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Mr. Weaver:

There are eight cities in Rhode Island of which three are total basket cases when it comes to unfunded liabilities: Central Falls, Providence, and Woonsocket. Cranston has had more than its share of problems over the years. Two years ago the Mayor of East Providence threatened to declare bankruptcy to get out of troublesome school obligations. So, the only cities that Warwick can be compared are Pawtucket and Newport.

Newport's residential tax rate is $9.93. Warwick's is $17.69, almost twice that of Newport. Pawtucket is virtually the same as Warwick at $17.78. (I don't hear anybody in Pawtucket claiming that the city tax rate is lower than most cities!)

So how can one claim that a rate that is almost twice that of Newport is among the lowest rates OF THE CITIES in the state? Want a low rate? Try Little Compton with less than one third the rate of Warwick on significantly lower valuations.

Here are the other cities: East Providence is $20.89. Cranston is $20.26 with substantial cutbacks in services and a commercial rate that is through the roof. Central Falls is $22.03 after significant state aid. Woonsocket is $25.10. Providence is $31.89.

So, you and the Mayor can claim that Warwick's tax rates are among the lowest of the cities in Rhode Island. But, upon inspection, the argument looks pretty foolish.