Recall advocates, opponents duke it out during marathon four-hour public hearing

From left, Lebanon selectman Butch Lizotte, budget committee member Deborah Dorey Wilson and Selectmen Jeff Adams and Chuck Russell (Rochester Voice photo)

© LEBANON, Maine - About 60 residents turned out on Saturday to witness an historic public hearing outside Lebanon Town Offices to hear arguments for and against the recall of four town officials.

For Selectmen Chair Chuck Russell it was his second recall public hearing in less than a year. The others facing recall include Selectmen Butch Lizotte and Jeff Adams as well as budget committee member Deborah Dorey Wilson. It was the first recall public hearing for four public officials in town history.

The often-acrimonious marathon public hearing lasted more than four hours as each individual recall comprised opening and closing statements from the recall petitioner and recall subject as well as three-minutes of public comment from any residents in attendance.

The meeting was moderated by former state senator Richard Nass of Acton and live streamed on the town's YouTube channel.

Acting as lead recall petitioner was town resident Kevin Edward sitting in for Bettie Harris-Howard, who was not in attendance.

The recall petitions accuse Russell and Lizotte of stealing pot plants from town resident Eric Kelley in August 2020, that Adams has excessive absences from selectmen meetings and that Wilson slanders town residents she disagrees with on social media sites.

Michael Walsworth, the lead plaintiff for an injunction seeking to prohibit the town from implementing its retail marijuana ordinance, said today the issue of the recall - just like over marijuana - continue to roil the town.

"I think very few minds of those who were there were changed yesterday, and the town is split on the recall as they are on the marijuana issue," Walsworth said. "I hope everyone that didn't come will watch the YouTube video and really listen to the charges made in the petition for recall."

Lebanon Selectman James Duprie, who is against the recall, said he thought the hearing served its purpose.

"Hey, people came and they had their say," he said today.

To view the video click here.