An open letter to Mayor Avedisian, Col. McCartney, City Council members and School Committee members:
Ladies and Gentlemen,
In view of the recent events of the “alleged” outrageous theft …
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An open letter to Mayor Avedisian, Col. McCartney, City Council members and School Committee members:
Ladies and Gentlemen,
In view of the recent events of the “alleged” outrageous theft on the part of Warwick employee David LaPlante, it is clear that for decades, this city as a whole, is lacking the appropriate checks and balances, to prevent this type of criminal behavior from proliferating to this climactic point. Any clear thinking mind would have to wonder, if it took this massive amount of theft to wake up the individuals tasked with spending our tax dollars, what other smaller amount of theft(s) have taken place over the decades that have gone un-noticed, and what are the cumulative costs to the taxpayer?
Clearly the system of checks and balances has been broken for years, and for anyone to believe that this activity is limited or isolated to this instant case, is clearly delusional. For anyone to believe that this activity was unknown to the administration is simply moronic, and serves as the example as to why we are where we are today. We all know that this type of illegal theft and activity has been taking place for years, but more importantly, as this case would indicate, it is either ignored or not pursued, as it is taken for granted by city employees that taxpayer property is there for the taking. How many examples do we need before the mayor steps up to the plate and executes his authority over all departments and ends the pilferage of the taxpayer assets and makes changes that hold people accountable?
The LaPlante issue at hand should be cause for grave concern for every taxpayer in Warwick, as it is crystal clear evidence that we have a major problem. Coupled with this major problem, is the fact that the administration, and the city council, (with few exception) have chosen to ignore this ongoing problem, or are oblivious to the thievery that has been taking place in this city for several years. The reason that they have chosen to ignore the problem is that it takes fortitude and courage to address the issue, which for some, would be cause to alienate a voting populous. Let’s face it, no one wants to know that they have a disease. Coupled with the fact that the council is completely tilted to perform the mayor’s bidding, (with few exceptions) there is no definitive strategy of problem solving on the horizon. Remember Mr. Mayor, you were elected to the position to honorably serve the people of the city. The end result is that your council members that do not support a forensic audit are catalysts to the problem at hand. It begs the following questions, why did you elect them, do they understand finances, do they understand inappropriate behavior, are they savvy enough to understand efficient use of tax dollars, but most importantly, are they morally responsible enough to put ethics before votes? Unfortunately, again, with few exception, apparently not, and I have no evidence to prove otherwise. Bear in mind, in this instant case, your children are the victims.
So I call upon the Administration of the City of Warwick to do the following on behalf of the children of the city and the taxpayers.
To Col. McCartney and Mr. Ruggerio:
I expect that the city will seek prosecution to the fullest extent of the law to include substantial incarceration time. I also expect to see a number of arrests, rapidly, as this activity could not be accomplished alone. It is time that you examine your legacy and determine who you take your marching orders from.
To the City Council:
I expect a resolution to be docketed from my Ward 7 Councilwoman Usler, on my behalf, for a complete forensic audit of all departments, and a unanimous vote by the council to support such resolution. I would also ask that the Honorable Councilman Solomon re-introduce his “Dishonorable Service” resolution and that the resolution is supported by the city council unanimously.
To Mayor Avedisian:
I expect you to support a complete outside forensic audit and for the city, and to prosecute any and all parties involved in the theft or wrongful acquisition of any goods paid for by taxpayer monies, and I expect you to make a public statement pertaining to that subject matter.
To the School Committee:
I expect to see the immediate termination of Mr. Anthony Ferrucci, as for any financial officer to miss almost one hundred thousand dollars of acquisitions is cause for immediate dismissal due to incompetence. In addition, I expect to see a complete forensic audit of every purchase that has been made by employees at any vendor that the department holds a revolving credit account with.
Rob Cote
Warwick
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JohnStark
For just a sixteen month period ending last November, 27% of all purchases made by Mr. LaPlante have been deemed questionable. How far back does this go!? Did he simply take on an air of entitlement? Invincibility? Was NO ONE watching the hen house?
