Category Archives: Editorial

A place to vent and post general opinions and observation

I Couldn’t Believe My Eyes

When I get frustrated I read and write what I’m feeling ……. what my thoughts are.
Today, I happened to be online and could not believe my eyes. I read the article I have cut and pasted for all to see.  The … Continue reading

Posted in Editorial | Tagged | 3 Comments

No Excuses – The People Tried to Speak

Below are the facts presented to you the residents to judge.

The Selectmen Promised the Budget Committee they would have a Ballot for any essential services that were voted down this past June. (Code Enforcement failed to pass)
Residents circulated Petitions on … Continue reading

Posted in Community News, Editorial, Featured, Town Government | Tagged , | 7 Comments

Don’t Give Up Your Right To Vote!!

I believe if you watch the video of this meeting , and or read through the transcribed excerpts below, you will see that the ballot in November being withheld from the people is really about Selectmen Patch’s personally not wanting … Continue reading

Posted in Editorial, Town Government | Tagged | 10 Comments

Proof of The Pudding

Well folks, last nights Selectmen’s Meeting was “the proof of the pudding”.
Two of the three selectmen were NOT there for the citizens of  Lebanon, but  to help themselves and anyone who would follow them in their quest for control and self-aggrandizement.  … Continue reading

Posted in Editorial | Tagged | 10 Comments

It’s One Of Those Times

People have perceptions of the way they suppose things should work when it comes to town affairs. People can disagree with me, my methods, and my points of view. That is fine, but folks this is one of those times … Continue reading

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New Math

Three bids were recieved for sand at the last selectmen meeting two in the $7.49 area and one for $5.49. The lowest bid being from

Posted in Editorial, Town Government | 7 Comments

Observations On Lebanon Politics

I was going to make a comment on the blog from “Fed Up Elaine” about the news article in the Observer, and what the Selectmen are trying to do.  After thinking about this for a while, my husband and I … Continue reading

Posted in Editorial | 2 Comments

Municipal Management Article

There is a great article on Municipal Management at Richard Neal’s website. This article would be great for our Selectmen to read as well as residents. Please have a look http://memunigov.com/mngmt.aspx once there click on the download / view link.

Posted in Editorial, Town Government | 2 Comments

A Whole Lot of This and That

I have a whole lot of thoughts for you guys this morning.  I hope it isn’t too jumbled, but I don’t know how to do each separately.  Anyway, here it goes……………
1.  Why does our Town government NOT seem to want a Town … Continue reading

Posted in Editorial | 2 Comments

An Invitation to Our Elected Officials

I hear many complaints about our elected officials’ practices on this
site and would just like to invite all of them to offer their opinions
and have discussions so as to clear up the situations at hand!

Posted in Editorial, Town Government | 3 Comments

Where Does Our Tax Money Go?

We sometimes wonder where our taxes go! Has anyone had the time to check out the M.S.A.D. #60 employees salaries report? I saw 10 pages of listed employees of this school system in our town
report! We, obviously, need all these … Continue reading

Posted in Editorial | 2 Comments

Lebanon Town Hall Vandalism, a Burglary?

Fosters reported the Town Hall was vandalized last week which looks as though it may have been an attempted burglary. You can see the story here .
I noticed last evening after the Selectmen meeting that the exterior lights for the … Continue reading

Posted in Community News, Editorial | 4 Comments

Free Clothing Pantry In Works

Library hours for August : Monday 1:30 – 6:30    Tuesday 3:00 – 6:30    Wednesday 3:00 – 8:30

Posted in Community News, Suggestions, Town Services | Tagged , | 5 Comments

Do You Support Having a Town Manager?

If you support having a Town Manager or frankly are still unsure, and would like the chance to decide,  I could use your help.
I am circulating a Petition to have the referendum revisited on the ballot this November. By signing … Continue reading

Posted in Editorial, Town Government | Tagged | 10 Comments

Open Letter To Selectmen – Police Coverage

Dear Selectmen,
At the recent Citizens Roundtable there was much concern over the crime in town and the likely hood we are going to receive even more limited Sheriff coverage. It was generally felt there was great need to formerly evaluate … Continue reading

Posted in Suggestions, Town Government | Tagged | 3 Comments

Bulletin Board Integrated

I have received many requests for a Bulletin Board to allow threaded discussion of topics. So as an experiment I created one. You may find it here, give it a look and kick the tires. If it is popular i … Continue reading

Posted in Suggestions | Tagged | 1 Comment

Show A Sign of Support This Tuesday

Three weeks ago I requested the Selectmen place the Referendums that didn’t pass in June back on the ballot for November. I requested a response at the next Selectmen Meeting, and didn’t receive one since it was still being discussed. … Continue reading

Posted in Community News, Editorial, Town Government | Tagged , | 7 Comments

Why Do We Need This New Ambulance This Year?

