By ETHAN HARTLEY -- Visitors to Oakland Beach may soon have a choice, besides Iggy's, for where to get a fried doughboy after a ruling to uphold a 2015 Zoning Board of Review (ZBR) decision was made in Kent County Superior Court on Monday.
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Visitors to Oakland Beach may soon have a choice, besides Iggy’s, for where to get a fried doughboy after a ruling to uphold a 2015 Zoning Board of Review (ZBR) decision was made in Kent County Superior Court on Monday.
These aren’t just any doughboys, mind you. According to James Rengigas, the proprietor of what will become the resurrection of Mrs. Gus’s Restaurant at 875 Oakland Beach Ave., these will be the original doughboys – a relic of the past forged from a recipe his grandmother crafted in 1904 that first took Oakland Beach by storm in the summer of 1940.
“It’s a wonderful thing,” Rengigas said of the Superior Court decision, adding that he hopes to break ground on the new restaurant in October. “Everybody is saying a doughboy is just a piece of fried dough, but everybody's forgotten their roots...Once they taste the old school formula, you have them locked and loaded to come back.”
Rengigas didn’t get to this point without a fight.
His first attempt to gain city approval to build a 32x42 foot fast food restaurant was denied by a 3-2 vote of the ZBR, which expressed concern over the size of the proposed building and the number of requested zoning variances that would be necessary – which included a reduction in the number of required parking spaces relative to the square footage of the building.
Less than a month later, Rengigas filed a second application, this time for a take-out restaurant that was reduced to 32x28 feet and, though it required variances for setbacks and landscaping, no longer requested a variance for parking spaces (it would have 18 spaces). The ZBR agreed to allow the application proceed to a public hearing, which was held on July 21, 2015.
“Oakland Beach Avenue has developed into a successful area for restaurants, beach front and open space,” said Richard Crenca (then a member of the Planning Department, now the Director of DPW) at the 2015 hearing in support of the application. “The use of this property as another restaurant would be consistent with the surrounding uses as well as with the City’s Comprehensive Plan.”
Robert DeGregorio – identified in court documents as an expert in real estate brokerage – testified at the hearing that the proposed restaurant was “extremely consistent” with other uses in the area and that its use as a restaurant was more appropriate for the area’s zoning, which is zoned for general business, than the building that was located on the property at the time – a single-family home once occupied by Rengigas’s family.
Paul Bannon, described as a traffic expert, then testified that the restaurant would have no adverse effect on public safety in the Oakland Beach area. Rengigas’s attorney, Robert Flaherty, argued that a restaurant was the only practical use of the property. DeGregorio agreed with this opinion and further stated that the current residential property on the lot was an “unattractive nuisance” in the area.
In opposition to the application included an expert in land use, Edward Pimental, who argued that the proposed restaurant would overburden the area and greatly reduce the space available for parking, potentially forcing away visitors. Julie Finn, a frequent visitor to Oakland Beach, said she was concerned about more trash being littered should another restaurant come into the area.
William Coyle, another expert in real estate, expressed concern that Rengigas left out sufficient information in his application about amenities that could wind up in the building, such as an oil boiler or a walk-in refrigerator, which if added would require additional parking spaces to satisfy zoning ordinances.
Ultimately the board ruled in Rengigas’s favor by a 4-1 vote, satisfied that Rengigas had legitimate reason to seek a change of use on his property to better fit the area’s zoning, that the variances he requested were reasonable and that the new restaurant would not have a negative impact on the area. They wrote their official written decision on Aug 20, 2015.
The win for Rengigas was short-lived. David Gravino, owner of Iggy’s Doughboys and Chowder House, filed an appeal – via Iggy’s corporate entity, S.G. Associates Inc. – of the ZBR decision on Sep 3, 2015 on the grounds that the board had violated their rules of procedure by allowing Rengigas to submit a second application within one year of being denied, and that their approval of that application was not justified by evidence.
However the decision handed down by Justice Jeffrey Lanphear at Kent County Superior Court on Monday concluded definitively that, in his judgment, this was not the case.
“After a review of the entire record, this Court finds that the Board’s decision was supported by the reliable, probative and substantial evidence on the record, was not arbitrary or capricious, and was not in violation of any statutory, ordinance, or planning board provisions,” the decision reads. “Additionally, this Court finds that the Board’s decision was not affected by error of law or characterized as an abuse of discretion.”
Should Gravino wish to appeal the Superior Court decision, he would have to do so within 20 days of Monday’s decision. The issue would then go to Rhode Island Supreme Court, but there is no guarantee that the court would choose to hear the case. Gravino declined to comment on this story.
