Last year, I was elected to the Lisbon Charter Commission along with eight others after the citizens of the town decided to form a commission. As a longtime Lisbon resident, former selectman, town meeting moderator, businessman and current state representative, I wanted to bring my experiences and viewpoints to help improve local government.

The nine members of the commission have labored long and hard to come up with a charter where none existed. We were preceded by a Government Review Committee, which had surveyed the residents and found much dissatisfaction with the town meeting, especially the dominance of special interests, special article people and the general lack of interest by the population. I suspect many have given up attendance at the annual town meeting in disgust or frustration.

A large and complex town is not unlike a business, and we owe it to our citizens to present the best opportunity to have informed and efficient democracy. I believe the charter will lead to responsible government, encourage leadership and restore peoples’ power. Having our own charter where none has previously existed is a concept whose time has come.

I will be voting in favor of the charter on Nov. 8.

Rep. Robert Berube, Lisbon