The Town is Growing. Our Call Volume Has Increased Over 840% since we were founded in 1981 and we average 50 calls a month. Both Ambulances Were Used Often  For Multiple Calls or Multiple Patients. We Receive … Continue reading

Posted in Editorial, Town Services | Tagged , | 6 Comments

New Ambulance on November Ballot

Dear Lebanon Residents,
This November, we will be asking the residents to support replacing our former 1992 ambulance, which was our 2nd due ambulance and we had to take out of service because it was not safe to … Continue reading

Posted in Community News, Editorial, Town Services | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Keay Road Repair – Almost

Mrs. Bridges posted this comment today on another area of the website, but I thought it topical and important enough to move to it’s story so it would not get lost in the shuffle. Mrs. Bridges formally brought this to … Continue reading

Posted in Community News, Editorial | Tagged | 18 Comments

Happenings at the Transfer Station

First of all let me start off  by saying I am NOT belittling anyone who is working for our Town.  I am just pointing out that things need to be made better in Town Government and issues need to be … Continue reading

Posted in Editorial | Tagged , | 9 Comments

Now that Elections are Over

I guess I have a lot of time on my hands and when I get the urge I  start writing.  A couple of weeks ago I emailed  Glen and asked him if he noticed a drop in the number blogs.  He said the … Continue reading

Posted in Editorial, Human Interest | Tagged | 2 Comments

Does Town Government Need to be Made Better?

After the first round table meeting I have been gathering my thoughts, and wanted to put them down on paper.  The following statements are only my own observations .  At the beginning of the first round table meeting there was a … Continue reading

Posted in Editorial | 1 Comment

Tax Maps and Their Meaning

Does anyone know why we have tax maps?  Does anyone know how they determine the tax maps?
In the recent election the town voted to have the tax maps updated for Lebanon.  You would assume that the tax maps would generally … Continue reading

Posted in Editorial, Human Interest | Tagged | 3 Comments

What is a Selectman?

In my preparation for the Citizen Roundtable, on July 1st at the Old Town starting at 6:30 pm, I came across a document called “What is a Selectman?”. After scanning all the pages and attempting to create a decent … Continue reading

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“Time” Do I Have Enough For Lebanon?

(Posted on Behalf of Don Hollenbeck )
I; as many people; have no, (or not much), time to get involved with the
affairs of the town I live in or government in general!

Posted in Editorial | Tagged | 3 Comments

Lebanon Babe Ruth

It seems the “good ole boy” network is not just within our town’s government.  It is also in our children’s sports leagues.  Several comments were made on this site regarding the Lebanon Little League, and parents not being satisfied

Posted in Community News, Editorial | Tagged | 17 Comments

Local Govt in Maine – Ebook

There is a very informative book on the Local Government in Maine. It is made available by the Maine Municipal Association (MMA) free for educational purposes. The book it is very informative and

Posted in Community News, Editorial, Town Government | Tagged | 5 Comments

Give Our Kids a Brake (Slow Down)

We bought our home 4 years ago and have noticed the traffic on Center Road and Upper Cross Road dramatically increase with the new town hall and of courses the schools.   I understand  that we do not have a police force because … Continue reading

Posted in Human Interest, Suggestions | Tagged | 55 Comments

Vote – Stadig – for Selectmen

My name is Glen Stadig and I am a candidate for Selectmen,

Posted in Community News, Elections 2009, Suggestions | Tagged | 3 Comments

A Diaper Bank?

I read an article in Time about a woman who started a Diaper Bank in Connecticut.
What’s a Diaper Bank….Why a Diaper Bank?

Posted in Community News, Suggestions | Tagged | Leave a comment

ICE – In Case of Emergency

We don’t often give thought to what happens if we are in an accident. Since most people carry cell phones, one thing you can do is store an entry in the phones address book  as ICE.

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Hauling Comparison

Budget Committee member Mr. Gilpatrick pointed out to Selectmen and the Budget Committee the waste of time and money that is occurring using Selectmen Frizzel’s pit versus using alternatives.  He did this during review of the Highway Budget and again … Continue reading

Posted in Suggestions | Tagged | 7 Comments

Lebanon Rescue Chiefs Report for Week Ending 04/19/2009

Weekly Stats:
From Sunday 4/12 to Saturday 4/18, the Lebanon Rescue Department responded to 10 calls for service. We treated 10 patients and transported 7 to the hospital during the week. 4 patients were transported to Frisbie Hospital and 3 … Continue reading

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Lebanon Rescue Chief – Monthly Report March 2009

The Lebanon Volunteer Rescue Department had a busy March. The department responded to 39 calls for service. Besides responding to these emergency calls, department members attended several trainings and EMT refresher classes. The department held several trainings for members throughout … Continue reading

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Meeting Minutes – Why Just The Minimum?

