To the editor:

In recent letters, Tiverton town councilors Driggs and Cook demonstrated convincingly how frustrating it is to be in the minority of an elected body. This needn’t be the case, of course.  I feel sure that our elected officials, all of them, are wise enough to find some common ground on issues important to Tiverton. Maybe we cannot hope for a love fest.  But why not work together toward a best fest?  

A wise person has written about the four steps to good leadership, especially when new persons come on the scene: Listen; Learn; Help; Lead.

We’re all hypocrites sometimes; we’re all too sure of our own perspectives sometimes; but also, we’re all able to overcome our differences without abandoning core values such as courtesy, humility, and truthfulness.

Political opponents are essential because an iron law in a democracy is that no person or group has all the answers. How, then, political opponents get seen and characterized as enemies is beyond me.  

A vibrant and effective democracy has no stronger bedrock than the concept of a loyal opposition. Let the best fest begin right here in Tiverton.

Will Newman

Tiverton