LETTER: Rules Have to Apply in Representative Government - In Schools and at Town Hall
To the Editor:
Three campaign buttons promoting the Tiverton 1st political group in plain view on the counter in Fort Barton's office are a pretty minor issue. The fact that Tiverton Town Clerk Nancy Mello dismissed a Charter violation complaint about them is a much bigger problem.
First a word on school campaign activities: Another parent told me about a "stack" of the buttons at Ranger. Before the 2012 Financial Town Referendum, a high school student told a Town Council member that the principal had called a group of athletes into a room and told them how their parents should vote. Another time, a prominent Tiverton resident called me to say that the schools had allowed use of the emergency text list to send political material.
It's all hearsay, though, because none of them will come forward out of concern that their children might suffer consequences. Honestly, I don't understand the fear, but it's disconcertingly common.
The more pressing issue, though, is that the town clerk simply does not have the authority to investigate and judge Charter violations.
When she received the complaint, Mrs. Mello went to Fort Barton and found one button there. She drove to Pocasset, and Superintendent William Rearick happened to call that office; he assured her that she would find no buttons anywhere else.
When I read this news, I emailed the clerk to let her know that she found only one button because an associate of mine had taken two as evidence and recorded his conversation with the secretary. That never made it into her report dismissing the complaint, saying that the evidence did not rise to the level of a violation.
At last Monday's Town Council meeting, I pointed out that the Charter contains no language authorizing the clerk to dismiss complaints on their merits. Solicitor Andrew Teitz's response sounded familiar: he finds the legal language to be vague, so the town officials made up their own policy. (I've read every clerk letter on every Charter complaint in town, and this policy appears to be completely new.)
Then the Town Council insisted that it has no authority to overrule the Clerk ... which is not surprising, since she had no authority to rule in the first place. So, now a single elected official can dismiss a complaint --- even though her own evidence proved it to be accurate --- with no chance of appeal.
Being a public voice on these issues is no fun, and I wish parents weren't worried that complaining about election-related violations would harm their children's opportunities. It doesn't help that they risk public embarrassment if town officials can decide that the plain language of the law doesn't mean what it says.
Representative government doesn't work this way. It can't work this way.
Justin Katz
Tiverton Resident
Renee Cwiek
11:10 am on Tuesday, December 4, 2012
You're so bitter. It's sad. Move on.
bigmanny
3:02 pm on Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Justin it sounds like you and your "assoc" need to find something more meaningful in your life. It also sounds as if your associate may have stolen the buttons. I also heard that it was you and your associate who placed the buttons thier in the first place. The people who told me that would like to keep it of the record due to fear of TCC reprisals.
Hayley S
12:23 am on Wednesday, December 5, 2012
People of Tiverton! Here is an example of the kind of person that is Anti-FTR (which we all voted for 2 to 1!) and pro-Use Schools for Politics! Justin is not the person who found the button there. He did not steal them as the T1 people stole the many Voters for the FTR and Tiverton Citizens for Change signs! even right on Election Day. And 2 businesses at least had to remove the T1 signs from their property as they had not authorized them - it's unbelievable and I know the majority of Tiverton townspeople do not like this kind of behavior. Also what Justin said is true because I know who one of the parents who told me this.... Also, T1 stole all the TCC pledges. like they said, Fiscal Responsibility - when TCC has been saying this for years and succeeding in it! They got the taxes down lower fromt he 10%+ that the T1 people ALWAYS VOTED FOR in their RED SHIRTS in the THS Auditorium at the Intimidating UNION THUG FTM (Financial Town Meeting - thank Goodness we don't have that anymore!)
Renee Cwiek
6:14 am on Wednesday, December 5, 2012
"Also what Justin said is true because I know who one of the parents who told me this"
Hayley, you sound like my teenage daughter. This is all so beyond childish.
Just Another Taxpayer
3:02 pm on Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Mr. Katz is a right wing ideologue who is obsessed with trying to destroy public schools in Tiverton at all costs. Mr. Katz is a great example of someone who can't accept the fact that his ideology was overwhelmingly rejected by voters in last month's election. I agree with Renee, it is very sad that Mr. Katz continues to make these unfounded allegations. Please give it a rest.
Tiverton Parent
3:01 pm on Tuesday, December 4, 2012
BAH HUMBUG! May 2013 be more peaceful for us all! Wishful thinking Mr. Katz? Or are we to look forward to 12 months of continuous re-hash of dead issues? If only we could focus our energies on making Tiverton better together......
