To the editor:

I’m a candidate for the Charter Review Commission and I respectfully ask for your vote.  I’m seeking a seat on the commission because I became very alarmed by the recent forming of the Casino-Sub Committee which might “allocate” the casino gambling money outside of the Financial Town Referendum (FTR) budget approval process.

If the charter were modified to allow for this, then taxpayers would be deprived of the ability to vote at the annual FTR to decide if the casino money should be used to reduce taxes.  Speaking for myself, I supported the casino to lower my taxes, not to create new spending “off the books. I know many others shared my sentiment.

Before the FTR, spending was out of control and nothing could stop it because government officials, especially the Town Council, improperly manipulated the process so that they could impose large tax increases on the taxpayers. 

The Tiverton tax burden is now staggering and many are being priced out of town including both senior citizens and our children who would like to call Tiverton home.  And for those not taxed out of town yet, it is that much harder to make ends meet.

Tired of the exorbitant tax increases, thankfully in 2011 voters approved the FTR and it has since worked to hold the line on unreasonable tax increases by giving all taxpayers a vote.  The FTR is saving Tiverton from a spiraling tax levy and it should not be replaced.

Please don’t vote for candidates who make false statements, spread erroneous information, or imply that you are not “community-oriented” just because you want to control your taxes.  A vote for them is a vote to diminish the FTR or, worse, replace the FTR by the Town Council (which based on the past cannot be entrusted with the ultimate budget approval authority).  If that happens, we'd better hold onto our wallets because not only will we have no means to hold the line on unaffordable tax increases, but casino monies will be spent without lowering taxes.

This Charter Review Commission comes into being at a critical juncture to control Tiverton’s future.  On Tuesday, July 18, please support Tiverton Taxpayer Association candidates who will protect the FTR with its ability to control taxes, and to ensure the casino gambling money can lower our taxes.

Donna Cook

Tiverton

The author is a member of the Tiverton Budget Committee and a candidate for the Charter Review Commission.