LETTERS

80,000 Warwick taxpayers took notice

Posted 4/28/15

To the Editor:

In the Warwick Beacon of April 23 and again on the Dan Yorke Show (7:30 p.m. 4-23-15), Robert Cushman and CVS Pharmacy were rightfully praised for their leadership and character. …

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LETTERS

80,000 Warwick taxpayers took notice

Posted

To the Editor:

In the Warwick Beacon of April 23 and again on the Dan Yorke Show (7:30 p.m. 4-23-15), Robert Cushman and CVS Pharmacy were rightfully praised for their leadership and character. Cushman for presenting a study of Warwick that shows the dire need for pension reform and CVS for not allowing threats from the firefighters union to sway them from doing what’s right.

Here’s a brief summary.

In December 2014 Cushman gave an honest analysis of the Warwick finances and showed a dire need for pension reform. He called it “the elephant in the room.” His numbers were honest, unbiased and represented one man’s opinion, which any taxpayer is entitled to. He was heckled and verbally abused by certain members of the Warwick Firefighters Union, and 80,000 Warwick taxpayers took notice.

Then, those same abusive people, in a “thuggish and disgraceful” manner, threatened to boycott CVS both statewide and nationally – and 80,000 Warwick taxpayers took notice.

Then Dan Yorke got involved. On the Dan Yorke State of Mind Show of 4-23-15 at 7:30 p.m., Dan lashed out at the “thuggish behavior” of these hecklers, especially Union President William Lloyd, who was “walking behind Cushman throughout the presentation, as if stalking him, intimidating him. Yorke said, “Firefighters, we want to love you, but how can we love you when you act this way?” – and 80,000 Warwick taxpayers took notice.

Yorke stated, “All the right things are missing in the city of Warwick. Mayor Scott Avedisian is showing a level of political cowardice typical of him and the city of Warwick” – and 80,000 Warwick Taxpayers took notice.

CVS spokesperson Michael DeAngelis reported that CVS found no wrongdoing by Cushman and supported him by saying that he was “exercising his rights as a private citizen at a public meeting in his hometown”. The CVS message was clear. CVS wasn’t going to cave in to threats of boycott –and 80,00 Warwick taxpayers took notice.

Mayor Avedisian took no action against them, nothing! And 80,000 Warwick taxpayers took notice.

Eighty thousand Warwick taxpayers deserve better. Dan Yorke ended his show by demanding, “Someone’s got to stand up and say enough of this!” I will be that Warwick taxpayer who stands up, Dan. And as far as the mayor, maybe he should step down.

Richard Corrente

Warwick

Richard Corrente is a 2016 Democratic candidate for mayor.

Comments

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  • davebarry109

    Richard, as a candidate for mayor, facts matter. There are not 80,000 voters in Warwick. There are about 80,000 residents. That means, on average, about 2/3rds may be able to vote. So there's about 35,-50000 voters in Warwick. A call to city hall would have given you the number of registered voters. My guess is about 35,000. Just saying.

    Wednesday, April 29, 2015 Report this

  • davebarry109

    As for taxpayers versus voters, sorry, my facts were off......there are about 35,000 homes, therefore taxpayers, in Warwick.

    Wednesday, April 29, 2015 Report this

  • richardcorrente

    Dear Daveberry109,

    First, sorry this is so late. You deserved a faster response. I agree that there are between 35,000 and 50,000 voters, but the U.S. Census shows 80,000 people living in Warwick and they all, in one way or another, pay taxes. Some on real estate owned; some on candy or school stickers, but they all get effected by our raising taxes so I feel a responsibility to cater to them all. Wish our Mayor did. It seems he doesn't.

    Keep writing Daveberry109. I always enjoy your respectful comments and if you ever want a coffee with me I'll buy. Call me at 338-9900.

    Take good care.

    Rick

    Monday, September 14, 2015 Report this