Lebanon needs a charter, a plan and a town manager

When preparing for my campaign for Selectman, I asked "What makes me different from the other Candidates?"

We actually have a lot in common. We all have lived in Lebanon for a fair amount of time. We have been volunteers or served others in one capacity or another. We want to keep the taxes as low as possible. We want better Roads!!

And all three of us need your vote!

Having the right person in the Selectman's Office should not be a popularity contest. It is not about who has lived in the Town the longest, knows the most people, has the most resources or has the best education.

Although it is nice to know about a person's background, the most important thing to consider when voting is about what that person wants for you and the future of your Town.

I am going turn the table a bit and ask the voters to do your homework before you vote on June 11. What makes your candidate better than the others? What does the candidate you are voting for want to accomplish for the Town of Lebanon? Will that make a better future for you or generations to come?

Reach out to the candidates: Ask them questions and voice your concerns. I believe that Lebanon needs to put some systems in place and make some changes that will allow our Town to run more effectively, more smoothly and to create a brighter future for all.

If elected I would work to put three major changes in place. The first one I am currently working on, The Town of Lebanon's Comprehensive Plan. This is a valuable document that lets a Town know where they stand on current issues and will ultimately map out a suggested plan, based on information gathered, for the next 10-30 years. This will be followed by putting systems and ordinances on the ballot to assure that these suggested plans are indeed what people want.

A very important tool to control growth, plan for the future needs of all of our citizens, preserve our history, rural character and small town charm.

The second is a Town Manager, which is on this year's ballot. I honestly never wanted to run for Selectman until there was a Town Manager in place. Running a Town as large as Lebanon is a huge job, especially for just five people on a part-time basis, just ask any of our current Selectmen. Putting a Town Manager in place will give us a person who is accessible on a full-time basis and educated to run a Town. While it may seem to many to be a huge expense, a good Town Manager would more than pay for themselves in what they would be able bring to us in savings and potential grants. Major issues would be less likely to "slip through the cracks" if there was an overseer of everyday issues.

A Town Manager is hired employee and can also be fired by our Selectman.

The third change involves delving into the ordinances of the past and organizing them. Let's take that idea a step further and put an Official Committee in place to create a Town Charter, allowing us to put a system of checks and balances in place we have sorely needed for many years.

So please do your homework and know why you are voting for the person you want to be Lebanon's next Selectman.

- Corinna Cole

Lebanon 603-834-2030