There is nothing we can do to change that day and the world will never forget.. but please take a moment to reflect and remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.

The Lebanon Fire Department will be honoring the day with a memorial service you can see the details Here

Immediately after the change, the department committed the town to tens of thousands on new equipment purchases and also never clearly explained the financing of the new ambulance purchase. This was even after being pressed by the Budget Committee and Residents during the last the Town Meeting.

The point is residents had NO SAY in this extra spending or ANY of the spending. The purpose of this petition is to change the department account back to a standard account as it always was, once again requiring residents approval of the departments budget and it’s spending as is done for other departments via annual referendum vote.

So I created a petition to Lebanon Board Of Selectmen, which says:

“Repeal the Lebanon Rescue department’s enterprise account, changing it back to a standard account. Thus requiring Lebanon Rescue to complete the customary budget process and get spending approval by residents via the routine referendum process like other town departments do, i.e… Fire, Roads, EMA, Library, General Govt, Rec..etc.”

Will you sign this petition? Click here:

http://signon.org/sign/repeal-lebanon-rescue?source=c.em.cp&r_by=6030

Thanks!

Glen Stadig

I like the idea of having the meetings recorded since it cuts away any BS getting the info timely and straight from the horses mouth. It also allows for residents to watch and stay informed on there own schedule. My personal schedule limits my availability lately,and by having a few people we could spread the load and get ALL the meetings. This could also get people used to actually watching regularly knowing they will be available. If you have interest send me an email at gstadig@gmail.com  - subject: Volunteer – please specify availability for days, evenings or both. If we can get a few volunteers I believe we can get this in place.

Mayonnaise in mailbox

Harassing emails

Followed by cars

Car magnet stolen

Rocks in mailbox

Attempt to tamper with Town Clerk’s duties on election day

4′ x 8′ campaign sign ripped out of ground and stolenHarassing phone callsStalking at Little League FieldHarassed by transfer station staff

Obscene photos in mailbox

Local business attacked in media

Attempt to prevent greeters from speaking to voters on election day

Business owners questioned about signing local petitions

Intimidating older residents

Process of hiring election workers questioned

2 Medium-sized campaign signs stolen

Attempts to discredit candidate with 2 employers on 4 separate occasions

Ordinance from Selectmen to prohibit her from running

Local businesses being “persuaded” to remove petitions from their place of business

While looking back over the past 2 months’ campaign in Lebanon, I realized that all of the above incidents have happened to Selectwoman candidate Karen Gerrish, her supporters, or campaign team. Seriously! You can’t make this stuff up! Yet in spite of all these attempts to dissuade her from running for office, she has refused to participate in this type of dirty campaigning. She still remains focused on the issues facing the Town of Lebanon and how she can better represent its residents.Even when her opponent is accusing her of many of the items listed above, she will not come down to his level. It appears that her opponent has taken this list of things that he has done and turned them around to blame her. But don’t take my word for it – do some research on your own. In local papers and on her campaign literature she has never made vicious attacks on her opponent – she sticks tothe issues. She has gone door-to-door visiting residents, explaining her position on many topics thataffect Lebanon. She has only placed campaign signs on lawns of people who have requested them,rather than placing them at intersections or in the shoulders of roads. She is truly a candidate with integrity and will remain so regardless of the outcome of this election. Accusations have been made that Ms. Gerrish and the Budget Committee have voted to raise yourtaxes this year. That could not be further from the truth. The major reason that taxes will increasethis year is due to the school budget, which residents voted on and passed in May. The Budget Committee has no say in the school budget – it is presented to the residents of all 3 towns in theschool district for a district-wide vote. Due to this school increase, residents will see approximately a$1.00 hike in the mil rate. The Committee did not pass the additional $400,000. for the roads, wassplit on the purchase of a back hoe and hiring a town manager, and voted for the purchase of a newfire truck. The purchase of the fire truck will increase the mil rate approximately 20 cents per thousand. Again, don’t take my word for these facts – look up the sample ballot on line on the town website. If you are a Lebanon resident, you have probably received some glossy mailers recently. Do not befooled by the slickness of some of these publications. From this propaganda, it appears that this board of selectmen has reduced our taxes by huge amounts in the past 2 years. The selectmen have conveniently forgotten that 3 years ago we had an astronomical increase of 38% in our property taxes! We are not even back down to our level of taxation from 2008. And while on the subject of refuting false claims by this same board, it was Karen Gerrish who initiated the inquiry into mileage for the selectmen to travel back and forth from their homes to their workplace, not Mr. Cole. For years selectmen have claimed mileage to come to the town office and do their job. How many people get monetary compensation to drive to and from their work? Ms. Gerrish was insistent that this practice stop and took much heat from certain board members at many meetings when this was discussed. This policy was changed last fall and that is noted on her campaign cards which were printed in late March. Suddenly, within the last week, Mr. Cole has started taking credit for this change. Interesting timing on Mr. Cole’s part. Again, check the minutes of the Budget Committee meetings last year. This issue was discussed at many meetings.In another attack on Ms. Gerrish, Mr. Cole has belittled her because she rents an apartment and does not own her home. Most sensible people realize that part of a person’s rent goes toward property taxes, and any major hike in those taxes will result in a jump in rent. Whether it is an increase in utilities, taxes or heating oil, all those increases are passed on to the tenant, so Ms. Gerrish and all the other renters in Lebanon will certainly feel the impact of these changes. It takes a very strong person to be able to withstand all of the harassing behavior that has occurred inthis campaign. Whether these incidents were directed at Ms. Gerrish or one of her supporters, she has remained focused on her goal for these past 2 months. This is one strong woman! She has not condoned any such behavior from her supporters or campaign committee, and has on a few occasions even asked her supporters to stop the mudslinging that has cropped up on the internet.She remains true to herself and I cannot think of any other candidate that could represent the town of Lebanon better. When you vote on Tuesday, please think of the 20+ incidents listed at the top of thisarticle and ask yourself who the clean candidate really is – Karen Gerrish.

