Welcome to TIVERTON 1st!

Tiverton 1st is a grassroots community organization open to all who support preserving our quality of life in Tiverton by maintaining both our community and school services in a fiscally-responsible way, and promoting cooperation, compromise and community pride.
Membership is open to all Tiverton residents who are at least 18 years old & support Tiverton 1st's principles & goals (non-residents or those under 18 years old are welcome to join as non-voting members). There's no membership fee.Just email your name, address, phone # and email address to: Tiverton1st@cox.net.
You can also request to become a "Tiverton 1st Friend"& join our confidential email list.

Tuesday, July 30, 2013

TIVERTON DISCUSSES WIND POWER

Council President Ed Roderick has it right in this Herald News article: the town shouldn't let this opportunity pass us by. And Portsmouth's turbine is a different situation, where the town owns and maintains it, and had a warranty that was lost when the manufacturer went out of business. 

While it remains to be seen if a deal can be worked out that will be a net-plus to Tiverton and guard against pitfalls, there is tremendous potential in wind power & other renewable energy.

http://www.heraldnews.com/newsnow/x1808721637/Wind-farm-developer-takes-case-to-Tiverton

Brian Medeiros
Tiverton, RI

Monday, July 29, 2013

TOWN COUNCIL WORKSHOP TONIGHT (JULY 29) ON WIND ENERGY

The Town Council is holding a workshop tonight (Mon. July 29) to discuss the possibilities of wind power in town. Although there are many benefits and challenges to explore in this process, it's great to see the town taking the initiative on looking at responsible ways to harness renewable energy.

http://www.heraldnews.com/news/x273442144/Tiverton-considering-wind-power

Brian Medeiros
Tiverton, RI

HERALD NEWS COVERAGE OF "CELEBRATE TIVERTON"

Great job to all who organized this event, and to all who participated. It's great to see the Tiverton community joining together to show their pride in our town.

http://www.heraldnews.com/news/x273441760/Celebrate-Tiverton-parade-gives-residents-something-to-celebrate?zc_p=1

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

CELEBRATE TIVERTON / SANDYWOODS ADVANCE TICKETS NOW ON SALE

Celebrate Tiverton is coming July 26-27-28!
Sandywoods advance ticket sale info: Available for purchase at the hall (yellow building) at Thursday's market, 4-7 pm, and at the music concerts on 7/19 & 7/20. Get 'em now!!

Friday, July 12, 2013

CELEBRATE TIVERTON IS JUST TWO WEEKS AWAY

Only two weeks to Celebrate Tiverton....lots of things going on and added daily. Make sure you check for updates:

http://www.celebratetiverton.org/

RI RANKS 49th AS BUSINESS-FRIENDLY STATE; HOW WOULD BUSINESS-KILLING TOLLS HELP?

Rhode Island is ranked 49th out of 50 states for being friendly to business. State leaders have pledged to improve that image and reputation. Now, can someone explain to us how imposing a business-killing toll on a major road, against the adamant and near-unanimous opposition of area businesses, elected officials and residents, helps the State's image as business-unfriendly?

Brian Medeiros
Tiverton, RI


http://blogs.wpri.com/2013/07/10/why-does-ri-lag-minnesota-and-mass-in-the-cnbc-rankings/

Thursday, July 11, 2013

ADDING INSULT TO INJURY


It's bad enough that we have to continue to fight a ridiculously destructive and unfair toll that no other area of the State faces. It's bad enough we were promised an open process, showed up at meetings and contacted State officials in large numbers with near-unanimous opposition to tolls and were ignored any way. It's bad enough the General Assembly overwhelmingly voted to delay tolls and then reversed course at the behest of RIDOT & RITBA, putting RITBA's financial concerns before those of the people who pay the bills. But now some who purchased transponders in good faith are having their credit cards charged more than they were told or agreed to. And RITBA is now suggesting they might go back on their decision to only charge one round-trip per day. Can't wait to see what's next...


Brian Medeiros
Tiverton, RI

LATEST TOLL OUTRAGE: TRANSPONDER OVERCHARGING

Yet another outrageous toll development. RI Turnpike & Bridge Authority has been offering a "special discount" on transponders. Under this discount, each transponder would cost $10 (and RITBA would provide a $10 credit as well). With the specter of $4.25 tolls looming, my wife & I purchased two transponders, including a $25 deposit in the account, for $45. Our receipt clearly shows the cost as $45, and authorizes RITBA to charge our credit card $45.

