Letter: No. Smithfield must band together against attacks, divisive politics

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I have spent the last 22 years reviewing and reporting on government – the first twelve years as the internal auditor for the city of Providence, and now as the city treasurer. I was also the solicitor for our town and have been chairman of our School Committee for the last four years.

I want to give you my perspective on how the town has been doing over the last four years. Unlike what you hear from some, not everything is broken, and our local elected officials are not corrupt. I believe our town is well run and consider all our elected officials that I served with while chairman to be honest and deeply care about our town.

This election season has been disheartening, to say the least. We need to hear about the people running; positions, experiences, and debates are good for learning about each of the candidates running for office. Unfortunately, I am witnessing the debates vanish. Attacks and allegations have taken over. Many of us have families and children that are affected. There is a great deal of anger on a national level that is now spilling over into our town.

“So, who cares?? You need to be tough to run for office.”

Let me explain why I think this is wrong and destructive to our town. First, it prevents good, qualified people from running for office. When I ask people to consider running for office, a popular response is, “are you crazy?” I’m not putting myself out there to be attacked by people who never even met me.” We are not all perfect and make mistakes. “Got you politics,” hurt good people.

Second, on December 1, we will have a new town administrator and a new town councilors. As in the last four years, we will need to communicate and work things out as demanded by the electorate. Attacks make it much more difficult. A immediate lack of trust is formed when people are more concerned with damaging candidates’ reputations versus focusing on the best people being elected.

I ask two things from supporters. If you support someone and want to post to Facebook or write a letter to the editor, please let everyone know who you support and why. I thank those who have already done so.

I also ask that you please ask people or groups who post attacks to “knock it off.” If they don’t, consider not voting for people supported by groups using malicious tactics to damage other candidates. It is hard enough to run for elected office, but it is heartbreaking and uncool to see people attacked because some don’t like the candidates. North Smithfield needs to band together against those who are supporting the politics of personal destruction. This form of politics will divide us, but electing candidates who wish to work together to make the town a better place to live are the ones I will be supporting.

Working together has produced a better, more efficient, and transparent school department; let us disengage from the negativity. I am proud of our accomplishments and look to continue
on a positive path.

Thank you for listening.

Jim Lombardi

Jim Lombardi is the chairman of the North Smithfield School Committee and treasurer for the city of Providence.

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