Nancy Neubert

Chairwoman, Lebanon Budget Committee

It is highly unusual to not have the full Town Report available weeks before the election. I have never seen the town attempt to issue a Mini-Audit or Mini-Report in all my years here. It indicates three things that are troubling to me. The Selectmen have concerns over disclosing information before the election and or they are simply incapable of getting a simple report to the people as required, and or they are scrambling to meet legal requirements of the State. We know it is NOT the auditor because their contract was just renewed and they are the same auditor we have used for at least three years. They are familiar with our books.

I requested copies of the mini-reports this morning, but as of 8:04 am the Town Hall does not have a copy and is awaiting word from Jason Cole. The Town Hall is closed tomorrow so today is the only chance to get the information before the meeting. I find the entire situation disturbing and question if even the mini items even exist at this point.

The Sunday (11pm) email seems more like an attempt to cover a Board of Selectmen’s butt, since it could allow one to say public notice was provided on Sunday and claim an error in attaching the information. Particularly given the information is STILL UNAVAILABLE at the Town Hall. If the information was available this morning it could have been an error, but that is not the case.

I contend that a simple email notice at 11pm is NOT sufficient notice to residents since many do not have email even if it had been executed properly and a greatly abbreviated version of the town audit / report was provided. Further issuing an abbreviated report is odd and unusual since most of the information contained in the report is archival, salaries, vendor payments etc all simple reports from the previous year. Did the audit uncover oddities? Are Selectmen delaying information?..the situation really smells..

To me actions speak LOUDER than words. The Town Report or lack there of is simply the most recent of long list of troubles and oddities with the current Selectmen and provide yet another reason to vote in some fresh blood to the office.

_______________________________________

One of the persons writing an editorial stated on the OurVoice Facebook Page their  letter, as well as her fathers was edited considerably by the paper. I have asked to get their originals to share. As I obtain them.. I will place them here below for completeness.

