The Tiverton Town Financial Referendum Needs a Re-Write

Dear Members of the Tiverton Town Council and School Committee,

It has come to my attention that some folks are not happy with your Financial Town Referendum process.  Normally, I leave local issues alone but this one is about voting.  After a quick review, the FTR process seems to be deficient in many significant areas.  To wit:

1. No "write-in" or simple “reject” option if only one proposal comes forward
2. No way to handle a tie after the initial runoff
3. "Competing Resolution section" shows no knowledge of ballot mechanics
4. If a supporting section does fail, there's no way to rectify. In this case, you could have an overall expenditure and levy with no line items.

Recently, Mr. Caron and Ms. Driggs have taken to the media in what can best be described as a diversion attempt.  I understand that in the course of politics, people will engage in hyperbole.  I get offended when such people feel for some reason their condescending answers will not be fully explored.

To describe what should happen next, let us take these items in reverse order.  Items 2,3, and 4 can easily be rectified by cleaning up the existing sloppy language and replacing it with something much more conducive to good government.  A couple of APRA requests should lead us to where the current authors went wrong.  Then, new language can be crafted and given to Tiverton voters.  If that group of people wishes to bring those ideas forward, so be it.

The problem with that process is it is not very exciting.  Quite frankly, it is rather wonky and does not provide us with much opportunity for swag and/or entertainment.  That gets us back to Item 1.

Yes, it is clear the voters of Tiverton wish to replace the Financial Town Meeting.  It is also clear they should not have left the task up to the TCC.  As I have previously communicated, members of the TCC allegedly violated state ethics law, made a mess out of the anti-toll process, and have now sadly disfigured the Town Charter.

Since the issue revolves around voting rights, it is easy to get folks from around the state interested in this issue via social media.

A few of my friends and I have put up $200 each.  Whoever comes up with the case law, the statute, or the Federal Voting Rights Rule that strikes down the FTR will collect the cash.  If you would like to play, let me know and I will send the appropriate paperwork which you will send back with $200.  Please do not worry about illegal gambling possibilities since we have engaged in some trickeration.

We do understand that this will force Tiverton to start over again.  However, that is the price for this level of entertainment.  Perhaps Tiverton will think twice the next time it decides to leave such an important task up to the TCC or any other Tea Party organization.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

Robert T. Oliveira

401-924-3563