C.O.R.E. (Citizens for an Open and Responsible Edgewood) came about when local residents began seeing a pattern of abuse of power, overreach of authority, and disregard for public opinion. These patterns appeared to stem from mayor, John Bassett.
Unlike the group upset with our efforts to bring information to the public, no C.O.R.E. member is related to the mayor, none are his political appointees, and none are his employees. C.O.R.E.’s only motivations are keeping the community informed, protecting the financial welfare of the taxpayers and property owners, and promoting safe and wise use of local and town resources.
In 2018 and 2019, citizens began looking into the mayor’s actions including two costly endeavors: a hostile takeover attempt of a local water system and a residential sewer. What was discovered through doumented records and public meetings was evidence of problems even more worrisome than expected. The research compiled by C.O.R.E. members comes from town and state records (obtained using IPRA – Information of Public Records Act), local newspaper, and recordings of public meetings.
The lack of transparency and failure to answer questions from the public and council members only added to the group’s concerns. That’s when C.O.R.E. knew they had to share the information they had uncovered with their fellow neighbors and make people aware of the potential long-term impacts and financial burdens to which this mayor is subjecting Edgewood citizens and property owners.
Group members began posting information on Eye on Edgewood (Facebook page), making podcasts that explained the misdeeds being perpetrated by the mayor, and hosted several public forums (Nov. 2019, Mar. 2020, June 2020) to allow the public to ask questions and gain information. Three former Edgewood mayors (Calkins, Stearley, and Hill), also concerned by what they were seeing, attended the November 2019 community forum (pre-COVID restrictions on large gatherings).
Before the 2018 announcement that the mayor was attempting a hostile takeover of EPCOR and residential sewer collection system, most C.O.R.E. members didn’t know each other. But they came together because of their common concern for what is being done to the community of Edgewood. C.O.R.E. is a diverse group of residents with a wide variety of experience, skills, and interests. Some are longtime residents, some are newcomers, but they all care about Edgewood and want a strong, , honest, and inclusive community.
C.O.R.E.’s focus is finding a positive path forward to get Edgewood on track as a successful community where local government respects community priorities, listens to all opinions, and operates lawfully with integrity, safety, and fiscal responsibility.
WATCH: “C.O.R.E. An Introduction”