Start of Originals……

____________________________________

Balance needed……………GO GERRISH

For twenty-five years now my wife and I have lived in Lebanon and have been fortunate enough to run a small business in town. I have seen things that I don’t agree with, but not being a political person have kept my ideas to myself. After seeing what is going on in town now I can’t keep still any longer. Jason Cole’s weekly articles in the local papers are self-serving rants. The last one was what has Batchelder ever done for Lebanon? Several things actually…but we’re not into self-gratification.
At the budget hearing I asked Mr. Cole why he used his attorneys to find this nonsense that Ms. Gerrish was an employee of the town while being employed by SAD60 and therefore could not serve on the Selectboard. I got no answer! That in itself was good enough. To say that Ms. Gerrish will raise taxes is every politician’s answer to the opposition. We raise taxes when we buy something we cannot afford. Ask Cole what was the biggest purchase Lebanon made in the last two years. This is not a slam against rescue. There are lots of dedicated people getting no credit for their hard work on the rescue squad. I am sure Mrs. Cole spends many hours assisting Mr. Cole running rescue. A true volunteer doesn’t need constant recognition….it’s something that’s held inside.
Also, I think that until we get a more balanced Selectboard, we should shelve the Town Manager salary. That is $100,000 every year for a manager to be managed by the Selectboard that we currently have.
I will vote for Ms. Gerrish because she is a breath of fresh air. Karen has a lot of good people supporting her and has stayed out of the mudslinging. Ms. Gerrish does not work a 30 hr. day, doesn’t get up at 2AM to save babies and can’t leap tall buildings in a single bound….probably not even faster than a speeding bullet. We know she did not kill Bin Laden. We know Mr. Cole did not do this either as Bid Laden was shot in the front….not stabbed in the back.
I am at my business every day. Please call or stop by to join the dozens of concerned citizens who have already been in to express their dismay at what is going on town.
Very concerned citizen Richard Batchelder
Lebanon, Maine

____________________________________________

Your question Chairman Cole “What has Batchelder done for the community?” is pure ignorance and slime. You know full well what my family has done. They just don’t feel it necessary go to the press for public recognition. To answer your question: Mom volunteers with many organizations; they loan equipment whenever needed; they support the fire and rescue departments and have supported every youth organization in town.

I’d been oblivious to political going-ons in this town, until you, Mr. Cole opened my eyes February 26, 2011. Now don’t get me wrong, the more help, the better in such situations. We also lost everything in a fire 11 years ago. But I, myself, have since seen an overwhelming pattern of deception from you.

Have you asked what neighbors collected, that was done strictly out of the goodness of their hearts, not as publicity stunts. With the time you’ve spent patting yourself on the back, you’ve neglected the true volunteers. These people give their time and resources without need for public acknowledgement. Lebanon has more than 20 groups of citizens that give generously of their time and raise money for scholarships, food pantry, AP testing, support victims of fires, accidents or illnesses, all without going to the press. They do not publish how much was given. Did you think to ask what items were dropped off at local businesses? Certainly not because you were too busy slamming them; working against them and trying to publicly outdo them. This should not be a battle of who does more than who, but how a community works together. People reading your letters to the editor must think you are the only person in Lebanon that cares.

For some reason, you’ve decided the Batchelder’s should be attacked. My parents have listened to enough of your rantings. They have the right, as American Citizens, to support whomever they wish. You choose to air your self-centeredness by using your position as Chairman of Board of Lebanon and when your editorials are signed ‘Lebanon Board of Selectmen, Chairman’ this indicates that the entire board stands with you.

Your continued slamming of our family and family’s business is without precedent and you should be ashamed of yourself.

Becky Batchelder

Proud Resident-Lebanon, Maine
____________________________________________________________

Could it be possible for Coles letter in the Fosters on Thursday,May19,2011 to be any more self-centered & hateful to small business? I have no desire to respond to Coles back patting contest, I think he’s got me beat in that department. Being self-serving is one thing, continuing lashing out at business` that pay taxes here in Lebanon is reprehensible. Has Jason Cole missed the point? I’m no different than the next guy and I don’t help people everyday, but I never expected when a few of us did recently, our efforts would be franticly swept under the rug for no other reason other than it apparently took away from Selectman Coles` PR spotlight. His need for attention took precedent over a group people of trying to raise funds for a good cause. Over a hundred people have contributed in our fundraiser in some way. None asked for a thank you, photo op, an interview, wrote an article about themselves, none asked for a tax receipt. Cole will have no part in getting the word out about this fundraiser because it doesn’t benefit him. I was raised if you’re going to help someone out you just do it and ask nothing in return just do it because it is the right thing to do, why is that hard to understand MrSelectman Cole? Are selectmen better at helping neighbors out than average citizens? What about the people of Lebanon that help out on their own, by delivering food and supplies to local shelters, hosting fundraisers, collecting donations of clothes and books for children, helping rebuild a home that`s been destroyed, lending equipment, volunteering as coaches for sports, donating sales to cancer research, mowing an elderly neighbor’s lawn, sending donations to local animal shelters, helping someone in need stack wood or bale hay or simply having a cup of coffee with a neighbor who is alone. The list is endless, and the selfless volunteers are many, we are not all members of the Fire Department, EMA, or Rescue, who all do an amazing job of providing lifesaving services. However each person who contributes, in what some consider a small way, is a vital part of what makes our town stand out. More often than not, these actions are done anonymously, simply because it’s the right thing to do. It is the work, of all of these people, not just one individual, who make Lebanon the town we enjoy living in. These people give without agenda.Many people of Lebanon added their thought to this & we won’t respond with false accusations or hearsay. As far as accusing someone of stealing 30 signs in the newspaper based on nothing, grow up Mr. Cole. Citizens expect more out of their elected officials, this is childlike behavior.We’ll leave you with this He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep, to gain what he cannot lose.

