By JOHN HOWELL Abbey is a short street in Ward 1, a walk of less than 10 minutes from end to end, but after an hour Saturday afternoon Ward 1 Councilman Richard Corley hadn't even knocked on the doors of all the even numbered homes. It's not that he met
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Abbey is a short street in Ward 1, a walk of less than 10 minutes from end to end, but after an hour Saturday afternoon Ward 1 Councilman Richard Corley hadn’t even knocked on the doors of all the even numbered homes.
It’s not that he met a lot of people. Rather, of those residents he encountered he ended up talking for extended periods, trading stories and even talking about the New York Giants and the New England Patriots.
Patrick Maloney, who served on the School Committee from 2008 to 2012 and made runs for the Ward 1 seat in 2014 and 2016, has also been walking the ward. After a falling out with the Democratic Ward Committee and the death of a close friend and supporter, Ken Smith, Maloney said he decided to run as an independent on the basis of Corley’s performance and what he considers unethical efforts to get him out of the race. Because of his experience on the School Committee, Maloney also feels he is the most qualified candidate to deal with an issue critical to the city.
The Corley-Maloney campaign is the only council contest where an incumbent faces a challenge. Incumbents Jeremy Rix, Ward 2; Timothy Howe, Ward 3; Ed Ladouceur, Ward 5; Donna Travis, Ward 6; Steve McAllister, Ward 7 and Steve Merolla, Ward 9, all Democrats, are running unopposed. In Ward 8, where incumbent Joseph Gallucci chose not to seek reelection, Anthony Sinapi beat Bethany Furtado for the Democratic nomination. In Ward 4, where Joseph Solomon is running for mayor, Democrat James McElroy faces independent Michael Penta, who disaffiliated from the Republican Party.
So far the Ward 1 contest has been low key, with Corley the more visible of the two candidates. Corley signs dot the neighborhoods of Pawtuxet, Gaspee Plateau and Governor Francis. As a member of the council, Corley has the platform to be heard and in the last year was an active member of Operation Falcon, the community-based effort to keep John Brown Francis School as a neighborhood school in the face of elementary school consolidation. He lost that fight and the school has been transformed into the Warwick Early Learning Center, which was relocated from the Robert Shapiro Toll Gate Educational Complex. Corley also became involved when a wooded section of JBF School property on Lansdowne Road was clear-cut as a staging area for materials and equipment for Gov. Francis Phase 3 sewers.
Corley has found the job of councilman entails so much more than school and sewer issues. He’s troubled by the number of repossessed homes in the community – an issue that Maloney is all too familiar with after police found what he described as a crack house being operated from the basement of a vacant house next to him. Maloney questions why banks are forcing people out of homes when they could work with owners on payment plans that would maintain area home values and preserve the neighborhood. As a councilman he wants to address that issue.
The owner and operator of two small businesses, a computer repair business and game store, Maloney is troubled by the number of vacant storefronts in the city. In addition to his two businesses, Maloney has a full-time job as a contractor for the VA doing IT security work. In a self-conducted survey of West Shore Road, Post Road and Warwick Avenue, Maloney said he counted 150 vacant stores. From his own personal experience, Maloney said the first visit a new business gets is from the tax collector. He said the first year in business is most critical for a small business and that he would work to implement a program that would provide relief from the inventory tax for new businesses.
On his house-to-house walk Saturday, Corley needed to go no further than Frances Dunn’s home to confirm what he and Maloney identify as a significant citywide issue – a deteriorating infrastructure when it comes to school buildings and city and state roads.
Dunn, who made it clear from the start she won’t be voting for any Republican because of President Trump, said Corley would be getting her vote because he had taken the time to ring her doorbell. Dunn was to the point.
“What are you going to do for me?”
Corley answered with a question, “What can I do for you?” He went on to point out what he has done including passage of a no tax increase budget last year and slated improvements to Salter Grove Park.
Dunn deplored the condition of roads.
“The infrastructure has been neglected for decades,” Corley said.
He added that as a member of the council he voted for $5 million for road repaving. He noted that the administration of former Mayor Scott Avedisian in some years allocated only $100,000 to repaving, and he was critical of Gov. Raimondo’s administration for making such a fuss over road repairs.
