cave On Amnesty Like He Did With His No-Shutdown

Did McConnell Just Cave On Amnesty Like He Did With His No-Shutdown, Powerless Purse Proclamation?

Posted on 7 January, 2015 by Rick Wells 

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell was asked today about the February funding expiration for the Department of Homeland Security in light of the attack in Paris by Islamic terrorists.
Although the purpose of not funding Homeland Security for the full year was supposedly to allow the Republican Congress an opportunity to stop the Dear Leader’s illegal amnesty by defunding it, McConnell’s comments do cause concern that perhaps he doesn’t feel the need to keep up the charade any longer.

To read the complete article: http://gopthedailydose.com/2015/01/07/did-mcconnell-just-cave-on-amnesty-like-he-did-with-his-no-shutdown-powerless-purse-proclamation/

The human face of Lisbon's failed budget policy's.

The following is a list of our friends, former neighbors, parents and grandparents that have lost their homes by foreclosure. Each one of these addresses represent a real person(s) that has had their hopes and dreams of home ownership taken away by Lisbon's government.

Unless we make drastic cuts to our record high taxes we will probably have another similar list of lost homes and dreams next year. How much of this are we willing to put up with before we demand our Councilors cut our bloated Police budget?

Mobile Home Foreclosure List  As of Feb. 2015

5 COLONIAL DRIVE                         10 GENDRON DRIVE
2 FAIRVIEW DRIVE                           1 WISPERING PINES
12 STANLEY DRIVE                         21 SABATTUS CREEK DRIVE
13 DONNA DRIVE                             21 ALMA DRIVE
7 DONNA DRIVE                                4 GENDRON DRIVE
31 FAIRVIEW DRIVE                       35 FAIRVIEW DRIVE
9 COUNTY ROAD                             96 BOWDOINHAM ROAD
12 GENDRON DRIVE
4 WHISPERING PINES DRIVE        12 TOWN AND COUNTRY DRIVE
22 SABATTUS CREEK DRIVE         3 LARRY DRIVE
32 SABATTUS CREEK                     10 WHISPERING PINES
9 GENDRON DRIVE                          4 LOWER DRIVE
9 MARC DRIVE                                  2 CLAIRE DRIVE
13 SABATTUS CREEK DRIVE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Homes and Land Foreclosure as of Feb 2015

13 VINING ST.                                    14 DAVID ST.
29 FAITH ST.                                       3 PLEASANT ST.
65 MAIN ST.                                        19 WEBSTER ROAD
75 SUMMER ST.                                  9 VILLAGE
286 BOWDOINHAM ROAD              273 LISBON ST.
8 REID ST.                                           34 HUSTON ST. EXT.
2 AMALFI ST.                                     22 LISBON ST.
146 SUMMER ST.                               214 LISBON ST.
38 CROSMAN ST.                              384 LISBON ST.
615 LISBON ST.                                   1 SERENA ST.
276 FERRY ROAD

Our new Town Manager, Mrs. Barnes, is working with the people on this list trying to help where she can but she cant fix the underlying problem,  Lisbon's high taxes.

As we start the new year and another budget season lets remember the faces of the above people and not make the same mistakes this year that will ultimately create another list of foreclosures next year.

One thing you can do to stop this from happening again is to call your Councilors and demand they do the Police Personnel Study they promised they would do last year.

Call your Councilors and let them know how you feel about this tragedy.

Respectfully
Joe Hill  --  LisbonMaine,Net

TALK ABOUT A COP OUT!!!!

TALK ABOUT A COP OUT!!!! 

At last night’s Town Council meeting, it was announced that the Town Personnel Study being conducted by Eaton Peabody would not include the Police Department.  This was because Eaton Peabody does not have any qualified personnel to perform this study.  

The Town Manager has requested quotes from other firms to complete this Personnel Study.  The town has received one quote that was for $3,000-10,000.00 dollars.   Councilor Bickford stated that this amount was too high and the town should consider not doing the Police Department. 

I am truly amazed to what length these Councilors will go to protect Chief Brooks and the Police Department budget.  Councilor Bickford has no problem spending tax dollars for the Personnel Study for the rest of the town.  He has no problem spending tax dollars for anything Chief Brooks wants.  All of the other departments have been asked every year to streamline their budget to only the bare necessaries with the exception of the Police Department.  Every year the Police Department budget is increased.  Last year, it was increased by approximately $74,000.00 tax dollars. 

The Police Department has outdated job descriptions, two Detectives, an Administrative Assistant and two part-time Secretaries.  These are just the ones I know about.  If the town reduced the number of Detectives the town could save either $70,813.25 or $64,076.73 depending on which Detective was let go.  This would more than offset the cost of the study.  If the town reduced the number of Administrative Assistants/Secretaries the town could save between $40,657.88 and $10,380.96.  Again, this would be more than enough to pay for the Study.   

