THE FORGOTTEN TAXPAYERS’ PAC CALLS ON HIGH-TAX ADVOCATES, ‘FRIENDS OF CHARIHO,’ TO FOLLOW THE LAW
The ‘Friends of Chariho for the Future’ organization is seeking to influence voters to pass the bloated, anti-taxpayer Chariho Regional School District budget by way of a public Facebook post. The Forgotten Taxpayers PAC, an organization dedicated to fiscal responsibility, keeping the taxpayers at the forefront of all decisions, would like to remind the members of ‘Friends of Chariho for the Future’ organization that nonprofits in Rhode Island are very heavily regulated, therefore they may want to consider the law when it comes to fundraising.
Clay Johnson, speaking on behalf of Forgotten Taxpayers stated after reading the Facebook post,
“This organization claims to be in favor of a better education for our children, but such actions by the organization could very well bring into question both their judgement and due diligence when it comes to important matters like fundraising in Rhode Island. I question whether they are truly fighting for taxpayers and students, or simply promoting the union narrative and their insatiable desire for power over our children and our money?”
If this was the first-time questionable tactics by the ‘Friends of Chariho’ organization were used, the Forgotten Taxpayer PAC likely would not have taken much notice, but the organization that was formed in 2017 had its legal status revoked by the Rhode Island Secretary of State shortly after forming. The new organization, which includes at least one founding board member from the previous defunct organization, quickly changed their name to ‘Friends of Chariho for the Future.’
Shocking, this is not where the story ends. Joining this organization as a board member is Jessica Purcell, who is at the center of a vanity lawsuit to capture a school committee seat after losing her election campaign in November. Purcell, who is a leader in this re-formed organization, is also a leader on the Richmond Democrat Town Committee. During her tenure, she failed to stop the embezzlement of money by failed Democrat candidate and Democrat Town Committee Assistant Treasurer Larry Valencia. Purcell, in a board of elections filing, documented returning a campaign contribution to Valencia in an effort to distance herself from the activities. The matter has been referred to the Attorney General’s office for potential criminal charges.
‘Friends of Chariho’ needs to comply with the laws associated with organizations established for the public good. “This gang that can’t shoot straight is vouching for the financial efficiency and honesty of the district’s school budget. My God, it would not take much to do better. Let’s do better,” says Clay Johnson, Treasurer of Forgotten Taxpayers, a local group promoting fiscal responsibility.
The Forgotten Taxpayers PAC is committed to its goal of leading a grassroots effort to champion and promote fiscal responsibility, keeping the taxpayers at the forefront of all decisions relative to town and school spending.