To the editor:

Some Reasons for the Recall of Mr. Katz and Mr. Coulter:

I will refer back to a letter to the editor that I wrote in response to Mr. Katz’s LTE in Sakonnet Times on 4/11/19 which was missing some important information.

Mr. Katz indicated “we” chose a Library Board candidate “who would represent a different point of view - a view shared by many Tiverton residents”. (Noteworthy, he and his supporters continue to use this talking point without elaborating on the “different point of view.”)

To be clear, the entire council did not support this candidate for the board. “We” actually referred to the four members of the Town Council who are fellow members of the Tiverton Taxpayers Association ( Mr. Katz and Mr. Coulter spearhead the TTA and now also the Town Council). The “We” indicated did not include the other council members who opposed this appointment.

Mr. Katz also did not clarify the “different point of view” of their Library Board appointment, Mr. Rom (a fellow TCC member). Mr. Rom clearly indicated this view on the Facebook page “Tiverton Happenings” on 2/12/19 when he stated, “The TC knows I will represent voters that did not want a new library in Tiverton.”

Simply stated, they put someone on the library board who does not value the library. Noteworthy, he was also disgruntled about some incident reports written about him. His first action on the board was to request there not be any incident reports.

Additionally, by appointing Mr. Rom, a much more qualified and beneficial candidate was turned away.

This was blatant cronyism and a disrespectful and inappropriate appointment.

-This was disrespectful to the board and the many citizens whose concerns were ignored. (Noteworthy, to my knowledge there were no letters or citizens at the Town Council meeting that supported the appointment of Mr. Rom other than the four TTA members. There were many that opposed his appointment)

-This was disrespectful to the town and the library due to missing out on a more dedicated and qualified applicant.

-This was also disrespectful to the applicant they passed over who clearly had the best qualifications and experience for the appointment. (She is a new resident and got an eyeful of the concerning politics from this TTA dominated Town Council)

You can view the Town Council meetings on YouTube, just type “All Tiverton Town Council meetings.”

Please view the 1/28/19 town council meeting to see the initial library board interviews and decide for yourself. Open forum starts at 9:00 with the library boards recommendations.
Interviews for the library board start at 48:34

This is just one example of the many concerns that inspired this recall.

There are those who indicate they will support them regardless because they want to “decrease taxes.” Are you aware that budget 2, which was passed, both decreased taxes and supported services? Mr. Katz and Mr. Coulter did not support this budget and tried to prevent it from getting on the ballot.

There are ways to be fiscally responsible while still supporting you community and it’s citizens.

To find out your polling location for the recall : Log onto www.vote.ri.gov or call Board of Canvassers at Tiverton Town Clerk’s office 625-6703. Additional information is available on the town website, www.tiverton.ri.gov

You don't have to put up with this behavior to lower taxes.

With concern and hope,

Maureen Umehara

Tiverton