To the editor:

The Financial Town Referendum (FTR) contains a provision that allows you, the taxpayer, the ability to file an elector petition. The provision ensures that taxpayers retain the ability to ensure that their voice is heard and not silenced by those who are not willing to listen.

I am concerned and appalled to hear that some candidates for the Charter Review Commission (CRC) want to eliminate the FTR and possibly even the Budget Committee altogether. This is a dangerous proposition because it directly attacks your right to file a sensible elector petition, restricting your ability to control how your hard-earned tax dollars are allocated and spent.

We need to elect individuals to the CRC who are willing to protect your right to be heard and who ultimately support the current elector petition provision of the FTR. We also would be wise to hold those individuals accountable who wish to cut the taxpayers of Tiverton out of the equation to “streamline” the process by ignoring accountability through proper checks and balances.

If elected to the Charter Review Commission I will fight for your right to be heard by challenging the attempts of those who wish to harm your ability to keep your taxes low and under control. Protect your right to an elector petition, protect your taxes, and protect our beautiful town of Tiverton.

Justin La Croix

Tiverton