Kudos to the editor who added a note to Meghan Gonzalez’s letter of Dec. 4, 2024. The note explained that Gonzalez herself resigned from the Little Compton School Committee several months ago, and her seat was then filled by fellow democrat Mark Gleicher, the next highest vote-getter not to earn a seat on the committee in the 2022 election cycle. This note provided much-needed context.

Kudos to the editor because Gonzalez criticized Mike Rocha, being the next highest vote-getter not earning a seat in the 2024 election cycle, for filling the seat vacated by Susan Kinnane. Gonzalez makes no mention of her own recent resignation from the same committee and replacement by a fellow Democrat. Instead she has vilified Mike Rocha and Susan Kinnane with unfounded claims.

One can reach only one of two logical conclusions from her writing. Either Gonzalez has simply forgotten what she has done, or she truly believes that what she does is acceptable, but it is not acceptable if someone else does the same thing. The fact is that per Little Compton governing rules, whenever a school committee or town council member resigns for any reason, the person with the highest vote count who did not earn a seat in that committee in the most recent election cycle is granted the opportunity to fulfill the position. That is the rule. It applies to everyone. Period.

One could interpret her letter as ironic, but I would not use that term. In my mind ‘ironic’ events occur in a well-written novel to impart an important point about human behavior. The comedy of human condition. Hypocrisy is another possibility, but I would not use it to describe Gonzalez’s letter, because hypocrisy implies a moral standard. The letter is something else. It is beyond my ability to describe it.

 Susan Kinnane is very much the person I would like to have as a neighbor. She has raised a wonderful family, lovely children and grandchildren, is clear-minded, family-oriented, and caring for her neighbors and community. She is very much in touch with what it takes to raise a family and support her community.  Mike Rocha is an honest, hard-working local businessman. He serves his community selflessly. He is an exemplary father, a loving husband, and an honorable son. Mike and Susan respect all individuals who come in their pathway, and they have what it takes to provide an environment for children to flourish in their studies and grow to be honorable adults.

Let’s leave political parties aside, whether one is Democrat, Republican or Independent. Let’s follow the rule of the law, and practice neighborly kindness.

Ara Sadaniantz MD

Little Compton

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