Letter: As they suggest, ‘Citizens’ should stay local, too

Posted 9/3/20

I read with interest the article last week regarding the Bristol County Concerned Citizens .

I found it informative but somewhat confusing as to just what these good citizens are so concerned …

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Letter: As they suggest, ‘Citizens’ should stay local, too

Posted

I read with interest the article last week regarding the Bristol County Concerned Citizens.

I found it informative but somewhat confusing as to just what these good citizens are so concerned about? I was left pondering as to what “philosophy” is so threatening that it will increase social and economic burdens for those here who can least afford it?

They mention they are for respect, honesty, loyalty, and integrity. This is fantastic, but I really don’t know of any Bristol citizen who is opposed to any of these values. I am heartened to know that the BCCC members have no animosity toward anyone. I think that is likely very true of most people in Bristol however, and not exclusive to members of this concerned group.

The BCCC was perhaps organized in a reactionary way, because they state that the local

Democratic Town Committee has been taken over by a national progressive agenda? What is that exactly? What values do they perceive as possibly being taken away from them or imposed upon them? Please state if this is the case.

What is the special interest public policy agenda that they are so opposed to? Please let us know.

Yes, they are here for local issues and that’s great. But really that is the limited main function of the Town Council to deal with local topics. They can freely endorse their candidates of choice to sit on the Council to deal with local ordinances pertaining to zoning, business policies, budgets, refuse removal, flag raising, entertainment licenses, and the likes.

But how does the BCCC see a radical left progressive agenda invading our town? If these concerned citizens have a problem with national issues that are essential protected federal laws, like marriage equality, free speech, housing protections against discrimination, reproductive freedom for women, the right to bear arms, immigration policies, then they are looking in the wrong place. Thankfully, none of these protected rights will ever be contested or changed on the local level.

The BCCC can take their arguments to our national representatives, though I doubt these well-established protections will ever be removed, in spite of the harm done by the current administration in Washington.

These good people who make up the BCCC have great passion, which I admire. In my mind, this passion would be best channeled to focus on the pro-business growth for our town that they have stated. Yes, all politics are local, but please stay locally focused and known where and how you can make an impact.

The BCCC may not like the Federal laws we have, and that is their right. But no matter who they choose to endorse for local office, their preferences will have no determination in the important areas of protected human rights for all. Fortunately, these things are all carved into the Constitution, like it or not. I for one like it that way, and stand ready to work with any citizen or group toward local business and community growth. This is hardly radical.

Stephan Brigidi
Bristol

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A lifelong Portsmouth resident, Jim graduated from Portsmouth High School in 1982 and earned a journalism degree from the University of Rhode Island in 1986. He's worked two different stints at East Bay Newspapers, for a total of 18 years with the company so far. When not running all over town bringing you the news from Portsmouth, Jim listens to lots and lots and lots of music, watches obscure silent films from the '20s and usually has three books going at once. He also loves to cook crazy New Orleans dishes for his wife of 25 years, Michelle, and their two sons, Jake and Max.