LETTERS

Time to release Ragosta findings

Posted 9/8/15

To the Editor:

I read the article written by Jennifer Ahearn, chairperson of the Warwick School Department, and I agree and applaud most of it.

In it, she carefully pointed out the sensitive …

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LETTERS

Time to release Ragosta findings

Posted

To the Editor:

I read the article written by Jennifer Ahearn, chairperson of the Warwick School Department, and I agree and applaud most of it.

In it, she carefully pointed out the sensitive issue involving a junior high school teacher’s inappropriate actions and the private investigation made by Attorney Vincent Ragosta. By the way, Attorney Ragosta was an excellent choice for something as important as this.

She stated that “leadership must take steps to ensure that all facts are reviewed.” She also remarked that “City political leaders and our Committee should be working together, respecting and understanding one another’s positions, and not tearing one another apart.”

She also repeatedly stated that “our overriding purpose is to protect our students.”

Finally, she says, “It is therefore critically important that the Mayor, City Council members, and School Committee members start to restore confidence in our ability to work together for the greater good of the citizens and students within this city.”

These are her exact words and I couldn’t agree with them more, but her actions, in my opinion, fall short. I agree that an investigation of this magnitude should be kept private to protect the legal rights of those involved. The taxpayers, citizens, and parents of our students shouldn’t know all the private details, but they should have a “summary report.” Enough to ensure that their children are 100 percent safe, but to keep the “Ragosta Report,” in its entirety, out of the hands of the mayor, and those council members that have been elected to speak on behalf of us all is just plain wrong.

It says, in effect, “Jennifer Ahearn and the School Department don’t trust the Mayor and the City Council with this information.”

Jennifer, you have the right to speak for your School Department, but if you meant what you said in the above quotes, then you should immediately release the Ragosta Report to those trusted people we have elected.

Then, collectively, the mayor, the City Council, and the School Department should create a summary report and print it publicly in the Warwick Beacon to ease the concerns of the parents that, to this day, have an honest fear of the safety of their children. If you truly want to show a united front, that is the way to do it.

On Feb. 12, 2015, the mayor stated on the front page of the Beacon that he has no control over the $158,872,256 school department budget. He has taken a “hands off” policy that, in my opinion, is part of the cause of this problem. When over half of the entire city tax revenue goes to that one department, the mayor needs to be involved at least in an advisory capacity. To keep himself out of the loop on something as critically important as this, is criminal in my view. It may be “politically safe” for him, but I feel he’s being totally irresponsible. Student safety is everyone’s issue and it should start with Mayor Avedisian. He even refused to sign the “No Confidence Resolution” passed by the City Council. Parents of our school children should be asking the mayor, “Why?”

And, what about our City Council? They have repeatedly asked for, demanded, and even subpoenaed the Ragosta Report.

Come on, Jennifer! Our City Council members are intelligent people that were elected by the 80,000 taxpayers that are paying the bill! They represent the families of the very children that you are trying to protect. They are part of your team. Accept them! Trust them! Everyone else does! They are on your side! Why aren’t you on theirs?

Richard Corrente

Democrat for Mayor 2016

Comments

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  • Reality

    Our city council is intelligent.......Richard have you met Usler and Travis yet.

    Wednesday, September 9, 2015 Report this

  • richardcorrente

    Dear Reality,

    Yes. Ms. Usler is the Council person from my ward. Ward 7. In fact I have called her 20 times since 1-1-15, sent her 3 letters, attended 2 of her fundraisers (with donations) and am usually the only ONE person attending the city council meetings from her ward. So, yes, I have contacted her in numerous ways.

    As far as Council President Travis, also yes. In fact, I used to say "Donna Travis has done more for Oakland Beach than any other person on the planet." I have recently revised that to say "Donna Travis has done more for Oakland Beach than EVERY other person on the planet."

    So, yes. Why do you ask? Would you like to speak with me in person? Call me at 401-338-9900.

    Thank you "Reality".

