To the Editor:

It’s raw, damp, snowing and I’ve nothing to do but read and think. Not so, I told myself. Why not write a letter letting people know how I feel and what I think? First, I’ve enclosed a copy of an April 25, 2011 letter I mailed to President Obama. My letter suggested he present legislation banning any American from declaring themselves as Republican. He then would have a one-party system similar to the one we have in Rhode Island. We all must be aware of how successful Rhode Island has been under its one-party system? Now I’m left wondering did the president mail a copy of my letter to the new chairman of the Johnston Democrat Committee? Say it’s not so.
The January 12, 2012 Sun Rise edition had a story, “Democrat Town Committee wants to clean house.” Being the skeptic that I am and not believing what I read, I responded with a letter of my own. The title of my letter, “Still ‘A culture of entitlement.’” Where did I go wrong? My letter was all about the Democrat chairman and his family. It has never appeared in print, as I was told, due to the fact that I was too outspoken. My letter was factual.
In the January 26, 2012 Sun Rise edition, was another article, “Democrat Town Committee approves reduction in members.” I was quoted in that article as saying, “It was not a reduction in members they were seeking but rather a smaller committee that could be more easily controlled.” Was I correct?
At the February 15, 2012 meeting of that committee, the chairman was with resignations in hand. Remember he wanted a smaller committee, so why did he have new members voted in to replace those who resigned? Then he went on to say, “We need to elect more Democrats.” Let’s review the past. Since the early ’80s, only one non-Democrat has been elected in the town of Johnston. Perhaps he doesn’t appreciate free thinkers or those that may be hard to control?
Two short years ago, the Democrat chairman submitted his resume seeking a position in our Johnston schools sports department. A free thinking non-Democrat elected official openly objected. He was not selected. Could that be his reason for wanting to elect more Democrats? Say it’s not so. If it’s not so, then it may only be for more control and more power, of course only for the good of the electorate and taxpayers of Johnston?
A man named Richard Sherman wrote, “Conscience has no more to do with gallantry than it has with politics.” The word gallantry, as my dictionary defines it, “nobility and bravery.” Now I don’t consider myself as either noble or brave, just a man with a conscience. So I will finish this letter with yet another quote from Sir Walter Scott, “Oh what a tangled web we weave, when first we practise [sic] to deceive!”
A political party does not make a person; a person makes the party. As I look out my window, it’s still snowing so I will end this letter to take a nap. I hope others will remain awake long enough to read this letter.

Ernest F. Pitochelli Sr.
District 2 Councilman
Town of Johnston