As Chair of Smithfield’s Budget & Financial Review Board, I’ve seen our town’s finances up close — how budgets are built, how they’re changed, and how they’re actually followed. And what I’ve seen is am major part of why I’m running for Town Council.

Our budget has grown dramatically over the past decade, but our financial stability has gone in the opposite direction. Reserves have been drained, overspending has become routine, and debt servicing is rising faster than the town can absorb. When the budget is breached, the Town Charter spells out what must happen — and those steps haven’t been followed by our current Town Council.

I’ve watched the current administration make changes to the BFRB’s recommendations without analysis, without understanding the long‑term impact, and without holding the Town Manager accountable for adhering to the budget. That’s not stewardship — and it’s not sustainable.

Smithfield’s financial challenges affect every resident and business. Shrinking reserves, repeated overspending, and rising debt mean less flexibility, higher risk, and more pressure on taxpayers. Budgets should be respected. Savings should be protected. Debt should be managed responsibly. And taxpayers deserve transparency about where their money goes.

The images below show a long‑term, systemic failure to safeguard Smithfield’s financial stability. It’s time to fix it. On November 3rd please consider my candidacy to serve you on the Town Council.