Letter: In Support of Gary Cote for Town Council

My name is David Florio and I have lived in Coventry since 1982. I joined the Juvenile Hearing Board and was the Chairman from 1990-2000. I was the Democratic Town Chairman from 1994-2006. During that time many things were accomplished. Democrats established the Senior Tax Freeze, protected the environment, made our schools into some of the best in the state, and protected our quality of life. This was our platform during my term as chairman.

Democrats established the Juvenile Hearing Board which was a huge cause of mine since I was a Probation and Parole Officer and Supervisor. The Democratic majority worked with Republicans to enable our town to have a No Tax Residential Property Freeze. The same council financed school needs by $1.2 million without affecting the tax rate, and they created the Traffic Calming Commission to slow neighborhood traffic. They helped disabled tax payers meet their financial obligations to the town. They created Coventry's first Tax Amnesty Program to help hard-working, struggling taxpayers. They kept a greater level of town services while holding steady on taxes. These are facts!

It is also a fact that we are struggling with pension benefits due to the generous pensions given by the Council in 1986, when the Democrats were not in the majority! I've been reading a lot about the Democrats and supposed back room deals by a candidate who moved from District 2 to a home in District 4 approximately six months ago. He is a wealthy business man. He was a Democrat and at one time was actually fund-raising chair. Now he is an Independent, supported by the Republicans and is running against Town Council President Gary Cote, a Democrat. 

Gary is a hardworking truck driver who has lived in this town and my neighborhood his entire life. He's a great neighbor, is approachable and straight forward. He is President of the Anthony Fire Board. We in the Anthony Fire District fortunately due not have the same issues as in other Fire Districts thanks to Gary's leadership.

Gary is honest and he knows how to read a spreadsheet. Hence no tax increase. He has helped many people, including his wife and granddaughter who have overcome major illnesses over the past year. His daughter, Diana was our son's babysitter. We trust Gary, his judgement and his family. Isn't that what neighbors do? 

THE ONLY SPECIAL INTEREST GARY COTE HAS IS YOU! THE PERSON WHO LIVES IN DISTRICT 4, COVENTRY, R.I.