A letter from Lebanon Voice editor and selectman candidate Harrison Thorp

10:30 a.m.


A letter from Lebanon Voice editor and selectman candidate Harrison Thorp

In five years covering Lebanon as editor of The Lebanon Voice I was never so humbled and grateful as when myself and a dedicated group of civic-minded residents organized a Save Our Ambulance movement in the fall of 2014, a movement that embodied grass-roots activism that saved the town's best ambulance: Rescue 2.

The movement was in response to the town's clumsy and confusing wording of a November referendum misunderstood by hundreds of town voters who inadvertently doomed Rescue 2 which would have forced a voluntary repossession of the ambulance to the seller.

A referendum revote was forced, however, thanks to a citizens' petition drive and on Jan. 24, 2015, the revote was 459-79 to keep Rescue 2.

That movement I was so happy to be a part of embodies the spirit of how I would like to see Lebanon change for the better.

These are a few of the other ways.

Volunteerism. Selectmen and other town boards can't do it alone

Transparency. No backroom deals, no cronyism, no nepotism.

Accountability.

A bid process that respects the rules of a fair and level playing field.

Decorum and mutual respect at town meetings that will make our residents proud.

Efforts to provide for official taping of town meeting for public review and linked to the town website.

Improvements to the town website that will make navigation and information more easy for residents to find.

Fiscal conservatism: I will treat your tax money as my own.

As a senior citizen I know firsthand the best thing we can do for our residents, including seniors, is keep our property tax burden in the crosshairs and running the town as frugally as possible while still providing necessary services.

Keeping the tax burden down is one of the best ways we can keep our elderly in their homes where they enjoy the greatest quality of life and save taxpayer money.

Regarding recreational marijuana establishments of all stripes, we need moratoriums (prohibitions) on all, at least until the state has figured out how their still unwritten regulations will read. It's way too early to say full speed ahead!

Annihilate the Naiad and build the bridge.

We need a healthy Milton Three Ponds for the sake of our tax base and our quality of life.

We need the bridge that connects West Lebanon and Milton back for economic reasons and the sake of public safety.

All hands on deck.

See you tomorrow!

Harrison Thorp,

Lebanon Voice editor

candidate for selectman