Mr. Cote may be a lightning rod for some (though not me), but it's hard to dispute any of his points above.
Tuesday, January 12, 2016 Report this
richardcorrente
Rob Cote has been called a lot of things. Some of them are "negative, offensive, critical, disruptive, loud-mouthed, obnoxious, counter-productive, mean, bold and destructive". But without a watchdog like Mr. Cote, Warwick would be in a much bigger mess than we already are. Theft of the Warwick Taxpayers money is so rampant and blatant that I get the impression that these individuals have the attitude that they can "do no wrong", that they are "entitled" to steal whenever they want, whatever they want. They're wrong, and Cote caught them.
If those in charge, from the Mayor on down, are unknowledgeable, they are incompetent and should be removed. If they ARE knowledgeable they are as guilty as LaPlante, and should be arrested. That's how bad the problem is!
As far as Mr. Cote; if we had a hundred concerned citizens like him, no one would dare attempting to "borrow tools", "receive free stuff", or buy personal items "on the City's credit card". Mr. "JohnStark" suggests that "NO ONE was watching the hen house" and that there was an "air of entitlement and invincibility". He is completely right. Warwick needs an audit from an outside source and Warwick needs it NOW! I put that in my campaign platform over a year ago and when elected I will make it a top priority. It's time to right this wrong.
Happy New Year to all.
Richard Corrente
Democrat for Mayor - 2016
Tuesday, January 12, 2016 Report this
Warwick Man
Richard this same "watchdog" assaulted a Warwick fire member on duty last week. He was filming his little videos. Police were called and he ran away. That's the type of guy he is.
Tuesday, January 12, 2016 Report this
Thecaptain
WFDmember,
This "watchdog" did not assault any WFD member. This watchdog walked over to ladder 3 that arrived at the Han Palace for take out and simply asked the question "do you think that it is appropriate to take this piece of apparatus to go and get take out"?
Your WFD member laughed and said take it up with the mayor. By the way Mr. WFDmember, the entire 60 seconds of the "assailing question", is on video and on audio by 2 separate people.
In addition, because I had the audacity to ask a simple question to a PUBLIC SERVANT, he called for fire back up and both engine 3 and the battalion chief arrived in 30 seconds. The running away part is very clever, as I walked back to my office less than 100 ft away.
Your comments exemplify your fecklessness and acceptance of poor behavior. Oh, by the way, this was the same crew that was video taped at stop & shop buying a bag of popcorn kernals. And we wonder why the city is broke? Try to stick to the subject.
Tuesday, January 12, 2016 Report this
Warwick Man
Captain, since you are 100% incorrect on who was in the truck, I'll assume your account is also 100% wrong. If all you did was ask a question' why did you run when the cops were called. In this day an age if someone tried to open the door on a city vehicle while I was in it I would not be so nice... And where is the unedited video....
Tuesday, January 12, 2016 Report this
Warwick Man
Mr Corrente please be careful who you choose to put on a pedestal. The real story is slowly coming out.
Tuesday, January 12, 2016 Report this
davebarry109
In the military, if you are a commander, you must conduct a 100% inventory each year. The inventory is conducted by two people. Even a corrupt department head would be hesitant to steal, knowing that he must account for the items each year.
I suggest the city adopt a similar system.
Tuesday, January 12, 2016 Report this
Thecaptain
WFDmember,
Im confused, really. Well since you brought it up, Marcello L was driving the truck. Its amazing the steps you guys take to justify poor fiscal policies and behavior.
Wednesday, January 13, 2016 Report this
RonPaul
Corruption on all levels. That guy looked like a total mess. I wouldn't hire him to sweep my front stairs.
Thursday, January 14, 2016 Report this
Daydreambeliever
Mr. Cote,
You did not return to your dive shop after your bullying episode. After he told you and you were in disbelief that he actually called the police you took off with your buddy in a pick up truck. They did get the plates but unfortunately the PD didn't locate you.
So don't stretch that facts you did not go back to your dive shop you ran like a coward.
Thursday, January 14, 2016 Report this