Now, since the Forfeiture Funds are designed to enhance the overall performance of the Police Department; why not use the Forfeiture Funds to pay for the Personnel Study.  The whole idea behind the Forfeiture Funds is to make our police force more efficient then why not utilize these funds for what they are designed for instead of purchasing balls and a ball launcher for the K-9 or assault weapons to be used on the residents of Lisbon. 

It is totally wrong to subject town employees to a Personnel Study without doing the Police Department.  Chief Brooks does not want anyone poking around in his department and will do anything to prevent it.  Councilor Bickford will do whatever he needs to do to protect the police department budget from being reduced.  Watch over the next several months and you will see how many other councilors do the same.    

Councilors should make sure their votes are in the best interest of the town and not to move forward a different agenda. 

Larry Fillmore

RECAP TOWN COUNCIL MEETING – JANUARY 6TH

RECAP TOWN COUNCIL MEETING – JANUARY 6TH

Here is the summary of last night’s Town Council meeting.  

Under Council Orders, Resolutions & Ordinances – The following agenda items was approved by a vote of 7-0:

1. Amend Ch. 70 Zoning Div. 13 – Sec. 70-531 Non Domestic Animals (Second Reading)
2. Animal Control Service Agreement – Sabattus
3. Animal Control Service Agreement – Bowdoin
4. Animal Control Service Agreement – Durham
5. Salt Purchase at a cost of $55.85 per ton.
6. Revised MDOT Agreement for Route 196 Project.  This dealt with left hand turns at the intersection of Route 196 and Capital Avenue.
7. Tax Acquired Property. This dealt with the foreclosure of property.
8. Police Cruiser Sale.  The town sold an old Crown Vic for $4,000.00.
9. Forfeiture Funds.  The town has received electronically forfeiture funds that totaled $665.86.
10.Atlantic Salmon Federation Letter of Support.  The Town Council agreed to provide a letter of support to the Atlantic Salmon Federation.
11.Maine Bureau of Highway Safety 2015 Equipment Grant.   The Council approved Chief Brooks to apply for this matching grant.  The matching funds will come from the Forfeiture Fund.

The Council tabled agenda item pertaining to the Amend Ch. 70 Zoning Div. 14-Sec.70-564 Dimensional Requirements (First Reading) until the Planning Board has had a chance to review the changes.

Also, Council Dale Crafts voted against the Audio Book Lease Program.  The Audio Book Lease Program passed by a vote of 6-1.

Under Other Business – The ECD Director provided a presentation on the town declaring a downtown TIF which included both Lisbon Falls and Lisbon.  The Council agreed to move forward with a conditionally TIF.

Under Appointments – Twila Lycette, Town Clerk, was appointed as Voter Registrar.

Under Council Communications:  The Town Council scheduled a workshop for January 13, 2015.

Larry Fillmore

Why Won't Lisbon Officials Reduce Taxes?

Why Won't Lisbon Officials Reduce Taxes?

Lisbon has had one of the highest tax rates in Androscoggin County for decades. Residents have  complained about this huge tax burden many times. They have  proposed and implemented a number of solutions, none of which have delivered the anticipated  increase in revenues. 

To reduce taxes we must do one of two things, either increase revenues or reduce expenses.  For years we have tried to entice business to Lisbon in an effort to increase our tax base,  this hasn't worked. Could it be the solution to our problem doesn't lie on the revenue side of the tax equation?

If we really want to solve our tax problem we must reduce expenses. I know many in Lisbon can't imagine reducing the size of local government. They see any reduction as a step backwards but I don't see it that way.  I think we must adapt to changing times. What worked in the old paradigm doesn't work any longer. We need to concentrate on making Lisbon BETTER not BIGGER.

In order to reduce spending we need to know where to make the reductions.

 In the past there has been a concerted effort to hide department costs from the public. I don't think Lisbon Officials have done anything illegal but I do think our leaders have manipulated the accounting structure to give the public the impression we are spending less in our Public Safety Department that we actually are.  Many of the expenses entered under "General Government" should be properly placed under the department(s) that generate the expense.  

Examples of this Manipulation:

 

Health insurance being reported under general insurance instead of assigning the cost to the department that employs the worker. This reduces the overall cost of departments that have many employees.

