The Davidson County Republican Party Executive Committee voted to remove me as 1st Vice Chair by a vote of 14-5 at a special purge hearing in late November. While the vote may have indeed taken place, the hearing that initiated it was improper, illegitimate, and contrary to the Party rules. Because of this the vote itself is null and void, thus I am still currently the Vice Chair of the Davidson County Republican Party.
The vote during the hearing was not valid because the hearing itself was not valid. The reasons of which that I will explain below, primarily stem from Chairman Starnes' and other Party leaders' inability to follow the Party's rules on the subject of removal. There are several major and critical holes in their procedures as well as a few minor ones. If the Party is to take such a significant measure and undergo a task as grave as removing someone from their duly elected position, for any integrity in this process to be maintained, they must adhere to the rules.
First and foremost the movement to hold the hearing was not executed correctly. TNGOP rules and regulations state "The Chairman of the County Party must sign the Motion [for the hearing] and the Secretary must attest it. The Motion must also be signed by the other County Party Executive Committee members who voted for the Motion....The Motion shall include a certificate by the County Party Secretary that the Motion has been served as required below..." However Chairman Starnes and Secretary Barbara Oonk failed to sign the form showing they voted for the purge. They also falsely attested that 14 officers had signed the motion to remove, in actuality only 12 officers did, which was not enough signatures necessary to initiate the purge hearing.
Myself, and at least 4 other officers of the DCRP-EC were not asked about availability of a date for the purge hearing. Section 2-I of the TRP Rules for removal of County Officers says that "The members of the County Party Executive Committee should be polled before the Motion is prepared to ensure that the required number of Executive Committee members will in fact attend on the date chosen." This was a very inconvenient time due to its proximity to Thanksgiving but the entire DCRP-EC was not polled for availability, another example, among many, of Chairman Starnes' disregard for the rules.
The copy of the TRP 'Rules For Removal Of County Officers' that was sent to me by the DCRP had pages missing and were removed by instructions issued from Chairman Starnes. Out of a document numbered to page 8 (assuming that was indeed the end of the document), the 5th page was excluded. When this was raised at the hearing it was mentioned that Chairman Starnes and/or Secretary Barbara Oonk "did not think that page 5 was relevant or necessary to include"! I asked what was on page 5 and they said that page 5 contained instructions for removal of the County Party Chairman. Besides the fact that they excluded pages of the rules, besides the fact that they took it upon themselves to decide which pages might be relevant to me and which might not, they were obviously censoring the rules in an effort to prevent anyone from knowing the procedure to oust the Chair! There may have indeed been relevant items to my hearing on that page, but I was never given the opportunity to determine that for myself.
The copy of the TRP Rules for removal of County Officers also apparently contains errors and typos. Section II-O states "The affirmative votes of at least 2/3rd of the State Party Executive Committee Members present in person are required for removal". When this was raised at the purge hearing regarding what the procedure was for having both a secret ballot and yet also knowing that 2/3 of the SEC members voted for removal, it was arbitrarily stated that the document "contained a typo on this matter" without any other statement given to back up this assertion. Assuming this is true it raises the question of what other errors were contained in the document? How can one base a purge hearing on documents that are inaccurate and cause the rules to be effectively arbitrary? How are we to follow the rules when they are not even written down correctly?
On 11/23/09 at 6:36pm Attorney Paul Ney sent an e-mail to me with procedures and an outline on the process for the purge hearing to be held the following evening. This was less than 24 hours notice, not enough reasonable time to prepare. Also in that same e-mail Mr. Ney notified that he would be presiding over the hearing. I have the utmost respect for Mr Ney given what I know of him. However less than 24 hours notice on these two matters would hardly be considered "fair" by any standard.
