Letter to the editor: Fall River deserves real leadership and real change

This is a letter that was submitted to Fall River Reporter and was not written by us.

“(Last) week’s election sent a clear message; people are tired of politics as usual. They’re tired of the noise, the blame, and the lack of results. What people want and deserve is leadership that delivers meaningful change in their everyday lives.

“And frankly, who can blame them? The federal government is currently shut down because politicians in Washington can’t stop arguing long enough to do their jobs. Yet somehow, the hardworking men and women who keep this country running are still expected to pay their taxes while government grinds to a halt. That’s not leadership, that’s broken politics.

“Here at home in Fall River, we can and must do better. As someone who was just re-elected to the City Council, I’m committed to focusing on real issues that actually matter to people: lowering the cost of living, repairing our roads, improving public safety, supporting quality education, and protecting taxpayers from unnecessary hikes.

“Last term, I was proud to lead the effort to stop a proposed increase in water and sewer rates. It was the right thing to do, and we need to keep making decisions that put residents first. But beyond individual votes, we need structural change.

“Fall River’s government has been through too much instability for too long. It’s time to have a serious conversation about reforming our form of government, to something more consistent, accountable, and professional, similar to what cities like Worcester have adopted. A city manager form of government could provide steady leadership that transcends election cycles and keeps the focus on progress, not politics.

“Our residents deserve a government that works, one that listens, acts, and follows through. While Washington shuts down, Fall River should stand up and prove that local leadership can still make a real difference.”

— Cliff Ponte
Fall River City Councilor