Rengigas said that he hopes the matter is closed and he can get to work restoring the legacy started by his family so many years ago, and that healthy competition in the Oakland Beach area would be a good thing.
“It’s my turn now,” he said.
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richardcorrente
From purely a business point of view, why would anyone want to open a dough-boy store right next to a dough-boy store that has been there for over 60 years? It's like selling hot dogs right next to Haven Brothers, or frozen lemonade right next to Del's. Iggy's has become THE place to go for dough-boys for many decades. If I had an idea to open a dough-boy store, the LAST place I would want to have it would be next to Iggy's.
Downtown Providence or Olneyville, on the other hand sounds like perfect alternatives. (from a business point of view)
Happy Summer everyone.
Rick Corrente
The Taxpayers Mayor
Thursday, August 3, 2017 Report this
Scal1024
Yes Rick, what a crazy idea! That'd be like a tax delinquent, ill informed blowhard running for mayor against someone who's occupied that office for almost 20 years.
Iggy's doesn't own Oakland Beach. They are not entitled to make zoning laws or keep a business from opening up. In America we call it the FREE MARKET. I wouldn't expect a tax and spend, short sighted thinker like you to understand any of that.
Can you imagine a "business person" (i use that term sooooo lightly) stating that another business should move elsewhere? Rick you reveal yourself to be a bigger fool everyday. Maybe do your homework and read about Mrs Gus's before chiming in with more political BS. You are a proven liar and the voters aren't falling for it. Seriously, go away!!!
Thursday, August 3, 2017 Report this
richardcorrente
Dear Scal,
What are you so upset for?
I just gave a business opinion. You don't have to read it. You don't have to call me names.
You don't have to say I am a 'tax delinquent" when I'm not.
You don't have to say that Iggy's doesn't own Oakland Beach. I never said they did. Did I?
You don't have to say "In America we call it the FREE MARKET." I never said it wasn't. Did I?
You don't have to call me a "tax-and-spend". You lied! I never said that either. In fact my whole campaign was to "Cut Taxes - Cut Spending", the exact opposite of what you are accusing me of.
You don't have to call me a liar when you are the one doing all the lying.
C'mon Scal. I know you work for the mayor but don't overplay your hand. You discredit yourself. Avedisian raised taxes every year for EIGHTEEN YEARS IN A ROW!! My campaign caught such momentum that 80,000 taxpayers told their council-people loud and clear to "Cut Taxes - Cut Spending" and when your boss introduced 29 tax-increasing amendments the were UNANIMOUSLY voted down, all 29 of them!! That cut taxes for everyone, even YOU Scal!
And you lied about me not doing my homework about Mrs. Gus's too. Mr. Rebgigas has every right to open his dough-boy store ANYWHERE he wants. I just don't think it is a good idea to have it right next to his biggest competitor. That's why I started my comment "From purely a business point of view". Read it again. (I have been analyzing businesses for 39 years)
Scal, my movement saved millions of dollars for 80,000 taxpayers, but you seem upset. I don't understand it. And as far as the 13,278 voters that supported me in the 2016 election? I call them my base Scal. See you in 2018!
Until then, spend some time on your sailboat. You sound stressed out.
Happy Summer Scal1024.
Happy Summer 13,278 voters-of-mine from 2016.
Happy Summer everyone.
Rick Corrente
The Taxpayers Mayor
Thursday, August 3, 2017 Report this
Scal1024
Rick, I'm not angry. I'm just sick of the pandering and the bs. I do not and have not ever worked for the mayor, so once again you lie. You lie because its easier to tell people i work for the mayor, than it is to acknowledge I'm a non biased taxpayer who has legitimate concerns about your.candidacy. Rob Cote has repeatedly discredited you and I wouldn't call him a friend of the mayor.
I actually laughed out loud that you used the word "momentum". Have you no shame? You had nothing to do with anything that happens in the city council. Which is why members of the Democratic council endorsed the Republican candidate for mayor. Proving once again that tens of thousands of voices can't be wrong. I'm not angry Rick, i just won't allow you to lie and pander on here and pretend you're a serious candidate for mayor. You're not! Many people (including the democratic council members who endorsed the republican for mayor) have made this pretty clear.
As always I look forward to your greatest hits of talking points. Just when I think it can't get anymore foolish..."momentum"? Ha!
Thursday, August 3, 2017 Report this
CrickeeRaven
Hello again Scal1024:
Thank you for exposing the embarrassment of a losing candidate by highlighting his ridiculous assertions about business development. This is the losing candidate, as you recall, who falsely claimed that the local business sector lost thousands of companies even after being proven to be a fraudulent claim.
