Letters

Mayor counters Corrente assertions, stays positive

Posted 11/5/15

To the Editor:

I read with interest Richard Corrente’s letter published in the Oct. 29 edition of the Warwick Beacon. First, I want to acknowledge Mr. Corrente’s interest in Warwick’s …

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Letters

Mayor counters Corrente assertions, stays positive

Posted

To the Editor:

I read with interest Richard Corrente’s letter published in the Oct. 29 edition of the Warwick Beacon. First, I want to acknowledge Mr. Corrente’s interest in Warwick’s government and that only through participation in government can real improvements in the community’s well-being occur. Second, while Mr. Corrente is certainly entitled to his opinion, many of his statements are inaccurate and misleading. I am providing this reply so that the community has the correct information about the issues raised in the editorial.

In March, I wrote to Mr. Skeffington after it was announced that he and his partners were considering relocating the Pawtucket Red Sox to Providence. I suggested that, should that ultimately not be a viable option, they should consider the area near T.F. Green Airport and the InterLink – known as City Centre Warwick – as an alternative. Its close proximity to the airport, the commuter rail and Routes 95 and 295 and several hotels, coupled with the city’s vision of the area as a mixed-use, “live/work/play” neighborhood, would make it a great location for Rhode Island’s beloved minor league baseball team. Moving the PawSox to Warwick would further stimulate development in the area and also complement ongoing “sports tourism” efforts in Warwick and throughout the state. I cannot say why the group’s spokesperson was not aware of my correspondence after Mr. Skeffington’s untimely passing. In addition, tax stabilization was never addressed or offered by the city to the PawSox.

As Mr. Corrente should be aware, for more than a decade, my administration fought efforts to expand the runway at T.F. Green Airport because of the myriad adverse impacts to our quality of life, the environment, traffic, and the community as a whole. Thanks to our efforts, the original proposal, which would have extended the runway to 10,500 feet – and decimated neighborhoods – was ultimately reduced to the present 8,700 feet. In the end, the City Council approved a Memorandum of Understanding with the Rhode Island Airport Corporation (RIAC) to end protracted litigation over the runway expansion and obtain the best possible outcome for the city. In addition, despite Mr. Corrente’s insinuations, I did not realize any personal benefit from the approval of RIAC’s expansion proposal.

Mr. Corrente should also be aware that for years, through several gubernatorial administrations, I have been advocating for Warwick, as host to the airport, to receive more in PILOT money. The amount the city receives is certainly not commensurate with the PILOT funding that other communities receive as home to other state agencies/entities. I intend to continue my efforts in this regard.

He also states that Warwick has lost 4,666 businesses in the past decade. His numbers don’t add up. When the Tax Assessor’s Office provided him information, from the certified tax rolls, they show a change of less than one-half percent per year in the number of businesses between 2010 and 2014 – in the midst of one of the worst recessions our state has endured. The facts are that Warwick’s businesses have remained stable during this recent period of economic recession.

He also seems unaware of – or unwilling to admit to – the fact that Warwick continues to attract regional and national companies that have chosen our city as their first Rhode Island location. Jared Jewelry, CarMax, Buffalo Wild Wings, Chick-fil-A, and Not Your Average Joe’s are just a few examples of these types of businesses that have come to Warwick, bringing with them new full- and part-time jobs as well as work for those in the construction trades. A local developer is also investing some $75 million in two development projects in and adjacent to City Centre Warwick. Anticipated redevelopment of Pontiac Mills and the upcoming revitalization of the Rhode Island Mall are other examples of business growth, along with numerous small businesses that are investing in our community. Mr. Corrente is either unaware of all that’s going on in the city, or is choosing to ignore these developments.

We also work both as a city and with the Rhode Island Department of Transportation and CommerceRI to market City Centre Warwick – an effort supported in part by a $400,000 federal grant – to a regional and national audience, and will continue to do so. A $1.1 million grant is funding infrastructure, safety, and aesthetic improvements to the Coronado Road corridor, which will further our efforts to attract development to City Centre. My administration is presently examining the feasibility of several initiatives that may also help to stimulate additional economic development and job growth. Further, our tourism efforts have resulted in increased hotel occupancy rates in the past several years, and a good working relationship with local colleges and universities is helping to ensure that Warwick has a well-trained and skilled workforce that can support local businesses and growing industries.

