The evidence is clear: These 4 must go to make Lebanon a safer, better town

From left, those whose recall is sought are Selectmen Butch Lizotte, budget committee member Deborah Wilson, Selectman Jeff Adams and Selectmen Chair Charles Russell (Rochester Voice file photo)

Up for recall in Lebanon on Tuesday are Selectmen Charles Russell Jr., Jeff Adams and Butch Lizotte as well as budget committee member Deborah Wilson.

The overarching premise that makes this recall necessary is to rid the town of the corruption that has become commonplace amid Russell's push to prod the town toward full, unbridled legalization of all things that are retail cannabis despite his ties to the industry.

Russell also oversaw the outright theft of a Lebanon resident's marijuana crop even though State Police, themselves, who knew of the grow, felt there was no need to do so.

A feckless York County District Attorneys Office considered prosecuting Russell and Lizotte in the theft, but backed out, while giving no justification for doing so to the press other than say they had a responsibility to taxpayers not to frivolously pursue such charges.

We've seen many an affidavit much less damning that drew charges, so the question is WHY? You'll have to ask Kathryn Slattery that, yourself.

So it's up to the town to stand up to the bullying by these four, who seem to act as one when it comes to issues most important to keeping the town safe and free of organized crime and corruption.

It's just two days till the recall vote on Tuesday, so we urge you to watch the public hearing on the recall that occurred back in July. Click here to watch it.

You'll notice that those supporting the recall bring up many documented arguments that show these four should be out of office, while those against it do two things: Hurl personal attacks at their opponents while paying specious lip service to the four whose recall is so necessary.

Lebanon Maine Public Square is a website created by town activist Michael Walsworth. It brings to light all the reasons why this recall is necessary including how the town's attorney is representing the town and cannabis dealers who operate in the town, how Russell has continually interfered and wrongly injected himself into the recall process when he is the object of the recall, how Russell and new selectman James Duprie circumvented the cannabis committee to write their own retail cannabis regs to which the committee objected, how Adams wrongly took credit for creating the cannabis committee, how Russell and Lizotte and Wilson (be her own admission) took part in the theft of pot plants and livestock and so much more.

The arguments for recall on the site are clearly defined and documented - often with video footage that shows their underhandedness - for you to judge for yourself.

Click here to get to Lebanon Maine Public Square the site.

If you take an hour or so to peruse the site, we feel confident you'll know how to vote. The evidence is before you. You're the jury. You decide.

Polls are open this Tuesday from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Lebanon Elementary School.

- HT