Barnstable Precinct 6 Janet Joakim Recall. NO
I would like to express my deepest concerns for the health of the democratic process in the Town of Barnstable, and add a voice to the chorus of concern over the most recent mis-use of our Town Charter to recall Councilor Janet Joakim.
Our town government has been charged to deal with a host of challenges over recent years that by and large have been well managed. Barnstable remains a great place to live and raise a family and we have in large measure our locally elected and appointed officials to thank for our continued quality of life. The people we elect are not professional politicians but simply long time residents who come to a place in their lives where they feel they can contribute to the stewardship of our town. They all have my thanks.
Many complain about the lack of choice of quality candidates in both local and national elections. It has been said time and again, who would ever run for public office given the endless hours, limited compensation, and personal attacks from single-issue voters that public officials endure. Elected officials should be judged by their entire record, not simply on one or two hot-button issues.
When an official’s term expires the people have an obligation and a right to vote their conscience to either retire or re-elect them. Should this recall petition be successful I suggest that the major consequence will be a further chill on the willingness for local people to step up and offer themselves to public service. Recalls and impeachments should be limited to criminal misuse of office or extreme moral turpitude, not used simply as a tool to further a particular political or personal agenda.
I have observed councilor Joakim’s advocacy for public access rights, public safety, and fair state funding of public education and been well satisfied. There may be other issues where I personally would have liked to see different approaches; however, well-intentioned people will disagree, this is the nature of complex problems. We run the risk, should this recall be successful, of making it impossible for our elected officials to vote their conscience on tough issues, and creating poll-driven sycophants out of good people.
I would encourage anyone dissatisfied with their elected representatives to get involved and run for office if they feel they can do a better job.
I hope that the Charter Commission addresses this portion of the Town Charter to prevent the future paralyzing abuse of process that is presently in place.
Scott G. Blazis
Centerville
"CAVE" men have a detrimental effect on local government Cape Cod Today
Editor,
The upcoming recall vote on Barnstable Town Councilor Janet Joakim is an unfortunate reflection of the disgraceful level of discourse that certain local gadflies have sunk to. While I support the right of all people to question and debate government officials, I am disgusted by the tactics these critics have taken to heart. Their scurrilous internet activities, where they gleefully defame anyone who disagrees with them, have evolved into this recall attempt.
I view these critics as "CAVE" men (Citizens Against Virtually Everything) who are having a detrimental effect on our local government. It seems their philosophy is in line with the famous quote from Vietnam: "We had to destroy the village in order to save it." If their goal is really to reform government, why create a climate where no rational person would run for office and become exposed to such hateful attacks? Or where you ensure that the very officials you need to effect change won't listen to you?
I hope that the voters of Precinct 6 will see through this unsavory recall attempt, and vote No on October 30th.
Ralph F Cahoon
Barnstable Village
"A model State Representative for others to follow." CFBB
The proper function of government is to do for the people those things that have to be done but cannot be done, or cannot be done as well by individuals, and that the most effective government is government closest to the people. I believe that free enterprise and the encouragement of individual initiative and incentive is what has made our Nation great. I strongly believe that Americans value and should preserve their feeling of national strength and pride, and at the same time share with people everywhere a desire for peace and freedom.
Representative Jeffrey Davis Perry
