I’m a member of this community who cares deeply about the health of our public institutions, the tone of our civic life, & the kind of example set for people watching all this unfold.

What concerns me about this recall effort being inflicted on members of this board & on the people of this community is not merely the politics of it. It’s the precedent it sets.

The petitions themselves list some votes. Not illegal actions or policy violations or corruption. Simply votes.

Votes about a rain garden project, legal counsel, & a paving contract.

Reasonable people can disagree about those decisions. That’s the entire point of an elected board. Board members are chosen precisely so they can weigh information, exercise judgment, & make decisions on behalf of the community. If every vote that someone disagrees with becomes grounds for a recall, then what we’re really saying is that representatives are not allowed to represent. They’re only allowed to comply.

That’s not accountability. That’s intimidation.

The recall process is an important safeguard in a democracy. Safeguards work best when they’re reserved for serious situations, such as illegal conduct, corruption, or major ethical violations. When recalls are used simply because someone disagrees with a policy vote, the process loses its integrity & becomes a tool for political pressure rather than public accountability.

What many people in this community have witnessed over the past year is very troubling. Board members trying to serve their community have been repeatedly targeted, motives questioned, publicly ripped to shreds, words repeatedly twisted, & professional reputations dragged through the mud over ordinary governance decisions.

Disagreement is healthy in a democracy. But there’s a line between disagreement & harassment. Between civic engagement and adult-level bullying.

If we want good people to step forward & serve in public roles, then our community must commit to something better.

Christopher Sanders

Lachine