To the editor:

I am very disappointed in the vote to remove our 387-year-old name from the State's nomenclature. I realize that those who voted to remove it probably did not know the origin behind it ("plantation" meant "colony" to the English in the 1600's) and only knew of the Civil War-era definition which tarnished their thinking.

However, since this resolution has now passed and the name must be changed on all documentation and public areas, has anyone from the side who wanted the change addressed how this is to be done, considering this was not budgeted and the State has enough financial problems without adding this one? This cost was not covered in the Resolution booklet mailed to my house. Be prepared for a raise in your taxes to pay for this.

In light of that, I offer a solution that should be amenable to both sides pro and con this change. I propose that those who voted for this change should pay for it. After all, if you were so adamant about what the "plantations" name suggested (even though you probably didn't understand the original meaning), you should be happy to pay for changing it on all the necessary State documentation and items. This way, no one's taxes will have to be raised, and those of us who wanted to keep the historic name will not have to pay for it either.

Susan E. Anderson

Tiverton