Why he persists in so readily proving his unfitness for office, like so much of his behavior, is a mystery.
He will no doubt continue to embarrass himself in his future comments.
Thursday, August 3, 2017 Report this
RISchadenfreude
Mr. Corrente, Iggy's second location in Point Judith is next door to Aunt Carrie's.
It looks like Mr. Gravino is a hypocrite and wants to keep all the marbles for himself; imagine if the owners of Aunt Carrie's had done the same to him? You'd be able to hear his shrill complaining all the way to Watch Hill.
If I were Mr. Rengigas, I'd invest in some very good surveillance equipment.
Friday, August 4, 2017 Report this
VoWarwick2017
To address Mr. Corrente's business observation...
On a given day the lines around and out the door of Iggy's indicate that there are many customers willing to buy fried dough, while true Iggy's has a monopoly on that currently it doesn't mean an alternative would not "split" the traffic and if the new offering is able to increase quality and options then they could take more than half the business.
In other terms there is little supply for the demand and by adding supply it will be able to meet the current demand... Personally, I have driven by Iggy's seen the line and just kept going. Also, Iggy's is not superior in any way, the service is in different and the product is fair. People tend to go there because there are no other options and because of that 60 years of nostalgia rather than a good product.
On a side note - recently my wife made a trip to Iggy's because she really wanted "Iggy's Clamcakes and Chowder" after dealing with a long line she sat and consumed the clamcakes and chowder she was unhappy because something was different. "It just doesn't taste the same. It's not all that good." A week later she picked up Clamcakes and Chowder at Tommy's on Warwick Ave, to this she said "This is what I wanted..." See Tommy's is closer to our house and we go there once a week (if not more) and we enjoy the quality of their product. Iggy's was just the name that everyone expects to be a good product, but honestly there is better out there.
So if Rengigas offers a product that is better then perhaps folks will see that just because they grew up with something doesn't mean that it is best.
Friday, August 4, 2017 Report this
DannyHall82
It creates competition which in return is a win for consumers. It forces better quality and fair prices....
Friday, August 4, 2017 Report this
richardcorrente
You all make excellent points, especially Danny Hall who says that competition will force better quality and fair prices, but that is from the point of view of the consumer. I just looked at it from "purely a business point of view". From that, I think Mrs. Gus would make more profit selling dough-boys elsewhere. Scal... Please don't suggest that I don't feel he has the right to be there. He absolutely does.
And Scal, I'm pretty sure I know who you are. Please don't call me a liar if I say so. I don't have proof and never said I did. And as far as pandering, I give credit where credit is due. I also give constructive criticism where I think that is due. You, on the other hand, just find fault. Never a constructive idea. Never a complement to anyone or anything. When I do it Scal, that's not pandering. That's being nice. You, on the other hand, can call it anything you want, because, like you said "In America we call it the FREE MARKET"
As to VOWarwick2097,
You're right. Tommy's Clam Shack is awesome! They are my favorite spot for clam cakes, and their lobster sandwiches are great too. (Great! Now Scal is going to accuse me of "pandering" to Tommy's)
Happy Summer everyone.
I'm going to Iggy's for lunch. Anyone want to join me? I'll buy.
Rick Corrente
The Taxpayers Mayor
Friday, August 4, 2017 Report this
DannyHall82
Richard,
From Mr. Gravino's point of view I'd be upset too but If you are Mr. Rengigas why wouldn't you build on land you already own? Having a residential home at that location makes no sense. I truly think most people will buy a little from both....
Friday, August 4, 2017 Report this
CrickeeRaven
Hello Scal1024:
As he has so often before, the fake "mayor" engages in bullying and double-speak when confronted about his statements.
For example, the fake "mayor" stated: "I know you work for the mayor," which you correctly pointed out is an assertion for which he has no proof and thus is a falsehood. Then, he replies: "I'm pretty sure I know who you are. Please don't call me a liar if I say so."
So, while he may believe in his mind that he is not lying when he says he is "pretty sure" of your identity, the fact is he has no proof and has not presented any. As you and I have seen routinely from the fake "mayor," things like objective fact and provable data mean nothing to him, as long as he can construct his own fantasy world.
And for someone who claims to serve taxpayers, advising a business owner against locating his company in a high-volume pedestrian-friendly area proves this assertion equally as absurd. As other perceptive and honest commenters have noted here, the market can certainly support another vendor in that area, meaning potential success for another local business and additional tax revenue for the city.
