Council President: Decided By Elected Councilors, Not Voters

Thank You For The Opportunity To SERVE YOU The Next 2 Years !! That is quite a vote of confidence for me by Middletown – I am honored & humbled.

Getting the most votes shows me that Middletown voters prefer my values, work ethic and the vision for Middletown that I have presented. I respect Middletown voters for their loyalty to Counselors Rodrigues, Santos, VonVillas and Sylvia, despite their actions, behavior, and making their voting-block publicly known. This is problematic, however, because the majority of voters that want the values, work ethic and vision that I presented will need to reach out to council members with their voting preferences on issues, and then be sure a council majority votes that way.

The first opportunity for this will be the vote for Council President. The Middletown Charter states:

"Sec. 204. The council shall elect one of its members as its president at its first meeting as defined in section203, or at its first meeting following the occurrence of a vacancy in said office. The president shall preside at meetings, and shall be recognized as head of the town government for all ceremonial purposes, and by the governor for purposes of military law. The president shall have the same right to speak and vote as any other member. (Amended, November 4, 2008.)" (https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/middletown/latest/middletown_ri/0-0-0-140#JD_Chtr.Sec.204)

Per the Charter, the Council President runs the meetings and is recognized for ceremony/military law; it's not rocket science, and many citizens attending Council meetings have been frustrated and dissatisfied with the execution and rhetoric of the meetings. As stated, I am happy to do whatever the voters would like to do. I also know that residents have felt betrayed when told on past issues that they missed the window to be heard.

Whether me or another councilor, could you please let your preference for Council President be known? Let your newly elected councilors know who you would prefer to run the meetings and be the face of Middletown the next two years (towncouncil@middletownri.com) or let the Town Clerk (wmarshall@middletownrri.com) know that you would like to speak on the issue at the public meeting where this vote will occur (in about a week). Otherwise, the decision for Council President will be made without public input consideration.