• FICA payments are another example of costs assigned to a department that doesn't generate the cost.
• The Police Liability insurance isn't listed as an expense to the Police Department, its assigned as an expense to "general government/Insurance". This makes the Police department budget appear much smaller than it actually is .
• A few years ago our Police budget grew so large that the "powers that be" decided to remove the dispatchers from the P.D. even though over 95% of their dispatching was for the P.D..  This  change allowed the Police to declare they were much smaller than the actually were.     

I could go on and on with examples but I think you get the picture.  We have all been victims of creative accounting. We have been duped into thinking our Municipal departments are smaller than they actually are.

Its time to wake up and take control of our tax problem and the first step is to rid our town books of this creative accounting that misleads the public. We have been making decisions based on misleading numbers.  

If our finance department isn't capable of this task we need to get professional help from sources outside the group of people that created this mess.

Wake up!  Its time to stop being victims of those that want to use this town as their own personal checkbook. Demand a change.

Respectfully
Joe Hill

WHERE IS THE THREAT/WHAT IS THE THREAT???

During the last Town Council workshop, I listened to Councilor Mark Lunt ask Chief Brooks the same question he asked last year during budget season.  Why do we need two police vehicles parked at the two schools?  Jessica Maloy, Finance Director, answered the question last year by stating they are there in case of an emergency.  This year Chief Brooks answered that these vehicles are parked in front of the two schools as a deterrent.   So in order to be a deterrent there has to be a threat, so what is the threat?

 

Last year, the taxpayers paid $53,292.00 for two police vehicles.  The police department has nine (9) vehicles in its inventory.   According to Chief Brooks, there are only one or two officers on duty at a time in a small community like Lisbon, so why do we need so many vehicles?

 

Lisbon is a bed-room community.  This community is small in size and only has approximately 9,000 people so why do we need one Administrative Assistant and two part-time Secretaries, and two Detectives?  Our current police force cost the taxpayers over $1.3 MILLION dollars and again where or what is the threat?

 

For years, I have listened to Chief Brooks manipulate crime figures and intimate  citizens into believing there is a need for the massive police force in Lisbon.   This is not Detroit and crime is not an issue in Lisbon.  It is totally ridiculous to have a police department costing over a million dollars.  There needs to be an independent desk audit of the police department.

 Each year the county charges Lisbon approximately $500,000.00 tax dollars and does not provide many services.  However, the Town Council has elected to maintain the Dispatch/Communication Center at a cost of approximately $500,000.00 tax dollars.  This service is offered by the County but the Council has elected NOT to take advantage of this service.  Instead, our elected officials would rather put our lives at risk by allowing Androscoggin County Dispatch to relay all 911 calls.  Common sense will tell you if something has to be relayed; this causes a time delay.  In an emergency, time is most critical to saving lives. 

The new Town Manager and the Town Council need to take a close look at the police department.  For years, all the other departments have been force to make major cuts in their budgets and every year the police department is increased.  In order to justify a million dollars police department there has to be a threat equal to the cost.  History has shown, no threat exist that would justify paying over a million dollars for this police force.  

This year major cuts need to be made in the police department budget. 

Larry Fillmore

 

 

Obama’s Race Pimp Al Sharpton Continues His “Call For Action” Despite The Deadly Results

Obama’s Race Pimp Al Sharpton Continues His “Call For Action” Despite The Deadly Results

Posted on 3 January, 2015 by Rick Wells

If anyone entertained the thought that the recent violence associated with the Obama civil race war would possibly force common sense, cooler heads and moderation to come into play among the agitators, they can dismiss those as unrealistically optimistic. Sharpton has made it clear that his marching orders haven’t changed and he’s still planning to aggressively stir the racist pot in 2015.
He says in 2015 the “passion,” as he calls it, will need to be turned into “concrete, lasting change.” The kind of change chronicled by the film “Selma.” He reiterates, “How do we translate the passion of the protests against police misconduct and problems within our criminal justice system into real reforms?”

Isn’t it interesting that all of the racial upheaval coincides with this movie being released by the Obama allies in Hollywood? It couldn’t have been planned in advance for Holder and Obama to seize upon the next “Trayvon moment” in order to drive their agenda. This must all just be an odd coincidence.

Sharpton adds that the country is at a tipping point and they’ve got a lot of work left to do. He asks Rep Karen Bass (D-CA) how she can channel what he, the executive branch and other race pimps are doing into legislation. Bass says that we are in an exciting time period and that they absolutely have to act quickly.

TO READ THE COMPLETE ARTICLE: http://gopthedailydose.com/2015/01/03/obamas-race-pimp-al-sharpton-continues-his-call-for-action-despite-the-deadly-results/

Obama Threatens Veto – Conservative says “Bring it On”

By Onan Coca / 3 January 2015      

GOP icon and Fox News/PBS regular Charles Krauthammer has a message for the President, and it’s one some Republicans will be excited to hear.