When the minutes from the October 27th DCRP Executive Committee Meeting were sent out to the members by Secretary Barbara Oonk, they were "whitewashed". Discussion and comments made by Region Chair Dewey Cooksey, Director at Large Barry Donegan, SEC Members John Ambrose, and Mark Winslow, 2nd Vice Chair Dan Davis and others were completely omitted. Secretary Barbara Oonk has even admitted that Chairman Starnes and Attorney Austin McMullen "edit" the minutes of DCRP-EC meetings prior to release to anyone else (Secretary Oonk told me on the phone last spring that I was prohibited from seeing any minutes until after Chairman Starnes edits and approves them). The motion for the purge hearing was not listed on the agenda for the 27tt as it should've been under "New Business". It was a sneaky, slimy, underhanded blindside improper maneuver tacked on to the last few moments of the meeting that was orchestrated by Chairman Starnes, and executed by Diane DiStasio.
At the purge hearing there was also confusion on which set of DCRP Bylaws the Party is currently operating under. The TRP Rules Committee at the time of the hearing had not yet approved the DCRP's newly voted upon bylaws. Some of these revisions were directly relevant to my defense. But because it was not clearly understood if we were operating under the new or old bylaws I was not able to properly defend myself on several points. Newer versions of the bylaws that may or may not be in effect specifically discuss using one's title in a way that purports to represent the Party - which of course I am not guilty of.
And finally the hearing was held behind closed doors by decree of Mr. Ney. Although his decree to remove People from the room was congruent with Roberts Rules of Order, it is incompatible with openness and transparency that is necessary for democratic process in a free society. All DCRP officers were elected in an open forum by the People in the Republican Party of Davidson County, those who voted us in to office have a right to be there if there is a removal hearing.
I was informed by an individual who is a credible source that there were conversations (possibly in the form of e-mails) between Chairman Starnes, TRP Chairman DeVaney, Paul Ney, and TRP CoS John Newman about a pre-determined outcome for the purge hearing. I requested discovery of all matters within the State Party and within the DCRP among other officers of any e-mails, notes, conversations, etc relevant to myself and the purge hearing. In a fair, open, and honest situation this request for sunshine and discovery would've been respected. However because I was denied the ability to view what I had a right to view, this indicated that there is more than likely something they are trying to hide. I was specifically informed by this anonymous source that "Mr. Ney was told in advance by either Devaney or Newman what the outcome of the hearing had to be".
At the previous DCRP-EC meeting in October, until opposition was raised, Chairman Starnes was attempting to "railroad" the installation of Mr. Tim Lee into the position of Director-at-Large formerly held by Jon Crisp. She was attempting to appoint or decree that Mr. Lee fill the open position regardless that the bylaws clearly state that the Executive Committee must vote any new officers into office. That is typical behavior for Chairman Starnes but I now realize that her purpose in railroading Tim Lee into his current position was to gain another vote in favor of my purge.
Some might wonder why I have waited until now to make this known. The issue is that while I suspected the hearing itself was illegitimate due to the concept of fruit gained from a poisonous tree, in an effort to minimize Party divisiveness I did not publicly raise any of this. Some of the above points were mentioned at the hearing however they were not fully pursued to their logical conclusion. I realize after close inspection of the events that transpired that these points are valid and that I was indeed not legally voted out of the position of 1st Vice Chair of the Davidson County Republican Party. These are not minimal technicalities or trivial violations of common fairness. These are outright gross examples of the inability of Chairman Starnes and others to follow the Party rules with an alleged pre-plotted effort by the TRP leadership to have me purged.
I had indeed offered to work with Chairman Starnes and the rest of the Executive Committee to put our differences behind us multiple times. Chairman Starnes refused to return e-mails and phone calls from myself and 2nd Vice Chair Dan Davis. She was absolutely resistant to any sort of unity or olive branches. At the purge hearing I explicitly offered to attempt to work out our differences and move forward to build a stronger Party. Unfortunately Chairman Starnes, the puppet master Beth Cambell, and their ignorant minions were only deadset on my removal, esprit de corps be damned.
