Any changes to the FTR process would need voter approval . A charter change recommended by the Town council or the Charter review committee. We do know that some members of TI ran a campaign against the FTR and will push to amend it if given the chance. The petitioners budget is where the change is directed. Some don't think the people should have a say in the budget process. Democracy doesn't fit their agenda

Here's one of the founders complaining after the first FTR want off with no problems.
"FR Herald News editorial on the FTR is online. Does it congratulate Tiverton voters for their decision to preserve our community? Or at least offer a balanced, factual perspective? No. It reads like a TCC press release. It praises the FTR process, while stating that ‘scare tactics’ and ‘false choices’ were offered during the debate. It states as fact that ‘special interest groups stacking’ the FTM resulted in the tax cap being ‘broken’ (a phony TCC created term). It tells how Budget 1 taxed more, without any explanation of what budget 2 did or would cause. And it calls our legitimate concerns over this FTR process ‘hyperbole’ & ‘doomsday scenarios’ that didn’t happen; this is just the first time it’s been used, a little early to raise the ‘mission accomplished’ banner. Sure sounds ‘fair & balanced’, doesn’t it? Don’t know if the writer is biased or just ignorant of the facts, but just repeating TCC talking points is pretty sad journalism.

Brian Medeiros
Tiverton, RI

Mr. Sousa-For someone who claims to not be a member of the TCC and who has still not revealed whether or not you have accepted the TCC endorsement, you sure seem to be in lock step with them on every issue.

So please Joe, for the benefit of the voters, are you a member of the TCC, do you support the TCC, and have you accepted their endorsement?

Pretty straightforward questions that a candidate such as yourself should be able to answer.

Joe, please tell us how you "know" that some members of T1 will push to amend the FTR.

The people of Tiverton voted for the FTR the way it was written. The petitioners budget is there to give the Tax payers a voice in the process . If the Tax payers are not happy with the proposed budget they can offer an alternative . Many members of the former CURB and now T1 have stated they disagree with that part of the FTR process. I believe they will continue to try to change this provisions with the up coming charter review .
Gloria Crist is one of the members who would strip this right of the tax payers to offer an alternative budget from the FTR . Read her post and decide .
I hope none of the candidates try if elected to change the FTR process, since it is a true form of democracy . I support the FTR as it is and will fight to keep it intact.

I only saw that the TCC said that in the PAST they did not support the FTR, which won by a vote of 2 to 1 last Nov. - an AMAZING vote by the townspeople of Tiverton! So they are Lying in this article!

There are TCC members that are currently saying it. So, no. They are not lying.

Joe Sousa-why I bother to point this out-actually, I know why-So the readers and taxpayers/voters will know the truth. You sat right there( on the front row I might add) and listened as each of the Tiverton First candidates answered questions( quite well I might add)-you even asked questions-YOU HEARD what they all said( in fact, you took one of their answers and somehow made it your own in a previous post to this article)- NOT ONE PERSON -NOT ONE SINGLE PERSON indicated changing the FTR.NOT ONE-across the board. Some voiced concerns( concerns MANY people share) about the issue of a last minute budget coming in simply because 50 people were urged to give a signature-as well the loop hole that allows someone, say like, Dave Nelson (or others, to be fair) to override the will of the voter and add an item AFTER the budget was already approved. You even heard some of the candidates openly and respectfully- no one yelled at anyone-discuss disagreements-and yet-you just can not help yourself to lie and suck up to the TCC. No wonder you have no credibility and respect-despite the fact some people want to give you the benefit of the doubt-because "poor Joe, he just does not know any better" or "he means well." Personally, I think you are full of it-and oh so wrong for Town Council. Now your TCC buddies are taking credit for your roofing job that you go on and on about doing "on your own." Stick with them-you are in good company.

Gloria-The thing that irks most people about Joe is how he follows the TCC leadership like a lovesick puppy, but when he's asked if he is a member of, is endorsed by, or is supported by the TCC, he either makes a demeaning and disrespectful statement to that poster, or tries to change the subject.

Let's hope the voters of Tiverton see Joe for what he truly stands for and who pulls his puppet strings, as it's blatantly obvious that it's the TCC.

I always figured Joe Sousa was not the brightest bulb in the TCC box-( sadly,something they use to their advantage) and he just proved it. Again. I am not running for office-I have never stated anywhere I would strip the rights of anyone-and I have never stated I would (or could for that matter) over turn the FTR. I have no interest in going after the FTR. My interest is with community-this community-and persevering the rights, goods, services and education of everyone who lives here. The TCC is generating flat out lies-nothing new there-but now we have more people standing up against them. I am honored to recommend the Tiverton First candidates-they represent a collection of people who believe in community, in moving our town forward-with integrity,intelligence and compassion. If the TCC feels compelled to generate a bigger, better lie to fuel their agenda-it is only telling of how they continue to operate.

I believe she also said in the Newport Daily News Election 2012 Candidates video that there were people fighting to overturn the FTR.

No you just want to fix the FTR so only the budget commitee can submit a budget, It's just that sinple, Tiverton might just as well go back to the old system then, the same DO IT OUR WAY because we know best, After years of 4% and above tax increases why should we return to a broken system other than to hand it back tp special interests again?

No Mr. Lipe that is also not true.

Jims, prove it or stop spreading false information.

Welcome back, Jim. You are about as "tivertontrue" as one of your ghostwritten attack letters from Mr. Nelson.