Carol Anne Costa: Exeter’s Recall- Why the People Won

Carol Anne Costa: Exeter’s Recall- Why the People Won

Last year, with the Newtown massacre fresh, the Obama administration began advancing new gun regulations, many states including Rhode Island’s General Assembly started the move toward a gun reform package, and it sent local municipalities scrambling to review town and city policies and safety measures for guns and public buildings, particularly schools. With the nation mourning and angry, a flurry of gun and 2nd Amendment debate and legislation moved through the process on many levels from kitchen tables’ right up to the Oval Office. People formed strong opinions on access to guns, permitting procedures, mental health screenings and those positions proved steadfast on every side of the issue. Right here in the rural and bucolic Town of Exeter similar reviews of gun policies were under scrutiny and a political firestorm that resulted in a recall election ensued.

No matter where you are on the gun debate this process put democracy and citizenship in full view and that is a good thing. The roles of local canvassers, the special election process combined to exhibit the scope and responsibility of delivering a fair election through the town’s workers in charge of those duties. It displayed what activism looks and sounds like, and it provided a spectacular vision of what Saturday voting can do for the process. I believe whole heartily it is time to expand access to voting, streamline elections and give local canvassers more tools to make the process less cumbersome in RI. Did you hear that General Assembly? I am hoping that you are prepared to act forcefully on this in the upcoming session. And, look no further than Exeter to reference what Saturday voting can do for the election process.

The issue that polarized the Town of Exeter was a gun permitting conundrum which commenced a groundswell of participation and old fashioned grass roots campaigning and ultimately a rare event in Rhode Island; a recall election. At odds was the practice of allowing carry and conceal permits to be doled out by the Town Clerk assisted by the 84 year old Town Sergeant, who holds an elected position which remains rooted in tradition and is largely ceremonial. Exeter’s Town Clerk is the only Town Clerk in Rhode Island with this power and responsibility. These legitimate concerns moved the Town Council to act and thereby pitted them against a passionate gun advocates lobby.

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The Vote

The special Exeter Town Council meeting of March 11, 2013 with over 300 citizens in attendance was ground zero for what was to come. Upon a motion made by Mr. Monahan to approve Resolution Urging Passage of Legislation Relating to Gun Permitting in the Town of Exeter; seconded by Mr. Ellis; and voted as follows: Arlene Hicks- yea, William Monahan-yea, Raymond Morrissey- nay , Robert Johnson- yea and Calvin Ellis -yea. With that vote, the many folks got fired up and ready to go.

The sitting Town Council voted to move the practice of permitting to the RI Attorney General’s Office which has the resources for more in depth reviews which the Town Clerk and Town Sergeant simply do not. The vote to support the resolution had gun rights advocates and the tea party faithful recoil in horror, and thereby challenge the actions of the 4 council members who voted affirmatively. And, the wheels of democracy hit the ground spinning feverishly fueled by passion, positions and old fashioned, bare knuckles politics; providing a lesson in the “process”. Lines were drawn, alliances formed and the political version of Survivor took shape.

Tribal Council - Battle Lines

On team “We the People” we find a spirited tribe of gun rights and good government advocates whose mission, according to their website, was clear: Re-Establish a Government: for the people, of the people, by the people. Defend your rights as an Exeter citizen and the rights of your fellow citizens. This is a non-partisan issue and concerns the Constitutional rights of all Exeter citizens. Elect officials who will represent the people and faithfully execute the duties of their office in accordance with the Exeter Town Charter and the law. Elect officials who will honor their commitment to the United States of America, respect the rights of its citizens and who will defend the US and Rhode Island Constitutions.

On team “Exeter 4” is a feisty tribe of defenders who assembled to support the embattled 4 Councilors; Calvin Ellis, Bill Monahan, Arlene Hicks and Bob Johnson. The tribe was fueled by the desire to keep moneyed and special interest groups from outside the town from usurping town government, according to their website.

Really don’t you just love a good political fight fraught with words and phrases like; we the people and usurping local government? It gets the people thinking and acting as they are supposed to in a participatory government. It is good for the political soul. Exeter’s people and process certainly came through with a tutorial in civics. Make no mistake, RI and the country was watching.

The special election surrounding the recall of the “Exeter 4” issue was about the process, enthusiasm and exercising the right to campaign, lobby and ultimately vote. While I personally believe the people of Exeter reached the best decision by rejecting the recall, I don't live there and I respect the full throated, passionate example of the process exhibited by this small, engaged and rural Rhode Island town. Rare is the recall election, but the tribe has spoken, turn in your torch We the People, as the Exeter 4 survive to govern another day.

 

A public relations and community outreach specialist, Carol has experience in both the public and private sectors. She is the Chairwoman of the Scituate Democratic Town Committee and has extensive community affairs and public relations experience. She previously served in the Rhode Island Judiciary for nearly 17 years. Carol also enjoyed a successful development stint at the Diocese of Providence as Associate Director for Catholic Education and is currently a public housing manager for the Johnston Housing Authority. Her work has been published in several local outlets including: GOLOCALPROV, Valley Breeze, The Rhode Island Catholic, and Currents Magazine.