To the editor:

This recall thing is just plain wrong, and nobody should vote in it. If you support Robert Coulter and me, don’t vote this time. If you don’t want recalls to become the new normal for Tiverton politics, don’t

participate. If you aren’t sure, sit this one out. Wait until Tuesday, November 3, 2020.

First and foremost, the recall is rooted in so many false statements that voters can hardly know what it’s supposed to be about anymore. The recall petition itself says Rob and I have been preventing residents “from free speech to redress grievances with the Town Government.” This is the opposite of the truth. Our meetings have been more open to public involvement than any council I’ve ever seen, and we’ve been handling everything possible out in the open, rather than in back-room executive sessions.

Remember when people were saying we were going to push through “the mall” on Souza Rd.? That was the opposite of the truth. They said we weren’t going to reappoint the Zoning Board chair. Not true. Again and again, the people pushing the recall have tried to find some big offense to justify their extreme attack on our regular democracy, and again and again, what they say turns out to be false.

The list is long, so I’ll only say that if you’ve heard something that has bothered you, I welcome feedback: justin@justinkatz.com. (401) 835-7156.

While all this has been going on, we’ve been busy doing our jobs, which is another reason the recall is just wrong. I’m on the negotiating team for the two remaining contracts for the town and have been creating tools to help us understand and negotiate the costs of the contracts. I did the same thing with the firefighters’ contract, and we were able to reach a great agreement that helped to improve morale in the department while controlling the budget. It makes no sense to disrupt negotiations right now.

In addition, I’m on the Pension Board and have also been working with Rob to begin pulling together a much-needed long-term financial plan for the town. Councilor Nancy Driggs and I have been doing what we could to move forward the redevelopment of Town Farm’s playground and recreation area. I’ve also been working on tools to make it easier for you, as residents, to keep track of the issues that the council is working on.

We’re in the middle of these projects and more, and it isn’t right to turn the table over just because the town charter makes it possible. We should be judged when our full term is up at next year’s election: on Tuesday, November 3, 2020. For years, people have complained about the viciousness of Tiverton politics. Well, if this recall isn’t a dud, we’ll be at a whole new level, with fewer people willing to get involved and those who do constantly at each other’s throats.

Our terms are only two years, which is already shorter than every regular elective office in town, and recalls should be left for serious offenses. Serious offenses don’t change every week, and the people making serious accusations don’t have to lie.

Again, if you support us, don’t vote this time. If you don’t want recalls to become the new normal for Tiverton politics, don’t participate. If you aren’t sure, sit this one out. Wait until Tuesday, November 3, 2020.

Justin Katz

Vice President, Tiverton Town Council