Early Voting now through November 2

General Election Day: Tuesday November 3

Polling Place and sample ballot at vote.ri.gov

Greetings Portsmouth Voters!

This November’s Town Council election will shape issues that matter deeply to Portsmouth residents.

• Will the town remain affordable?
• Will our town retain a meaningful voice in decisions about growth and zoning?
• Will we continue to have options for trash disposal?
• Will we continue to have options for home energy, like natural gas?
• Will flock cameras invade our streets?

Each resident should have a real concern about our local property tax burden. If Democrats take control of Town Council, Portsmouth residents should prepare for significant property tax increases. Between growth in school and town budgets, and the major school bond on the ballot, our town faces significant financial pressure. Will the Town Council balance the books on the backs of property owners, potentially pushing past the state mandated tax cap of 4%? That would squeeze out long-time residents and seniors on fixed incomes, many who have contributed their time and talent to this town. It would make it difficult for young families to find a home here. In my experience, that is what the Democrat Town Councils have done in the past.

Another concern is the issue of local zoning and home rule. Portsmouth is currently engaged in a critical legal complaint in Rhode Island Superior Court, defending our local zoning authority against state-mandated overreach that threatens to strip municipalities of their planning powers. Democrats have already stated their opposition to this legal challenge. A Democrat led Town Council would easily withdraw this lawsuit, effectively conceding our town’s right to determine its own density, development, and community character. If that happens, decisions about Portsmouth neighborhoods will be dictated by state bureaucrats rather than the people who live here.

Voting responsibly includes looking carefully at the important issues facing our town and finding candidates who understand that our tax dollars came from hard working citizens, and that local zoning is the foundation of our community’s future.

On Election Day, vote for candidates who have a proven record of holding the line on taxes, reining in spending, and defending Portsmouth’s legal right to govern itself.

Vote for these 4:

Dave Gleason, Keith Hamilton, Sharlene Patton, Dave Reise