James Batchelder

_____________________________________________

Taxes increased nearly 35% during Cole’s first year, creating outrage. Residents never got a satisfactory clear answer as to why, and during this process follow-up meetings were scheduled on short notice. See Article Here and Here

This is the same Selectmen board that delayed the Citizen’s Petitions for Town Charter, Ambulance and Town Manager by not having a town ballot in November “as required” for re-voting of the Code Enforcement Officer’s Budget. (the Town manager was later approved) (See Article / Video Here)

Selectmen Meeting Notices have been short and not posted as they typically are on occasion through normal methods. (See Here)

This is the same Selectmen Board that refuses to keep minutes of daytime meetings and delays publicly posting evening minutes for months at a time. (See Article Here)

This is the same Selectmen Board that refused to answer simple straight questions at the Town Meeting on many items and instead chose to smirk and laugh at residents. (See Article)

This is the same Board of Selectmen that placed an item on the ballot to prevent an opponent from trying to serve..and desperately fighting to maintain “conflicts of interest” that exist. (See Article Here)

This is the same Selectmen Board that insists on meeting during the day without minutes, when difficult for residents to attend, but cancels regularly scheduled evening meetings for “no agenda”. What was once workshops are also now Meetings. (See Article)

This is the same Selectmen Board that does not allow elected Budget Committee members or Chairperson access to the MMA (Maine Municipal Association) resources. A knowledge-base resource the Town subscribes to for the purpose of supporting municipal staff and elected officials.

This is the same Board of Selectmen that insists on making “public” sit and wait through all their business to ask a question versus allowing residents to speak first. The public participation also has a 15min time limit according to the agenda.

This is the same Selectmen that opened up mowing bids last year only to say mowing was not needed at the following meeting, later awarding the work to the highest bidder on an hourly basis. (See Article)

This is the same Board Of Selectmen that spent taxpayer money on getting a legal opinion over a conflict of interest when the Town Attorney and the MMA would not provide answer desired. (See Article)

This is the same Board of Selectmen that limited requests by Budget Committee members after the Budget Committee found thousands in tire waste that was paid incorrectly by Selectmen. (See Article Here) and Here and finally Here

This is the same Board of Selectmen that has difficulty giving residents copies of simple documents within the State Required time limits. In Fact the Board of Selectmen fail to follow-up on many requests. (See Article)

This is the same Board of Selectmen that pushed for an Enterprise Account for Lebanon Rescue, then authorized an additional 40k to a lease for equipment. (See related Article)

This is the same Board Of Selectmen that take credit for  implementing ”compacting of the recyclables” which saved trucking costs. The idea was provided by the Budget Committee member Mark Stuart well over a year earlier..there was no reason to wait to start saving money.

This Selectmen Board allows a single commercial hauler to use the transfer station versus hauling his waste straight to Waste Management. Costing residents thousands… (See Article) (See Article)

All of these actions and so many many more speak volumes to the openness and transparency of the Selectmen. If something occurred once maybe, but when you put event after event after event you can see an agenda. As I said earlier if you’re not outraged you haven’t been paying attention.

I have not even mentioned the character concerns raised by many with his actions (see article)

Please don’t have a short memory on Tuesday when you vote…

I would also encourage local businesses to post a link to their website or Facebook page on the OurVoice Facebook Page so Lebanon residents can view “like” your page and thus get notices of your sales and information directly.

I know I see many business get mentioned often by the Town Hall and others not mentioned all. I am sure some of it is the Business itself is simply more communicative and does more promotion, but in my opinion the Town Hall needs to filter and maintain a neutral parity for obvious reasons.