Using his "business point of view," the fake "mayor" has again proven that he is completely unfit for office as he admits he would try to influence private business owners' decisions for no logical reason.
He will certainly continue to embarrass himself in his future comments.
Friday, August 4, 2017 Report this
Kammy
My issue with Corrente lies in the fact that he lost the election. He continues to call himself mayor and takes credit for something he had nothing to do with. He didn't build momentum by his cut spending-cut taxes campaign. Let's face it, most newbie politicians rely on that platform because who DOESN'T want that? Things changed in this city because people have been laying the ground work for years! Those that have been working diligently every day whether in office or not. You simply cannot take credit when you didn't do the work. Everything he says flies in the face of the facts. The only positive is that the more he comments, the more BS he puts down in writing for all of Warwick to see.
Friday, August 4, 2017 Report this
CrickeeRaven
Hello Kammy:
Thank you for yet another astute and factual observation of the losing failure fake "mayor."
It is curious to me why he continues to embarrass himself so readily and repeatedly on this site; as you accurately indicate, he is only further proving his complete unfitness for office by leaving a long trail of disproven claims that voters can read. It is also quite possible that an opponent could compile these into a website, mailer, or other media to easily share them with voters and avoid the thousands of dollars that opposition research would otherwise cost.
We can be assured that he will continue to embarrass himself in his future comments.
Friday, August 4, 2017 Report this
Flo5582
Although entertaining to read, it seems this conversation has lost its focus. This is not about Mr. Corrente, this is about the competition of two local businesses and the sort of monopoly that Iggy's seems to think they are entitled to in the Oakland Beach area. While I do not have any negative opinions to Mr.Gravino to his business (let's be honest, he must be doing something right!), I do think that having choices for the consumer is a benefit. Choices are what help drive the economy and basic principles of supply and demand. While I do not tend to agree with any of the opinions that Mr.Hall has shared in the past regarding the Warwick community, this time I will concede. Good Luck to Mr. Rengigas!
Friday, August 4, 2017 Report this
davebarry109
Actually, it's a no brainer from a business perspective. The lines at Iggys can be 1/2 wait for clamcakes. This guy will grab at least 1/3rd of the line because people don't want to wait. If his doughboys really are better, they will go back.
Friday, August 4, 2017 Report this
richardcorrente
Dear DannyHall82,
You're right. A residential home makes no sense, but if it were me I would sell to Gravino (at a premium price) and take the money elsewhere where I could make a much greater return on investment. Sorry I missed you for lunch. I had the lobster roll at Iggy's. Awesome! Rain check?
Dear Flo5582,
You are absolutely right. This issue is all about the competition between Iggy's and the soon-to-be Mrs. Gus's. That issue ALONE! with NO POLITICS involved. Years ago, I did a business analysis for Marly's and another one for The Beach Pail both within a few feet of Iggy's. They both served chowder and clam cakes. They both competed with Iggy's. I advised both restaurants to change to a "burgers&beer" menu. Neither of them did. Neither of them competed well with Iggy's. They both went out of business.
That fact remains "you don't try to sell hot dogs right next to Haven Brothers" However, Mr. Rengigas has every right to do it if he wants. Mr. Rengigas, if you're reading this I will be happy to share my findings on both Marly's and The Beach Pail at no cost to you. If you think it will help you in any way please contact me at 401-338-9900.
Happy Summer everyone.
Rick
Friday, August 4, 2017 Report this
CrickeeRaven
Hello Flo5582:
As you see from his comments, there is no such thing to the fake "mayor" as a topic that can not somehow be about him.
His initial comment: "If I had an idea to open a dough-boy store, the LAST place I would want to have it would be next to Iggy's" proves his desperate attempt at making himself the issue, as does his later reply to you:
"Years ago, I did a business analysis for Marly's and another one for The Beach Pail both within a few feet of Iggy's. They both served chowder and clam cakes. They both competed with Iggy's. I advised both restaurants to change to a "burgers&beer" menu. Neither of them did. Neither of them competed well with Iggy's. They both went out of business."
Here, he is claiming that in spite of his advice [for which he characteristically offers no proof of any kind], two past business ventures in Oakland Beach failed.
He also has a habit of assuming that other readers can not do online research. As you may recall, Marly's was featured on Bar Rescue in 2013. Here is a direct link to the show's report: http://www.barrescueupdates.com/2013/11/marleys-beach-club-from-bar-rescue-has.html
Here is another update from March 10, 2017: http://gazettereview.com/2017/03/marleys-update-happened-bar-rescue/
So, this business closed due to "personal reasons," as stated by one of its owners, instead of some failure to listen to the fake "mayor's" advice.
