Call me cynical, but whenever I read about all the wonderful benefits of replacing Tiverton’s financial town meeting with the proposed referendum, I am reminded of those ads for wonder drugs I see on television every night.
The proposed referendum, we are assured, will cure Tiverton of its uncomfortable, hours-long financial town meeting and relieve voters of the burdensome ordeal of having to listen to public debate and clarifications before casting votes, leaving us all free instead to walk through fields of tall grass picking daisies on a sunny May morning.
What I am still waiting to hear is the equivalent of those warnings spoken quickly in hushed tones at the end of the television ad. You know the ones: “Use of this drug may result in sudden death, paralysis, etc.” If held to the same truth-in- advertising standard, the referendum’s supporters would have to disclose that adoption of this referendum proposal may result in the Town Council’s veto of taxpayer-approved budgets, passage of illegal budget proposals and/or budget proposals opposed by a majority of voters.
If, after considering any of the unadvertised “side effects,” you experience a sudden rise in blood pressure lasting more than four hours, I suggest you see the town councilors who voted to approve this “miracle cure” referendum immediately.
Harris Gruber
Tiverton, RI
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