To the editor:

Here we go again with Caron and Company (Tiverton Taxpayers Association or TTA) and their ideology. In response to Councilwoman Patricia Hilton, Jeff Caron twists words to the favor of their own self serving interests in the name of "saving the taxpayer."

For a quick review, let's start with the July 2017 election of members to the Charter Review Commission (CRC). 2,003 out of 12,415 eligible voters made their way to the polls that day. Of the 2,003 folks who cast a ballot, the highest TTA-endorsed candidate got 975 votes, although the TTA claimed all nine seats (simply put they got their base out).

To the TTA this is apparently some type of new "minority mandate." So on to Mr. Caron's first point in his letter. He attacks Ms. Hilton and the Town Council for their request to the Charter Review Commission (CRC) to eliminate the FTR remand option.

The fiscal 17 (May 2016) petitioner budget that won did not have specific line items targeted and caused the approved budget to be remanded back to the budget committee. This caused the town council and budget committee to have to sift through individual departments to find line items to transfer out. The transfer of line items is ordinarily done to cover an unexpected expenditure or underfunded account.

Ironically, the FY17 budget forced the same transfer of funds that Mr. Caron himself claims is a "mockery!" It's apparently okay, though, when the TTA does it. You can't have it both ways, Jeff.

To his second point, what is the TTA afraid of by having to obtain more signatures, when they claim to have such a large base?

And again, TTA leader Justin Katz has stated in the past they "have no problem getting more signatures.”

To his third point, Mr. Caron claims the FTR voters are being "forced to fund labor and any other contracted amounts.” I use the word "claims" because I guess taxpayers are being "forced" to do that. The school and municipal contracts in Tiverton are hardly "fat" and it's no secret that our teachers, police officers, and firefighters are among the lowest paid in the state.

The handling of contracts is also stipulated by RI Law and not a CRC. It is much deeper than a "fat contract" issue though. You see, the TTA is anti-union, anti-public schools, anti-library and would prefer you have a "pay as you use" system. Classic Tea Party.

Is this what you want folks? Strip the town of basic services and watch your property value plummet?

As to the casino revenue, the TTA would like to refund you based on property taxes paid. How exciting! I live in North Tiverton and can't wait to get my $30 check in the mail! I'll bet some TTA folks would be in for a "pay day" though.

Mr. Caron accuses the current town council of aiming for a "money grab" on the casino revenue when, in reality, the council wants to responsibly place it in restricted accounts to better the infrastructure and reduce the taxes of this own, for both now and our future.

Keep in mind you also voted overwhelmingly for the current town council to represent your interests. You alone have the duty and the right to decide if they best represent you by your own observation, not what story is being told to you.

Beware of the actions of the TTA: Its goal is to strip your voice from you, while they claim to be your voice. The Charter Review Commission is simply tasked with forwarding recommendations to the town council, not dictating how you live. To use Mr. Caron's own words, "they" (the TTA) "will lie to you and try to ram through their changes in the November general election. Get ready for those scary "save the FTR" and "control your taxes" signs! Citizen Koch ring a bell?

David J Paull

Tiverton