To the editor:

The way in which Tiverton Town Council Vice President Justin Katz and Tiverton Town Council President Rob Coulter are reacting to the distinct possibility of being recalled by voters in the Thursday, October 10, special election speaks volumes about their character.

Are they defending themselves on the merits? No. Are they at least attempting to justify their actions over the past 12 months? No. Are they (gasp) acknowledging mistakes made and apologizing? That would be a huge no.

Instead, we are treated to the pathetic spectacle of two nervous rabbits desperately trying to evade responsibility for their arrogant mistreatment of constituents and town employees and volunteers, and for their unethical and inept approach to governance.

Mr. Coulter has no clue how to run a meeting, and as a result the council typically meets late into the night and accomplishes almost nothing.

Right after they took office, they handpicked an attorney with no municipal experience (but with personal and political ties to them) to serve as the new town solicitor. No public advertisement of the open position. No recruitment of potential candidates. No review of resumes, no interviews, no due diligence. They ignored the objections of residents and hired a crony with absolutely no careful deliberation. It was after this incident that I decided I would support any recall effort.

They are political hacks who love to grandstand but have zero interest in the mundane but all-important tasks of a local elected official. Which is why Mr. Katz wasted hours and hours on a meaningless "Tiverton is a Second Amendment Sanctuary Town" resolution even after many residents spoke up in opposition to his divisive proposal.

They are demonstrably closed-minded. They are incapable or unwilling to consider any opinions that differ from their own personal beliefs. They are supposed to represent their constituents - including Tivertonians who did not vote for them - but you might as well be talking to a brick wall. They even ignored every single resident who either contacted them or spoke up in public on this issue and appointed an individual to the library board of trustees even though he is a self-described opponent of municipally funded libraries.

The entire state laughed at our town as Mr. Coulter tried to stall the recall by ducking service of his certified mail notice, like some deadbeat hiding from his creditors. The media covered his every comical maneuver even as his frivolous legal arguments were quickly shot down by the RI Board of Elections.

Both Mr. Katz and Mr. Coulter, and their ever-shrinking base of shrill supporters, have now adopted a democratically tone-deaf defense strategy that begins and ends with them begging Tivertonians not to vote at all on October 10. They are not asking people to vote "no." They're actually telling people to stay home and not vote.

Nobody should ever encourage a citizen to forfeit his or her constitutional right to vote, least of all a government official. These two individuals are not statesmen worthy of our trust. They are cowards and political hacks trying to save their skins with a "Hail Mary pass," knowing that if fewer than 940 votes are cast (including both "yes" and "no" votes) they will squirm free. 

But it's Tiverton that needs saving. We need wise and empathic leaders willing to work hard, listen to constituents, keep an open mind, and seek compromise 24/7. Extreme political hacks (whether right-wing or left-wing) with rigid views and a fondness for grandstanding and sowing seeds of division make really lousy councilmen. Help take back our beautiful town by voting ys on October 10.

Mr. Katz and Mr. Coulter are in a tough and embarrassing spot, but it's their own fault. Actions have consequences. Hundreds of concerned residents, weary of dumb shenanigans and a clear inability to forge compromises in the town's best interests, signed the recall petition. Mr. Katz and Mr. Coulter now have the dubious distinction of being the first elected officials in the history of Tiverton to face a recall election.

There are two honorable paths these gentlemen can take - either resign, or urge those who still support them to show up on October 10 and vote no.

I will be voting yes.

Russ Smith

Tiverton