Mr Katz writes "I suspect circumstances are going to prevent its being an easy term." I wonder what the author is referencing with this comment?

Here is what Mr. Katz stated on his website "The most discouraging thing about Tuesday's election results was the totality of it. From where I sit, voters made the wrong decisions at the local level, at the state level, and at the federal level."

This comment provides valuable insight into how Mr. Katz views the citizens in our town, state, and country.

"Congratulations to all Tuesday’s winners. I want to sincerely thank ALL the candidates. Tiverton needs our citizens who step forward to volunteer and make our community stronger. Tiverton faces some difficult issues ahead, and l am confident we will be up to the task. It is my most sincere hope that we put the past behind us and work together to shape Tiverton’s future."

Guess who wrote this?

Dave Nelson, Nov 5th, 2010

I wonder if he still feels the same way? I suspect like many other unanswered questions, we'll never know.

"To those who have students in the Tiverton school system, I implore you to make your child's success your top priority. "

I think they just did. They elected Black, Herrmann and Larkin!

Mr. Katz,

I encourage you to follow your own advice and as a parent keep a close eye on the operation of your own children’s parochial school. “Ask questions. Challenge the explanations that you’re given.” What kind of curriculum are they using? How and why was it selected? What are the teachers’ qualifications? How are teachers evaluated and how much of that evaluation is based on evidence of student learning? What kinds of standardized tests are used to judge student learning in ELA, math, and science? How do the school’s results compare to those of other parochial and public schools statewide and nationwide? Are student scores rising, falling or flat? Why? What’s being done to improve scores? Where is the money being spent? Do a complete money-in, money-out analysis. Look at the yearly audits. You clearly have the time and interest to invest in these activities. Make your own children your top priority. I’m sure other parents at the school will be grateful as their children will benefit as well.

How interesting-In the mainstream media such as the Patch, Katz offers a half hearted, concilatory concession speech, but on his two ultra right wing anti-government blogs he rants like a madman against the winners.

Typical Justin Katz-tries to pander to his audience. Face it Justin-you and the TCC are persona non grata in this town.

I was going to ignore the graceless attacks, but I think two things need to be clarified.

1) I did not "rant like a madman." http://www.anchorrising.com/barnacles/015000.html I said I think the voters "made the wrong decisions." That's hardly a surprising thing for an unelected candidate to say.
2) The vote margins clearly do not show that any of us are "persona non grata."

Of course, some of the anonymous bullies on Patch, as well as some of the organizers of Tiverton 1st, define "community" as "people who agree with me." That's a very dangerous, exclusionary attitude, and I hope that's not what most of the elected candidates mean by "Tiverton Proud."

I hope to see you live-blogging at the council meeting Tuesday, Justin. I hope you plan on documenting this historic occasion as gleefully and with the same awe that you documented the last inauguration ceremony (or as you referred to it as "The Changing of the Guard"). We then heard that "all citizens be represented and promised to give a voice to those most in need", but I'm not sure that happened. There's always hope that it will happen this time. I hope you are as optimistic as the majority of you fellow Tivertonians are for this historic night.

P.S. Tripe such as "some of the anonymous bullies on Patch, as well as some of the organizers of the TCC, define "community" as "people who agree with me." That's a very dangerous, exclusionary attitude" really doesn't help heal the divide in town, does it?

I certainly do not wish you harm Mr. Katz-I have graciously stepped back from any display of sheer inyourface joy at the overwhelming show of support for a new way in leadership-especially for the school committee. I do, however, take great offense at your petty and whiny attempts to disgrace an organization that was built from a common purpose: to heal the divide and move Tiverton forward.Through a tremendous amount of sweat and soul Tiverton First-carved a path to move community forward. Does everyone have to agree with us? I certainly hope not for then we would not benefit from healthy and forward thinking discussions. Do we have people who share different opinions and viewpoints? You bet. How wonderful to be surrounded by such big minds who share big ideas and a common goal: to get our community back and to move towards a greater good.I can honestly say with great pride( Tiverton Proud) that I have respect and great admiration for each and every person who came forward to make a difference. Accept the truth- your extremist negative views-shared by many o f the TCC ( what's left of them) were rejected. Tiverton spoke. Tiverton found her voice. And while you may throw around big words and a big ego-people remembered one thing: they are attached to your small mind. In the words of a southern philosopher: If you mind your own business-you don't have time to mind the business of others. I ,for one, am thankful you will not be minding the business of our students.