The green aspect of CSA’s is your supporting local agriculture, green space, and working farms. By buying local you get ultra farm fresh goodness without it being shipped from god knows where, grown with who knows what. Farms range from “certified organic” to more traditional ventures but most all limit use of pesticides and antibiotics, which is good for you and our environment. The farms offering meats are typically of the free range variety’s and grass fed not grains. If you have been eating “store bought” You will be amazed at the difference in flavor and tenderness.

If you go to any of the area Farmers Market’s you can meet many of these farmers and try there products and compare. You will certainly get ultra fresh product at an affordable price. Support local agriculture, it is better for you, our planet and the farmer!

Other Information -

• Seacoast Eat Local
• Maine CSA Directory
• Local Harvest.org

” It is the responsibility of the rescue member to ensure that they have all the necessary payroll info to the town treasurer. Failure to have the completed paperwork will result in the town not being able to pay you  ”

You can view the entire policy here on the Rescue website.

Clearly this document substantiates how the Rescue Department believes and understands they are town employees (as most people do). Once again proving that the costly search for Lawyers opinions and all the wrangling recently, is simply an extreme means by Cole to remain in conflict.

1. Accountability. Selectmen get a lot of leeway with their position and with use or mis-use of power. A Town Manager has far less leeway.
2. Availability – A Town Manager is available all the time and is a professional administrator. Selectmen are part-time, every day folk, who try to handle things the best they can. Often times not handling them effectively or doing them at all.
3. Professional – A Multi-million dollar company Does NOT use three part-time people to manage things the best they can. Dabbling in areas of little expertise and without a vision. A Town Manager is a professional in management techniques and effective planning. They understand labor issues and municipalities. They can provide much needed consistency in the daily operations of the Town, which is a business.
4. Vision – Once a Town Manager is funded, our Selectmen can placed on small base stipends since the role they play will dramatically change to one of simple oversight and spending approval.
5. Leadership – A Town Manager can provide much needed leadership in our Town. They can place standard procedure and policy in place where none has existed and improve reporting and financials which has been “in-the-works” forever with no real improvement.
6. Transparency – A Town Manager will provide the transparency that is needed and has been lacking from our Town Government. I have spoken with many in other towns and I can tell you ALL of them, although busy, are accessible and have access to details, immediately or timely.  They have shared books, figures and reports with blinking an eye. They all have a great interest in the success of the town and happiness of the town folk. There is no reason to believe our Town Manager would be any different.
7. Direction / Planning – Lebanon is in a tough pickle. We are not planning development or growth formerly with a Comprehensive Plan. We have no Zoning or no long term plans to sustain or improve basic essentials and services. Lebanon does not have a Town Charter that stipulates simple things like how town business must operate, how to recall and elected official, steps on posting bids etc. A Town Manager could help provide the leadership and be the hub of the wheel that is needed to move some of these things forward. We need these to ensure our town maintains it’s character and charm.

I think it is important the Town manager funding is approved and we move forward on the path we started last year. I like many, believed we could have started with a smaller salary and package, but understand that Selectmen have set the level high in hopes it will be defeated, and they can have free reign. Going forward Selectmen wages and expenses should be reduced significantly as well as Selectmen consolidated positions in the Town Hall, all this offsetting the expense.

The Town Manger in my opinion will be a good thing for the reasons I have stated and so many, many more. Face it, year after year we have seen our current system has fail us. A Town Manager can finally help us change it for the better. If for some strange reason I am way off base…we can always go back.

Occam’s Razor – is a principle that suggests we should tend towards simpler theories

There is always desire for greater access and transparency when it comes to Towns and Departments. Lebanon Rescue explained in great detail in large paragraph in the Town Report how the department shares information, meeting minutes, and particularly the financials of the corporation and is 100% transparent. I must say there was a time when they did do some of these things.

Today, I cannot find any evidence of this “Transparency”. I checked the Rescue website and there is no recent information financial information whatsoever, the most recent info for meeting minutes was Oct 2010. I made a request for financial and meeting minutes to the Rescue Chief back in January 2011, she indicated a notice was sent out a month earlier that the Rescue website was going to be revamped, the info was now on the Facebook page. I could not find any info on the Facebook Page and ultimately asked her to simply email the financial info and meeting minutes as she used to or the web links to where it could be obtained. It never arrived..

The Selectmen have not published regular meeting minutes since Dec 2010. The also do not keep ANY minutes of the Selectmen Workshops they maintain during the day even though residents have requested they change the practice. This is why I started an online Petition requiring Selectmen to record their meetings.