 

President Obama has been wandering around the airwaves telling anyone who will listen that he plans to use his “veto pen” much more often now that Republicans dominate Congress. Political pundit and GOP thinker Charles Krauthammer says that Republicans should relish the thought. Krauthammer believes that forcing Obama to use his veto "will show exactly how extreme Democrats are," and prove that Republicans aren’t the ones holding up progress in Washington
.
"And I think the Republicans ought to say, 'Bring it on, Mr. President. There is no better way for the GOP to position itself for the 2016 election than to show the country two things. One, that now that it controls the House and the Senate...they are able to enact agenda. They have an agenda. And they should be willing to pass whatever they can and to dare the president to go ahead and to veto."
 

TO READ THE COMPLETE ARTICLE: http://eaglerising.com/13468/obama-threatens-veto-conservative-says-bring/

Dennis Michael Lynch – DHS Secty Jeh Johnson A Clueless Lawyer Doing A Horrible Job On National Security

Posted on 5 January, 2015 by Rick Wells

Film maker Dennis Michael Lynch is once again sounding the alarm over the dismal reality that is our national security under this un-American regime. He’s being generous in his criticism of Homeland Security Director Jeh Johnson as being simply a grossly unqualified and inept boob who has no business being in the position he holds.

It seems far more likely that Johnson knows exactly what he’s doing and his objective is to facilitate the entry of an unlimited amount of individuals of every stripe and intention, be it relatively benign farm worker or ISIS terrorists in the fulfillment of regime’s hidden true objectives to degrade and destroy America.

Lynch and Tucker Carlson raise a report from retiring Oklahoma Senator Tom Coburn which says that there are major problems at DHS and that that is an understatement. Lynch describes how ineffective our huge cash and technological investments are in the absence of their use to secure the border. He shows as an example a picture of a hole cut out of the border fence near our premier border facility in which 48 trucks are known to have driven through without a single capture. Those trucks were undoubtedly loaded with drugs and illegal aliens bound for our streets.

TO READ THE COMPLETE ARTICLE: http://gopthedailydose.com/2015/01/05/dennis-michael-lynch-dhs-secty-jeh-johnson-a-clueless-lawyer-doing-a-horrible-job-on-national-security/

Obama Republican Ally Corker In Gitmo Terrorist Release – Content To Sit, Wait, Talk, Sit Some More

Posted on 5 January, 2015 by Rick Wells

Senator Bob Corker (R-TN) isn’t going to make any rash decisions but at some point over the next two years he may or may not decide just how he’s going to handle the Obama push to either close Gitmo or empty it by simply returning terrorists to the battlefield. For now Corker’s content to have meetings and wait for a plan from Obama. It’s a lot like throwing up your hands and waving a white flag, just not quite as obvious.

Chris Wallace asks Senator Corker if he can block Obama in his efforts to close Gitmo. Wallace obviously makes an erroneous assumption, that the Tennessee Senator is opposed to the reckless release program now underway by the regime.


TO READ THE COMPLETE ARTICLE: http://gopthedailydose.com/2015/01/05/obama-republican-ally-corker-in-gitmo-terrorist-release-content-to-sit-wait-talk-sit-some-more/

 

618 Illegals Released From Custody in December –

618 Illegals Released From Custody in December – Part Of New “Non-Enforcement Enforcement”

Posted on 1 January, 2015 by Rick Wells

Immigration law is no longer being enforced in America. Immigration officers are still on the job but they are now being morphed into just another criminal law enforcement organization, ordered to abandon their prime directive and traditional mission of immigration enforcement in the furtherance of the Obama agenda. In the furtherance of their importation of foreign illegal aliens into our society, the regime has order 618 criminal illegals to be released from detention in the last thirty days or so.

The infamous directive issued by DHS Director Jeh Johnson on November 20^th placed severe restrictions upon the degree to which ICE officers are now allowed to perform their duty, with the enforcement of immigration law removed from those functions in which ICE is permitted to engage.



TO READ COMPLETE ARTICLE: http://gopthedailydose.com/2015/01/01/618-illegals-released-from-custody-in-december-part-of-new-non-enforcement-enforcement/

Hillary Is Furious That We Are Exposing This Secret About Her.

She Wants Us To Take This Down ASAP

Posted on 30 December, 2014   

     

Hillary Clinton has served several roles throughout our country’s history. She’s served as the First Lady of the United States, Senator, and Secretary of State, but in all of her roles there was one common theme. In all of these positions, she was constantly caught lying and deceiving the American people.