Honestly, all I saw in you as a candidate was someone who didn't like to be questioned and an incredible amount of negativity about our school systems. I saw someone who couldn't see the good in our schools and didn't want to hear about it or even attempt to seek it out. I think many other people saw that as well. It's a shame.

I and others I know just didn't believe that you had our kids best interests at heart period. Everyone I know who supported you, supported you because they wanted lower taxes not because they wanted better schools. That was divide as I see it.

Why is the lame stream media ignoring the campaign button story? We are going to ride the buttons back into power. Congratulations on taking the high road, Justin. You knew the election was tainted by Buttongate and didn't even bring it up here. Very gracious. We need more people like you in power that believe in the right kind of propaganda. The TCC will rise again! (Even if we can't use that name anymore.)

I want to here more about the SS Caron. The poop pumper is the crowning achievement of the former TCC Town Council. Also, is Lawton Aveneu still getting preferential treatment or has someone told Goncelo and Berlucchi the election changed the political dynamic in Town.

b

Considering Justin Katz is now wasting more taxpayer money with his ButtonGate paranoia....we are so, so very lucky he was NOT voted to sit on the school committee-what a blatant conflict of interest- what a blatant waste of our money and precious time of so many (except his). His need to go after Nancy Mello on a matter that was long ago resolved speaks to his character-or lack there of. Poor Justin can not accept the fact he lost and would rather hide behind his anger. Is this really Tiverton Cares? Or just more TCC residue that just will not wash off anything it touches.

Justin thanks for thinking of us,the little simple people with your charter complaint. The vitriol that many have for you has nothing to do with unions and more to do with the fact that you are a pompous clown who likes to hear himself talk. Do you really expect us to believe that had you won, you would still be filing this complaint. How many union members live in town and vote in town, what percentage of the voting population is controlled by the evil unions? You lost because you are a rabid conservative who has views that many find extreme, that and the fact that you are a whiny loudmouth are why you won't ever get elected in the town you seek to destroy.

Afraid of the principal at Ranger School? Ridiculous. And shame on those parents then for not speaking up about these inappropriate activities!!!! I would be the first one to speak up if I knew something inappropriate was going on. It's our job as parents to speak for our kids. Maybe some parents just don't have the backbone...or are making things up?

I was reading your blog the other day. You again were going off about the cost of special education. You said something along the lines of students whose course work is almost more of a medical procedure. It's comments like this one that kept you from getting elected. It's why I am so happy that we have the SC that we do. Thanks to them, I don't have to worry about the services my special education child and other children receive. It was an incredibly ignorant, hurtful, and spiteful comment to make. I don't think you have a clue about children like ours and what their education entails.

Tell me Mr. Katz, does it make you feel powerful to intimidate town employees with frivolous complaints. Do you really expect us to believe you would be doing this if you had one your election? You lost because you are out of touch with the regular folks in Tiverton. Even if I was on the same page as you with fiscal ideas, I would never vote for someone who seeks to limit the rights of others and is so out of touch with the needs of families of student with disabilities. The unions had nothing to do with your loss, it was your personality, as well as your petty and pompous attitude that cost you the election.

"Maintaining the ability of residents to file complaints against town officials and their employees is just too important."

No one has interfered with the ability of residents to file complaints. In fact, the Town Council has entertained your (frivolous) complaints on two occasions now. Just because you can't handle the truth and don't accept it doesn't make it any less true. If you were really an advocate for the taxpayers you shouldn't have a problem supporting a charter amendment requiring the complainant be responsible for reimbursing any of the Town's legal fees spent defending these frivolous (losing) complaints. Can we count on your support on this important matter empowering the taxpayer?

Justin's responses are true to form: And, as always, need to be clarified and supported with the real truth. FIRST: Calling out Tiverton First for not showing up at the NO TOLLS hearing is childish-perhaps you want to call out the other thousands who could not attend due to schedules and the reality of life-yet also strongly support NO TOLLS. Our position stays the same, we contributed funds to the common goal and we take very seriously, the impact the tolls will have on our community. SECOND: Your information on Ranger comes from a parent who is so stuck in TCC( or was when they existed)mode she can not see beyond her own blind spots. Instead of speaking her mind regarding her concerns-she reports back to you( which in itself is alarming). Not only is this suspect-but now she is "executive board member" of the new Tiverton Cares( left over TCC) who want to "do something positive for our schools" when several if not all of the Tiverton Cares members supported the "borrowing" of $600,000 from the schools and the refusal to return it-costing taxpayers thousands in legal fees. These are also the same people who call "doing something positive for the schools" donating "slightly used" hats and gloves to the "poor children".Not only does this show a lack of compassion-but a clear lack of understanding on school policy and protocol. And to top it off, one of the Tiverton Cares members is the same woman who filed the original Buttongate complaint.
Small minds Justin-small ideas.