I was trying to build the Party and move it forward into the future. I was not attempting to be destructive of the Party contrary to their hypocritical claims, remember they were the ones who begun this divisive action. It is a shame that those who have a personal vendetta against me are the ones being destructive of the Party by way of this unfounded purge in which I have broken no rules.
Mentioning many times previously that I have violated no bylaws, it is pertinent to list the accusations against me so that their obviously unsubstantiated claims can be known.
The motion made by Diane DiStasio (who is rumored to be an event planner for the upcoming National Tea Party Convention interestingly enough) at the request and direction of Chairman Starnes was to remove Matt Collins as 1st Vice Chairman of the DCRP for "cause" as defined in Art III Sec 4 of TN GOP Bylaws and Rule H.
The alleged conduct constituting "cause" includes:
1- Behavior not supportive of the Republican Platform
2- Behavior aimed at advancing his personal opinions of the cause of the Libertarian Party and candidates above that of the Republican Party
3- Use of the DCRP title when expressing personal opinions derogatory to, and disrespectful of, Republican candidates and elected officials.
4- Using his title while commenting on issues or legislation creating the impression that he was speaking for the Republican Party when merely stating his own personal views.
5- Refusal to remove his title from written communication stating his personal opinion after two requests from the Communications Committee Chairman
6- Insistence on being undiplomatic, using unprofessional actions and words, as the appropriate way to make a statement or advance a cause
7- Posturing himself as the "conscience of the Davidson County Republican Party" and refusing to find common ground, or civil discourse
8-Personal written statements demonstrating primary loyalties to libertarian causes and philosophies
9 - Public statements on at least one occasion at Republican functions that he used to be a Republican but is now a "libertarian"
10 - Personal public stances, disclaimers not withstanding, that have drawn negative reactions from state party officials, the press, and loyal Republicans
11- Engaging in conduct and making statements that have drawn criticism from bona fide Republicans statewide and have undermined the ability and effectiveness of the Republican Party.
Each one of the above points is easy to refute and can be done in only a few short sentences:
1- I was unaware that absolute adherence to the Republican Platform is necessary for holding an office within the Party. And while I of course agree with the majority of the Platform, I do urge my fellow Republicans to follow it. It should be noted that there were several instances where Senator John McCain's Presidential platform did not coincide with the official Republican Platform. Also gun control laws and Democrat-style bailouts are against the Platform too (such as what Zach Wamp and Bill Haslam support). I support limited government under the US Constitution which largely aligns with the GOP Platform; their assertion that I do not is patently false.
2- I am not nor have I been an active member of the "Libertarian Party". There is confusion as the result of honest ignorance that being a "libertarian" (lower case) vs being a "Libertarian" (upper case) are indeed not one in the same. Small "l" libertarians believe in the philosophy of limited government. It is worth pointing out that most American voters consider themselves "libertarian leaning" on one or more issues.
http://www.cato-at-liberty.org/2009/10/27/gallups-conservatives-and-libertarians
/ Big "L" Libertarians are members of the Libertarian Party. It is unfortunate that this ignorance exists, but even more unfortunate that it is being exploited by several individuals in a personal vendetta against me through a whisper campaign. Even LP Chair of Davidson County Daniel Lewis has written a letter to Chairman Starnes informing her that I am not a member of the LP!
http://politics.nashvillepost.com/2009/11/19/matt-collins-is-not-now-nor-has-he-
ever-been-a-member-of-the-libertarian-party/
3 and #4- In every single use of my title, I explicitly disclaimed my words as NOT being representative of the Party. To assert otherwise is flat out untrue. The newly voted upon by laws state that "Unless approved by the Executive Committee, no member of the Executive Committee will use his title or position on the Executive Committee in a way that explicitly implies the endorsement of the DCRP or Executive Committee for or against any candidate or issue that is subject to election." I have never used my title or position in a way that explicitly implies the endorsement of the DCRP or the EC; I never claim to speak for the Party, and I never have.