Selectmen have made it clear that they will meet and not maintain minutes of meetings unless they execute a vote or are in executive session which both require minutes by Maine law. The Selectmen claim for example their Tuesday morning … Continue reading

Posted in Suggestions, Town Government | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Selectmen Meeting Dates Reason For Concern?

Do you have concerns with the Selectmen Meeting dates being changed to twice per month? I do…
I attended last nights meeting were the change was discussed I didn’t observe an official vote to pass the motion, yet today I see … Continue reading

Posted in Editorial, Suggestions | Tagged | 1 Comment

Plowing Snow Into Roads Must Stop

There has been repeated notifications to the Town by persons plowing Town roads that snow is being pushed into and across roads and being left there.
Pushing snow into or across public roads and leaving it there is hazardous and illegal. … Continue reading

Posted in Community News, Suggestions | Tagged | 1 Comment

Towns New Website

Notice was sent out Saturday that the newly updated Town website was online….
I was excited,  I arrived and found a fresh updated look and updated navigation some headline announcements right on the home page was a nice touch and the … Continue reading

Posted in Suggestions | Tagged | 1 Comment

Who Are You – Anonymous ?

I keep hearing comments from persons about posting and commenting on the site, where people want to be anonymous. I can fully understand people don’t want to jeopardize their employment or impact relationships, but have much to share.
You may comment … Continue reading

Posted in Suggestions | 4 Comments

Feedback Request – New Years Resolution

I would like to hear your feedback all the good, bad and ugly regarding the Our Voice website. I would like to know things you like, things you hate, what improvements I could make, Do you like the content, calender, … Continue reading

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Selectmen – Can We Have Fair and Full Disclosure?

The Selectmen meeting for last evening was canceled and the posting gave a reminder to a Selectmen meeting held Tuesday mornings which the public was invited to. I contacted the Selectmen Secretary and requested a copy of the minutes of these … Continue reading

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Citizen’s Round Table Proposed

Now don’t get me wrong I am not in favor of spending any money. Understand though there is a cost for doing nothing and for not acting as well. Continue reading

Posted in Suggestions, Town Government | Tagged , , | 22 Comments

Our Voice: Volunteers Needed for Election Day

The election is rapidly approaching this Tuesday and I am looking for volunteers to hand-out flyers to residents as they pass through the polls. I will provide the flyers, I just need volunteers who could spare a little extra time … Continue reading

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Do You Think It’s a Good Value?

I was looking over Town Budget information for the current 2009 year.  I noticed the Highway and Roads department had much less in wages than the Transfer Station. I talked with some people and they pointed out that much of … Continue reading

Posted in Editorial, Town Government | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Watch Meetings On Demand – Online

At our special town meeting, a gentlemen spoke on the Public Access TV request of showing the Selectmen, Budget and Town Meetings. He explained a company could provide streaming video over the internet of the live meeting with an archival … Continue reading

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Why Fifty Cents Per Page for a Simple Copy?

I recently wanted a copy of the 2008-2009 Budget and was told it would be .50 per page through our Town Office. This past weekend I went to Fed/Ex Kinko’s in Portsmouth to have some color copies made for a … Continue reading

Posted in Editorial | Tagged | 3 Comments

Does More Selectmen = Better Oversight?

The town auditor made a recommendation at the special meeting for a “Town Manager”. As much as i would like to see better management of the town I would prefer to see to additional selectmen to spread the load and … Continue reading

Posted in Suggestions, Town Government | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Is it a Conflict of Interest?

In going through the town reports I see people on the Budget Committee and on other committees that also work inside the town hall or in other town departments. Does that seem at all odd to you? I could hear … Continue reading

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Is it Me..Why are the Town Reports So Confusing?

After walking away from the Monday meeting and the subsequent selectmen meeting with more questions than answers I thought I would roll up my sleeves and compare the Town Reports for the last three years along with this years budget. … Continue reading

Posted in Editorial, Town Government | Tagged | 1 Comment

Poll – What do you think of the website?

Please click “comment” or “no comments” to provide detailed feedback about the site and leave a message…

Posted in Suggestions | Tagged | 1 Comment

Lebanon Maine – Increases Taxes 35%!

It’s official tax bills received yesterday show the tax rate went from $10.30 per thousand to $13.85 per thousand. There will be a public hearing at the Lebanon Elementary School Sept 29 at 7pm.
There are several things that smell about … Continue reading

Posted in Editorial, Town Government | Tagged | 1 Comment