Today, I found that RITBA charged our credit card $70. I called RITBA, and was told the $45 price was in error, and there was nothing they could do. In addition to the frustration of what appears to be either a bait-and-switch scheme or unacceptable incompetence, I am outraged that RITBA would charge my card for more than we authorized (isn't that illegal?). The RITBA employee had no answers, and when I asked to talk to a supervisor, I was told none were available. I was told I could return the transponders for a refund, but that obviously does me no good (unless Sakonnet Tolls are eliminated next year as they should be). All who purchased transponders should immediately check your credit card account, and contact RITBA (1-877-743-9727) and demand answers for any overcharges.

The larger issues are knowing by what right RITBA charges a credit card more than authorized, and finding out how this mess could happen. Is this really the agency we want to give full authority to tax us at will to cross over OUR bridge, which we paid for and own? The media and our elected officials should investigate this and RITBA's operations. We pay the bills, and we deserve answers. And we should demand of our State officials a fair, open, efficient means of maintaining infrastructure in ALL of Rhode Island.

Brian Medeiros
Tiverton, RI

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

PROJO: RITBA CONCERNED ABOUT LOSS OF TOLL FUNDS


As this article makes clear, Sakonnet Bridge tolls are all about the financial needs & issues of RI Turnpike & Bridge Authority, and not the people of RI who paid for, own, & use the bridge. This isn't about responsible bridge maintenance; it's about RITBA exploiting an opportunity to raise as much money as they can get away with. Infrastructure needs to be fairly & responsibly funded by ALL Rhode Islanders, and be under the control of elected officials accountable to voters, not some quasi-public agency putting its own agenda before ours.

Brian Medeiros
Tiverton, RI

Sunday, July 7, 2013

JOIN THE EFFORT TO ELIMINATE SAKONNET TOLLS TODAY

The fight against Sakonnet Tolls is now entering the key stage. 10-cent tolls will begin in August. The final decision whether to expand to full tolls or eliminate tolls on the Sakonnet will be made early next year. This is a political process, and the key to success is to have as many people informed and active against tolls as possible. State leaders need to hear the broad, vehement opposition repeatedly until the tolls are eliminated, and they need to know that voters, especially in the East Bay, will hold them responsible if permanent tolls are imposed.

Voters Against Sakonnet Tolls (VAST) is a grassroots effort to inform and unite voters to act politically against tolls and those who support them. To get involved, visit Voters Against Sakonnet Tolls on Facebook, or visit the blog at: www.SakonnetTolls.blogspot.com

Brian Medeiros
Tiverton, RI

HERALD NEWS: TOLLS & POLITICAL PROCESS FURTHER HARM STATE'S REPUTATION


Our State leaders insist they're trying to improve RI's anti-business image. Someone needs to explain to them that tolls that cut parts of the state off from the rest reinforce that bad reputation. And this shameful process doesn't help, either, as this Herald News article makes clear.

Brian Medeiros
Tiverton, RI

Friday, July 5, 2013

FALL RIVER CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OPPOSES SAKONNET TOLLS

Even business interests across the border in Fall River, who stand to gain some economic advantage if Rhode Island cuts off the East Bay from Southeastern MA, are speaking out against these destructive Sakonnet Tolls. Hopefully our State leaders will realize what's obvious to just about everyone else.

Thursday, July 4, 2013

TOLLS ARE BACK - SO WHO IS BEING IRRESPONSIBLE?

Check the quote about "passing the bill on to our children" in the Herald News article (link below).

Those responsible for 38 Studios and other classic examples of bad government have the audacity to criticize those who oppose destructive tolls, selectively imposed just on the East Bay, as wanting to pass the bill on to our children? Absolutely unbelievable. Let's see what they say when tolls are introduced that negatively impact THEIR constituents every day.

Brian Medeiros
Tiverton, RI


http://www.heraldnews.com/news/x606638191/After-voting-to-delay-Sakonnet-River-Bridge-tolls-RI-legislators-reverse-course-impose-10-cent-toll#axzz2Y6fROTBp