My fellow Bristolians, a quote most often attributed to one of our nation’s Founding Fathers, Thomas Jefferson, “That government is best which governs least,” is worthy of further review.

National Grid, the state’s electricity supplier, has approximately 477,000 customers. But, as we’ve all experienced here in Bristol, supply “Blackouts,” are becoming much more common. The cause of this and what can be done, is essential to public health and safety.

When elected to Bristol’s Town Council, I will establish a collaborative effort by the Office of Energy Resources, the Public Utilities Commission and National Grid, to undertake a tree-trimming program, identifying “at risk” trees along our major electrical supply lines. A tree-trimming program will result in eliminating this cause in the loss of electrical power, as a consequence of weather events.

This is an example where employing “governing least,” results in a beneficial, minimal loss of electricity.

Patrick “Pat” McCarthy

Mr. McCarthy is a Republican running for Bristol Town Council.