COMMUNITY FIRST SHINES THROUGH

While I am aware there will be arguments made about the vote - and no doubt the blogs have been on fire with assumptions and personal attacks - it should be noted that through the vortex of letters, slick, expensive postcards and numerous robocalls, an element of community spirit was not lost.  In truth, I'd like to believe for some Tiverton residents, this particular vote allowed some of us to regain a sense of community.  I am one of those residents.


Stepping in-or more importantly, stepping up allowed me to take a vested interest in the core centerpiece of last weeks historical vote. Community. While I can agree on some components of the FTR-I am still holding out for someone to take a closer look at the dangers the FTR allows for a small town such as Tiverton. I've read others are "looking at Tiverton's FTR as a model".  I would hope those interested in the FTR also look at the flip side of a plan that has many loop holes.


It was not good enough for me to just complain anymore-I made a choice to learn more-about both budgets.  I made a point to observe, ask questions and get involved.Yes, I am a parent.  Yes, I value the impact a public school system can have on a community. Yes, I believe the essense of community serves us all. No, I was not willing to sit back and let an elistist political action group take away the rights of others-simply to fit their own agenda.  I have problems with a group who defies spending-yet had no issues with spending thousands on numerous mailings and way too many robo calls. For the record, and for the third time:  Please, please, please remove me from the TCC lists.  I don't want 5 more phone calls.  I can do without four postcards spouting propaganda.


Those who oppose the Budget Committee victory will argue it won only by a small number. In the vote for democracy and what is good for the greater of a community, there are no small numbers-just as in the world of theater there are no small parts.  This budget won because people-grassroots in nature and full of heart stepped up to declare our community must come first. Period.


Our town has problems.  We have gotten off track of what it means to thrive.  To celebrate. To give back.  There is a need for cultural and economic development-positive economic growth. Yet, as proven, we have not lost
our sense of what it means to come together for the greater good.  I challenge the members of the TCC to pause for a just a minute and participate in community.  Care about more than just what is good for you.

Look at the many, and I do mean many people-who come together to make a difference.  On the field, in the small business, in the classroom, in the library, in the park, on an emergency call, at the checkout.  We live here.
We care deeply what happens here.  I am a Tiverton resident who is willing to step it up and contribute.  Are you?


Gloria Crist 

Tiverton, RI

HERALD NEWS FTR EDITORIAL: SERIOUSLY?

FR Herald News editorial on the FTR is online. Does it congratulate Tiverton voters for their decision to preserve our community? Or at least offer a balanced, factual perspective? No. It reads like a TCC press release. It praises the FTR process, while stating that "scare tactics" and "false choices" were offered during the debate. It states as fact that "special interest groups stacking" the FTM resulted in the tax cap being "broken" (a phony TCC created term). It tells how Budget 1 taxed more, without any explanation of what budget 2 did or would cause. And it calls our legitimate concerns over this FTR process "hyperbole" & "doomsday scenarios" that didn't happen; this is just the first time it's been used, a little early to raise the "mission accomplished" banner. Sure sounds "fair & balanced", doesn't it? Don't know if the writer is biased or just ignorant of the facts, but just repeating TCC talking points is pretty sad journalism.

Brian Medeiros

Tiverton, RI

BUDGET 1 (BUDGET CMTE) APPROVED BY 165 VOTES

THANK YOU to all of you who played a part in tonight's successful result.  It was great to see so many people of different views on many things find a common purpose & work so hard for it. It's more than we hoped for two years ago when CURB began. We overcame thousands of dollars in robocalls & mailers, with nothing more than the facts & grassroots energy. I will never forget this night. And while I understand the strong emotions after all we've been thru in this fight, I would just ask everyone to celebrate with class, unlike what was done to us in Nov. The November elections are coming quickly, and the battle to maintain tonight's hard-earned victory by electing a community-friendly Town Council is the next challenge. Thanks for what you've accomplished on behalf of our kids & our Tiverton community! You are awesome!


Thank you to all who got involved and made a difference. It was close, and every call, email & conversation was needed to make this happen. Tonight's a great demonstration of what people can do when they pull together for their community, with no funds but lots of grassroots energy & passion. And while we will enjoy this hard-fought result, it's just one battle in an ongoing struggle. It's not time for gloating, but to continue working together for the good of everyone in town, and look to find some common ground with those who voted differently tonight.
Congratulations to all who got out and voted today, on both sides.


Brian Medeiros
Tiverton, RI


FTR VOTING RESULTS


BUDGET 1 (BUDGET CMTE): 1492
BUDGET 2 (PETITIONER) 1327


RESOLUTION 1
ACCEPT 2388
REJECT 330


RESOLUTION 2
ACCEPT 2309
REJECT398


RESOLUTION 3
ACCEPT 2299
REJECT 365


RESOLUTION 4
ACCEPT 1649
REJECT 1028


RESOLUTION 5
ACCEPT 2032
REJECT 726

TIME TO VOTE. TAKE 10 MINUTES TO APPROVE BUDGET 1, SAVE OUR SCHOOLS & COMMUNITY

It's time to get out the vote. Just ten minutes today will preserve our schools & our town's financial health. APPROVE BUDGET 1 (BUDGET CMTE), APPROVE Resolutions 1-4, REJECT Resolution 5.