“Just do the roads, don’t brag about it,” he said.
Dunn is upset with the $71 million spent on the Apponaug Circulator. She called it “Avedisian’s f-ing rotary.”
The conversation drifted into politics with Dunn talking about Jennifer Rourke, who unsuccessfully challenged Senator Michael McCaffrey for the Democratic nomination. Dunn admired Rourke’s energy and her fresh outlook. Corley agreed the party needs to make room for new blood and said he would reach out to her.
It was the party, however, that has soured Maloney.
Maloney, who said he does not accept donations and self-finances his campaigns, said he was asked not to run this year. He said he was then told the party would find a place for him on a city board that would be a paying position, and when that didn’t change his mind he said he was told through party connections he could be put in touch with top doctors dealing with the dementia his wife is suffering from.
“That’s unconscionable,” said Maloney.
He also wondered how many other offers of board positions and jobs had been made to avoid primary battles in other wards.
“The ward committee betrayed me and attempted to use my family situation as leverage to get me out,” he said.
Maloney also questioned if political appointments are a reason why some boards have been ineffective.
Maloney said he was also told the party wanted Corley because he is an attorney. Corley runs Corley and Associates with offices on Post Road and is a legislative counsel to the state Senate Judiciary Committee.
Why challenge Corley?
Maloney notes that during budget deliberations, Corley asked for an audit and additional time to examine the school budget request to increase city funding by $8 million. Maloney believed that reasonable – he argues that schools have been under-funded – although rather than sticking to his request Corley went along with the rest of the council and approved a budget giving schools an added $1.5 million.
“If he can’t stick up for himself, how is he going to stick up for everybody else?” Maloney asks.
“My job is not to make the City Council happy but respond to the people,” said Maloney.
Corley said 90 percent of his job as councilman is calling on people to do their jobs whether it’s filling a pothole, picking up trash or plowing a street.
“People are frustrated. They think that because I’m on the council I can do things,” said Corley.
He believes inter-city communications have improved with Mayor Solomon and that departments are working cooperatively. He sees improvements.
So, why run for reelection? Corley answers with a question.
“Why walk away from it if it can be fixed?”
On his list is the unfunded liability of other than retirement benefits for municipal retirees. He would like to see a fund to address these future costs, arguing that Avedisian’s efforts to start an OPEB fund was under-funded and that’s why he didn’t go along with that plan.
“Mistakes were made in the past, but we can’t throw our hands up and say somebody else can do that…I’m running to see what I can do for the people I’m working for,” he said.
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richardcorrente
Richard Corley says his job as City Councilperson is to be "calling on people to do their jobs, whether it's filling a pothole, picking up trash or plowing a street." He's right. And he does it. I have witnessed him at the City Council meetings. He doesn't just rubber stamp resolutions. He asks good, intelligent questions, follows up with more good questions and doesn't vote "yes" until he has received complete answers. He is thorough in his due diligence. In other words Corley "does his job" representing the taxpayers best interests.
Patrick Mahoney is a good man. Richard Corley is a good City Councilman. He represents Ward one very well. If I lived there I would vote for Rick. I completely support his candidacy and recommend him sincerely.
Happy Autumn everyone.
Rick Corrente
The Taxpayers Mayor
Thursday, October 25, 2018 Report this
Scal1024
-Corley's answer to Avedisian underfunding OPEB...was to offer ZERO DOLLARS instead. Pretty bold strategy let's see if it pays off...
-Corley takes credit for a ZERO TAX INCREASE BUDGET. The only thing that budget did is cause a MAXIMUM TAX INCREASE in this years budget. I'm not surprised Rick Corrente supports Richard Corley, Corrente also supported holding the line on taxes in that budget, which led to a MAXIMUM TAX INCREASE in this years budget.
Just like every topic he speaks on, Rick Corrente is equally clueless when it comes to the City Council. This of course is why he was told to sit down and be quiet by Councilman Ed Ladoceur after Corrente embarrassed himself on the microphone again.
