I wish to thank the thousands of Attleboro voters who supported my campaign for city councilor at large on Tuesday. I feel like I know them all. I may not recognize their face but I certainly know their neighborhood. Their voting result has left me felling elated, inspired and exhausted. I also feel like the character Jimmy Stewart portrayed at the end of the Christmas movie "It's a wonderful life."

In the movie, George Bailey gave much of his life to the people of Bedford Falls. In the end he realizes that he has touched many people in a positive way and that his life has truly been a wonderful one.

I now have almost two months to learn, monitor, study and build relationships which will make me a functioning councilor in January.

Through this process I plan to also further develop my web site www.CouncilorConti.org. This is a place for me to listen to you and in turn respond. It is a place for you to have more of a voice in city hall.

The council will be discussing the split tax rate in a public hearing Nov. 17 and while I am not yet a councilor, I am adding a spot on my Web site to hear your comments. We are off to an ambitious start and I am looking forward to the next two years.

Richard J. Conti, Attleboro

No apologies coming on divestiture move

I am writing in response to a letter by Steven Howitt accusing me of "juvenile antics" in opposing a bill that would have required that the state pension fund divest stocks in companies, like Shell Oil, doing business in Iran.

For the first time since our embassy was stormed in 1979, there is a viable opposition movement within Iran.

Imposing sanctions now could well feed ani-Americanism and unintentionally strengthen the regime's standing with the population. It could also complicate our negotiations over Iran's nuclear facilities, which are beginning to show some signs of progress. Foreign policy should be made in Washington, not on Beacon Hill.

Divesture would cost us money. According to Michael Travaglini, executive director of the pension fund, the divestment proposal "harms the financial interests of our beneficiaries and Massachusetts taxpayers." Said Travaglini, " it is clearly going to have an impact on our investment returns."

It is a slippery slope when the Legislature tries to micromanage our investment portfolio.

In order to make that point, I submitted an amendment to the Iran divestiture bill to add the world's 20 most repressive countries as identified by the organization Freedom House. The list included such brutal dictatorships as Syria, Burma, Saudi Arabia and China.

Just to make sure no one missed the point, I included the state of Texas, which is currently embroiled in a scandal over the execution of an innocent man. The amendment had its intended effect; the bill was tabled. Mr. Howitt calls my tactic "juvenile." I call it effective.

Steve D'Amico, Seekonk

THIS WRITER is a state representative.

Let future volunteers be treated with respect

Many thanks to Max Volterra, Donald Smyth and Preston Stevenson, who have served on the Attleboro Redevelopment Authority Board of Directors for many years and have recently resigned. Their dedication and commitment to the growth and development of the city of Attleboro is greatly appreciated and will be deeply missed.

All of these men had a great vision and passion for the future of Attleboro and, as volunteers, were eager to share their enthusiasm, knowledge and expertise. They were truly devoted to our city.

We hope, in the future, that all volunteers to our city government are provided the respect, support and resources that will be required for the betterment of our community.

Maureen and Ed Canner, Attleboro