“It’s all good.”

That’s not Mayor Scott Avedisian’s slogan for re-election, but it could be.

Avedisian used the phase more than once Tuesday as he brought his campaign for a ninth term in the city’s highest elective post to the residents of Shalom Apartments in the first of several chowder and clamcake luncheons planned at senior center complexes in the weeks leading up to Election Day, Nov. 8.

Avedisian, a Republican in a city where Democrats control the City Council and hold all but one of the state House and Senate seats, doesn’t monopolize his luncheons, although it’s his campaign that pays the tab. He invites incumbents and candidates, regardless of party label, to join him, and even gives them the opportunity to address the group. And if people are somewhat surprised, he makes it clear.

“We work together, that’s the way it’s supposed to be,” he said, introducing Ward 8 Councilman Joseph Gallucci, a Democrat. Later, Avedisian introduced Sen. Erin Lynch, another Democrat. Both Gallucci and Lynch are unopposed.

The mayor also made sure to introduce Daniel Elliott, an independent running for House District 20.

“It’s Democrats, Republicans and independents,” Avedisian said. “That’s what it is all about, moving the city forward…it’s all good.”

The mayor highlighted projects he sees affecting Shalom residents, starting off with the Apponaug Circulator. He said the $71 million state project to ease village traffic is on time and on budget. He observed that finally, after 40 years of talking about Apponaug traffic, here’s a plan that will fix it. Getting through the village may be challenging now with all the construction, but he pointed out conditions will improve as elements of the project made up of five roundabouts are completed. The circulator is to be fully completed by next year about this time.

“In the end, I think it’s going to be much better,” he said.

There were more good things on his list.

Avedisian mentioned the conversion of Pontiac Mills into housing and the development of City Centre, which he said is “finally about to take off.” He also talked about the airport and how after years of dispute over various runway proposals – including one for parallel 10,000-foot runways that would have taken up a chunk of the city – the issue has been resolved and no longer is the city left to wonder what will happen. He spoke of improved communications with the Rhode Island Airport Corporation and how the main runway is being extended to 8,700 feet and that’s it.

“It’s been 25 years of arguing with the airport. This expansion will complete the facility,” he said.

Gallucci cited area developments, including the nearly completed All American Assisted Living Center on Toll Gate Road; plans for an expanded Cumberland Farms service station and convenience store nearby Route 2; and the plan to add 100 rooms to the Crowne Plaza in addition to three medical buildings at the hotel.

When it came to suggestions, Avedisian didn’t offer much hope of installing an ATM at the facility, pointing out that BankRI had one at the Pilgrim Senior Center, which it ended up removing for minimal use. He suggested transportation services might meet the same end. In one-on-one and group conservations around the tables, Avedisian talked a bit about the national election and in response to complaints over how the race for president has dominated the news. He suggested the country might be better off if it limited the election cycle to 90 days as done in many countries.

Avedisian asked for the vote of Shalom residents.

As for party affiliation, he pointed to performance as what matters to people.

“There’s no Republican way to pick up the trash. There’s no Democratic way to pick up the trash. But at the end of the day, what matters is that the trash is picked up,” he said.