Lastly, to the voter featured in this article...I think far too many people are voting for the candidate that "knocks on their door." THEY KNOW THIS!!! They'll do just enough around election time to get their name in the paper, march at a couple parades and rail against the Circulator Project (that I'm sure the majority of them previously supported). They already know what party you're registered to, so there is literally zero risk in them knocking on your door. You are a "soft" voting target and they know this, which is the only reason they show up in the first place.
Look no further than the above exchange from this article:
Voter: "What are you going to do for me?"
Corley: (clearly not trying to answer any such question) "What can I do for you?"
Oldest trick in the book. Then throw a couple talking points at them, tell them you'll "introduce a bill when we get back in session." Wash. Rinse. Repeat.
Thursday, October 25, 2018 Report this
Warwick Man
Maloney is friendly with Stacia. That alone make him disqualified. She belongs in treatment.
Thursday, October 25, 2018 Report this
Scal1024
Warwick Man, I used to visit Warwick Watch strictly for the comic relief. Although, even that I couldn't take anymore. To think that at anytime any person ever felt she was a viable candidate for anything is just plain scary! I mean the woman was caught using multiple screen names on this website, in order to create the appearance of "support". That is about as low and as crazy as it gets. You make a fair point about Maloney though, he was a Stacia supporter and I forgot about that. Does make you wonder...
Thursday, October 25, 2018 Report this
wwkvoter
Stacia had some people fooled for a time. Even Bob Cushman described her winning as "doable". She was a seductive alt candidate, until her own words started adding up and her true colors started to appear.
http://johnstonsunrise.net/stories/petri%20gets%20enthusiastic%20reception%20at%20meet%20greet,94494
Thursday, October 25, 2018 Report this
CrickeeRaven
Scal and WwkVoter, don't forget this article that tore her 2014 campaign argument to shreds -- and correctly predicted that she'd try to run for state office in later elections [she ran for state rep in 2016].
https://warwickpost.com/stacia-petri-and-big-scary-numbers/2618/
I do give her credit for getting one thing correct, though -- she called the two-time mayoral election reject a "political candidate clown" earlier this year: https://warwickpost.com/digit-spinner-richard-corrente-fudges-numbers/
Friday, October 26, 2018 Report this
richardcorrente
Dear anonymous, faceless, nameless critics and all candidates,
ANYONE who runs for office is to be greatly respected.
He/she has devoted hundreds of hours of their time; spent large sums of unreimbursed dollars and has an impact on the election whether they are elected or not. ALL candidates are to be respected far more than you anonymous cowards of critics who don't even have the courage to speak from you own name.
Imagine if everything you brilliant critics say about candidates is 100% true. Just imagine that. It means that the "anonymous cowards of critics" STILL aren't nearly as credible as the candidates they attack!
WOW.
That means that the day I stated my name four years ago, I was already MORE credible than them. I had ALREADY done more than they did. Before I campaigned one day or spent one dollar my accomplishments were thousands of times more than theirs. That must be tearing them up inside. The critics will probably moan, groan, condemn and complain, because that's all they're good at.
William Shakespeare called them out when he said "It is a tale of an idiot; full of fire and fury, signifying nothing." (Macbeth)
Congratulations to ANYONE who made the commitment and ran for office this election. You count. You helped the "80,000 taxpayers that are paying the tab." The anonymous cowards of critics don't. They might not even be old enough to vote.
Happy Autumn everyone.
Rick Corrente
The Taxpayers Mayor.
Friday, October 26, 2018 Report this
CrickeeRaven
"ANYONE who runs for office is to be greatly respected."
Not when they lie to people, fail to pay their taxes, and use someone else's website for free political advertising like the two-time election reject.
It may be news to him, but voters actually have standards for candidates -- and he deserves no respect for failing to meet even the barest minimum that honest, taxpaying voters expect from people running for mayor.
"That means that the day I stated my name four years ago, I was already MORE credible than them."
This is a lie. Getting one's name on a ballot is not a sign of credibility, nor is it license to repeatedly and willingly lie to voters.
"Before I campaigned one day or spent one dollar my accomplishments were thousands of times more than theirs."
