To the editor:

Recent letters to the editor have mentioned much ado about the possibility of losing the ability on controlling taxes in the event candidates are elected to the Tiverton Charter Review Commission that are not endorsed by the Tiverton Taxpayers Association.

Much of this ado has been mentioned in conjunction that certain candidates have a goal to eliminate the financial town referendum. There needs to be a footnote to these mentions by authors of previous letter to the editors’ statements however. Footnote *residents of Tiverton must be aware that the charter review commission makes recommendations for alterations/changes to the town charter. When any question is to be submitted, the town council shall approve the statement of the question as it shall appear on the ballot, and you the voter decides to adopt or reject the changes to the charter. The volunteers who are elected to the charter review commission do not individually or wholly have any power to make changes to the charter without citizens having their say in the process by voting at the polls.

In a LTE previously submitted we mentioned that, as fresh faces, we want to give our citizens a mouthpiece to have a voice in Tiverton. Recently our local elections have generated new faces to the school committee, town council and the budget committee but there are many who are elected to positions time and time again who have been recycled to different commissions and committees and some of those same people are running for charter review on July 18.

It is our opinion that Tiverton has been a town divided and is in need of individuals who can see the middle ground and can compromise with others to bring Tiverton together. These individuals should possess and respect open mindedness and the ability to compromise with others who have different views and ideas.

Compromise will be essential to the future of Tiverton’s success. The Charter Review Commission should consist of individuals who have the best interests of every citizen in Tiverton, not their own interests. These individuals should come to every commission meeting with an open mind and listen and communicate with others while striving to amend and improve the town charter together in a manner that benefits the town and all it’s residents.

We can start to bring Tiverton together on Tuesday, July 18. Please consider electing three fresh faces that will make every residents voice heard. We would love to hear your ideas, concerns and comments now and through the review process and we invite you to contact us at electdjpforcrc@gmail.com.

Please remember that you the voters, decide the charter revisions and amendments.

Michael C. DeCotis

Jennifer Joslyn

David Paull

Candidates for Tiverton Charter Review Commission 2017