There is basic disclosure that must and should occur, particularly in this day of easy, nearly free, information exchange. It is so easy to share anything, yet Lebanon residents cannot get simple access to key public information. Rescue was the most surprising given that their finance account was changed to an Enterprise account last year allowing them to spend without resident approval. One would think they would be the shining example of openness given they published it in a Town Report, but nope…soon as they got the Open Account the information ALL went dark.

Now I am NOT one for conspiracy theory, but it dawned on me as I am writing this…

Is the timing of all this coincidental?  Was this information embargo brought about by the new ambulance purchase? The purchase that included some 40k in extras, and may have included the equipment being paid for in full even though we residents authorized it be paid for over 5 years? The Budget Committee questioned and has still has not received a reasonable explanation as to how and why things occurred the way they did. It is all very unclear.

Occam’s Razor -… a principle that suggests we should tend towards simpler theories or ”the simplest explanation is most likely the correct one.”

My theory is they simply don’t want us to really know…  I cannot come up with another simpler explanation as to why the most basic of meeting information from both Selectmen and Rescue would dry up as it has. Information is easy to publish and make available via many sources, yet it is not there. Facebook allows for documents to be shared, we know they understand how to use it. Rescue even makes a point of 100% transparency in the town report. The Rescue and Town websites are working. Why else??

This also demonstrates case in point as to why a Selectmen cannot also be a Member of a department / Town employee. It provides way to much direct influence and control.

This situation has no bearing on the great employees we have in both Rescue and or the Town Hall. We are lucky to have such great people who do so much for the community. This issue here is of leadership, management and power that is too far to reaching.

Residents… we deserve far better…

Citizens circulated a petition based on “conflict of interest” and received hundreds of signatures supporting the adopting of an ordinance that would prevent a town employee from also being a Selectmen. It was initiated because the “Conflict of Interest” policy drafted and adopted by Selectmen over a year ago, fell way short of providing any real separation of powers. Citizen’s have been frustrated by the ongoing conflicts that exist and have existed.The new citizen’s petition article is the very same item adopted by citizens of Berwick last year.

In Lebanon we currently have a Selectmen who is also Ass Chief of the Rescue Department and a Selectmen who is also the Transfer Station Department Head. The citizen’s petition if adopted by the Townspeople should prevent this type of wide ranging power and influence going forward. However, the Board of Selectmen have taken it upon themselves to fight tooth and nail to retain control. Initially they have solicited attorneys, searching for any firm who might provide a broader more lenient interpretation of a”town employee”. A definition which might exempt a Rescue / Fire volunteer as an employee even though said volunteers are paid, may be officers in a department, get town paid training, and other benefits. Selectmen are also adding an additional ballot article, on there own accord, that if adopted will expand the definition of “town employee” to include an employee of the school district. (This is due to the fact Karen Gerrish a Lebanon teacher, is one of the candidates running for Selectmen against Mr. Cole)

You don’t need to look far to see how Selectmen Cole has used his influence to help his Rescue department. Last year he pressed through an article making the Rescue Department funding an enterprise account. This essentially allows the department to spend whatever they wish, with only Selectmen’s approval. Since getting this financial power Rescue spent thousands in additional monies on extra equipment with the purchase of a new ambulance. Mr. Cole also pressed an article through defining and solidifying his wife’s position as the Rescue Chief. Selectmen Patch has used his influence to maintain access for a single private commercial hauler to use the town’s transfer facility, a trash pick-up business he once ran himself and Patch has also hired his wife and brother at the department he runs. The positions were never posted and simply filled. There are many more examples of nepotism and favoritism but I just want to provide a small basis as to why these individuals are so hell bent on maintaining their power and reach. In my opinion they have demonstrated it’s to to benefit their departments and their families.

You might ask well… why haven’t you complained or done something about it? The answer is residents have, but without an attorney willing to work for free, there is no way to compete with Selectmen who simply turn a deaf ear, or drag their feet indefinitely, and have access to unlimited town funds for an attorney to obfuscate an issue. The fact is the board has had a good thing going and they want to keep it going. Selectmen are demonstrating that they are going to use all means necessary with their access to the press and at the meetings to cloud the issues and confuse residents. I say stand by your morals and take back control of our town.

There are really five simple things we can do as residents, regardless of what the Selectmen do… Three this year and two next..