Regarding the settlement with the Rhode Island Builders’ Association, Mr. Corrente fails to mention that Warwick was not the only community involved in this issue, that I established a committee to examine the fee structure, which is set by the City Council after a public hearing, and that the executive director of the association himself was quoted as saying that it “blew [his] mind how cooperative” arriving at an agreement with the city of Warwick was. This statement and the good faith effort to establish a reasonable fee structure, I believe, demonstrates the city’s commitment to working with the business community to ensure that we remain a good place for companies to grow and succeed.

My department directors and I take our fiduciary responsibility to Warwick’s taxpayers very seriously, and the annual budget proposal submitted to the City Council is months in the making as we meet with each director and division chief to review budget proposals and capital requests as well as our debt and pension obligations. The City Council is provided with the municipal budget proposal well in advance of public budget hearings; the School Committee is responsible for submitting their budget request as the total budget is prepared, and they are responsible for presenting the details of their proposal before the City Council. State law mandates that neither the mayor nor the City Council may restrict or lower funding to the School Department in most circumstances.

Mr. Corrente’s statements relative to contract negotiations are also misleading. I would note that, in addition to union ratification of contracts, the City Council must also approve the agreements between the city and its municipal, police, and fire unions, and that is done at a public hearing before the City Council. Further, current and past contracts are available to the general public at warwickri.gov, meaning that all details of those agreements are open and transparent. Also, the three-year contracts that expired in June of this year provided no wage increases for employees, enabling the city to reduce its pension obligations by some $32 million.
 
For many years the city held a summer job lottery, but over time, fewer and fewer local youth were applying and there were more positions available than applicants. The city encourages high school and college-age individuals to apply for positions and welcomes applications. As for positions within the Mayor’s Office, funds are allocated each year as part of the annual budget process and, like other jobs within the city, are listed in the Personnel Supplement, which is available to the general public.

Throughout my long tenure in public service – first on the City Council and now as Mayor – I have taken my responsibilities to my hometown very seriously. With a dedicated group of department directors and division chiefs, and hardworking employees, we have been able to accomplish remarkable things for our community. I remain energized and enthusiastic in my role as Mayor and look forward to continuing to ensure that our city remains one of the best places to live and work. Some, like Mr. Corrente, may choose to see things in a negative light, but I prefer to focus – and will remain focused – on the bright promise the future holds for us all.

Mayor Scott Avedisian

Comments

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  • Reality

    The charade of the Avedisian administration continues. The Mayor keeps telling the taxpayers what a great job he has been doing but yet the taxpayers have seen their taxes increase for 15 straight yrs. Avedisian says he is mindful of his fiduciary responsibility to the citizens so maybe he can answer the following:

    Why did Avedisian grant lifetime healthcare benefits to the firemen ( husband and wife ) without doing an actuarial study? He negotiated it himself. In private industry he would have been shown the door for such a dereliction of duty.

    Avedisian talks about the $32 million in pension benefits he saved by not granting wage increases for 3 yrs but what he doesn’t say is that retirees in police and fire 1 pension plan that has over a $250 million unfunded deficit probably should be receiving COLA increases anyway. Avedisian and his chief of staff said years ago that they were talking with these retires to end this COLA but like usual Avedisian has done nothing.

    Avedisian states that the workers went 3 yrs without wage increases but what he doesn’t tell the taxpayers while other cities and towns were holding the line with wage increases, he was granting generous wage increases years prior to the freeze. Also, during the time wages were frozen, the taxpayers were paying for all worker healthcare and longevity pay increases. Ask Avedisian what percent of salary increase equate to.

    Avedisian instituted a yearly cap on prescription drugs for city workers ( $300 for individual and $600 for family) that costs the taxpayers over a $1 million a year.

    There are many more examples I could cite as Avedisian profligate spending of taxpayer money for city worker benefit but it’s safe to say Avedisian has not been a friend of the Warwick taxpayer.