TO READ THE COMPLETE ARTICLE: http://gopthedailydose.com/2014/12/30/video-hillary-furious-exposing-secret-wants-us-take-asap/



 

This Chain’s Brooklyn Store Is Refusing To Serve ANY Police Officer

 And The Reason Will Leave You Boycotting Them

Posted on 30 December, 2014 

 

Chipotle restaurants across the country were recently in the news for the horrific messages they printed on their take-out bags, but with this most recent stunt, they’ve gone entirely too far.
When employees at a Chipotle restaurant in Brooklyn did this to two NYPD police officers, they not only disrespected the officers, but also our country.

When the two police officers walked into the restaurant hoping to enjoy their lunch, they found the employees doing something unbelievably disrespectful.

The employees were standing behind the counter and greeted the officers with their hands raised saying, “Hands up, don’t shoot.” The officers were ignored and not served. The officers decided to avoid these thugs and quietly exited the restaurant.

Read more http://gopthedailydose.com/2014/12/30/chains-brooklyn-store-refusing-serve-police-officer-reason-will-leave-boycotting/

LISBON ALUMNI SHARE ASPIRATIONS

  



                                         

 

Pictured:  Paula Caron, a member of the United States Army Reserves, Class of 2014; Brittany Roldan, a student at Central Maine Community College, Class of 2014; and Jeremy Judd, a Maine Forest Warden, Class of 1996; were invited by The MELMAC Education Foundation College Access Team and the LHS Junior Advocacy Team, to meet with Lisbon High School students to share their aspirations beyond high school.   Photos by Monica Millhime.

 

Lisbon – Lisbon High School (LHS) administrators, teachers and staff are dedicated to the success of their students.  “Our Aspirations Grant from the MELMAC Education Foundation provides LHS students with the financial support and resources throughout the year,” shares Monica Millhime, Community Resources/Grant Lead for the Lisbon School District.  On Wednesday, December 10 at the LHS Campus, 2 Sugg Drive in Lisbon Falls, three alumni were invited to share their journey after graduation.   “We have a dedicated group of stakeholders who pride themselves on providing the opportunities and tools needed for students to achieve their aspirations.    One new strategy is to invite alumni, and other members of the community, to share their successes as they embark on educational journeys after graduation.”  The MELMAC Education Foundation grant allows us to continue nurturing the beyond high school mind-set for aspirations to attend college and other levels of higher education.  The partnership with MELMAC continues to assist with costs of college visits for all of our students, sponsors parent/student nights, financial aid opportunities and so much more.”  A common theme of advice from visiting alumni was the importance of strong academics, involvement in athletics, other clubs and community service programs.   Aspiration sessions with former graduates will continue with the support of MELMAC and LHS Advocacy teams based on alumni availability.  FMI on other events and programs visit Community Resource News in Lisbon Schools and the LHS Guidance pages on Facebook  or call 754.0021 or email mmillhime@lisbonschoolsme.org.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IS THIS CALLED RACISM?

Submitted By:  Gordie

Lisbon Students Give the Gift of Song to Lamp Alzheimer Residents

Photo Caption:  Lisbon students, staff and parent volunteers provided residents of the Lamp Alzheimer’s Facility in Lisbon with a night of holiday songs of the season.  Pictured front row: (l-r) Jonathan Pollock, Elise Smith, Emily Chapman, Sophia McFadden, Abigail Cunningham, Sarah Charest, Hayley Wheeler, Madyson Ramsey, Benjamin Shambarger, Lily Pollock, Gabriel Pollock; back row (l-r): Natalie Thomsen, Geoffrey Shambarger, Silas Crosby, Haylee Casey, Jordan Frederick, Joey Frederick, Siara Martin, Charlee Cox and Erin Pollock. Photo courtesy of Monica Millhime.

Lisbon – The sounds of the season came alive at the Lamp Alzheimer’s Facility in Lisbon on Thursday, December 18.   The facility administrators welcomed the performances of a Lisbon School district-wide group of carolers from Lisbon Community School (LCS), Philip W. Sugg Middle School (PWS) and Lisbon High School (LHS).  Lamp employees and residents expressed their thanks to students for their gift of kindness by providing an evening of holiday cheer.  “Our students were delighted to present this program for the fifth year,” comments Lisbon’s Community Resource Coordinator, Monica Millhime.   “Thanks to the galvanized efforts by parents and our very talented LCS/PWS Music Teacher, Jonathan Pollack, students throughout the Lisbon School District were able to share a memorable evening with the residents.”  “Lisbon is a wonderful community of sharing and caring students, parents, educators and community folks,” shared Millhime.  FMI on additional community events and opportunities for volunteering and partnerships in education call 754-0021 or email mmillhime@lisbonschoolsme.org. Like us on FaceBook at Community Resource News in Lisbon Schools. 

