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