    Rick

    Thursday, September 10, 2015 Report this

  • Reality

    Hey Rick,

    If you spoken to Usler and Travis you know they both add nothing to the discussion at city hall......Usler and Travis don't understand what is being discussed....it is over their heads

    PS I won't bother calling you because you like the majority of Warwick politicians....you just pander to all.

    Thursday, September 10, 2015 Report this

  • Thecaptain

    Rick,

    They are not part of my team, I do not trust them, and everyone does NOT accept them. Frankly Rick, with few exception, the council members are underachievers, not solution based individuals, and clearly are not capable of achievement that can be measured. Hence the city's overwhelming unfunded liabilities.

    Now, of the matter at hand with Ulser and Travis. You can suck up and pander and attempt to be politically correct all you like in an effort to continue the democrat tradition of party before people, but lets not hallucinate. The fact of the matter is that Donna Travis is a functional idiot. She lacks elementary education, class, integrity, and frankly is a fiscal mess. She has been elected by the same group of people for 20 years and in that time, both she and that group represent the lowest socioeconomic group in the city of Warwick. In 20 years she has not been able to take 1 step up the food chain ladder, and by prima-facia evidence, neither has her neighborhood. In fact, the problems that plague her Ward have expanded and she has no realistic MEASURABLE results, other than a nice sign at the entrance to the arm pit of the city. Take a ride through the dump Rick, but wipe off your sunglasses first so that you can see reality. She is a laughing stock and her only articulation of the English language consists of Deezs, Demms, Doze, and Youz. (as she has often been heard at council meetings stating "youz people) In my opinion she is an embarrassment to public service and representative of exactly whats wrong in politics.

    As for Usler, can you recall one word or thoughtful question that she posed during the budget hearings? Not a one! Why? The fact of the matter is that the woman is not an educated person, not a business person, not a solution based individual, and clearly is lacking the fundamental intelligence to understand the complex issues that are crippling this city. Has she articulated her concerns to anyone? If so, don't keep them a secret. Her only concern is to continue the union felatio in the hopes to get re-elected for doing not a damn thing. I have doubts that the woman knows how to read a balance sheet or balance a personal check book. Just my hunch. May be a nice person, but clearly out of her league when it comes to the simplest of finance or protocol issues.

    With regard to this no confidence parade that the three Warwick Stoogettes have been on, the fact is that the residents should be holding a no confidence vote on the city council members. They have accomplished nothing, or as Travis would say, NUTTIN. Take a walk down memory lane Rick. Who circumvented city charter and hired a special interest individual as the city auditor? Travis and Wilkinson. What did the auditor do in 8 months? Nothing. The whole process was circumvented and wasted valuable time that solution based individuals never would tolerate. Where is the auditor now? Gone. Who orchestrated, and I quote the AG on the matter, "knowingly and willful violations of the OMA"? Travis and Wilkinson. Who derailed the school consolidation program last year by concocting false and slanderous statements about the volunteer study commission which caused a no vote on consolidation and another $300K expense to the city? Travis and Wilkinson. Who ignored the safety of the children of Warwick and were the key people to have a ball field built next to an active runway? Who sabotaged Bob Cushmans pension presentation to the council and openly lied about his credentials? Is that who you want to be in bed with? Do I need to go on and give more examples? You think they are intelligent? Wilkinson hires an outside firm to review the city healthcare plan. The cost of the consultant was $15K. All of the consultants recommendations were ignored by the Stoogettes. Rick, your a banker, why not hire Donna Travis to be your CFO, Wilkinson to be your PR representative, and Usler to be your office manager. How much sleep would you get? Wilkinson, head of finance, pull a Dunn & Bradstreet on her tell me if you think she has nay credentials to be head of the finance committee.

    As for the rest of the council, there are members that have been involved in the council for almost 20 years. What happened during those 20 years? Its all right, say it out loud. They ratified contracts and benefits that this city could not and cannot afford and the escalation of those perks not only has caused the enormous unfunded liability problem, but also emboldened all of the unions to gouge us for even more, as they know the council is weak and relies on pandering. But neither you or any other person on the council or politician has the guts to say that in public for fear of retaliation by the union membership. But let me quote Mr. Gallucci. " We don't owe all of the money tomorrow" . Same quote he said almost 20 years ago. Smart people? You think so? Hire them, then you can take a long vacation as your business will no longer be a business with any of them at the wheel.

