Donna Cook, Town Council Member.

During the last Tiverton campaign season, I talked to many people in town. I discovered that some are either not registered to vote or, if they are, simply have dropped out of the process and don’t vote. The answer is always similar: “I don’t believe my vote counts” and “it isn’t worth the trouble.” Both sides of the equation complain of this when election results show only a small percentage of registered voters bothered to vote.

However, this recall is different.

Recently a small group of disgruntled low-vote council candidates decided they want to redo your election via a recall? The reasons given on the recall petition are vague and set a dangerous precedent if the recall is justified.

I ask you, how is this McLaughlin recall stunt going to ensure you, the voters, that your vote counted in November 2018?

This recall stunt doesn’t work; it will only make voter participation matters worse. This recall supports the argument that your vote doesn’t count because it can easily be overturned. Even worse, it reflects discouragement in the system and encourages lower voter participation in future elections.

Really!! Why bother if your “will” is nullified on sketchy reasons by a recall? There is no reason for the McLaughlin recall except sour grapes and an aversion to what’s rightly done by respecting the outcome of an election. Furthermore, is it knowing and willful failure to follow the “will of the people” when Councilors vote contrary to a few dozen people who, at Town Hall meetings, expect favorable decisions to be made based on who is loudest on an issue? Why have a Town Council? Why bother having elections? Just have a show of hands at town meetings (and maybe fisticuffs), to determine town business, appointments, contracts, etc.

And two Councilors, Hilton and deMedeiros, both signed the McLaughlin recall petition. Councilor deMedeiros actually obtained signatures and had them notarized in her name. McLaughlin has a pending $4 million lawsuit against the town.

The “Will of the People” was decided on November 2018. This recall is a slap in the face to all who voted for Justin Katz and Robert Coulter. The voters “will” is in jeopardy of being overturned because a few dozen people are having a temper tantrum, not accepting the results of your election. So now they try to void the election results via a recall.

You shouldn’t have to vote every year, so don’t. Because of the way our recall process works, if not enough people participate, it doesn’t count.

That’s the best bet, this time around. Don’t vote.

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