ELECTION DAY IS HERE--MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD

Election Day is here. It's your chance to make your voice heard, and do your part to support our community. Elections tend to be about voting for the lesser of two evils, voting AGAINST something. And as we've shown, there are many reasons to be wary of the candidates running as the "Clean Up Tiverton Cavalry". But our Tiverton 1st-recommended candidates give us all something to vote FOR. They come from different backgrounds and views, but share a belief in working cooperatively to better Tiverton. That's why the Newport Daily News endirsed six of our seven Town Council candidtaes. Vote FOR the Tiverton 1st slate, vote FOR moving our community forward, vote FOR a better Tiverton for all.
TIVERTON 1st - TIVERTON PROUD!

Brian Medeiros

Tiverton, RI

STATEMENT FROM COUNCILOR BILL GERLACH

On the heels of tomorrow’s election, I wanted to take a moment to thank all those who have supported me over the past two years while on the Town Council. It has been a tremendous honor and privilege to serve all those who call Tiverton home through thick and thin.

Not running for re-election affords me a certain license to also to share my perspective on what has become the bi-annual ritual of political theater perpetrated by a small minority of citizens hell bent on an agenda that only aims to confuse, misdirect, and misinform Tiverton voters.

In reality, this playbook is not unlike the playbook being played out in so many small towns across America. And I think if we were to look hard enough and long enough, you would eventual piece together a trail that makes it way back to the extreme ideologies and special interest dollars of those regional and national groups that grace our media stories all too often this time of year.

The mantra of “clean up Tiverton” is comical really. With the collaboration and hard work of my Council colleagues I would dare say that we did quite a bit of cleaning up over these past two years ourselves: We dealt with long-standing personnel issues that we inherited, allowing for new administrative leadership to turn a new chapter in day-to-day town affairs; We worked diligently to put forth budgets that balanced the needs and wants of all, capstoned by this year’s budget which had the lowest proposed tax increase in years (under two percent); We put in place new safeguards to protect Stafford Pond, our town’s only public source of drinking water; We took steps to invest in our valuable – and critically fragile – coastline by purchasing the Seaside gas station through grant money (read: at no cost to tax payers); And we began to make considerable headway in remedying a variety of other issues, from human resource management to critical business licensing matters to the overall accessibility of town government.

All that said, a town’s work is never done. And that is why it’s very important to elect a Council and Budget Committee that will continue that work in a fashion that is honest, trustworthy, and transparent. Beyond the individual skills and experience that folks may bring to the table, what’s of even greater value is their willingness and ability to engage in meaningful debate and dialogue, take the time to really understand the people and issues at hand, and always put aside personal egos and agendas for the greater good of the Town and all those who live, work and visit here.

Again, thank you for the opportunity to have served you these past two years. Looking forward, I hope you will find your own way to serve and give back – as our community is only as strong and vibrant as those willing to give of their time and talents to help others in their own special way.

Bill Gerlach
Tiverton Town Councilor

PHOTO ID REQUIRED TO VOTE, BUT VOTERS CAN CAST A PROVISIONAL BALLOT WITHOUT IT

A reminder that you now need a photo ID to vote. However, by State law, if you forget your ID or don't have one, you can still cast a provisional ballot, which won't be counted until your signature is compared to that on your voter-registration card.

"CLEAN UP TIVERTON CAVALRY": POLITICS OVER REALITY

As if to reinforce that "Clean Up Tiverton Cavalry" are determined to bring Tiverton down to new lows, they've put out a detached-from-reality robocall. There isn't one fact, or attempt at a fact, in this call, since the facts work against them. It's just childish whining and yet another false charge: that T1 somehow is trying to hide our candidates' records. Anyone paying attention knows that's the opposite of the truth. Unlike CUT, our candidates aren't hiding their history, nor are we. 

A town need to be able to have political disagreement in an honest, civil way, and this small group repeatedly takes the low road because they know they can't win an honest debate; facts are stubborn things. This is just one more pathetically desperate and dishonest tactic from the "CUT Cavalry" and their self-styled "General", Justin Katz. 

All who care about our community should make every effort to see that our family & friends know the facts, bring their T1 cards to the polls, and get out to vote for our common good tomorrow, so we don't spend the next two years dealing with these tactics.

Update: Apparently there's another equally reality-challenged CUT Cavalry robocall polluting Tiverton. Tell your family & friends: vote the Tiverton 1st slate tomorrow, and vote against annoying robocalls!

Brian Medeiros
Tiverton, RI

ONE MORE DAY TO HELP GET OUT THE VOTE

We're down to the final full day before Election Day. Past elections have shown that if voters are informed and get out to vote, pro-community candidates do very well. We can make this happen by each taking responsibility to not only vote ourselves, but to contact every friend, family member and neighbor and encourage him/her to get out to vote, and to vote for the Tiverton 1st slate of candidates. Spread the word, and forward and link Tiverton 1st information and posts. If we each do our small part, it will add up to a positive outcome for our town on Tuesday.

Brian Medeiros
Tiverton, RI

A STATEMENT FROM DENISE DEMEDEIROS, CANDIDATE FOR TOWN COUNCIL

I'd like to start off by thanking the citizens of Tiverton for allowing me to serve the town for 10 years in a public office. The last 2 as a town council member.  In the last 2 years I have gained value experience and would like to use this experience to continue to move Tiverton forward.  

As a council we have had some difficult decisions to make and it has not always been easy.  I do fell that every decision has been made in the best interest of the town.  Sometimes on the outside looking in it may be difficult to always understand the decision and we have been criticized for some of them recently.   Every decision I have made has been has been well thought out.  As far as the decisions made surrounding the town administrator and maintenance director I am confident that these decisions were in the best interest of Tiverton with the less negative impact as possible. 