    And again, as far as Ulser, Ward 7. Have you driven through Crappanaug lately? Do you think that the construction is to code? Do you think that anyone needs a CM degree from Wentworth to recognize the major code violations? Where is Usler? Its her neighborhood, she could care less as she is not intelligent enough to realize the urban decay that is taking place in her own neighborhood. She probably says to herself, "my neighborhood is not bad, compared to OAKLAND BEACH"!

    C'mon buddy, clean out your refrigerator and throw away the kool aid. By the way, fishing is good!

    Thursday, September 10, 2015 Report this

  • richardcorrente

    Rob,

    I recently was accused of being one of "them". (meaning you and your group). I defended myself by saying I consider you a friend and I agree with several issues you are passionate about especially the car tax revolt and the airport expansion issue, but when a certain city council member complained about the "terrible things you say about us (council-people), I responded with "You?! You should hear the things "they" say about ME!" Thanks for the above rant. It helps me prove my point. In it you accuse me of being a "suck-up" and a "panderer"; that I should not "attempt to be politically correct"; that I should not "hallucinate"; that I should "wipe off my sun glasses" "walk down memory lane"; and you question "is that who you want to be in bed with?" Then, you suggest I hire Donna Travis, Camille Vella-Wilkenson AND Kathleen Usler. Wow Rob!! That's a stretch, even for you!! I do appreciate you helping me prove my point though and although I didn't understand the "clean out the refrigerator and throw out the Koolaid" remark I'm ready to go fishing. We can launch from the Donna Travis Boat Ramp! Sorry Rob. Couldn't resist that one.

    Warm regards,

    Rick

    Tuesday, September 15, 2015 Report this

  • Thecaptain

    Rick,

    You overlooked commenting about what really matters. Care to take a stab it? By the way, Black Sea bass, Albacore, Bonito, all at Pt. Jude. I am eating well and not puking since I have been staying away from the dysfunctional city council and the 3 stoogettes. Oh yeah, have any of them made a contribution to you?

    Tuesday, September 15, 2015 Report this

  • richardcorrente

    Not one of them have donated one dollar or one minute.

    Come to think of it neither have you. Or any of your team. I do recall lots of criticism. I do recall asking for help and being told "Do it yourself." But so far no one; not you, not "them" have donated 1 dollar or 1 minute.

    I guess you do have something in common after all.

    As far as commenting on what really matters, I have! Remember my idea about repopulating our schools? You called it "laughable." You couldn't think of a better idea but if you ever do I'd love to hear it.

    Stay well my dear friend. Let's fish soon.

    Rick

    Thursday, September 17, 2015 Report this

  • Scal1024

    That's because Rob Cote only cares about Rob Cote. You haven't heard him call Dan Yorke with his piffy one liners? You haven't watched his videos with uncomfortably bad commentary? Rob I love how you attack others for what they have/ haven't accomplished. How about your sole issue? How is that car tax revolt working? How is Mayor Petri? Guess you aren't as great as you portray yourself. How about all the videos you take Rob? Could you show me some results from all the time spent following others in your truck? How about ideas for solving Warwick's problems? Or is your best idea to drive around hoping to catch somebody doing something wrong to embarrass them. You are a self serving know it all who couldn't be elected school hall monitor tomorrow if you tried. I disagree with Mr. Corrente on many issues, atleast he has put himself out there. He is trying to put ideas on paper and not just talk (like you). I find it funny that you, Cushman, Stacia all talk about good people needing to run for office. Yet when somebody does, and you disagree with part of their platform, you accuse them of pandering. Where are your ideas Mr. Cote? Real ones. Not 50% health care contributions, not layoffs, not videos of a fireman at stop & shop. Real ideas. Let's see how much Rob truly wants the problems solved.

    Sunday, September 20, 2015 Report this