Mayor's tour gives printer chance to press for lower taxes

By JOHN HOWELL
Posted 1/24/19

By JOHN HOWELL Kevin Martin didn't have to think twice when Mayor Joseph Solomon asked what the city could be doing for him. Martin is the owner of Image Printing, and Solomon was there Tuesday afternoon as part of his one-on-one weekly business visits

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Mayor's tour gives printer chance to press for lower taxes

Posted

Kevin Martin didn’t have to think twice when Mayor Joseph Solomon asked what the city could be doing for him.

Martin is the owner of Image Printing, and Solomon was there Tuesday afternoon as part of his one-on-one weekly business visits to a Warwick business.

Martin had a one-word answer for Solomon: “Taxes.”

Image is one of the survivors in a dramatically changing business. Martin can recall having 10 competitors as recently as a decade ago. Now, it’s down to three. Recently, Colonial Printing closed, and it wasn’t all that long ago that Barrington Printing and United went out of business.

With offices bordering Route 95 on Plan Way, Martin said he is paying $26,000 a year in Warwick taxes.

Solomon, who remembers Martin when he opened his first print shop near Dunkin’ Donuts at Hoxsie Four Corners 23 years ago, said there are only two ways of reducing taxes – making government more efficient and increasing the tax base through business and residential growth.

“Those are the tools I’m working with,” he said.

As they talked and took a tour of Image, Martin, a car buff, expressed his disappointment in Warwick’s roads. He also took the mayor by surprise when he said he doesn’t bother bidding on city print jobs.

Also an aficionado of cars, Solomon understood why Martin had chosen to drive his pickup to work Tuesday rather than his Corvette. As for the roads, he pointed out that for the first time in many years, the budget has a well-funded road-repaving program ($5 million) and said he hopes to see the program sustained in years to come.

Martin said he’s seen some repaving, but many roads are still in tough shape.

“I think you need to see that,” he said.

While Martin said about 90 percent of his business is from within the state – and most of that with longstanding customers, including higher education institutions – he doesn’t bid on city jobs. He explained that city printing specifications are often reduced to a cost per thousand. For instance, he told Solomon the bid could be based on a cost per thousand based on a run of 100,000. That works if it’s a single job of a 100,000 run, but what the city is looking for is to apply that cost per thousand over multiple jobs. In that case, the printer has to make up multiple plates and the cost climbs exponentially.

“We end up losing money,” Martin said.

In addition, Martin pointed out, the city is soliciting bids from more than 100 printers across the country. He understands why, but notes many of those out-of-state printers can’t offer the kind of personal attention often required to address job changes.

Solomon said the city is always looking for the best deal for the taxpayers.

As for changes in the business, Martin said the evolution of technology has expedited the process and reduced waste. It has also resulted in a reduced staff and a demand for higher skilled employees.

Martin said his focus is directed on longer-run and higher-quality jobs. It’s been a successful ticket, as he noted this past year was among the best.

The tour of the Image plant found employees finishing a job on the $1.5 million Komri press. The highly automated press was in the process of being cleaned, but Martin asked for a sample run to demonstrate its speed. The press purred to life.

Karen Jedson, the city’s director of economic development and tourism, whisked to the end of the press.

“I want to literally follow the paper trail,” she said.

The press was just too fast to do that.

Comments

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  • Cat2222

    Higher rates to pay for taxes but too high for city to pay to use a local company.

    Thursday, January 24, 2019 Report this

  • richardcorrente

    I applaud Mayor Solomon for meeting one-on-one with so many business owners. I empathize with the problem of needing $26,000 a year in taxes but if Warwick continues to over-tax, we will continue to lose businesses. I'm sure the intelligent people in the above article can get some City work for this long-time Warwick business. Favoring our own businesses makes sense. Cutting spending as we have been recently seeing, will also help cut taxes.

    Happy Valentines everyone.

    Rick Corrente

    The Taxpayers Mayor

    Thursday, January 24, 2019 Report this

  • PaulHuff

    “There are only two ways of reducing taxes – making government more efficient and increasing the tax base through business and residential growth.”

    It’s a shame that the Mayor doesn’t realize that if the City cuts spending then taxes could be reduced. I guess Democrats just don’t think that way.

