To the editor:

This letter is a response to a speech made by Warren’s Planner, Bob Rulli, at the Dec. 15 Planning Board meeting, and the Dec. 21 article in the Warren Times on his departure from Warren.

Among other things, he said at the meeting that he didn’t feel like people realized all he had done, and that he didn’t receive the acknowledgment, support and leadership from the elected officials in Town. That was followed by a statement to the effect that he was not proud of certain Warren volunteer boards and a comment about a lack of leadership from elected officials.

A review of Town Council meeting minutes shows that Bob was always recognized when grants were received by the elected officials in Warren. His job as Town Planner was to apply for those grants (he was originally hired as a grant writer) and he always received acknowledgment for doing his job.

As the Town Planner, he should be aware of Section 3.13 of the Town Charter, which is the Council non-interference clause. That section requires the Town Council to deal with the administrative service solely through the Town Manager and prohibits any member of the Town Council from giving directions or orders to the Manager’s subordinates. That includes the Town Planner. It seems that his complaint about elected officials is that they complied with the Town Charter, as they should. In other words, we did our job just like Bob did his.

The Council’s leadership in Warren is exercised in public, at meetings. That public process means Warren residents are able to weigh in on issues that will affect them. Oftentimes they disagree with the Town’s initiatives, and they have a right to do so. Leadership is listening to all stakeholders on an issue and synthesizing the various positions for the best possible decision. It isn’t merely being a cheerleader, and it certainly isn’t bragging about accomplishments. It also isn’t finger pointing or complaining about our volunteer boards and commissions.

While I wish Bob good luck in his new position, I also thought it important to correct the record on his rather odd statements as he leaves Warren.

Joseph DePasquale
Warren Town Councilman