"I distrust those people who know so well what God wants them to do, because I notice it always coincides with their own desires"-Susan B. Anthony.
And Justin, before you go off on any religious tangent-this quote has nothing to do with how I feel about God-but more about how I feel about your blatant hypocrisy.(hypoCRAZY) This town is so, so lucky you were not voted to our school committee-not so lucky we have to tolerate your whining/hate speech in the name of justice.

Justin, I call BS on your whole parents are afraid to come forward for several reasons. As a parent, it is your job to be your child's advocate. If you're not doing that, then there's a problem. I have three children in our school system. One in the special education program. Whenever I have had a problem or concern, I have gone to the teacher, principal, and on a couple of occasions, the superintendent. I have never been afraid of any repercussions this may have on my children. Mainly because there has never been any, and if there was, then I would have addressed that as well. Every person I have every spoken to has been receptive and took my concerns seriously. From reading Gloria's post, I can only conclude that you're getting your nonsense from a friend who shares your views and just wants to stir the pot.

Once again, it shows how little you know. Many parents, myself included, voice concerns and ask questions-I can personally say my arguments and concerns were addressed with school employees and my child did not suffer-in fact- my child learned a valuable lesson about being responsible and going to the source of a disagreement. How ludicrous this "parent" you refer to so much goes to you-and not the source of her concerns. YOU-who have no children in our school system-you who have a strong dislike for public schools in general.And again, how hypocritical this parent is now heading up an organization named Tiverton Cares???!!! Unlike you-I welcome different opinions-and refuse to churn hate speech and waste taxpayer money. While it may come to your surprise-you are not God, nor mayor, nor leader of this town. Justin-you alone can not make the rules and regulations just because you are so paranoid, angry and feel entitled.Grow up, take responsibility for the negative footprint you are leaving.

Justin "slighty used" hats and gloves? and referring to kids as "the poor children"...give me a break. Again, you are so clueless. I love the idea- but for gosh sakes- GO OUT AND BUY NEW HATS AND GLOVES-and stop referring to kids as "poor" And do it for the act of doing it-TO REALLY CARE AND CONTRIBUTE TO THE GREATER GOOD-again, the hypocrisy looms.

Mr. Katz returns from his winter hibernation to once again continue trying to implement his right Wing, neoconservative, views on his fellow residents. He along with his fellow members of Tiverton Cares(formed by members of the now defunct TCC) still believe that two or three buttons that were on a counter in an elementary school is the reason why the TCC candidates for office were defeated in last November's election. They need to blame someone since they can't blame themselves for why they lost.

I believe this quote from Mr. Katz clearly demonstrates his agenda. "As for my charter complaint, it really and truly shows how little thinking you folks are willing to do that you reduce it to partisan bickering. This is about protecting the charter complaint process so that town clerks can't run interference for their political allies. That sword can cut both ways."

Apparently, Mr. Katz believes the Town Clerk knowingly avoided her job responsibilities because she was in some way allied with Tiverton First and the "unions". Last time I checked, in our country you were innocent until proven guilty of doing something "wrong". The burden of proof rests with the person filing the complaint. To date, all I have read is that Mr. Katz did not like the Town Clerk's findings. Mr. Katz where is your proof that supports your complaint? I tend to think you do not have any facts to support your accusations against the Town Clerk. This another ideological attack from Mr. KAtz

Mr. Katz's statement that school officials intimidate parents. He is using a straw-man's argument. Doesn't anyone find it odd that only Mr. Katz continues to make this claim? Once again, Mr. Katz has no evidence or facts to support his statement.

Too bad, Mr. Katz did not follow his friend David Nelson's approach to public life which was to disappear from public view.

Why would any public official (elected or appointed) be overly concerned about someone who is making statements that cannot be supported with facts?