To the editor:

Like several other town council candidates, Ms. Zani’s letter, published Oct. 1, attacks the reputation of Portsmouth Concerned Citizens (PCC) by stating, “I believe the PCC has too often contributed to a culture in which suspicion and conflict replace constructive disagreement,” yet fails to provide even one example. She continues by stating, “Portsmouth residents can look at the organization’s leadership, advocacy and record and decide for themselves whether that description fits.”

I’ve been a member of the PCC for over 20 years and have spent hundreds of hours working alongside this organization to stop the toll on the Sakonnet River Bridge, hiring an attorney to protect Island Park residents from DEM’s faulty decision to require sewers, volunteering on numerous committees, and spending night after night attending town council meetings! And State House meetings too numerous to mention for two years!

Please, readers, Google the PCC and read for yourselves about the positive accomplishments the organization has achieved for Portsmouth residents! This is from my Google search:

“Portsmouth Concerned Citizens (PCC) is a local civic advocacy group in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, led by Larry Fitzmorris, that focuses on municipal government accountability, taxpayers’ rights, and defending local home rule.”

Ms. Zani, rather than disparaging this volunteer organization that has done so much good for Portsmouth, show us how you will push for unity and support the positive aspects of life in Portsmouth.

Jeanne Smith

Portsmouth