Chairman Starnes on the other hand has done so multiple times:
http://politics.nashvillepost.com/2009/10/20/davidson-county-republican-party-en
dorses-non-republican/
and
http://politics.nashvillepost.com/2009/08/17/civil-war-
in-the-davidson-county-gop/
5- I have broken no bylaws because my title was never used in such a way that implied the endorsement of the DCRP (See #3). Also the Communications Committee can request action but cannot make rules for the Party or institute bylaw changes on their own. The Communications Committee Chairman has no authority over any officers or members of the Party unless the Executive Committee makes it so, which it has not.
6- This is an unquantifiable relative and subjective point that does not violate any bylaw.
7- The phrase "Conscience of the Republican Party" is the slogan of the Republican Liberty Caucus, an organization designed to "to promote individual liberty, limited government, and free enterprise within the Republican Party". I am the Vice Chair of the TN RLC - http://www.rlc.org/ and http://rlctn.org/
8- Again this is confusing the big "L" vs little "l" terminology (see #2). Libertarian Party is not the same as libertarian philosophy. Barry Goldwater and Ronald Reagan were both self-described libertarians and were two of the greatest Republicans in the history of the Party. Ronald Reagan himself even said that "the very heart and soul of conservatism is libertarianism" http://reason.com/archives/1975/07/01/inside-ronald-reagan
9- A half truth verging on a blatant lie. I was raised in a Republican household and considered myself a Republican until I attended college. I then considered myself a Libertarian for a very brief amount of time (about a year), and have since returned to the Republican Party as a limited-government / Constitutional Republican. I have signed an oath of allegiance to the Republican Party affirming that I am a Republican; that oath is still in effect. I am a Republican, any assertion otherwise is false.
10- and 11- Drawing negative criticism is unavoidable in political discourse. To think otherwise is absurd. Every Republican who has ever run for office or held a prominent and influential position has drawn negative criticism from both Republicans, non-Republicans, and the media.
At the purge hearing all of the above points were easily refuted one-at-a-time. The Executive Committee members had no legitimate reason to vote me out, I had not violated any rules or bylaws. Their stated accusations were based upon half-truths, misunderstandings, and innuendo. Markham Gross, a DCRP delegate at the convention even had a private conversation with Chairman Starnes in which she admitted twice to him that I had not broken any rules or bylaws.
As of now January 25, 2010 I have received no response from Secretary Barbara Oonk in the 5 days following my request for the official minutes from the purge hearing.
A lawsuit by me against most of the officers of the DCRP is absolutely warranted, among other reasons, for violating the rules of the Party, and also defamation of my character.
If the officers of the DCRP had any integrity, (I doubt they will prove so), then they would quickly move to oust Chairman Starnes. The irony is that Chairman Starnes, a former Democrat, is the one who should be considered for removal for the following actions that clearly constitute "cause for removal" moreso than any of my actions:
- Chairman Starnes has modified and withheld official minutes from myself and other officers
- Chairman Starnes took longer than 60 hours last spring to reply various phone calls, and e-mails, including my attempt at scheduling a one-on-one meeting and even 72 hours after the initial request she still refused to set a date and location.
- Chairman Starnes had ignored repeated requests last spring by both myself and 2nd Vice Chair Dan Davis to discuss matters over coffee
- Chairman Starnes openly libeled me in an e-mail to the entire DCRP-EC on 5/19 accusing me of "trying to destroy the Party"
- Chairman Starnes openly and publicly slandered me at the Bellevue Breakfast Club September 5th saying that I "was doing nothing" while also slandering 2nd Vice Chair Daniel Davis for "not helping reach out to the black community".
- Chairman Starnes has been working "behind the scenes" and outside of sunshine and transparency, by her own admission.