 

 

 

GAMES WE PLAY

At the last Town Council meeting, Mr. Richard Green, Superintendent of Schools, briefed the Council of a situation the School Department was made aware of in late November.  The state provided the wireless system technology requirements at the Lisbon Community School to ensure it meets the requirements for Smarter Balance.  Smarter Balance is the new system the state will be using instead of the current paper/pencil NECAP.

The School Department conducted a technology readiness assessment and discovered that the current wireless system does not have sufficient network capacity in order to implement and administer this new state ordered system.  The School Department then determined what was necessary to meet the upcoming requirements and presented the solution to the Lisbon School Committee which approved the solution unanimously.  The solution required that $42,000.00 be transferred from the Lisbon School Department’s capital reserve account.  This required the approval of the Town Council.   

Mr. Green briefed the Town Council and Chairman Pesce, Councilors Bickford and Metivier spoke and voted against approving the transfer of funds.  Councilors Lunt and Crafts had no input but voted against the motion.  These funds are already in the approved budget so there are no additional funds necessary.  It would appear this was a blatant attempt at controlling the School Department’s funds.  If these three councilors have a problem with the manner in which the School Department’s funds are utilized, I recommend they run for the School Committee

 
The assessment reveals Lisbon Community School will fail this test without the necessary upgrades.  At that point, are these three councilors going to blame Mr. Green and the Lisbon School Committee?  Mr. Green and the Lisbon School Committee did everything right in my mind.  They identified the problem, performed an assessment and provided a solution without asking for additional funds from the taxpayers.  This is being responsible and doing what the taxpayers expect of them; so why is the Town Council acting this way.

The real losers in this battle between the Town Council and the Lisbon School Committee are the students who have to struggle with inadequate equipment in an effort to complete their work.

 
Larry Fillmore

LISBON HIGH SCHOOL COMMUNITY SERVICE GROUP ASSISTS NON-PROFITS

 

 

 

Lisbon – The officers of Lisbon High School’s Community Service Group, along with top sales and committee chairperson, Amanda Mason, announced the lucky winners of their Downeaster Train fundraising project after their December club meeting on Thursday, December 18.  Pictured (l-r)  Natalie Thomsen, Secretary; Johnny Yim, President; Mason; Silas Crosby, Vice President; and Connor Craig, Treasurer.   The first place winner of two round trip tickets to Boston, compliments of the Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority, was Judy Hazelton;  second place winner of a  gift card to Flagship Cinema, Doris Holt; and the third place winner, Ray Schlotterbeck, was presented  a gift certificate compliments of Thatcher’s Restaurant at the Auburn Mall. “Students’ fundraising efforts benefit local non-profit agencies,” shares Advisor, Monica Millhime.   “ A donation of $200 was presented to the Lisbon Area Christian Outreach (L.A.C.O.) program in Lisbon Falls and a $100 donation was presented to the Greater Androscoggin Humane Society in Lewiston.”  “In addition to the financial support to non-profit agencies, students contribute countless hours of volunteer service in their school and greater community throughout the year.   Thanks to the community partners working with our students they are able to “pay it forward” to those needing assistance.”    FMI on other events, project, partnerships and volunteer opportunities with Lisbon Schools call 754.0021 or email mmillhime@lisbonschoolsme.org.  Check out the calendar of events on FaceBook at Community Resource News in Lisbon Schools.  Photo by Monica Millhime.

 

LISBON COMMUNITY SCHOOL THIRD GRADERS HOST HABITAT LESSON

 

Photo Caption:  Lisbon Community School third grade teacher Ashley LaCroix, along with students Cayden Coburn, Jadein Farris and James Fitzsimmons and other students from Sue Hardison’s class examine the specimens of worms shared by Grant Connors during a lesson on habitat environments.  Photo by Monica Millhime.

 

Lisbon – Students in the third grade classes of teachers Sue Hardison and Ashley LaCroix at Lisbon Community School, 33 Mill Street in Lisbon, invited retired teacher, Grant Connors of Durham, to share his experiences with habitat environments.  Mr. Connors volunteers his time in Durham and Lisbon schools to educate children on various science concepts.  He operates a “Critter Catcher” business, humanly and safely trapping nuisance wildlife and relocates them.  Lisbon students participated in a worm project during Mr. Connor’s visit.  FMI on other projects, programs, partnership, and volunteer opportunities in the Lisbon School Department call 754.0021 or email mmillhime@lisbonschoolsme.org.  Find us on FaceBook at Community Resource News in Lisbon Schools. 