    Thursday, January 24, 2019 Report this

  • Jasjames

    Here's a tip for the Mayor. Stop raising taxes to give raises to ALL over paid, and compensated, city employee unions. Oh, I forgot. He can't get reelected unless he feeds the union animal. One CEO's vote, if he even lives in Warwick, doesn't mean squat against hundreds of City Union employees and their family members.

    Thursday, January 24, 2019 Report this

  • richardcorrente

    Dear PaulHuff and John Simineau Sr.

    First I greatly respect the two of you for giving your "honest" comments from and "honest" name. It shows integrity.

    Second, I totally agree with your comments except for one thing. You both know the issues I have with Mayor Solomon. However, I have to give credit where credit is due. He is doing a vastly improved job of finding ways to "Cut Taxes - Cut Spending". Just go to any City Council meeting. Spending money, especially if it is "over budget money" used to be rubber-stamped. NOT TODAY! Agreed that he is still raising taxes but the attitude is much more taxpayer-friendly than Avedisian. Plus, he actually shows up for work! No monthly vacations. No part-time jobs at RIPTA. He shows up! Finance Chair Ed Ladouceur and this new Mayor are watching every taxpayers dollar. Let's cut them some slack. (By the way, not all Democrats are "tax-and-spend" types. John Kennedy wrote the "Income Tax Reduction Act of 1061", largely credited for the booming economy of the 60's). I am also, NOT a tax-and-spend Democrat. So there's two!)

    Happy Valentines everyone.

    Rick Corrente

    The Taxpayers Mayor

    Friday, January 25, 2019 Report this

  • patientman

    $5,000,000 is better than the $0.0 that the city usually budgets. Someone once cited that for Warwick to properly maintain our roads we should be spending $8,000,000 a year. The Mayor is bragging about funding 62.5% what should be funded.

    Friday, January 25, 2019 Report this

  • Jasjames

    RC, I go to Council meetings. Two days ago at CC meeting Mr. Laduccuer stated that in first 6 months of Fiscal year, just the WFD alone has overspent two line items in their budget to the tune of 700K. They are on track to be over budget on these two line items alone by 1.4 million. OT and sick time only ... 1.4 million. The unfunded pension and OPEB funds are around one half billion or more, with nothing set aside to pay them. Roads are a mess. Schools are horrible. People leaving the City, all while Mayor was on Council.

    You mention John Kennedy being a Democrat. By today's standard of democratic party he would be a conservative Republican.

    What is he doing about Councilwoman Travis who votes to spend money on water and sewer tax sales for unpaid bills, while one of her six nonprofits owes the City over $2500 in taxes that are unpaid since 2011 without a tax sale. I brought this to his, and the whole councils, attention many times in the last two years AND NOTHING DONE.

    Friday, January 25, 2019 Report this

  • Thecaptain

    As far as the fictitious road repair budget of $5,000,000. That slush fund was introduced in the July 1,2019 budget. I testified on that matter that (if the engineering was complete) the city would have to spend $220,000 per week to exhaust the budget before the asphalt plants closed which was impossible to do. Leaving only about 1 - 1/1/2 months on the opposite side of the season to pave. In reality, there would be no way that the city could complete this pipe dream. They all knew that it was set up as a slush fund.

    Now, a large chunk of that money is ear marked to go towards the litigation being brought by the school departments demand for another 4.9 million bucks. The previous year road repair budget consumed $500,000. A multiple of 10 on 1 line item (when the engineering is incomplete) is simply a foolish fallacy that will never come to fruition.

    Now its time for the city to release the transfer resolutions to see exactly where that money went. Maybe Corrente could perform his very first APRA, request all transfer resolutions to date, and actually make his first comment based upon an official city document as opposed to spouting off with nothing to support his comments.

    Friday, January 25, 2019 Report this

  • Jasjames

    TheCaptain, so the Mayor just lied to Mr. Martin, The Beacon, and all residents of the City of Warwick about the 5 million repaving budgeted.

    Friday, January 25, 2019 Report this

  • Thecaptain

    That is correct.

    Friday, January 25, 2019 Report this

  • wrkvoter

    In light of the Captain's comments about the details on how to spend 5mil on roads in one year, it will be interesting to see at the end of this fiscal year in July, how much was actually spent.