If Budget 2 (Nelson/TCC Budget) wins today, we'll wake up in a very different Tiverton tomorrow. It will force the cruel choice of either closing a school or eliminating extracurricular activities on the School Committee. And our General Fund will be under the legal minimum, setting us up for financial crisis after crisis. 

A short, easy way to explain today's choice to a potential voter: BOTH budgets raise taxes a small amount. Option 1 maintains current school & town services, while Option 2 cuts $600K from the schools & raids the General Fund, while saving the taxpayer only $1.39/week.

Brian Medeiros

Tiverton, RI

FTR TUESDAY: TAKE 10 MINUTES, APPROVE BUDGET 1 (BUDGET CMTE), SAVE TIVERTON'S SCHOOLS & TOWN FINANCES

Thanks again to everyone for all you're doing to bring about a positive result tomorrow. The simple question voters need to consider is this: is closing a school or eliminating extracurriculars, and lowering the town's General Fund below the legal limit, worth $1.39 (at best) in weekly tax savings? Does it make any sense to invest in a new library & then vote to close a new school? Remind everyone that if they will just take 10 minutes to go to the polls to vote tomorrow, we can avoid the destructive process of dismantling our school dept, and destroying our town's financial health.

VOTE to APPROVE Budget 1 (Budget Cmte), APPROVE resolutions 1-4, & REJECT resolution 5.

Brian Medeiros

Tiverton, RI

 

ONE MORE DAY...

One more day to call, email, Facebook, & talk in person to as many people as possible about the awful consequences of Budget # 2 (Nelson/TCC Budget), and the need to APPROVE Budget # 1 (Budget Cmte budget), APPROVE Resolutions 1-4, and REJECT Resolution #5. Every vote counts, so keep up the fight.


Brian Medeiros
Tiverton, RI

SCHOOL BUDGET FACTS

On May 15 Tiverton voters will head to the polls to decide on next year’s school and municipal budgets. Voters should know that the Tiverton School Department and the Tiverton Budget Committee worked together meeting on four separate occasions over a four-month period to reach a consensus on a school budget that is responsible and fair to both students and taxpayers. The Budget Committee’s proposed school budget will appear as part of Option 1 on the Financial Town Referendum (FTR) ballot and it has been endorsed by a unanimous vote of the School Committee. The Budget Committee’s proposed budget would increase the tax levy by 2.6 percent. There is also an Alternate Budget that will appear on the ballot. This proposal provides an increase of $419,000 in municipal spending over the Budget Committee’s recommended budget. The Alternate Budget would also reduce the School Department’s appropriation by $587,000.

The Alternate Budget does not provide enough funding for the School Department to cover its special education and retirement costs, which are mandated by state and federal laws. In an effort to make up the shortfall in funding, the School Committee would be forced to consider two options, both of which would have a negative impact on the children who attend school in Tiverton. Residents need to keep in mind that $400,000 out of the $610,000 which the Town recently returned to the School Department will be used to replace the 47-year old wastewater treatment facility which services the high school, middle school & Ranger School. This would leave a balance of $210,000. Assuming the School Committee decided to use its entire remaining surplus, it would still leave an approximate deficit of $360,000.

In order to make up the difference and remain in compliance with the RI Department of Education’s Basic Education Plan, the School Committee has only two options. The first option would be to eliminate every extracurricular activity in the district. This would include all athletic programs, Mock Trial, Drama Club, Class Advisors, etc. Two teachers would also need to be eliminated. (This would be in addition to the 4.1 teaching positions already eliminated as part of the School Department’s budget that has been approved by the School Committee and Budget Committee.) 

The second option would be to close one of the School Department’s three elementary schools. This option would entail students in grades K-4 being housed in the two remaining elementary schools. If this option was chosen, in addition to displacing approximately 250 students it would also decrease the amount of revenue the Town would receive from the state in the form of housing reimbursement by approximately $250,000.

Some residents will say that it is an attempt by the School Committee to scare voters into voting for the Budget Committee’s Budget (Option 1). This is not the case. I and four members of the School Committee have school-age children or grandchildren. We understand the impact that these proposed cuts would have on the children who attend school in Tiverton. The School Committee would never consider these choices if there were other viable options. Unfortunately, if the Alternate Budget (Option 2) is passed, the School Committee will be forced to consider one of the two options outlined above.

The residents in town have always been supportive of the School Department.  This is evidenced by the fact that within the past 10 years they have approved referendums to renovate portions of the high school as well to construct three new elementary schools. I believe residents approved these referendums not only because they knew the work was necessary, but also because they had trust that the School Department would spend the funds wisely. I ask residents to continue their support of the Tiverton School Department and the children we serve by voting on May 15, 2012. I encourage residents to support the Budget Committee’s Budget Proposal (Option 1) that appears on the FTR Ballot.

William Rearick
Superintendent of Tiverton Schools