The Newport Daily News today endorsed six of our seven Tiverton 1st-recommended candidates for Town Council:
"Every election cycle, it seems, questions about the future of Tiverton’s industrial park and whether large-scale development is appropriate for the town loom large during the campaign.
The town is poised to make some progress on the industrial park, following a visit this summer by Gov. Lincoln D. Chafee and economic development officials, including the managing director of the Quonset Development Corp. that is overseeing development of the 3,207-acre Quonset business park in North Kingstown. And a decision will be coming on whether a large parcel of land off Souza Road should be rezoned to allow mixed-use development.
To ensure the momentum continues and the right decisions are made for the town’s future, we feel the incumbents seeking reelection and two challengers — who actually are not newcomers to town politics — represent the right mix for the Town Council. With two council members not seeking re-election, we’ll start with the challengers.
David Perry has served on the town’s Budget Committee since 1998, the past two years as chairman. His knowledge of the town’s budgeting process would be valuable on the council, and he promises to keep an eye on contract negotiations as part of his goal to keep tax increases to a minimum while still providing quality services.
Mike Burk also is no stranger to elected office in Tiverton, having served on the School Committee for three terms and as the moderator for the financial town meeting — the precursor to the financial town referendum — for three years. He articulates a strong vision for the town’s future, growing the local economy, implementing smart budgets and ensuring quality of services at a reasonable cost to taxpayers.
The five council incumbents have weathered a few storms this past term, and we think they are well-suited to work together in the next term.
James Arruda is finishing his first term on the council. His is a quiet, thoughtful approach to issues, even those that are most divisive in town. He recognizes the need to diversify the town’s tax base but still maintain the town’s character, and sees positive potential in the industrial park, Souza Road property and the former Seaside gas station property, which the town now owns.
Joan Chabot is seeking her third term on the council, and her focus will be to support “sensible” business development to offset a tax increase expected from the bonds for the new library. She, too, has a measured approach to issues including development and working in concert with the state and other entities to accomplish goals the town has been unable to on its own.
Denise deMedeiros served on the School Committee for four terms before being elected to the council in 2012. Her experience on both sides of the aisle is valuable, particularly during the budgeting and negotiating processes. Despite it being her first term on the council, she has taken on a visible role as its vice president, including on the industrial park issue.
Jay Lambert has been on the council since 2008, and we have seen his role evolve over the years from one of naysayer to one of mediator. He understands the political process, recognizes the need for the right kinds of development and, just as importantly, the need to change the perception that the town is opposed to commercial development.
Brett Pelletier is another incumbent whom we have watched mature in his role since first being elected to the council in 2010. His background as a real estate analyst, along with his service on or as liaison to a number of boards and commissions, makes his a valuable voice, particularly in the areas of development."
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