SAKONNET TIMES EDITORIAL: "TOWN CAN DO BETTER THAN THIS UNTESTED FTR"

Tiverton's Special Election is this Tuesday (Nov. 8). It's crucial to spread the word to as many Tiverton voters as possible about Tuesday's election, & the many good reasons to approve question 1 (the new library) & reject question 2 (the FTR). TCC has raised over $8000 to fool voters that this FTR is a well-thought-out system, or will magically control taxes. We're counting on word of mouth, grassroots efforts, getting the facts out in the media & online, and of course having those who share our view show up at the polls on Tuesday.

The latest TCC postcard started arriving in mailboxes today. It drops all pretenses that the FTR is a good system, will increase turnout, will make things easier, etc. The only messages are that the FTR will "control taxes", and that there are shadowy unnamed "insiders" who are conspiring to stop the FTR (never mind that with a TCC-led Town Council, THEY are the insiders). Apparently this conspiracy now includes the Sakonnet Times, the School Committee, the long-time Budget Committee Chairman, half of the original FTR committee, and the State of RI, who dared remove illegally placed FTR yardsigns from state-owned land. It's the same old fear and smear tactics we've had to endure before, backed by all the tactics $8000 can buy.

For anyone looking for an unbiased analysis of why the FTR should be rejected for the good of Tiverton, or to persuade someone on the fence, read the editorial in this week's Sakonnet Times. It's well-thought-out review of this important question, concluding that "the town can do better than this untested FTR with its scattershot budget barrage." Please read the full editorial in this week's paper, or view it online at www.eastbayri.com (under "Opinion / Editorials"). And encourage everyone who may vote on Tuesday to do the same. Unlike TCC, we're not afraid of voters who have all the facts making up their own minds.

Brian Medeiros
Tiverton, RI