1. Vote against re-electing Jason Cole as Selectmen, elect ANYONE BUT HIM.
2. Vote to adopt the “Conflict of Interest” article as circulated by petition of residents.
3. Vote against the Selectmen’s article that would include district teachers as town employees.
4. Next year support the retraction of the Enterprise account from Rescue, requiring them once again to get citizen’s approval for spending.
5. Next year support the removal of a commercial hauler from a town facility, requiring them to take trash directly to waste management, keeping them out of the the Town’s facility.

As a resident of this town you have a right and a responsibility to oversee how it is governed and administered. Democracy works best in a small town because a single vote really does matter and the impact is directly reflected where you live. You need to Vote and become involved.

The lengths our Selectmen will go to maintain their empires and control is absolutely dumbfounding. My hope is that residents get informed and toss out these bad apples and vote the measures in place this year and next to prevent the types actions we have witnessed.

~Participate in discussion on this topic on Facebook~

This is the same thing Jason Cole did with the Town Facebook Page, ask for input, you provide it, but if it goes against what they want to hear it is censored and deleted. If you “agree” you are praised. If you “disagree” the Admin will call it hate or political, or anything to “label” you, when all I am doing as stating my opinion. labeling is hateful and speaking on somebody’s behalf is also derogatory, both are done on the thread by the Admin.

To be clear…below is my position on the event equipment usage and overall Rescue Department in general.

I am not in favor of having ambulances standby at town events such as the Egg Hunt, Cancer Benefit, Rousseau Diner, Clean-up BBQ, etc. These are small events and in some cases they have had TWO ambulances at them, as can be seen in the rescue sites own photos.  Small sporting events could probably even get by with a volunteer and some basic supplies like ace bandages, Ice packs etc. – Lebanon day or the Little league tournament sure a little different, hundreds of people there. This is the exception though and shouldn’t be the rule. If they need somebody to stand-by, have them stay at the station as they do in the winter during a storm.

Regarding business standby like Ice Races, Go Deep Mudd and Skydive – these businesses having mass gatherings should pay a small simple set fee to cover expenses. Instead last year for example the Go Deep Mudd events gave the Rescue Department thousands in Gift cards and a some fuel for the ambulance. I just don’t think this is the best way for the Town to do business. It also isn’t fair to the business, since how much are they supposed to “donate” in gift cards? It should be a std. set fee, based upon size and equipment, they should know as everyone should, what the rate should be. The gift cards and donations do not make it back into the town revenue. True they may get spread within the department but this is a very foggy way for the Town to manage finances.

In the end Lebanon Rescue is a Town Department. It was started by Taxpayer money. Revenue the department generates is the Town’s revenue. Expenses they incur are the Town’s expenses. The self-funded mumbo jumbo is just that. Rolling equipment when not absolutely necessary is costly, shortens it’s life and is wasteful. As I stated in my comments it would be like rolling a Tanker Fire Truck stand-by at a BBQ when a fire extinguisher would be sufficient.

After all the weirdness in the new ambulance purchase that was never explained clearly, I for one would like to see a simple balance sheet. One that shows, what has been billed, what has been received from the billing, what is outstanding, what has been written off, as well as what has been donated, along with the balance of all the accounts in use. This information to my knowledge has not been disclosed for some time and should be viewed and available to the Town. The Town only sees what the Rescue decides to give it and what the town has spent on rescue. the Town doesn’t manage that entire other part of the pie.

I worked hard going door to door circulating petitions for the new ambulance because I believe we needed it. It provided opportunity for response to multiple concurrent calls and represented a revenue source for the Town via insurance and mutual-aid call payments. Since that time and the starting of the enterprise account the department is being managed with an attitude and transparency that is questionable. I certainly think there are far more questions than answers. I find it unsettling.

We need our volunteers, they do a great job. The Lebanon Rescue has done well in it’s service to the community, I would just like to see more answers on the finances and along with it less censoring and a better use of the Town’s equipment.

Here was the original thread from Facebook.. (Some of the Comments are not expanded)

From May 1, 2011 Rescue FB Usage Example

From May 1, 2011 Rescue FB Usage Example

From May 1, 2011 Rescue FB Usage Example

From May 1, 2011 Rescue FB Usage Example

From May 1, 2011 Rescue FB Usage Example

From May 1, 2011 Rescue FB Usage Example

Comments After -

From May 1, 2011 Rescue FB Usage Example

The compensation amount they are requesting does not fit our towns needs. Selectmen are requesting monies equal to communities with far more paid services. Further many of the Town Managers also serve other roles within the administration like a Tax Collector or Clerk. Certainly in my mind a Town Manager in Lebanon would be such a multi-tasking person.