 

 

Monica M. Millhime

 

 

Happy Thanksgiving 2014 With Perry Como, Norman Luboff & The Boston Pops!

First and foremost, WE give THANKS to ALL of OUR Service personnel that are serving to protect US All!

"Thanksgiving, or Thanksgiving Day, is a holiday celebrated in the United States on the fourth Thursday in November. It became an official Federal holiday in 1863, when, during the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national day of "Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens", to be celebrated on Thursday, November 26. Also, there are reports that the original Thanksgiving proclamation was signed by George Washington. As a federal and public holiday in the U.S., Thanksgiving is one of the major holidays of the year. Together with Christmas and New Year, Thanksgiving is a part of the broader holiday season.

The event that Americans commonly call the "First Thanksgiving" was celebrated by the Pilgrims after their first harvest in the New World in 1621. This feast lasted three days, and it was attended by 90 Native Americans (as accounted by attendee Edward Winslow) and 53 Pilgrims. The New England colonists were accustomed to regularly celebrating "thanksgivings"—days of prayer thanking God for blessings such as military victory or the end of a drought."

Happy Thanksgiving to Everyone!

"Scale Model of the US Government"

OUR GOVERNMENT

This is a very busy contraption that doesn't do anything but make a lot of noise and is very costly to run.

 

 

Submitted by: 'Bucksnort'

Lisbon MELMAC Survey‏

(click on above and print it out to comply)

Our continued MELMAC funding depends on the connections and aspiration reports from our recent graduates.

The Maine Wire: Daily Catch 11/25/14: Ferguson, Food Stamps, and Christmas Trees‏

Daily Catch 11/25/14: Ferguson, Food Stamps, and Christmas Trees

Not Indicted Yesterday, a grand jury decided not to indict Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson on several charges, including the first-degree murder of Michael Brown.  While the Justice Department is still investigating the case, it is unlikely that Wilson would be convicted of wrong doing in Federal court due to a much higher burden of proof.  Grand […]

CAFR1: You Have To Ask Yourself: 474 Turkish Teachers Imported Into The US ?‏

CAFR1 NATIONAL POST

---

You have to ask yourself:
If 474 Turkish teachers were imported into the US to teach our children, how many US Teachers were imported into Turkey to teach their children?

ARTICLE BY: Charlotte Iserbyt - 11/24/14

http://abcsofdumbdown.blogspot.com/2014/11/common-core-charter-school-craziness.html


Sent FYI from,


Walter Burien - CAFR1.com

Are You Kidding Me?‏

ARE YOU KIDDING ME????

Several years ago, the Town Council did a change to the Town Charter.  This change involved renaming the Budget Advisory Board/Committee to the Finance Committee.  With this change, the members were no longer elected by the people; instead appointed by the Town Council.  This was to ensure whatever Town Council budget proposal was brought forward they would get the approval of the Finance Committee.  Also to protect the Police Department budget, all but two members of the Finance Committee are former Councilors.

Mrs. Morgan-Alexander was the Chairman and Mrs. Norma Wells was the Secretary.  According to the town web site, there were no meetings held in 2013 because there are no agendas recorded.  However, there are only one set of minutes dated April 29, 2013 posted on the Town web site.  It would seem as though the Finance Committee did not want the taxpayers to know what they were doing.  

Where is the transparency in local government when you cannot depend on those appointed to do their jobs?   

Mrs. Wells took the notes for the meetings as Secretary and as Chairman, was Mrs. Morgan-Alexander to ensure it was posted to the town web site for the people to review.

However, in 2014 it got a little better.  There are eight (8) meeting agendas recorded and three minutes posted.  The latest minutes of the Finance Committee posted is for the meeting held on November 10, 2014.  The Finance Committee has NOT approved these minutes but they are posted anyway.  Apparently, the Finance Committee has a new Chairman in Mr. Fern LaRochelle and a new Secretary in Mrs. Jessica Maloy so the future looks a little brighter.

However all the meetings in 2013, and several in 2014, while Mrs. Wells was Secretary are lost forever?  These agendas and minutes, that are missing, reflect the values of the Finance Committee and the competency of its officers.   

Who is the biggest loser in this situation?  Naturally, the people will suffer the most because no one will ever know what took place at these meetings or will they?

Chairman LaRochelle has a true challenge on his hands to ensure the people of Lisbon are kept informed on the actions of the Finance Committee by making sure the agendas and minutes are posted in a timely manner to the Town web site.

Larry Fillmore   

SCARY BUT TRUE‏

Submitted by: 'Gordie'

Lisbon Students Benefit from Rotary Auction‏

The proceeds from this event benefit local scholarships to graduating seniors.  A Lisbon high school student will be awarded a $1000 scholarship along with the other area five schools.