    Friday, January 25, 2019 Report this

  • richardcorrente

    Dear John Simoneau Sr.

    You are right about the condition Warwick is in. However, in the past, did you ever see the overspending receive such anger from ANY member of the City Council? I haven't. During Avedisian's administration, the attitude was "go along to get along." That is NOT the attitude today. This council is far less tolerant of overspending. That can only be good for the 80,000 taxpayers that are paying the tab.

    Time will tell, but I think you agree we are in better shape today than in years past. To quote President Reagan, a Republican, "Are we better off today than we were yesterday?" I have to say "Yes." Don't you agree?

    Rick

    Friday, January 25, 2019 Report this

  • Jasjames

    RC.

    No I don't.

    What about Travis, your Democratic buddy? You never answered me regarding her situation, and what you think about almost 500 people having tax sales against them in 2 years for overdue water and sewer bills, while she owes over $2500 for unpaid 2011 taxes by one of her 6 nonprofits, for 20 month period when nonprofit status was revoked?

    City Council members should be the first person to have a tax sale if regular folks do for much less owed. Don't you agree?

    Friday, January 25, 2019 Report this

  • wrkvoter

    Corrente wont talk about Travesty because he is a COWARD (his favorite if misused word) and that would interrupt pandering to her (as if thats worth anything).

    Friday, January 25, 2019 Report this

  • richardcorrente

    Dear John Sinoneau Sr.,

    You're right. I neglected to comment about Councilperson Donna Travis. I thought my many letters-to-the-editor, articles, and flattering comments here were enough. I have mentioned (it took about an hour!) her many accomplishments and decades of "giving". I have said on many occasions that there should be a statue of her and her husband Bill at the entrance to Oakland Beach because they have done more for the betterment of that community THAN EVERYONE ELSE PUT TOGETHER! I felt that then and I feel that now.

    Is she perfect? NO!

    Am I? NO!

    Are you John? Maybe? Maybe not.

    The bottom line is that neither of us can think of any group of people collectively, that have given more to the families of Oakland Beach than those two people. That buys Donna Travis some benefit-of the-doubt, in my world, and a lot of your accusations may very well be her fault or they may very well not be. I don't care as much about those issues because there are so many offsetting decades of positives. Thousands of positives, John. Thousands.

    Sorry John. I respect you. I just don't agree with you about her.

    I do get a kick out of Wrlvoter though, who attacks me for "not talking about her because I am (apparently) a COWARD". Here's a guy that doesn't even have enough courage to make honest comments from an honest name. (Like you and I do). Who's the real COWARD? The readers know!

    As far as me "pandering" to Donna.

    Guilty!

    And when Wrkvoter accomplishes 1% as much as Donna Travis has, he will deserve pandering as well.

    Happy Valentines John.

    Happy Valentines everyone. Go Patriots!

    Rick Corrente

    The Taxpayers Mayor

    Tuesday, January 29, 2019 Report this

  • Cat2222

    Well you heard it hear first folks!

    Definition of Pander according to Dictionary.com

    (Noun)

    1. a person who furnished clients for a prostitute or supplies persons for illicit sexual intercourse, procurer, pimp

    2. a person who caters to or profits from the weaknesses or vices of others

    3. a go-between in amorous intrigues.

    (Verb)

    4. to act as a pander; cater basely

    Definition of Pander according to Merriam-Webster.com

    (Intransitive Verb)

    To act as a pander

    especially: to provide gratification for other's desires.

    (Noun)

    a go-between in love intrigues

    PIMP

    Someone who caters to or exploits the weaknesses of others

    Tuesday, January 29, 2019 Report this

  • wrkvoter

    Corrente failed to enumerate a single travis accomplishment, so here's one:

    https://youtu.be/aaBSR8FMni0

    Tuesday, January 29, 2019 Report this

  • Jasjames

    So Mr Corrente. All that said and you didn't answer my 1 question. Should Travis pay the over $2500 her nonprofit owes the City since 2011 or the City have a tax sale?

    You say her and husband should have a statute built in OB because they have done more for that area than anyone else. Please name one. The only good they have done in the City has been done to get her reelected. That is, was, and always will be the only thing they have done anything for.... themselves!

