The mission of this website is to provide an open forum where Lebanon Maine Residents may reach out, communicate, share ideas, discuss solutions and organize for the purpose of improving the government of the Town of Lebanon and our Community in general. It will also serve as the hub to keep residents informed and updated on meetings, news and town events. Ultimately, I want to see people work together!
Back in 2008 when our taxes increased 35% without warning I was more than a little shocked. I tried to learn why and didn’t like what I was seeing or hearing. I started this website as a means to turn my frustration into action. I believe we got to where we are by leaving our town obligation to others to take care of and there is no blame to be placed here except on ourselves the people of the community. I firmly believe through regular involvement and participation in government by our residents we will gain transparency in budgets, reduced spending, improve management and endure fewer surprises. This website is about getting and keeping people involved, informed, educated and attentive.
I am not an expert on town government like most of you, but as I learn I will share that information here. I am sure others in town already know much they could share and that is encouraged. The site is a forum where concerned citizens can get information, share information and exchange ideas. The goal is to improve town management, reduce spending and perhaps get a bigger turn out for the next fund raiser or recreational dept. event.
We have a wonderful town with great people. Lebanon is under increased pressure for development as well as fiscal strains with increased burden from the State. We as a community need to be better informed and take solid measures NOW to ensure we can lay a foundation for our towns successful path in the future. The rate of growth and demands can easily overwhelm our ability to deal with them effectively.
Things like a Town Charter – Town Manager – and Comprehensive Plan all formalize our vision and ensure from a government and management perspective we are working from a plan and getting the most in services for our money.
I encourage you to please post your valued opinion or observation on the website, provide facts where known, and be constructive. Free thinking, and free speech are welcome. I would like to see the site develop to become a living news magazine with posts covering All topics of town news and editorial opinion published by You the towns residents for the residents.
You may comment on any article posted on this site by clicking “comment” or “no comment” whichever the case may be then adding a different perspective or announcing you’re agreement or disagreement with the author. The next person can add there comment to the mix and so forth, providing a forum for open discussion.
So please register and share your concerns, news and solutions today….see you at the meetings!
You may email me directly with any news, links or other information and I will gladly add them for you. My email is gstadig@gmail.com. If you are a town business and would like a link to you’re enterprise included on the website let me know and i will be glad to add it in.
The benefit of being a non-official website is this site can evolve as needed in a very expeditious way, and it also provides for a very organic free-form forum for debate on issues within the town of Lebanon.
The site is equipped with RSS (real simple syndication) so you may subscribe for new posts and comments and get them delivered automatically to you see the link above if you’re not familiar with RSS. I have also added Twitter to the site as well.
So please register and share you’re concerns, news and solutions today….see you at the meetings!
My email is gstadig@gmail.com – I look forward to hearing from you
Welcome …lend your voice to Our Voice….Start Speaking..
Glen Stadig
P.S.
See the “Your Voice” page of this site for details on posting information yourself on the website.
4 responses so far ↓
1 Steve Endsley // Mar 25, 2009 at 3:39 pm
The tax increase was enough to jar folks alive in this community, and it is a shame it took that event to wake the folks up and pay attention to more details here in our own town.
We all need to be involved civically to let the powers know there is interest and they are under the scope. If that had happened sooner, the computation error may have never happened. But that is in the past.
The future right now, as it is rumored to be in a newletter form the state, is even more scary.
There is a bill growing for resolution on Novembers ballot to reduce the excise tax in Maine by 50%. And everyone will certainly vote YES for that, wouldn’t you? Sounds great!
I say no. All towns in this state make their operating budgets through this tax. Most of it goes to the town, so if it gets shaved 50%, where do you think all towns will have to make it up????
Most likely in local tax increases. Excise goes down yearly as your vehicle depreciates. And you pay a little less each year until you hit the lowest plateau for that vehicle. I look forward to that.
But if they have to make up the funds to stay open, we will never have a depreciation, just a higher steady amount every year.
This is not our towns fault, it;s just the way it is. A petition grew to start this movement, and has grown to the point of having to put it on the ballot. The sorry part is, I don’;t think they thought it through. It will end up costing every person living in Maine more money.
So be prepared for this one…… this is an out of control costly cut. Tell all your friends who don’t pay attention because this one will hurt every town in the state if it come to pass.
What do you think?
2 Pat Allard // Jun 15, 2009 at 2:45 pm
Need some help understanding how land value is determined for tax purpose. I have 2 acres, and the land is valued on my tasx bill at $32,000. But, I see tax bills where the owner has 8 acres, 4 times the size of my lot, and yet their land is only valued at $38,000.00. I thank you in advance for any help and education you send my way!
3 Don Hollenbeck // Jun 16, 2009 at 9:15 pm
To reduce taxes should not scare any one!
When the state doesn’t have the money for its agendas, it will just have the counties and towns increase the mill rate and the problem will be resolved!
It doesn’t matter if the tax rate is decreased, because the state will find a way to produce the income it needs (with or “without especially” representation) to do what it wants to do!
People need to tell their elected representatives what is expected of them by way of the voting ballot, because there is no other way in our system to do it!!!
This goes especially for you Pat!
I have been fighting this town for quite a few years on that same matter, and every year I get closer to winning because they will eventually run out of places to hide information!
35% isn’t a tax, It’s an income!!!
Don
4 Corinna // Oct 6, 2009 at 2:08 pm
Triple E and other Viruses are a local problem
York County is hosting a workshop about the Vector Borne Diseases Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), West Nile Virus (WNV) and Lyme Disease.
It will be administered by Charles Lubelczyk, Field Biologist, Maine Medical Center Research Institute Vector-borne Disease Lab;
Sherrie A. Juris, Environmental Biologist, Atlantic Mosquito & Tick Solutions; and Ted St. Amand, President / Owner, Atlantic Pest Solutions (all speakers are active members of the Maine Vector Borne Work Group and
are involved in Mosquito and Tick Surveiilance Programs for York County).
The goal of the program is to educate attendees at both the personal and Municipal levels and will cover topics including but not limited to:
* Insect Biology and Identification
* Insect Habitat and Source Reduction
* Disease Signs and Symptoms
* Surveillance Techniques
* Personal Protection Measures
* Proper Tick Removal
* Year to date summaries for Maine & New Hampshire
* Municipal Integrated Pest Management Options
* Question and Answer Session
Also, please note that there will be plenty of take away information. It will be held in the Alfred Courthouse downstairs at 6:00 pm, Thursday October 15th
All are invited to attend.
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