Let’s not discourage local candidates for office

Posted 3/26/15

To the Editor:

Some of our elective officials like former R.I. House Speaker Gordon Fox (D-Providence) have let the public down by their behavior and their use of campaign funds. Concern about it …

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Let’s not discourage local candidates for office

Posted

To the Editor:

Some of our elective officials like former R.I. House Speaker Gordon Fox (D-Providence) have let the public down by their behavior and their use of campaign funds. Concern about it is warranted. Action of some sort seems more than appropriate. As a person long involved in politics, I do have a concern about it and response to it. 

I am concerned about making requirements of separate banking accounts, concerning those who expend small amount of funds in the political process. This includes offices like local town council and school committee candidates and for other local offices, who expend one thousand dollars or less campaigning. It is important to encourage individuals to run for local office. Legislation to require local candidates who expend less than one thousand dollars to have separate banking accounts for campaign funds is counter productive. It would appear to discourage candidacies in races that usually don’t require large expenditures. It is presently in the Rhode Island General Assembly in submitted legislation regarding separate banking accounts for candidates. 

 However legislation exists to make an exception for those who will use small amounts of money to $1,000.  It will be an obstacle to recruiting and encouraging candidacies, if the more restrictive legislation is adopted. It is important issue to encourage candidacies in running for office.  Local candidate campaigns mostly often have expenditures to buy some signs, produce some fliers, posters perhaps, some items to give away possibly, and some ads in publications. This often is less than $1,000.

 For full disclosure, I maintain a campaign account with the Rhode Island Board of Elections and have run for Hopkinton Town Council in all elections since 1992. I do have a personal interest in the issue requiring separate banking accounts for campaign purposes. This interest should be shared by all local candidates who expend small amounts of money in political campaigns.  I hope local candidates and others impacted by this as well as leaders of both the Democrats and Republicans political committees follow this issue, especially those in the smaller municipalities.

Let’s solve the problems like the Gordon Fox situation, but let’s not create problems for candidates who expend small amounts of money.

Scott Bill Hirst

Ashaway

Mr. Hirst, Hopkinton Town Moderator, formerly served six terms on the Hopkinton Town Council, and has been chairman of the Hopkinton Republican Town Committee since January 30.

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  • Notbornyesterday

    Then only candidate I would discourage is stacia aka Ms.Mayor/SABRINA/../Samuel1677. The biggest bold faced liar in the city. 100% Negative 100% of the time. The only saving grace is that even her followers are on to her BS.... What screen name will she come up with next....

    Monday, March 30, 2015 Report this