I think we live in a great community and we all need to work together to make it the best possible!

I did the town report, and am confused by Strive saying that there are advertisements through out it?

I was very discouraged that Glen did not get elected, but very encouraged to see the input this site is creating.

The original Citizens group all but disbanded because of lack of participation and look where that has gotten us we are back where we started. With a Selectman who has been there before.

I really hope the Citizens Roundtable comes to fruition. Those citizens who courageously participated before in our meetings and those interested in change today need to get involved!!! We cannot afford to slip backwards anymore.

But they should still send it to the town for recognition. I’ll post anything on the towns site that is legit and legal, just to promote a town member. Why not?

Steve

I would never do that because you can not make and money.

I did it because it was going to be done by the electricians and it was going to be a bad job. I went around with them about how it should be done, and they did not have the expertise. But the selectman in charge of the plan at that time was determined, so I told him I would do it that way so it would be done right.

If it had been done that way they wanted, the building would already have been hacked up to support the new equipment because they were not putting in enough jacks. In the end, there would havebeen even more cost over runs.

When they asked me why I would do that, I told them it was so it would be right and also I pay taxes in this town and did not want my rate to go up.

Some other time I will tell you what happened on the actual job to all the contractors and why it cost the town more than it shoud have.

Steve

It looks like they are trying

Postings
I agree with the remarks of action by Ethan. Complain if you like share your disgruntled angst, but we need troubleshooting, problem solving, and potential solutions. Healthy debate is good! Stay focused on the message and not the messenger.

Steve speaks of being a contractor and billing for half his time time. This is ludicrous, If a professional does work they deserve to be paid. Nobody is expected or expecting anyone to provide services for free or cut rate. Contractors should be paid a fair wage for your work, one that is determined by free market by being the lowest bidder for the work to be done. When I see or hear these kinds of comments red flags go off in my head. The Towns budget is millions, we can pay to have professionals do an effective job, they will do the job quicker, properly are available when the Town needs them.

The Town website was budgeted a couple thousand for this year coming….those are hefty hosting fees, when you can get unlimited storage and bandwidth hosts for less than $100 a year. Virtual Town Hall host works off a reseller program any idea who the agent is?

The Town website could be utilized more and should be utilized more. Steve is volunteering updates it’s usage is based upon the Selectman’s and residents direction.

Town Hall expenses we know the situation there. What Steve says is true, waste, deaf ears, and autocracy. It represents all that wrong with the Town Management that a project like that could be allowed to be built and cost what it did. The services like phones etc are crazy expensive and again and example of autocratic waste where spending to a friend was allowed to go on unchecked.

We can improve this this….

I saw the report. Who do you think posted it?

And I do not recall it being put out to bid for anything. It posts bids, but has not come up for contract renewal yet.

So the town pays for this website annually, who does that money go to? Have they put it out to bid to see if they could get a better deal?

Did you see a different town report then I did? I can mail you my copy to compare? I can see the town website mentioned at least 105 times.

The lies, manipulation, and under handedness have been going on in Lebanon for the last 1/2 a century, and continue right up until present day. People aren’t watching hard enough or in the right places……

Good luck to you and your website and one of these days Lebanon will be in the 21st century………..There are a few residents here who steer town government in the directions that will enrich themselves at the expense of the rest of us. You are right about the expenditures being grouped and vague there is a reason for that. It’s ok about the banter we all get on a high horse once in a while including myself…………..

I am not being personal with you, just direct. The silly names like “Swamp Palace”, etc are getting old. It was not the best idea or plan the way it was built, and I would have done it differently.

And, as a contractor billing for half my time, I asked them to change the way the place was being built because it seemed over wrought.

Examples:
1. high ceilings causing an echo and hard to heat and cool
2. The heating contractor suggested NO radiant heat because the building was not big enough to support it. He suggested it would be cheaper to heat differently.
3. Electrical contractor suggested different lights to save money.
4. Very expensive door with locks that don’t work on the fron of the building. Now you will have to change out the ewntire frame system to fix it.

These are some of the things we locals DID bring up, but were over ruled.

As far as circumstances you and your family are going through, I am sorry to hear that, but most of us here don’t know what you are talking about. And it is not my business at all. And would never have known there was anything in that area until you just mentioned it. I am concetrating on my town being stable and sound for the kids growing up here. Kids are my petrol to keep me active in this community to make it better.

Money going to folks to get rich off the town? I think that may have happened in the past, but not now. Too many of us are watching.

I think we need to let the past go and concentrate on the future, or this town is history. The probelm is, there is too much bitching and not enough people stepping to FORCE accountability. Compare our town report to anothers…. expenditures are grouped and vague. Just my observation.

G’nite Strive (and by the way, it was my own fingers I was talking about.)

Steve

I am still waiting on an answer as to why our site name is not on the towns sign.

Why are we not signing folks up at the counter for the news emails when they register their car?

The ballot for today has been posted for 3 weeks for everyone to see and study before voting.

I am still pushing for those ideas. The website is starting to make a difference, because I see emails talking about the emails they got. So that tells me we a re starting to get the news out. But we only have about 260 people signed up out of a town of 5000. There needs to be more push in this area to get ahead. I post any news I get.

Steve

Fat fingers can not be contrived as childish… if it is a fact. And it is.

And feel free to call me by my name. I put it there not because I am pompous, arrogant, or any of those things….. I am adult enough to back up my thoughts as an adult and not hide behind a surreptitious psuedonym. Anyone that knows me will tell you that I am direct and not about insulting, just pointing out my view, take it or leave it. No one has to like my ideas, but I have a right to air them. As does anyone.

BUT! I was taught 30yrs ago in the Air Force that if you do not like something, keep it to yourself unless you have a suggestion on how to fix it.

In other words, you are part of the problem is all you can do is complain.

I think that is enough said.

Hi Ethan… and thank you for the kind note.

And good luck to Glen and Ronnie.

Steve

I’d also like to speak out about Steve’s character. When I moved up here 10 years ago, he was the first person to come over and make me feel welcome. He is always there when you need something and that goes a long way these days. We may not agree on everything, but he sure isn’t deserving on denigration here.

Do you think the town website lacks updates? Do you think that is Steve’s fault? It isn’t. Steve puts up what he is given. Blame the town officials that don’t give him anything. Is Glen’s site useful? You bet. He is volunteering this site and putting up things he has collected for all of us. Should the town website have these things? Probably, but who is going to voluneer the time and effort to collect it and put it there?

Both Steve and Glen are doing something for the town. They are getting out and getting involved. They are putting their names behind their thoughts. Will you help them? Will you encourage them? The internet is full of insults and baseless opinions. Want to make yours matter? Get out and do something rather than just insulting another who is trying to do the same.

If you don’t like what Steve is doing with the website, why not talk about it. Maybe you can volunteer your time and efforts to help make it more to your taste. Where I work, identifying something that is wrong is nothing. You better back it up with some ideas baout how to fix it, otherwise you’re just complaining.

Sincerely,
Strive