To The Editor,

Many, perhaps most, residents of Rhode Island find their city and town officials to be petty bureaucrats more interested in their own comfort and advancement than in the interests of the citizens who come to them for help. A huge exception to that rule is William DePasquale, Town Planner in Exeter.

The former Warwick city planner, DePasquale has apparently worked his tail off to help Tim Schartner finally get town approval for his 25-acre tomato greenhouse in Exeter (Greenhouse gets the green light in Exeter, News, A1, 9/7).

 After years of pushbacks, delays, and outright bureaucratic pettiness by Exeter officials, DePasquale has apparently threaded the needle to help an entrepreneur realize his dream while also adding tax revenue to the town.

 As Warwick's city planner, DePasquale was the most user-friendly person in City Hall.  His eager assistance to the village associations and to average citizens was highly noticeable among the many city employees who were more eager to deny help.

 I hope the residents of Exeter appreciate the gift Warwick has given them.

Lonnie Barham

Warwick