Lisbon Students Share During the Holiday

LISBON STUDENTS SHARE DURING THE HOLIDAYS

Lisbon Community School fifth grade student junior volunteer officers Benjamin Shambarger and Grace Braley recruited assistance from School Counselor, Jean Dolan and Assistant Principal, Cory Munsey, to set-up the drop-off location for annual Toys for Tots Campaign. The schools’ district-wide collection of donations of a new, unwrapped toy may be donated at any of our schools  location. Pictured (l-r) Jean Dolan, Benjamin Shambarger, Cory Munsey and Grace Braley.  Photo courtesy of Monica Millhime.

Lisbon – The spirit of giving during the holiday season is alive and well in Lisbon.  Students, staff and families of Lisbon Community School, Philip W. Sugg Middle School, and Lisbon High School once again support the United States Marine Corp. with the Maine Toys for Tots Campaign.   “The student junior volunteers throughout the district met to decide on the projects they wanted to assist with during the school year.  Collecting toys was again at the top of the list for activities this year,” shares Monica Millhime, Community Resource/Volunteer Coordinator for Lisbon Schools.  “We are thrilled Mrs. Dolan, who serves as the advisor for LCS Civil Rights Team and the Student Government group at Lisbon High School, are working in conjunction with the collection this year.”   “Students started recruiting for donations of toys in the community and the word has spread quickly,” shares Assistant Principal Munsey.  Toys will be collected through Monday, December 8.  Drop-off locations for donations are Lisbon Community School, 33 Mill Street, Lisbon; Philip W. Sugg Middle School, 4 Sugg Drive, Lisbon Falls; Lisbon High School, 2 Sugg Drive, Lisbon Falls; and the Superintendent’s Central Office, 19 Gartley Street, Lisbon.  FMI on programs, projects, volunteer and partnership opportunities email mmillhime@lisbonschoolsme.org or call 754.0021  Check out all the latest news from schools on FaceBook at Community Resource News in Lisbon Schools.

 

GreatFallsTV: Lisbon Town Council Meeting November 18, 2014

Controversy Over The Gym

THE CONTROVERSY OVER THE GYM

I normally would not do this but I personally believe it is necessary to restore order in Lisbon.  I apologize because this may get very lengthy.

The issue at hand is that the School Committee selected the second lowest bid (Ledgewood Construction) on the gym project.  This has caused an adverse effort among some members of our Town Council and members of the School Committee.  Keep in mind, that both of these bodies are elected by the people of Lisbon and are completely separate of each other.

The lowest bidder was Landry/French.  Since the School Committee made their decision to accept Ledgewood Contruction, Mr. Kevin French has been busy calling Councilors and citizens in protest of the School Committee’s decision.  Mr. French has filed a Temporary Restraining Order in Superior Court.  Mr. French has a legal right to file whatever he wants because that is the process for settling a grievance over the bid process.  However, Mr. French does not have the right to contact Councilors and citizens, who have no jurisdiction over the School Committee, and cause hate and discontent within the community.  The damage already done between members of the Town Council and the School Committee are going to take years to repair.  Based on Mr. French’s unethical behavior, I personally would not award his company any contract.  There is a right way and a wrong way to behave and in my opinion Mr. French learns this yet.

I witnessed three Councilors addressing the School Committee at its last meeting encouraging the School Committee to reverse its decision.  These Councilors stated they had received numerous calls from their constituents asking what took place.  The most important thing to remember is that these two government bodies are completely separate and these Councilors should have stayed out of it and referred these calls to the Superintendent, Mr. Green.   

These Councilors involved themselves without knowing all the facts.  Now, these Councilors feel that the School Committee should have justified their decision to them.  We all know that the Town Council does not justify their every decision to the School Committee.  This is one case where the Town Council should have stayed out of this completely.  Now, there is bad blood between the Town Council and the School Committee created by Mr. French.

The School Committee has had to defend its decision before the people.  I am writing this because I have had an opportunity to review some of the documents before the court.  The decision to take the second lowest bid was based on the following:  Ledgewood Construction had a stronger school construction portfolio, a superior understanding of the project, better on-time and on-budget references and smoother working relationship with the Architect.  This information came from the court documents.  The people of Lisbon elected these members of the School Committee to protect the best interest of the community.  The decision was made in good faith thinking they were doing what was best for the community.

No one ever knows what the decision will be in a court case; I know this from personal experience.  However, I do believe that this community has been separated too long and everyone including the Town Council and the people of Lisbon should stand behind the School Committee and its decision.

This is my personal opinion based on just what I have learned.

Larry Fillmore