- Chairman Starnes has consistently ignored and "worked around" both Vice Chairs and other officers failing to include them in key decision making
- Chairman Starnes has spent money from the treasury without informing or seeking consent of the Executive Committee
- Chairman Starnes has refused to provide the EC with a complete list of her committee appointments after repeated requests
- Chairman Starnes has misrepresented the Party on multiple occasions in 2 press releases and also in a letter to Democrat Congressman Jim Cooper. An offer to host a town hall meeting was falsely broadcast saying that she had DCRP-EC approval to extend the offer which she did not.
http://politics.nashvillepost.com/2009/08/17/civil-war-in-the-davidson-county-go
p/
- Chairman Starnes has violated the bylaws of the TN Republican Party by openly supporting a non-Republican Candidate. Even though I agree with her specific intentions, it was improper for her as an officer and a clear violation of the Party rules.
http://politics.nashvillepost.com/2009/10/20/davidson-county-republican-party-en
dorses-non-republican/
- Chairman Starnes called 2nd Vice Chair Dan Davis "scary looking" to his face; this comment was not in jest.
- Chairman Starnes illegally called for a primary for the office of Davidson County Juvenile Court Clerk costing the taxpayers thousands of dollars without any debate, discussion, or even EC approval.
http://politics.nashvillepost.com/2009/12/17/davidson-county-gop-asks-for-a-juve
nile-court-clerk-primary/
- Chairman Starnes Refused to allow the Party to take a position on the Nashville convention center. I suspect because EC/SEC Council Member Karen Bennett voted for it, and State House Candidate Duane Dominy voted for it too.
http://politics.nashvillepost.com/2009/12/08/former-vice-chair-chides-nashville-
gop-for-not-leading-the-charge-against-the-convention-center/
- Chairman Starnes was involved in a fundraiser at the house of Democrat Congressman Jim Cooper. http://www.wintennessee.com/
Perhaps the above examples are how the Democrats operate their Party and may in fact be what Chairman Starnes is accustomed to. Interestingly enough another anonymous credible source informed me that allegedly Chairman Starnes "left the Democrat Party to join the Republican Party simply because her husband did not win the construction contract by Phil Bredeson for renovating the Governor's mansion" (it should be noted that Chairman Starnes had been appointed to positions by two Democrat Governors). However the Republican Party should hold itself to a higher standard than Democrat cronyism and by continuing to allow Chairman Starnes and those who behave in a similar manner to escape accountability, they are essentially forcing the Party to be likened to the Democrats.
I will not pursue the well-deserved legal action against many Party officers or even Chairman Starnes. I will also not challenge the outcome of the purge hearing even though it is illegitimate on its face. There are more productive endeavors for the cause of liberty that I will instead focus on that will yield both fruitful and tangible results. The DCRP county club sandbox social clique is currently irrelevant, inept, inconsequential, and insignificant due to Kathleen Starnes' (lack of) leadership.
Still firmly believing that the Republican Party is the only current political vehicle capable of returning our nation to that of limited-government Constitutionalism, my offer of reconciliation with the DCRP stands. However I do see it as unlikely that those members of the Party who voted against me will be able to get past their personal bias and unwillingness to hold their leaders accountable. It is imperative that we clean our own house and hold our leaders accountable, otherwise we will be labeled hypocrites when we attack the Democrats (and rightly so). We cannot allow our Party leadership to behave like liberal/Democrats and then criticize the liberal/Democrats for pursuing the same paths. I have offered and offered and offered to work together but Chairman Starnes and her ilk have yet to take me up on it. It should be noted however that I do not wish for my unpleasant experience to deter anyone from working within the Republican Party in an attempt to restore limited-government, although I certainly understand why they feel that it might.
Categories: Campaign For Liberty, Presidential Race, Grassroots News, Current Events, Revolution
Tags: Matt Collins, Nashville Republican Party, nashville, tn, Tennessee, r3voltion, revolution, davidson county gop,
Showing comments 1—1 of 1
Posted 02/15/10
olivia1353
nashville, TN | Hi, is there anything that we as residents of nashville, tennessee can do to change this vote? |
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