To the editor

It’s nice to see a large group of Tiverton citizens willing to work for a year to improve our charter however it appears from the outset there is a struggle for power going on.

I’m not too bright, as my wife frequently reminds me, but I would like to offer a simple solution to avoid animosity between the candidates. The major sticking point pertains to an alternative budget, which we didn’t have this year. There will be arguments over the number of signatures required to submit an alternative budget and other nit-picking points.

The old financial town meeting had some serious draw-backs such as poor, intimidating, rowdy behavior but we always had choices. The Budget Committee would make its recommendations, each department could offer their budgets, and the public was also allowed to make requests.

I suggest to the successful charter review candidates that the Budget Committee recommend a line item for the School Department and a line item for the municipal budget and that the alternative budget to each line always be those of the School Committee and Town Council. Additionally, other alternatives would be allowed as determined by the charter.

This is in the best interest of democracy and fair without continuous bickering. Please give the people a sensible choice.

Paul B. Northrup

Tiverton