Your Honor,
I stand here concerned about the Central Coventry fire district, and its future. Although I have sat quietly during these proceedings in the courtroom, I have acted, as directed by the courts, and the special master, to develop a plan to move the district forward.
In a recent e-mail I was asked,”You have been conspicuously absent from any discussion concerning this issue. I believe you are an elected representative for ALL the people in your district and I am wondering why you have not chosen to represent your district.” Unfortunately,we’ve not connected yet for discussion, I hope we will soon.
This legislator has been working tirelessly, and in the best interest of the rate-payer, both the homeowner and the business owner within the district. This legislator is not interested in having his picture in the local paper, or on any social media. This legislator has not sent misleading letters to constituents from the state house, nor has he gone house-to-house stuffing propaganda in people’s doors, as others have. I have been focused on what must be done, and remain steadfast and true to this mission.
The legislative process your Honor, is a process that runs at a snails’ pace, and is timely for great reason. A rush to judgement without all of the facts regarding any issue is not fair to anyone, including oneself, when voting.
This past week the House Finance committee took up the bill that I submitted in late January as part of a plan to move forward. Several people signed up to testify against this bill because it would ‘take away the voice, and vote by the people’. With Representative Tomasso at my side during the presentation, within minutes we were able to dispel that rumor, or accusation, one might say, and consequently very few people testified. They went home your Honor, they went home. They didn’t testify, their questions were answered. Not one person that testified that evening, favored closing this district down. I continue to believe we can fix this district.
I have endured attacks from people misrepresenting what my goal is. I have been warned by constituents via e-mail that I would lose their vote from them in the morning, only to get an email in the evening apologizing to me for acting rashly because of rumor. Several also phoned me with questions. One in particular was a charge that the special master has already purchased a rescue truck, which was in his proposed budget, and was hidden behind the fire station. I had to assure the caller that this vehicle was a retired rescue being parted out to keep the aging fleet up and running.
This past week I’ve focused on the business community looking for feedback. I have asked if they would like to discuss in a forum what they need, and how they can contribute should the district move forward. They understand that their fate is subject to electors as businesses have no vote. They want a seat at the table.
My concern for residents and homeowners is that the benefits and consequences be fully understood, should the district shut down. Potential costs to everyone right now are uncertain and fluid. Additionally, motions before this court could increase and add to the rising unfunded liability ratepayers will be required to grapple with.
A final thought, your honor, is a potential fall-out should the liquidation go forward. That is the onus on folks that are non-property owners. Renters, or tenants, so to speak, sometimes are not considered contributors when we deal with taxation, whether for the town or the fire, lighting and water districts.
These residents, many of whom are seniors on fixed incomes, or those unfortunate souls that have no alternative way to have a roof over their head. Remember, it is the property that they dwell in that is subject to the unfunded liability. If that happens, rents will be raised. And your honor, after that debt has been fully paid, my concern is that those rents are not likely to be adjusted down accordingly.
In closing your honor, my goal is simple. As said earlier, House Finance has heard legislation which would allow the district to operate under the previous budget and more concessions have been negotiated to further reduce costs. I will continue to press for passage of the legislation in the general assembly, even to the last hour.
We simply need more time your Honor, and I am asking you to use your judicial power to give us that time. Should you agree, the CCFD could make it to October, and a new board would be elected, or the fate of the district could be decided by the voters, voters that have full understanding of the benefits or consequences.
The results of the state police investigation will be complete. Hopefully, we’ll have a better grasp on the pending liabilities. Public forums would be scheduled for both homeowners and businesses so that there will be a clearer understanding for all, without having jeopardized public safety and emergency services.
Thank you,
Representative Scott J. Guthrie