Donuts to Dollars

The six-month "grace period" for newly-elected town board members is rapidly approaching, and recall petitions for the mayor and five of the six trustees can be placed in circulation as early as late October, provided language is approved.

A recently-formed local committee, Citizens for Responsive Government, has created a questionnaire to gauge public sentiment for recalling any or all of the elected officials once it becomes possible to do so.  The form can be filled out anonymously, but contact information in the form of a valid email address or working telephone number is required.  Space is also provided on the form for opinions related to introducing a local ordinance making it mandatory for a criminal indictment or conviction prior to a recall, with a financial "general fund offset" to restore general fund depletion due to administrative expense, similar to a "carbon offset", invoiced to those organizing what impartial outside observers would interpret as a non-criminal, partisan, or "personal vendetta" type of recall effort, should it garner enough signatures to proceed.

"If, for example, someone was disappointed by the indifference of long-serving board members to pleas to stop honoring a man accused in 1917 of statutory rape, by removing his name from a town pika," said Rick Speedheart, spokesperson for the group, "should this intransigence rise to the level of a recall?  Or if elected officials repeatedly refuse to respond to public emails, and avoid interacting with constituents via trustee talks or mayor chats, even virtually, during the pandemic, should they be recalled?  This questionnaire, and especially the level of participation in filling out the questionnaire, will help get a handle on that."

The forms are available outside Speedheart's shop at 560 Black Rock Boulevard, and can be picked up and deposited in a "touchless", sanitary way.  If you would prefer an electronic version of the form, the email address epcrg@usa.com will start that process and direct you to the appropriate Facebook page.  A hard-copy form can also be mailed to a home or business address.  You are welcome to speak and express your views in person with a member of the committee, either outside or inside the 560 Black Rock Boulevard location, on Saturdays before 1:00 p.m. or after 5:00 p.m., provided you agree to wear a mask.  Any additional questions can be directed to the epcrg@usa.com email address.