The recall process is designed as a last resort to deter and remedy truly egregious conduct by elected officials. The regular electoral process is designed to retain or replace elected officials who you think are representing your interests well or not. The recall process was never intended to be used as a tool to conduct a coup of elected officials that may not have voted on an issue the way you would have liked.

The United States was the first and only country to deploy and use nuclear weapons in combat during World War II. The atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki were successful in resolving the problem; however, the collateral damage caused was almost incalculable. Similarly, employing the nuclear option — a successful recall — in Dillon will also result in collateral damage to the town of Dillon that will also be almost incalculable.

Imagine the next developer who comes to Dillon and learns the previous guy worked with the town and Town Council in good faith for three years, then council members were recalled, and the replacement council members subsequently unwound everything that had been accomplished. No developer in their right mind would touch Dillon with a 10-foot pole, dooming Dillon to decades more of stagnation, decay and blight.

We have a regularly scheduled election in 14 months in Dillon, which is designed and intended to provide the opportunity for citizens to retain or replace council members they either like or may disagree with. The nuclear option is designed to be a deterrent of last resort against bad behavior, not as a tool that should be regularly employed. The collateral damage from a successful recall vote will haunt Dillon for decades to come, and only further fan the flames of hate and division in Dillon. With the nuclear option there will always be fallout.  Please vote “No” on all three recalls — for the sake of Dillon’s future.

Dana Christiansen is a current member of Dillon Town Council who is facing removal from office after 17 petitioners triggered a special election in Dillon. More information on the election can be found at SummitDaily.com/dillon-recall-election.