    Mr. Taxpayers Mayor. Should she pay the tax bill, and why hasn't the City forced her too, like they have for the almost 500 tax sales in 2 years for those owing water and sewer bills?

    Tuesday, January 29, 2019 Report this

  • wrkvoter

    And there you have it. Crickets. Fake mayor gutless, asked by someone with a real name and still cant answer a hard question. I guess "cut taxes" really means he likes tax deadbeats like himself!

    Wednesday, January 30, 2019 Report this

  • Thecaptain

    Mr. Simoneau,

    I guess we should all ignore the fact that Travis has been there 20 years during the demise of the city.

    We should all ignore the fact that she never read a single union contract that she voted on.

    We should all ignore the fact that with her extremely limited education that she has no understanding of a concept called unfunded pension liabilities.

    We should all ignore the fact that when she voted to raise property taxes and car taxes that she, her husband, and her daughter were just under 2 years delinquent on all of the above.

    We should all ignore the fact that Avedisian gave her a "special deal" to pay for her unpaid taxes and relieved her interest payments. Who else gets those special deals?

    We should all ignore the fact that Avedisian gave her daughter a job that she was clearly not qulaified to have in the Library.

    We should all ignore the fact that Travis has repeatedly trampled on the first amendment rights of residents in Warwick when she put forth a resolution to ban signs in the council chamber, when she was recorded on a hot mic with that other disgusting human Wilkinson, planning on preventing people from speaking at the open mic.

    We should all ignore how many times she never asked a single relevant question at a budget hearing pertaining to the overspending of overtime on the part of the fire department.

    We should all ignore the vast amount of pandering that she has done with the unions.

    We should all ignore her violations of parking at prohibited areas around the JONAH (joke) CENTER in OB.

    But we should all remember that politicians are like diapers. They all stink and need to be changed frequently. She is overdue for a change.

    Wednesday, January 30, 2019 Report this

  • Jasjames

    Thecaptain. Your list is just the tip of the Travis iceberg. That isn't even including her two findings of guilt last year by the Ethics Commissioner and Election Board for violations of the law. After all that, the dope voters in Ward 6, and ALL her fellow Warwick Politicians, apparently have forgotten all of it.

    You get the government you deserve.

    Wednesday, January 30, 2019 Report this

  • richardcorrente

    Dear Readers,

    wrkvoter is a liar.

    I have, on many occasions, mentioned some of the dozens of Donna Travis accomplishments. Look up "Donna Travis Deserves a Statue" from the December 12, 2016 Warwick Beacon. I was the author.

    She has spent over 45 years as a child abuse advocate.

    She has over 40 years assisting the elderly through JONAH.

    She has over 30 years of planning Easter Egg hunts.

    She has over 20 years of planning National Night Out.

    The list is actually too extensive to continue here but I clearly have made my point.

    Now, as far as "wrkvoter"

    He/she doesn't have the credibility, self respect, or self esteem to even use his/her real name! Let alone have any list of accomplishments.

    'nuf said.

    Happy Valentines everyone.

    GO PATRIOTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Rick Corrente

    The Taxpayers Mayor,

    and a big fan of Donna and Bill Travis who should have a statue of them at the entrance for hundreds of good reasons.

    John Simoneau Sr. is right about one thing though. The above list is "just the tip of the Travis iceberg". For a more complete list of accomplishments please go to "Donna Travis Deserves a Statue". Even that list is incomplete, but it's well worth reading.

    GO PATRIOTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Thursday, January 31, 2019 Report this

  • Jasjames

    Mr. Taxpayers Mayor. Like I said... everything you listed had one main purpose .... reelection, by using mostly fake nonprofits.

    Mr. Taxpayers Mayor..... What about the $2500+ that HER Easter egg hunt nonprofit owes Warwick since 2011?... Once a year egg hunt, while she uses the property AS HER OWN ON ADJACENT LOT TO HER HOUSE, TAX FREE?

    Three requests for you to respond about these owed taxes BUT NOTHING FROM YOU .... amazing. PLEASE ANSWER THE QUESTION ......

    Thursday, January 31, 2019 Report this