    Thursday, November 5, 2015 Report this

  • Thecaptain

    Mayor,

    In paragraph 3 you failed to concede that in fact after you were vehemently opposed to the airport expansion, and in your own letters within 1 month, you completely retracted your position with no reasoning and encouraged the dismissal of the litigation after the team of Mr. Sekarchi, RIAC and the negotiator Wilkinson entered into an undisclosed agreement for the expansion. That reversal of your position resulted in the destruction of a portion of a community, loss of tax revenue, environmental impact, all which was based upon speculation. To expand the facts, as we are all aware, the need for the expansion was based upon a mathematical equation of the thrust vs weight ratio of the Boeing 737-300 GE engines at the time of the original expansion proposal, which as of the date of agreement to expand, those engines and thrust ratio's are complete obsolete. I am more than happy to debate you publicly on those specific points. As to personal gain, how does one measure the personal gain of a politician who historically has never held a job in the private sector? (no disrespect intended)

    As to paragraph 4. The PILOT money was all too short, all too late, did not cover the losses of tax revenue, did not make the community whole for the property loss and loss of quality of life. Also, as far as governors positions on the expansion, Scott, you openly supported and advocated for the dumbest Rhode Islander to become Governor. Link Chafee, laughing stock of the political world, your buddy with deep ties. Did you not have the courage to inform him of what a moron he truly was, but somehow supported the dope in the name of party, relationships, politics before people. I would love to hear your reasoning on how you supported the dope of the century. Great insight there Scott. OMG !! Would you admit on Bill Orielly that you supported him?

    As to paragraph 5. Are you driving through Warwick with a blind fold? Have you not seen the negative impact of your decisions and lack of courage to fight airport expansion? Have you not seen the detriment to the city? Not withstanding the ridiculous lease that you and Vella entered into with RIAC on Winslow. No one, I repeat, No one in business would ever enter into such an agreement.

    As to paragraph 6. Chick Fillet and Wild Wings does not constitute economic development and / or, a correct path for economic development and quality of life. As opposed to maybe a school structure not falling apart and inspected in accordance with local fire codes. Maybe??

    As to paragraph 7. All of the above noted successes are all based upon speculation and as of this date, (much like the airport) have no measurable success. Let remind you, as the structural inspector of record for RIAC during the 2007 -8 expansion, and as a pilot, I can tell you if you don't already know the publicly available numbers, flights from TF Green are down 32% since the last expansion. This fact was admitted in the hearings in 2012 by Kevin Dillon when I asked the question in front of the council when he testified. Again, speculation and number manipulation does not constitute economic success. However, given the mentality of both the current and past city council (with FEW exception) they would believe anything you tell them.

    As to paragraph 9. Every department is over budget, firefighters own you, you enter into illegal VERBAL contracts not ratified by the council, your policies and negotiations favor union labor which has put the taxpayer into increased uncontrolled debt, and there is no evidence of any disciplinary measures as the ditch dodge and hide game continues every day with DPW, WFD, and virtually every department in the city with exception to the police department. Which by the way, has suffered cuts every year while the rest of your labor unions rape the taxpayer in accordance with the outrageous benefits you bestow upon them. Scott, if you had some balls, and you weren't afraid of political fallout, you would institute GPS in all the vehicles. But we know that will never happen under your watch because if it did, you would be held accountable for an over abundance of unnecessary manpower. When will you take a stand on efficiency? When will we have the face to face sit down to discuss these issues that you have promised for the last 2 years? Tell you what, $10,000 says you don't have the guts to go to the schools and explain to the kids the debt and tax obligation that you are leaving them in the future due to your decisions in the past. Want to have that conversation in public? Pick the venue, I'll pay the bill. I am saddened that your response appears to be a request to Crown Trophy Co. to manufacture a trophy in your likeness, patting yourself on back, but the fact remains, you have been at the helm during a period if social and urban decay, dilapidation of educational facilities, decrease of assets, increase of liabilities to be passed on to the next generation, and destruction of generational neighborhoods in the name of speculation, not in the name of progress, not in the name of health and safety, and not in the name of enrichment in the community. By the way,again, at the time of your choice and your venue, I would be more than happy to discuss these points in public and I'll pay the tab.

    As far as the summer job program, tell the truth for Gods sake. This year it was give away gifts to employee's kids. For once just call it like it is and break away from the mantra of never admitting a mistake.

    In closing, in too tired to discuss your lack of action on the fire department shopping sprees. Ill save that for later. But, believe me, as I said to your sweetheart Vella. If you think I raised hell with the car tax revolt, you AINT SEEN NOTHING YET if the shopping spree with apparatus continues.

