*Full article below to assist with readability, originally published in September 2021
By Will King
In last week’s editorial, Mr. T. Sgouros made several incorrect assertions concerning the current recall petition of School Committee person Ms. Jennifer Lima.
Specifically:
- That the recall was not meant to recall Ms. Lima.
- That the recall provision in our NK Charter is meant for corruption and abuse of power.
- That the recall is initiated and being used by town Republicans.
Firstly, the recall most definitely is directed at recalling Ms. Lima. The petition cites her public shaming of students; her questionable actions to expend taxpayer money for other than the intended purpose (a reference to her effort to spend $90.000 to hire a consultancy to find racism in the NK school system; and her actions and efforts to ‘stack-the-deck’ of the so-called, “diversity, Equity and Inclusiveness” ad hoc subcommittee. Of note, there were over 50 applicants for that sub-committee including a licensed, practicing MD and many well known and respected professionals of our town. However, no known conservatives were selected; none. Where is the ‘inclusiveness’ in that? The recall is most definitely focused on Ms. Lima.
Secondly, the NK recall provision is not meant for corruption and abuse of power, a false assertion. Corruption and abuse of power are dealt with legally through the court system. Recall across America is for political issues with certain elected officials. In 2004, the NK recall effort was the pet of the left-leaning progressives who were upset with conservative school committee members who were defending fiscal conservative policies. The NK Charter Commission was keenly aware of the potential for abuse of a recall provision, and ew agreed that it should be difficult to recall an elected official; the result is the existing, very high bar in order to recall Ms. Lima.
Thirdly that the 2021 recall is owned by the NK Republicans; another entirely false assertion. This recall was initiated by a brave, young 2021 NK High School graduate and a large group of entirely apolitical parents of students who are very upset with the above questionable activities within the school system.
My anecdotal discussions with many NK residents, all unaffiliated voters, indicates that there is a considerable concern with the current issues within our school system. This recall will succeed within our school system. This recall will succeed or fail on its own merits, not on false assertions.