This, too, is a lie. The two-time election reject's "accomplishments" were losing a property to tax sale and lying about it, making false claims about his tax bills, lying about the changes in Warwick's business sector and school population, falsely claiming credit for the city council's budget decisions,
His unhealthy fixation on the other commenters on this website -- who have, time and again, presented factual information proving his statements false -- is clearly meant to distract from his utter unfitness for office, which our honest, taxpaying neighbors recognized and answered with two overwhelming rejections of his candidacy.
Warwick voters have standards, and they will not be fooled. The two-time election reject's decision not to acknowledge those facts is a defect in his behavior, not anyone else's.
Friday, October 26, 2018 Report this
WarwickFreemason
OMG, you guys are too funny! It is like a soap opera "As the Beacon Turns!" I am sitting in my office laughing so much, my eyes are watering!! Someone walked by my office and asked me what I was watching and I told them "Noting, I am reading the comments of my friends on the Warwick Beacon Website!" They thought I was watching a video or something on my computer!
Every Tuesday and Thursday, I go to the Beacon's website and I pray there is a new article / story regarding the school department, the fire department or the election. Because if there is, it is a guaranty the comments to follow will truly be comical! Mr. Corrente, you are quite a character, thank you for not staying silent after the primaries! Could you imagine if you would have won??? Holy Crap!!! I would never get any work done!!! I hope you all have a great weekend!
Happy Waning Gibbous Moon Everyone
Warwick Freemason
The Taxpayer's Freemason
Friday, October 26, 2018 Report this
richardcorrente
Thanks again WarwickFreemason,
Isn't it funny how the nameless faceless critics try to sound like they're credible. They aren't even a person with a real name!
Glad you enjoyed my responses. Stay tuned new friend. I'm preparing a description of Scal1024 that I think you will enjoy.
Happy Waning Gibbous Moon WarwickFreemason.
Happy Waning Moon everyone.
Rick Corrente
The Taxpayers Mayor
Sunday, October 28, 2018 Report this
CrickeeRaven
The two-time election reject is admitting that he can not factually dispute the true information presented about him, so he resorts to childish insults.
He will certainly continue to humiliate himself in his future comments.
Sunday, October 28, 2018 Report this
Cat2222
RC: "ANYONE who runs for office is to be greatly respected."
RC: "That means that the day I stated my name four years ago, I was already MORE credible than them. I had ALREADY done more than they did."
RC: "Congratulations to ANYONE who made the commitment and ran for office this election. You count. You helped the "80,000 taxpayers that are paying the tab." The anonymous cowards of critics don't. They might not even be old enough to vote. "
Something to consider:
Narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) is a personality disorder with a long-term pattern of abnormal behavior characterized by exaggerated feelings of self-importance and excessive need for admiration. The DSM-5 indicates that persons with NPD usually display some or all of the following symptoms, typically without the commensurate qualities or accomplishments:
1. Grandiosity with expectations of superior treatment from other people
2. Fixated on fantasies of power, success, intelligence, attractiveness, etc.
3. Self-perception of being unique, superior, and associated with high-status people and institutions
4. Needing continual admiration from others
5. Sense of entitlement to special treatment and to obedience from others
6. Exploitative of others to achieve personal gain
7. Intensely envious of others, and the belief that others are equally envious of them
8. Pompous and arrogant demeanor
P.S. If they "might not even be old enough to vote" then they probably are not taxpayers which goes right back to your fake number of 80,000 taxpayers in Warwick.
Monday, October 29, 2018 Report this
CrickeeRaven
Very interesting information, Cat, and helpful in explaining the willingly-exhibited behavioral defects of the two-time election reject.
Perhaps the most informative part of your explanation of NPD was that people with this condition exhibit this behavior "without the commensurate qualities or accomplishments."
As we've seen, the two-time election reject has continued to willingly behave this way in spite of his two overwhelming losses at the polls -- and, if possible, even gotten worse after his last humiliating defeat.
We can be sure that, if there is any way that he can disgrace himself even more with his behavior, he will find it.
Monday, October 29, 2018 Report this