Friends rally to celebrate mayor’s 15 years in office

John Howell
Posted 2/19/15

Scott Avedisian isn’t out to set more records now that he is the longest continuously serving mayor of the city, but just in case he changes his mind, Mark Russell set the standard Monday …

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Friends rally to celebrate mayor’s 15 years in office

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Scott Avedisian isn’t out to set more records now that he is the longest continuously serving mayor of the city, but just in case he changes his mind, Mark Russell set the standard Monday night.

Russell, who has worked on Avedisian’s campaigns since he first ran for City Council, told an audience at the Iron Works Tavern that, in order to beat the record of the late Brooklyn, Ohio Mayor John Coyne, he would have to serve more than 52 years.

In response, Avedisian said he couldn’t presume he’ll serve another 15 years but he assured them when people look back at his tenure, they’d say that the current term “is the best yet.”

It’s a note that Avedisian sounded in his campaign and his inaugural address as he outlined development projects; including plans for office, commercial and residential space at the site of the former Leviton property on Jefferson Boulevard, a boutique hotel in Apponaug, the Apponaug Circulator, the completion of Green Airport projects and re-purposing of Pontiac Mills.

On Monday night at the $45-a-ticket fundraiser celebrating the mayor’s 15 years in office, Avedisian added another prospective development for City Centre Warwick. He left out the details for a future announcement, but he disclosed that Joseph Piscopio, who transformed the brownfields left by the Malleable Iron Works into the site for the Hilton Garden Inn and the Iron Works Tavern, has plans for a significant development on the north side of Kilvert Street.

Avedisian’s remarks followed testimonials by David Bouchard, president of the Pontiac Village Association; Judith Earle, executive director of the Elizabeth Buffum Chace Center and Erin Flynn, president of the Gaspee Days Committee.

Bouchard spoke of Avedisian’s work with the neighborhood association and efforts to preserve its history. He noted the work that has gone into preserving Warwick City Hall and how the mayor is working with the new owner of Pontiac Mills.

Avedisian had some good news for the association, disclosing he has been working with the state Department of Transportation to provide improved access to Knight Street, the NYLO Hotel and the mill.

“He just gets it,” Earle said in summarizing all Avedisian has done with non-profits, specifically the EBC Center. She said that Avedisian’s work was essential in procuring the former Conimicut Grammar School that later was transformed into the center.

“Avedisian made it happen,” she said.

She also spoke of Avedisian’s role in establishing a legal advocacy fund in the name of her late husband, John Earle. With Avedisian’s direction, an annual reception is held that consistently raises more than $5,000 to provide assistance to women who suffered domestic violence and abuse.

“It offers hope and promise for a future free from violence,” she said.

Flynn presented Avedisian with the Abraham Whipple Award for his “long and distinguished service to the Gaspee Days Committee.” Whipple was one of those early patriots who rowed out to the British schooner Gaspee as she was fast aground on Namquid Point on June 9, 1772 and set it on fire, after removing the crew and captain.

Avedisian recalled his first campaign for mayor and how the Democrats were counting on winning the office after Lincoln Chafee left to complete the U.S. Senate term of his father, John Chafee.

“Before then,” he said, of those that had held the office, “everyone had a name that was considered normal.”

He also talked about the work of government.

“When we do business in the city, there’s no Democratic, no Republican way to plow snow.” And, noting the presence of Cranston Mayor Alan Fung, North Providence Mayor Charles Lombardi and Pawtucket Mayor Donald Grebien, he said, “We have our own party” of mayors who put aside partisan politics to work together and to solve problems.

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