Tom Gentz: Respect for Charlestown Staff

The following letter appeared in local newspapers and is reprinted here with permission of the author Tom Gentz. Mr. Gentz is a past President of the Charlestown Town Council.

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I strongly object to Councilor Carney’s creation of a parallel budget committee to draft a fund balance policy. Her action demonstrates contempt for the established channels that have brought us a low tax rate and a management team that delivers outstanding services. At the November Agenda setting meeting and the Town Council meeting, Councilor Carney bulldozed the Town Administrator, Town Solicitor, Town Treasurer, Budget Commission and the Town’s outside auditor by circumventing their established roles, responsibilities and experience.

This November surprise was a clear frontal attack on volunteers and paid staff that should put all Charlestown residents on notice that Ms. Carney seeks to dismantle the very fabric of what makes Charlestown special and provides residents with the fourth lowest tax rate in Rhode Island. The Town of Charlestown has a healthy fund balance because of the hard work of town staff, volunteers, and savvy town councilors. Town staff do not like uncertainty and mistrust.

Ms. Carney’s supporters availed themselves of several cheap shots to support her proposed policy. They called the use of existing commissions “asinine” and said “We need changes. Relying on the status quo is not the answer.” They are mistaken on both counts. Existing personnel are completely capable of recommending the needed changes.

The Town Administrator has served in leadership roles in five communities. He has been recognized by his peers as the leader of the RI Manager’s Association, the RI Interlocal Trust, and the RI League of Cities and Towns. Our new Town Treasurer is a CPA and has had coast-to-coast experience in municipal finance from San Diego to Bristol, RI. Bristol is a seaside community like Charlestown, so she is qualified to assist in the preparation of this policy. The Budget Commission is a seasoned volunteer group, and our outside auditor has the skills to assist with the draft policy for the Town Council.

Beware of Ms. Carney’s desire to gut the Town of Charlestown’s professional staff and volunteers who collectively have brought you the best employee team and leadership in the state of RI.