Narragansett Election Profile: Deborah Kopech

NARRAGANSETT, RI — Deborah Kopech is running for a seat on the Narragansett Town Council. The 66-year-old Democrat is a newcomer to elected office.

Kopech is retired, with an active volunteer life. She and her husband, Tom Hoagland, have three adult children.

Education

I graduated from Cranston East in Cranston, Rhode Island where I grew up and I have a Bachelor's Degree from Drew University in Madison, New Jersey. I majored in History. I have taken courses in many areas of study, and enrolled in programs that enhanced my career over the years.

Occupation

I am currently retired but I have a very active volunteer life. During my professional life, I worked in finance and management for over 26 years starting as a corporate trainer and left as a senior director responsible for over 200 employees in a customer service venue. Although I grew up in Rhode Island, I have lived in Brooklyn, NY, Montclair, NJ and, ultimately, in Pennsylvania for 27 years, before returning to Rhode Island with my husband and settling in Narragansett, 13 years ago. I was then employed by Westerly Public Schools in the finance department for four years and ultimately was selected to be the first Director of Human Resources, a position I held for five years until retirement.

Since then, I have been involved in several different volunteer activities including as a founding member of the Rhode Island Chapter of the Women's March on Washington which led to a leadership role in a local organization called the South County Huddle. This is a group who works on a wide array of social justice issues in our towns and at the state level. I also serve as a mentor for Washington County Literacy Volunteers. I am a member of the Friends of the Narragansett Library and serve as the Secretary of the Narragansett Democratic Town Committee. I am also a committee member and instructor for Osher Life Learning Institute (OLLI) at URI. During the pandemic, I began a blog-like email for people in the South County Huddle containing news, interesting articles, how to deal with the issues of the pandemic, and as often as possible something humorous. Many of our members are older and live alone and I felt that keeping our community together and providing much needed information was the most useful thing I could do during this time.

Campaign website

My website is www.Deb4Narragansett.com where one can find more detail about my personal history and work history and the issues that are most important to me. I have also created a section with voter information like registration, voting options and my thoughts on candidates.

Why are you seeking elective office?

I have become more concerned over the past several years about the way government functions on every level, so much so that I researched American Government from the federal to the state and municipal levels. I then prepared a Civics class, emphasizing the extensive impact of local government on people and have been teaching it at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at URI. As I became more knowledgeable, I attended as many Town Council meetings as I could and realized that with my business and volunteer experience, I had a great deal to offer to the town in the capacity of a town council member including reorganizing meetings to meet the needs of residents and voters by returning civility and respect to the proceedings, resolving the issues surrounding the public library in keeping with the wishes of the voters, and bringing more information about climate change and its effect on our town, which just happens to be surrounded on three sides by water.

What do you believe should be done to contain the coronavirus pandemic, and what would you do to lessen its economic impacts?

I am not a scientist so anything I say on this issue is based on what I have read and observed and on what it is like to go through a pandemic at the age of 66. I think containment is about what we have been told...continue social distancing, wear a mask, wash hands frequently and limit engagement with people to a small circle of friends and relatives. I believe contact tracing is very important to contain the virus and that if people learned and accepted the science behind these actions rather than see it as a violation of personal freedom, we could continue to open the economy and begin to move toward whatever normal will become. I believe a broader scope of action on the part of the Federal government, deliberate, science-based and honest (about data, current research and timetables) would also calm the nation and move us toward becoming healthier and opening more of our economy,

Do you believe systemic racism is a problem in America generally and Rhode Island specifically, and if so, what would you do to combat it?

I know that systemic racism is a problem in America. Three years ago, I made a vow to myself as an avid reader that for every book I read for pleasure, I would read another book that taught me more than I knew about the issue of racism and about the difficulty faced by people of color in our country. What I have learned is simply horrifying and not taught in any social studies courses I have ever taken. I would be happy to create a list of books people could read to understand what I have learned. Combating anything that is insidious in a society is not simple but I definitely think equal education, equitable pay, evaluation and honest consideration of issues related to law enforcement would be a start.

Should the words "Providence Plantations" be removed from the state's name?

Yes

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

Before I answer that, I want to say something about Providence Plantations. Another course I teach is about the life of Roger Williams who had something to do with our state's name. Initially, I did not think removal was necessary because the word "plantations" meant something different in 1667. But I came to realize that how words affect people is more important than why something is done historically. And this phrase has a chilling effect on people whose ancestors were slaves in the United States.

Regarding critical differences, I think what I bring to the table that some of the candidates running for office might not is a wealth of relevant experience and an understanding of municipal government. I admire anyone, even people I don't agree with, who take significant time out of their lives to give of themselves (largely as volunteers) for the good of their community. But for some, their execution of the duties of this position is not what the community needs. I think I bring the ability to reflect on issues, do my research, listen to what others have to say and consider that when deciding about an issue. The people I have worked with and volunteered with would tell you that when I commit myself to anything, I do it completely. I was not born in Narragansett and did not graduate from High School here. I actually think that matters significantly less than having had broadening experience that can be used to make decisions in the best interest of the residents and voters of Narragansett.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)

I am challenging at least 2 of the incumbents on this Council because I have found their responses to the people of Narragansett to be divisive, lacking in civility and compromise on issues ranging from what has become a debacle with respect to the library, but also their lockstep positions on coastal access, student rentals and their undeniable willingness to ignore law and tradition to do as they please.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

I am deeply concerned about the environment and have found that consideration of issues as simple as a single use plastic bag ban and as complex as dealing with the rising ocean has been completely bypassed over the last 2 years. I have concerns about the lack of understanding of the relationship between issues like zoning and affordable housing on the impact of the number of students in our schools. I understand the importance of ensuring that we present the town as welcoming for economic enterprise but I don't see any attempt at creating a long or even short term plan to attract business while dealing with the other issues noted above.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I have been a trainer, a manager, a director in finance and in municipal government all of which I think would serve the town well. I have been engaged in some form of public service since high school and have always tried to leave a situation better than I found it. I have directed customer service staff and have always been committed to problem solving and ensuring that as much as possible people are satisfied with results even when compromise is required. I am not afraid to speak my mind but I also try hard to listen to what is and isn't being said.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

A question: "By what means?" A very great man, taught me to always ask this question when someone says we can do makes a proposal with out a plan. The point is you cannot solve a problem simply by saying you can; you must define it, examine it, propose a solution, test it and if necessary fix it. Nothing is easy but anything is possible. Also, what the Cowardly Lion said, "Courage."="">

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I would be honored to serve the people of Narragansett.