WHAT HAPPENED TO DEMOCRACY IN TIVERTON?

In Tiverton, the people set the Town’s budget and taxes, not the Council. It says so in our Charter – our Constitution. The people decide whether or not to change the Charter.

Three times Charter amendments to get rid of the Financial Town Meeting and give power to the Council have appeared on an election ballot and all have been rejected – one as recently as 2008. Three times voters have spoken loud and clear to keep power over the budget with the people, not the Town Council.

Despite this, Tiverton’s new Town Council is proposing an ordinance that would take power over the budget away from the people and give it to themselves. It’s one thing for the people to give power to the Council by changing the Charter. It’s another thing entirely for the Council to take it by passing an ordinance.

Since when can legislation change the Constitution? Since when can Tiverton’s Town Council pass a law that changes our Charter? Since when can the Council take rights away from the people?

The people of Tiverton have the right to decide if they want to limit their tax increase to 3% or 2% or even 0% - not the Council. I may not like the Financial Town Meeting but I respect the process. I may not agree with the outcome of every FTM but I respect the decision of the majority. Proponents of this ordinance do not. What happened to democracy in Tiverton?

I am one member of Tiverton’s Budget Committee stating my own opinion in this letter. If you have an opinion on this ordinance be at the Public Hearing scheduled for February 28th at Town Hall.

Laura Epke
Tiverton, RI