The Shill
3:01 pm on Tuesday, December 4, 2012
You lost the election the people have spoken nobody want's to hear your opinion anymore didn't you get that message?
tired of it
3:00 pm on Tuesday, December 4, 2012
please people can't we find more pressing issues to talk about. How about spending your time to find a way to generate some income for the town.
Tiverton Dad
3:00 pm on Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Justin, if people believe in the truthfulness of this letter, your argument has merit. Unfortunately, it's riddled with unsubstantiated accusations and insinuations that raise other questions. For instance, who was your "associate" and under what/whose authority did this person take the buttons as "evidence." You don't have an issue with "outing" by name anyone who you see as taking part in this supposed charter violation (Mrs. Mello, Mr. Rearick, Mr. Teitz), so this seems inconsistent on your part. The only means that people have to evaluate the veracity of this letter is your past record of opinions and agenda against the schools.
If, however, your point was that Mrs. Mello lacked the authority to make her determination, you would have been better served by focusing on the elements of the charter that you think have been violated, rather than posting gossip.
bigmanny
3:00 pm on Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Why is it okay for Mr. Katz to print hearsay. I heard that it was he himslef who put the pins there in order to stir up some cotroversy to take the attention of his flawed ideas or lack of ideas as a candidate. Did the secratary know that she was being recorded when one of his TCC associates took the buttons and recorded his interogation of this town employee?
Dan D
2:59 pm on Tuesday, December 4, 2012
it's true. he is bitter, and full of it. I am on the emergency text list, have kids in the schools, have family members whose children are athletes in the schools, visit the schools often for my children and i have never received a text, a flyer, a phone call, seen any buttons... from Tiverton 1st.
I have however, seen Jim Lipe stalking the tree lighting ceremony a no tolls sign. we are all for no tolls, why spoil the tree lighting ceremony?
bigmanny
3:17 pm on Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Oh no now the Lipe family is angry. Jimmy keep the old man of the interwebs for a while if you want to protect the family name.
KSilvia
12:23 am on Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Great Tiverton now has a town gossip. Just what every small town needs.
Ron Acres
12:22 am on Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Was your "associate" acting as a agent of the government? If not, he could be charged with misdemeanor larceny. And if I was a parent that had a child in the school where this was recorded, I'd love to see the video. If any minors are depicted in there, you and your associate will be in some serious heat.
Beelzebub
2:05 pm on Wednesday, December 5, 2012
I WAS "THE GOVERNMENT"! UNLIKE MY ROTUND COLLEAGUE I HAVE NO DESIRE TO EVER PRETEND TO BE REASONABLE TO CURRY FAVOR WITH YOU HAYSEEDS AGAIN!
Just Another Taxpayer
2:05 pm on Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Haley S, the TCC and their agenda was soundly rejected by the voters in Tiverton. Since your side lost the election are you now going to start talking about seceding from the United States?
Renee Cwiek
2:45 pm on Wednesday, December 5, 2012
I have to say, I'm a little upset that The Patch would even publish this letter. It's nothing but slander at this point. Leave the woman alone Justin.
Brian Moran
9:07 pm on Wednesday, December 5, 2012
In all honesty, I'm fine with it. Mr. Katz has really shown a lack of character and dignity, especially since his loss. The fact he defended his comments attacking the voters' choices as something any politician who lost would do shows he's not cut out for this. Let him keep bringing the rope. The people are on to him, thankfully.
Just Another Taxpayer
9:07 pm on Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Renee, this is an example of how Mr. Katz's and his TCC cronies operate. They love trying to intimidate people, especially women. They are the "typical" bully, pick on the weak but when confronted run away as fast they can. Right Dave, Rob, etc.
Brian Moran
9:07 pm on Wednesday, December 5, 2012
And again, Mr. Katz....what should the punishment for this employee be?
BD
9:41 am on Friday, December 7, 2012
In Justin's Galt-like utopia citizens like this would be cut loose and forced to rely on private charities like "TCC-Cares" to get by in their later phases of life. Sounds fun, doesn't it?
b kcaj
9:26 pm on Wednesday, December 5, 2012
As usual, Justin "Sour Grapes" Katz can't deal with the fact that he, Joe Sousa, and the rest of his TCC cronies were crushed in last month's elections.
Here's some advice for you Justin-Stick with "anchor dragging", "ocean state garbage", and your other right wing nazi blogs where you might find a more receptive audience.
LOSER!