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When facts are not attacks!

Mrs. Lauria, I will continue to speak out for us all. I’ve lived in town for nearly 50 years; have graduated from BHS along with my wife and three children. I will never, ever, ever give up fighting for what this town has stood for well before you ever thought of moving here. Perhaps this is a problem for you. Your “Please Stop the Attacks” message is simply anti-democratic and anti- first amendment. I guess I missed the “no inflammatory speech allowed” section of the first amendment in my 8th grade Civics class at Peck Junior High School (taught by Mrs. Eddins, former Barrington teacher, who by the way was a Co-Chair of my Committee when I ran for the SC). Maybe you should try a stint in Singapore to see if you like their “free speech code”.

Ho hum, so predictable. A “wife of a public school teacher” is now upset that the new “husband and wife” arrangement on the COA and SC is being impugned (at least in her mind). Heaven’s to Betsy….I didn’t know the truth hurt this much. You might have thought I’d channeled Charles Manson by the tone of her recent letter. This fine lady of course, along with her new “team” are ardent supporters of every school budget increase and expenditure, regardless of its current and long-term damage to the taxpayers of the town. Taxes this year alone will increase nearly 7% (a 15 year record). Mrs. Lauria cannot fathom that we now have a new COA member that cannot meet or vote on any SC matter (and that’s two-thirds of the annual budget). So, the Solicitor “permitted” the arrangement, privately (for now). Big deal! And the Solicitor is on ice’s thin edge.

I would love to see Mr. Ursillo’s public opinion in writing based on the Chapter 36 R.I.G.L.Ethics laws that supports such an arrangement (it’s just a little too easy to sit back and make a few broad-laid statements privately to a prospective candidate at the FTM). I’d especially like his take on the “to avoid the appearance of any impropriety” policy statement. Mrs. Lauria conflates her very personal relationship with the “new couple” with a clear-eyed assessment of the mess that’s been created by them. “How is this not an obvious appearance of a conflict of interest”, “How are the highest ethical standards to be met?” Oh yeah, I heard the “government planner” tell the crowd he takes this seriously. What’s he going to say, “Of course I won’t talk to my wife about any of this while we’re enjoying our shrimp cocktail and glass of Chardonnay?”

I think episodes of Rod Serling’s “Twilight Zone” are more comprehensible than this silly, indefensible scheme. Barrington town governance is now at its lowest ebb in more than fifty years.

Mrs. Lauria, I actually ran for and won a seat on the SC for four years. I have first hand knowledge of the process and procedures between the two committees. You’ve stated that it is “rare for the SC to meet with the COA.” This is not even remotely true. There are many meetings and interactions/communications between the two groups over a period of several months each year; not just one as you’ve stated. The new government planner COA guy stated he wanted to have even more meetings between the two committees, if you’ve read his recent proposals (but he’s now prohibited from doing so based on the initial Solicitor’s confidential assessment). And if he cannot meet with the SC now, then how effective can he be as a member of the COA? Seriously!

You may recall that the Superintendent had to recuse himself from negotiating union contracts a few years ago as his wife was (and still is a Barrington School teacher). At least the Superintendent had the sense to request guidance from the RI Board of Ethics. Will the new husband and wife team do the same? If they are as “honorable” as they portend to be, they should have already filed a request with the Ethics Commission to gain a ruling and specific guidelines if this arrangement is to continue. Specifically, I would ask the Commission if Mr. COA is allowed to have any input/vote on any SC budget, not just mere attendance at COA/SC meetings? If Mr. COA has to vote to cut the municipal vs. SC, can he avoid the appearance of impropriety? What exactly is it that he can/cannot participate in or vote on regarding SC matters?

Does this arrangement really make any sense? Is this really in the best interest of all residents and taxpayers?

I know, I know, they’ve done so much for Barrington… so many committees and so much time given, but with so few results. It reminds me of Hillary when she equated her “air time travel” with that of an amazing accomplishment. Thankfully, their full-throated support of the “nanny state” school start time measure has thus far failed miserably. How will all our “sports” parents react when their child’s team has to forfeit a game due to a late arrival (an issue East Greenwich is now grappling with their attempt at later start times). Let’s hope its hand doesn’t rise again from the grave.

And this is the type of leadership that you support? Good luck!! I’ll take the $400K saved per year and let the parents take care of their kid’s bed time. I digress.

Oh believe me, Mrs. Lauria, I’m more than aware of remarks at the FTM, the Solicitor’s “ruling” and those of the new “family arrangement” between the COA and SC. In spite of your personal fondness for these folks, can you remotely understand that, due to this situation, many in town are fed up with “business as usual” and need/desire change in governance. Balance, affordability and fairness are the hallmarks of good local government. The “new couple” is unbalanced in both their plans and goals. They are on record as being opposed to those of us who do support the schools, but not an unaffordable, unbalanced government that supports an oppressive tax plan. Have you driven on our roads lately? Maybe they can afford Rumstick Rd. taxes, but not everyone can! Moreover, we’re opposed to “phony democratic schemes” such as the one you and others tout that the FTM is the bee’s knees of democracy. Hooey!

On October 29, 1941, U.K. Prime Minister Winston Churchill in a speech to Harrow School, said, "Never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, give up.” Nor will I, Mrs. Lauria.

You are free to support your friends. I will not call your editorial about me “inflammatory”. I simply call it free speech and will defend your right to say whatever you choose, as preposterous as it may sound. I simply choose to support the best interests of ALL residents in town. I desire a government that is fair, accountable and affordable for ALL taxpayers; doctors, lawyers, teachers, business owners, laborers, retirees, home owners and renters alike.

This recent development is a disgrace and it’s a clear conflict of interest (the Solicitor even addressed it as such). Your new friend on the COA has at the least, a full-time recusal regarding school matters coming his way; at best, a diminished, blemished role. He might be great at strategic planning (although the SC already has a strategic plan), but lacks street cred where it counts; fiscal/tax policy and analysis. Sadly, the other candidates for the COA, who actually articulated viable strategies for reducing taxes while sustaining a quality education system, were all rejected for the 3 candidates whose sole goal was to control the COA and do the bidding of the SC. We are now left with a single COA member who cannot participate in 100% of all meetings and decisions. Facts are stubborn things they say and you certainly seem to embrace or acknowledge only those that support your goals. If I’ve offended you, and this is another “inflammatory opinion letter”, then I’ve done my job by exercising my first amendment rights. I encourage you to do the same.

Because you and those you support, just don’t get it.

I’ve invested more in this town than you’d ever know. And Mrs. Lauria, by the way, I’ve just begun!

From: Letter: Please stop the attacks against Mr. and Dr. Douglas

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