    Best regards,

    Rob Cote

    Thursday, November 5, 2015 Report this

  • richardcorrente

    Dear "Reality" and "Thecaptain",

    I'm preparing my own rebuttal of the Mayor but you guys beat me to the punch. And, although I don't always agree with you, this time I couldn't have said it better myself! Cote even used the same format as me! (Par. 1 - Par.2. - etc.). Please give me another day or two to fine tune my comments. Who knows. I may even get you to vote for me.

    Thanks for "saying-it-like-it-is!"

    Thanks to you both.

    Stay well.

    Richard Corrente

    Democrat for Mayor - 2016

    Friday, November 6, 2015 Report this

  • CameronClueless

    lies, deflection, self back patting, denial, yep pretty much the same ole Avedisian lingo, he has mastered it well over the far too many years he's been in office.

    Friday, November 6, 2015 Report this

  • CameronClueless

    the city is run by uneducated derelicts, that's why it's going broke

    Friday, November 6, 2015 Report this

  • Conspiracy

    Warwick needs to cut taxes NOW! Period, end of story! And it should have been done 2 years ago!

    Saturday, November 7, 2015 Report this

  • richardcorrente

    Dear CameronClueless,

    I agree with your first statement. Your second one should be reserved for Avedisian alone.

    That's just my opinion.

    Thanks for yours.

    Richard Corrente

    Democrat for Mayor - 2016

    Sunday, November 8, 2015 Report this

  • richardcorrente

    Dear Conspiracy,

    Wow, do you and I think alike! Want to help me on my campaign? Read my web site at www.correntemayorwarwick.com and then please give me a call at 401-338-9900. We need to have lunch and I need to listen to your ideas.

    Talk soon!

    Richard Corrente

    Democrat for Mayor - 2016

    Sunday, November 8, 2015 Report this

  • Wow, it's very difficult trying to articulate my thoughts so that people like Corrente and Cote can grasp the concept... I knew that Cote was an idiot, but had actually thought that Corrente was somewhat lucid.... Guess I was wrong, he is indeed delusional. Mr. Corrente, your letter did clear up that point for me.

    NOW, I'm not saying that Avedisian is perfect, but I do believe that he's done well by our city in general. Our taxes have gone up, but let's face it, not by much. Compare what we have for services (and quality of services) to other cities. I've lived here for a few years, and am happy to say that I'm from Warwick. Can we improve? Absolutely. Could it be so very much worse? Again, absolutely!

    Cote, if you hate it so much here, why don't you move your sorry ass elsewhere??? Don't let the door hit ya.... BTW, are you still pouring gas into the sewer?

    Sunday, November 8, 2015 Report this

  • wwkvoter

    twankster, you could have made your point in a more positive way yourself. and your credibility ended with the gas in sewer remark, because that allegation against cote now apparently re-allegated by you, was completely disproven. i'm no cote fan but be fair or we get nowhere, why dont you instead disprove things that cote (and corrente) have said? be specific.

    Monday, November 9, 2015 Report this

  • Thecaptain

    Twankster, another clever name by SteveD, same moronic mantra, different name.

    Tuesday, November 10, 2015 Report this

  • Scal1024

    Wow! Stacia you still comment here? I thought you stopped after you were exposed for being the fraud that you are. Commenting under multiple names, spreading false allegations on social media and losing the hundreds of supporters you once had. Stacia where is the list of Warwick Watch admins? You claim there are more than a couple admins for the page, yet can never seem to name any of them. Perhaps "Sabrina V" and "Ms Mayor" are helping you make your FB videos.

    As for firetrucks going to the super market I think it shows how tone deaf you all really are. The public is not bothered by this. It's great for a child to see firemen interacting in public. The problem is you people don't understand that. You continually demonize the public sector for your own sad, distorted reasons. The obsessive nature that Rob Cote talks about them is creepy. "If you thought the car tax revolt was bad, you've seen nothing yet"???? Rob has anyone ever told you that your attempt failed? Well I will tell you...it failed. Just like your stalker videos have failed, just like your candidate for mayor failed. Much like most of the garbage you folks spew has failed.

    I don't always agree with this mayor. However, you all continually make him look like the only adult in the room. Anyone can say cut taxes, reduce spending Mr. Corrente, how do you do it? The website doesn't tell me how, and aside from a few letters (most of which you've gotten slammed for) hasn't explained much either.

    Saturday, November 28, 2015 Report this