While the Scarborough Charter Review Committee did propose a recall provision be added to the charter, at least for me, the reason was not primarily because of the Pine Point land swap deal (“Revising with recall in mind,” July 9, page 1).

The lack of a recall procedure was the only gaping hole in the procedures in the charter. As someone who has had experience in legal-related fields, it was evident to me the charter provisions in general outlined processes for adding or removing people and decisions, but that it only outlined how someone becomes an elected official in the town. It had no provisions for removing elected officials. Procedures should be circular – what is started or decided should have a way of being ended or overturned.

What the article about the charter work and the document presented to the council are not able to illustrate, is the agonizing and brainstorming of committee members as we sought to present a balanced and well thought-out recall procedure.

Defining a protection for the rights of the citizens of the town that is adequate, but not onerous on elected officials, was difficult.

Nothing is perfect, but we sought to make the procedure one that would allow an avenue for citizens to take action when they deemed important and appropriate, but not act as an unreasonable disincentive for people who are willing to step forward and tackle the hard work that our elected officials perform for this town.

I would like to thank the committee for almost a year of commitment to this process, especially to Annalee Rosenblatt for her work as chairman, Town Manager Tom Hall, for helpful suggestions, and Town Clerk Tody Justice for documenting our work.

Kerry Corthell

Vice Chairman, Charter Review Committee