To the editor:

I spoke last night ( 2/11/19) at the Town Council meeting in regards to the Tiverton Library Board appointment. Despite the many times I practiced in front of my daughter (often stammering and teary eyed) I was still nervous and scared. However, I felt the issues at stake were more important than my fears.

Despite my and many other people’s efforts, Tiverton missed out on a very qualified candidate, Amanda Cody, who had an impressive resume with skills and experience that would have benefited the library. Ms. Cody was passed over and Mr. Rom was voted in by the majority of the Town Council.

It didn’t matter that the library board supported Ms. Cody and had marked concerns about Mr. Rom.

It didn’t matter that the library board had some concerns regarding their interview with Mr. Rom as well as some library incident reports about him.

It didn’t matter that Ms. Cody is a frequent visitor of the library and Mr. Rom reported “I have not spent much time in the library.”

It didn’t matter that Ms. Cody is a supporter of the library and Mr. Rom, in his interview with the library board, “objected to his personal taxes being spent on the ibrary.”

It didn’t matter that citizens were concerned when Mr. Rom indicated an obstructive view in his Town Council interview — “It’s not going to be easy for them [the library board] to get stuff through”.

It didn’t matter that citizens had concerns about Mr. Rom indicating an antagonistic approach in his council interview, “ like confrontation” and “confrontation gets things moving.”

It didn’t matter that Ms. Cody had grant writing experience that could save the library and the town money and Mr. Rom did not.

It didn’t matter that 26 people sent in letters in support for Ms. Cody and no letters were submitted in favor of Mr. Rom.

It didn’t matter that, during the public forum last night, people spoke up for appointing Ms. Cody and none supported Mr. Rom.

It didn’t matter what we said or did that night. The majority of the town council had already planned to put in their fellow TTA member in the position.

But here’s the thing — just because the current majority of the council disregarded our views and our voices, doesn’t mean we don’t matter.

Our voice does matter and so does our vote.

Please keep an eye on this Council.

You can view the Town Council meetings on YouTube, just type “All Tiverton Town Council meetings”.

Please view the 1/28/19 town council meeting to see the initial interviews and decide for yourself.

Open forum starts at 9:00 with the library boards recommendations
Interviews for the library board start at 48:34

With concern,

Maureen Umehara

Tiverton