South Kingstown Election Profile: Jim Lathrop
SOUTH KINGSTOWN, RI — Jim Lathrop is running for a seat on the South Kingstown Town Council. The 56-year-old Republican currently serves as the director of finacne for the town of North Kingstown.
Lathrop has worked as a director of finance for several communities in Rhode Island and Connecticut for more than a decade. Before that, he was a certified public accountant in private practice. He and his wife, Meme, have a daughter, Sarah, 23.
Education
High School St Bernard's HS Uncasville, CT College Bryant University; BS major accounting Graduate School New York University Wagner School of Public Service: Master Degree in Public Administration
Why are you seeking elective office?
South Kingstown is evolving. Like the nation as a whole the community is becoming more divided. Much of this is about the finances. I feel my skill set will help develop a long term plan to stabilize finances and still address the many social issues facing our community. Citizens need to do more than voice their opinions, they need participate.
What do you believe should be done to contain the coronavirus pandemic, and what would you do to lessen its economic impacts?
I am not a medical expert. I believe too many, especially politicians, feel that they are experts on everything. To contain the pandemic I believe we should listen too and follow the advice of "medical experts" this includes wearing a mask and social distancing. The Town of South Kingstown receives revenues from meals and beverage taxes as well as hotel tax. I feel these funds should be used as a revolving loan fund for restaurants to help them during this crisis. I would have in place authorization by the Town to issue a TAN (tax anticipation note) should it have tax collection issues. I would eliminate via a phase out of personal property tax on businesses.
Do you believe systemic racism is a problem in America generally and Rhode Island specifically, and if so, what would you do to combat it?
Yes racism is a problem in American and RI. People fear the unknown and change. I would propose efforts to increase the diversity of the towns public safety and education employees. I would push for a state program that provided additional state aid to communities that exceeded the community's diversity mix among these groups.
Should the words "Providence Plantations" be removed from the state's name?
No
What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?
My financial background and experience working inside government.
If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)
The fact that we are having a referendum on the budget is a prime example. We need our elected officials to find solutions and bring us as a community together. The community needs to acknowledge and address issues, such as education, mental health and social inequality in tangible ways.
Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform
Public Spaces: We need to do a better job at maintaining and promoting our public spaces, this includes parks, gardens and buildings such as libraries. Public Safety: We must start addressing long term public safety needs. I would propose tax credits to individuals that are volunteer firefighters. I would also propose tax credits for all town public safety and education employees that live in the community. Climate Change: As a coastal community we need to plan for rising sea levels and provide assistance for those being forced to have high-cost flood insurance policies.
What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?
2019 Providence Business News CFO of the Year. 2018 South Kingstown Park and Recreation Volunteer of the Year for work done at Hazard Memorial Garden. 2015 recipient of the RI Public Expenditure Council Goodrich Award for Distinguished Public Service 2011 CIRMA award of Innovations in Risk Management. First dual Town and School Finance Director in RI (Westerly). Improved bond rating while in Portsmouth to AAA, just the second RI community at the time to reach that level.
The best advice ever shared with me was:
A clean bar is a happy bar. I say this partial in jest, as I feel we need more humor in life and politics. But this is more than advice about a bar. It is do the right thing, take care of business, remember first impressions count. Do this and life will be good (happy)
What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?
I am a veteran, serving 6 years in the Army Reserve. Prior to my career in the public sector I was a CPA, owning my own multi office firm in Connecticut. I have been a partner in multiple business that include self storage, movie theater and commercial development. I work for growing up in the family trash removal business. I like to sail and am a curler, participating in the Ocean State Curling Club. I am a board member of SWell, a South Kingstown non profit organization focusing on wellness and mental health of SK children and young adults. I am a corporator of Centreville Bank. I have a lovely and supportive spouse and an amazing daughter.
This article originally appeared on the Narragansett-South Kingstown Patch