With that said one of my goals this next term is to work well with everyone in town which has always been a goal for me.  The key word is respect.  We have to respect people who have different opinions then we do without taking it personally.  Name calling and misrepresenting facts is not the answer.  It causes a divide in the community and it is difficult to move on and get anything done.  At the end of the day Tiverton needs to move forward not backwards.  If all this energy was used to compromise and find solutions Tiverton would be better for it. 

The most important issue facing our community at this time is the tax rate. Fiscal responsible budgeting and increasing the tax base are two of the solutions. Endless hours were spent this year going thru every item  of the budget trying to find cuts we could make but still continue services.  I think this council did a diligent job and I will continue the same process if elected.  

As we all know we need economic development in town to help relieve the tax burden. Listening to all involved and trying to find the right fit for the commercial areas in town taking into consideration the opinions of the surrounding neighborhoods is important.  I think compromise is important not only for the community but for the prospective developers.  It can be done with a lot of hard work and some creative thinking.  We have to work on trying to decrease the impact on the community as much as possible and maintain the quality of life we all enjoy!

Denise deMedeiros

Candidate for Tiverton Town Council

THE TRUTH ABOUT THE "CLEAN UP TIVERTON CAVALRY" & THEIR PHONY ACCUSATIONS

There is a slate of local candidates running as "Clean Up Tiverton Cavalry" (seriously, that's their name as filed with the State), spinning dark tales of our town and our elected officials. But the facts show that what's really in need of being "cleaned up" is the record of this "cavalry", and their continued difficulty with facts.

Many are the remnants of the political group TCC, which disbanded after most of their candidates were rejected by voters in 2012. They've returned again, with a new name but the same strategy: phony attacks and misinformation. They offer nothing positive or uniting. Their only rationale for election is their wild claim that Tiverton is in terrible shape and getting worse. Calling themselves the "Chicken Little Cavalry" would have been more accurate. But the facts show that the sky isn't falling...and their history shows how much worse they would make things.

Two years ago, some of these same candidates attempted to get elected by fabricating a conspiracy theory that Tiverton 1st candidates were planning to bring back the Financial Town Meeting, despite the fact that not one candidate had ever mentioned the issue. As the past two years have proven, it was a completely phony issue. Now, they're at it again, spreading outlandish accusations to get elected. They offer no proof of their bizarre accusations because they're simply, provably not true, but they apparently hope voters won't know that. 

CUT Cavalry claim the Town Council should have tried to deny pensions to a long-time employee accused of misdeeds, and the Town Administrator accused of mishandling the situation. Only candidates with no concern beyond their own election would exploit this situation. The simple facts are this: this Council inherited these employees and this situation. When the charge became known, they turned the investigation over to the State Police, who found insufficient cause to file charges. In light of this, the Council acted promptly and according to the law to resolve the situation. To suggest that the Town should have tried to deny these pensions is irresponsible and in defiance of law and reality, and to have done so would have resulted in lawsuits that would have dragged on, cost taxpayers, and which the Town would certainly have lost. This was the view of all involved, including Councilor and now "CUT Calvary" candidate Joan Chabot, who both voted to approve the agreement with the employee, and made a strong statement explaining the wisdom of this action, and the futility of trying to revoke his pension (see the 40:43 mark of the Feb. 10, 2014 Town Council meeting online to view Ms. Chabot's comments). So when CUT Calvary accuses Councilors of "cushy deals" and a "slap on the wrist", they are also making these scurrilous charges against a member of their own team. And Ms. Chabot has allowed her name to be on campaign materials that are accusing her of malfeasance. Are these the people who should be determining Tiverton's future?

Only candidates with nothing to offer voters would attempt to make a negative out of the Town Council lining up grants to acquire an eyesore gas-station attached to Grinnell's Beach, at zero cost to taxpayers, to improve that important public area for the use of all. How often does such an opportunity like this to improve town facilities come along, at no cost? Isn't finding ways to better Tiverton without the need for taxpayer funds something that should be applauded, not badmouthed?

So, what exactly does this "cavalry" propose to "clean up"? Let's look at some basic facts about our town. This year's tax-increase required to maintain services was historically-low, due to the three elected bodies working cooperatively, instead of suing each other as the previous TCC-led Council did. Our schools are high-performing, despite having the lowest-paid teachers in the State. Employee contracts have been made more affordable, without ongoing labor strife. The acrimony and frivolous lawsuits that marked the TCC control of the Town Council have been replaced by cooperation and a positive view of our community.  There are still problems to address, as with any town, and our elected officials continue to work to move the town forward. This is why the Newport Daily News has endorsed six of the seven Town Council candidates on the slate endorsed by Tiverton 1st and the Tiverton Democratic Town Committee. CUT Cavalry could best spend their time cleaning up their own act before attacking others.

What would CUT Cavalry do? These candidates offer nothing but vague, simplistic talking points. But their history is clear: they will work on their personal issues, creating animosity and turmoil, resulting in lawsuits and reversing the progress the town has made. Meanwhile, several of these candidates are still part of a years-long lawsuit against Tiverton that has cost us all $25,000 in legal fees. They are seeking money, and to take away some tax and budget authority the Charter gives to voters and give it to the Town Council. And most were part of TCC efforts to decimate school funding and eliminate funds for community groups like Visiting Nurses.

The slate of candidates endorsed by both Tiverton 1st and the TDTC represent a broad spectrum of backgrounds and views. But they share a commitment to working cooperatively to improve our community, not to push personal or political causes, and they have proven records of working to improve Tiverton. The Sakonnet Toll victory showed what people of good will can accomplish when they work together for the common good. That is clearly not the intent of the "Clean Up Tiverton Cavalry". 

Brian Medeiros
Tiverton, RI