I have directly contacted many of the Town Managers in other towns to discern what there salaries and benefit packages might be.

• Fryeburg – $65,000 – $77,000 w/ benefits
• Dixfield   – $50,000  - $80,000 w/benefits
• Fairfield – $66,500
• Winterport – $45,000
• Turner – $ 63,280
• Lincoln – $68,309
• Jay – $62,724
• Fort Fairfield – $68,000
• Warren – $54,200
• Rumford – $66,300
• Houlton – $72,500
• Kittery – $98,000
• Wells – $88,695
• Winslow – $ 72,400
• Sanford – $102,612
• Bangor $118,922

It is easy to see that Lebanon could easily move forward with a fully qualified, competent Town Manager for far less than $118,000 including benefits. You will note many of the towns above were also in the personnel study the town conducted.

Further, for other departments in Lebanon we don’t vote on or report the Wages and Benefits. If you look at the Town report is only shows salaries.

Folks you need to take notice of what is happening here. In my opinion this is just the latest attempt of Selectmen to stop the peoples will. As you may recall Selectmen stopped a ballot in November 2009 to prevent people from voting on the matter until June 2010. In June it was voted in, now this absurd salary request.

Selectmen can and should reduce the requested amount to a reasonable level, one that fits our Towns needs. An amount a reasonable person could support. A Town Manager could really help our town move forward. This latest move by our Selectmen demonstrates all the more why we need one.

Reach-out and tell Selectmen they need to change this warrant article!

Facebook is a popular platform, by some estimates half of the people who have an internet connection have an account there. Many residents use it and have subscribed to many of the Town’s pages like Town Of Lebanon, Lebanon Fire Department and Lebanon Rescue. Therefore it seems only natural to move discussion to Facebook.

Facebook is not a perfect solution but hopes are it will be a net improvement. For example, In order to see updates on comments or posts you need to go the article on the Facebook page and check it manually. I suspect Facebook will improve notifications and behavior over time, in the meantime you must revisit and check for new comments and posts. The upside is many people already have accounts, and may post, comment and converse as themselves and it does make it social. I am sure some people have created fictitious Facebook accounts (which is against Facebook policy) to do their attacks, but hopes are people will use the new OurVoice Page as meeting place to stay abreast of issues, share opinions, events etc.  As usual if you can’t say it as you, in a public forum then you probably shouldn’t say it on Facebook either.

You might ask “Why not comment or post on the Town or Department Pages?”

The Town and Department pages do not lend themselves to commenting discussions for many reasons….

1. The administrator(s) of the pages has demonstrated a history of deleting anything they feel is questioning officials. They also post comments to stir emotion and then delete them a short while later, which is highly unusual.
2. The administrator(s) is the only one who can post a new article or share a link or other information on the wall. You can only comment on what they post.
3. When posting a comment asking a question a Department Page, I was informed that these are for the “departments” use only, for notifications etc.  Which is understandable..but some posts and comments are allowed that are not department centric.
4. The pages could at a whim be made to not allow people to comment all together.

The town and departments have clearly not created any clear defined policy for managing the Facebook Pages, Websites and other media. This is demonstrated by the items above and by the inconsistency in official postings. Some notices that go through the email notification system make it to Facebook Pages and others don’t. Some are only on Facebook and never go out to the Town website or email…. It’s Worrisome.

In my opinion since residents cannot interact at those sites in a meaningful, constructive way it only made sense to start an OurVoice Facebook Page. The OurVoice Facebook Page gives residents a chance to start-up a conversation, share links, posts etc., and comment in a free and unfettered way.

The OurVoice website itself will remain to support those who don’t use Facebook. If the Facebook Page turns out NOT to work out better, then we will try something different always with an eye on improvement.

At the end of the day it is about keeping people informed, talking, and aware of all thats going on and provide access to information. This includes both the good and unfortunately the concerning things as well.  As I have always said…

It’s Not MyVoice…It’s OurVoice

Here is a Link to the Ourvoice Facebook Page. You can go there and click on the “Like” button to see posts in your Wall as they are added.