Bennett's Blog

Crisis in Nantucket's Town Government

The following letter was sent to my fellow Selectmen and me by three of Nantucket's Finance Committee Members:

To the Honorable Board of Selectmen,

We are writing to bring your attention to an incident that occurred following the adjournment of the Finance Committee meeting on March 8, 2007.  Vice Chairman Michael Kopko (on right in photo from the Nantucket Independent) approached and engaged memebrs, Mr. Rick Ulmer, Mr. Matt Mulcahy, and Mr. Tim Sovertino in a discussion on various votes the committee had taken during the meeting.

Mr. Kopko expressed his disappointment in the way, we as members of the Finance Committee voted with respect to some of the Government Study warrent articles.  We as individuals, made an attempt to explain our positions hoping he would understand that these were very difficult decisions and people could disagree.  However, it became apparent that our explanations did not appease Mr. Kopko.  In fact, Mr. Kopko intimated that we would not receive his support when it came time for our reappointments to the Finance Committee.  Mr. Soverino stated he was sorry Mr. Kopko felt that way, but he voted his conscious and would have to live without Mr. Kopko's vote.  In addition, Mr. Kopko went on to state that by not voting his position, we are part of the problem with town government or the status quo and were not open to "reform."

The Finance Committee's mandate is to make recommendations to the people of Nantucket at the annual town meeting.  The citizens of Nantucket are expecting this committee to act as an independent body with no allegiance to influence from any other body.  Our concern is that a high ranking town official should no use his/her position as a mean to sway the outcome of issue that come before this committee.  Additionally, by behaving in this manner, Mr. Kopko has erred in his own argument in support at the appointed verses elected positions for certain town committees.  Mr. Kopko's action makes it very clear how an appointment process can be controlled by a few at the expence of many and undermines the committee system as a whole.

We regret to take this action, however, in spirit of full disclosure, felt we had no other choice.  We thank you for the opportunity to serve the people of Nantucket and look forward to continued service.

Respectfully submitted,

Tim Soverino
Matt Mulcahy
Rick Ulmer
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The following is my response to the people of Nantucket supporting these three Finance Committee members:

My Fellow Nantucketers:  

I received a letter in my mailbox this morning from three Finance Committee members.  They were upset because they feel they were threatened by Selectman Kopko.  These three members took a position that was contrary of that of Mr. Kopko and made a recommendation based on what they felt was the right decision for the people of Nantucket. 

Immediately following the meeting, Selectman Kopko went up to them, told them that he did not agree with their decision and threatened them as a consequence of their decision, that he will vote against their reappointment.  While it is in our power as Selectmen to appoint Nantucketers to committees, I ask Mr. Kopko to think rationally about his actions.  While some may point to Mr. Kopko's limited government experience of less than a year on the Board as his excuse, nevertheless, Mr. Kopko should be above politics and partisianship and understand the following:  In America, people are allowed to have their own opinions even if you may not agree with them, and remember the late Mrs Grossman use to say that "It is okay to agree to disagree, but that doesn't mean you should be disagreeable."

As the letter from these Finance Committee members states: "The citizens of Nantucket are expecting this committee to act as an independent body with no allegiance to influence from any other body."  This means that the Finance Committee should be allowed to make it's town meeting recommendations without feeling threatened by the Selectmen.

Mr. Kopko knows better than to use draconian, machiavellian threats to influence the Finance Committee's recommendations.  There is no call for it.  If Mr. Kopko, does not agree with their recommendations, he knows very well that as a Board of Selectmen, we have the power to make our own recommendations.  

As our local government transitions with the addition of two new Selectmen, I hope Mr. Kopko recognizes his misjudgement and thinks with a little more open mindedness next time.  I understand that maybe Mr. Kopko has never been in a leadership position before and that maybe this is just an example of his lack of experience, but as a leader, my wisdom to you is "think before you speak next time" and remember Selectman Kopko: "You get more with Honey than you do with Vineger."

These are lessons that even I have had to learn.  

Your Public Servant, 
Doug Bennett, Nantucket Selectman and County Commissioner