Foster Republican Town Committee Rhode Island

Foster, Rhode Island 02825

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Ryder’s contemptuous attitude towards financially-strapped residents

I would like to first disclose that I am a Republican. I am also seeking public office, but not for the town council in Foster against Mrs. Ryder, or any other council member. I would also like to disclose that I know Mr. Gordon Rogers. In my 12 years in town I have spoken to Mr. Rogers perhaps 12 times. Most were when he was at my house as an emergency responder to transport me to the hospital, and perhaps the longest conversation I ever had with him was when I went before the Foster GOP seeking nomination. Outside of those instances, I have only exchanged mere pleasantries with him in passing.

On August 17th the voters of Foster spoke, or more accurately – shouted to the Town Council to go back and do the hard work of the people and find ways to absorb the hit that all towns took when the state eliminated the auto excise tax reimbursements. The vote was a super-majority of 67% against the council’s proposal to raise taxes rather than cut expenses.

During this special meeting, Mr. Rogers spoke and related that his family, like everyone else’s in this state, is feeling the financial pinch from this recession and the continuous tax increases that have come from this town council. His point was to illustrate that everyday citizens are taking extraordinary measures to live within their means, and he encouraged the council to take the same approach.

Councilwoman Ryder wrote a letter to the Valley Breeze chastising Mr. Rogers for “not providing for his family” because he owns a 1 man construction company and six properties. Who does she think she is questioning the finances of a taxpaying citizen for whom she works? The elitist contempt that this councilwoman displayed is an absolute disgrace and embarrassment for the entire council. Mrs. Ryder has the gall to sit back and judge other people’s ability to provide for their family while she collects a tax free pension and free healthcare for life courtesy of the RI taxpayers because she is a retired school teacher. Of course Mrs. Ryder doesn’t care if taxes go up – she is living high off the hog on the tab of the taxpayers.

Furthermore, to paint the voters of Foster that didn’t share her fiscally irresponsible approach to running the town’s finances as “Roger’s Republicans” is a slap in the face to each and every voter who showed up at that meeting. If the “no” voters were “Roger’s Republicans”, were the yes voters “Lynn’s Liberals”? No – they weren’t - they are all TAXPAYERS exercising their God-given right to self-governance. This isn’t 2nd grade anymore Mrs. Ryder, you shouldn’t behave as if it were by calling people childish names.

I am NOT one of “Roger’s Republicans” and I voted against the tax increase. Will I be subjected to Mrs. Ryder’s scrutinizing judgment because my family is struggling financially?

Two weeks ago in Foster Gordon Rogers was the first volunteer fireman on the scene of a fatal house fire. Despite the warnings of others on the scene, Mr. Rogers ran into the fully involved building, risking his life to save a man trapped inside. Mr. Rogers proceeded into the house twice and was forced to the floor by the heat of the flames. He did not stop searching for the man until he eventually found him deceased on the floor. Mr. Roger’s firefighting gear had been melted off of his back by the time he retreated from the burning building. In fact, the state fire Marshall had never witnessed such damage to firefighting garments on a firefighter that actually survived. The gear Mr. Roger’s was wearing was consequently documented by the state because they had never seen anything like it before.

If Mrs. Ryder were to invest as much of herself as Mr. Rogers always has in his role as a VOLUNTEER emergency responder, this town would not be in the financial mess it currently is.

I think that Mrs. Ryder’s assertion that the motive for the “no” voters was strictly political in nature not only displays an absolute ignorance of the working taxpayer’s plight, but is a demonstration that she is not even fit to be in a position to impact the finances of a girl scout troop let alone an entire town.

Mike Chippendale
Candidate for State Representative
District 40
Foster, Glocester and Western Coventry

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