In addition, a June 1, 2014 Yelp review of the Beach Pail states: "The manager/owner is clueless. 'You want clam makes and chowder? Go to Iggy's.'" Link: https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-beach-pail-ale-house-warwick-2
Going by this person's statement, the Beach Pail did not serve clam cakes and chowder, as claimed by the fake "mayor."
It is unfortunate that he has such a long and documented record of embarrassing himself on this site by bringing attention to himself in such a fashion; going by his behavior to date, he will no doubt continue proving his complete unfitness for office.
Friday, August 4, 2017 Report this
Flo5582
CrickeeRaven,
Thank you. I understand your points. Mine was simply to redirect the conversation.
Richardcorrente,
Your arguement about selling hot dogs next to Haven brothers seems flawed. As was previously mentioned, Mr.Gravino also runs an extremely success iggy's restaurant on the same street as Aunt Carrie's an equally successful and well known establishment. Both sell similar menu items, both are successful. There is room in this world for friendly competition amongst good business people
Friday, August 4, 2017 Report this
Scal1024
Rick, could you direct me to your editorial on how crazy Mr. Gravino was for building an Iggy's next to Aunt Carrie's? I'll wait...
Of course we find out Mr Corrente "advised" 2 businesses that are no longer open in Oakland Beach. If only they had listened to his advice the Beach Pail and Marley's would be empires.
The fact that you even suggest Mrs. Gus' open elsewhere shows a very short sighted way of thinking. You completely ignore the positives of the location, and the positive impact it has on the community which is unfortunate.
Mr Gravino has built an incredible business. The Boardwalk is fantastic and he deserves lots of credit. That credit does not mean he should be the only one operating down there. He fought Mrs Gus's due to parking and the length of time/costs tied up in court was unfortunate. I commend him for the great businesses he's built, i just hope he would allow others the same opportunity in the area. There's nothing wrong with supporting both places, some of the either/or rhetoric is nonsense. Both places have a right to operate and I wish both success.
Friday, August 4, 2017 Report this
richardcorrente
Dear Kammy,
You say that I continue to call myself "mayor". I don't. Don't say that I do. I call myself "The Taxpayers Mayor". If that bothers you, don't read it.
You say I take credit for building "momentum by his cut spending-cut taxes campaign. You're proof that I did! Eight months after the election, YOU are still talking about it, and Kammy, you're not alone! Then you say "Let's face it, most newbie politicians rely on that platform because who DOESN'T want that?" I can answer that for you. The voters in Cranston who had a tax CUT! The voters in Coventry who are building schools to meet demand while Warwick is closing theirs. The voters in East Greenwich where my car taxes would have been ONE THIRD as much as they are here in Warwick. And the voters in every other town and city in Rhode Island that didn't experience a tax increase EVERY YEAR FOR SIXTEEN YEARS IN A ROW!!! And ME Kammy, until it got unbearable. I watched taxes go up in Warwick every damn year to a point that I had to do something about it and I campaigned diligently for 700+ days in a row and it worked Kammy. You say I can't take credit because I "didn't do the work". 700 days of campaigning IN A ROW!?!? If that's not your definition of work, what is??
Kammy, you don't have to recognize my efforts but they didn't exist for 16 years and we had a tax increase for 16 years in a row. Then, the only change was that this "newbie" came on the scene, spent 700 days campaigning with a "Cut Taxes - Cut Spending" platform and the result was that the 29 addendums that Mayor Avedisian wanted were all UNANIMOUSLY voted out of the 2017 budget and you say I had "nothing" to do with it? What caused it if it wasn't me? Who were the City Council members listening to if it wasn't their constituents saying "Cut Taxes - Cut Spending"?? Did you have anything to do with it? I don't remember ANYTHING that you did. Please correct me if I'm wrong.
Happy Summer Kammy.
Happy Summer everyone.
Rick Corrente
The Taxpayers Mayor
Friday, August 4, 2017 Report this
Rlow107
I'd like to see another restaurant there. More options are good!!
Friday, August 4, 2017 Report this
TopDoyghboy
1st... Ethan Nice writeup
2nd...Mr Corrente no disrespect but I know both places explicit;y, Marleys & Beach Pail, more to there demise than Clam Cakes and Chowder. I've been on the midway since my mom's womb..through the good, bad, and ugly. for 60 years. Sorry but you can't school me anything.
3rd.. Our last full season open mid june to mid august Fri-Sun I would sell 600-650 dozen doughboys a day serving 1500 customers a day plus what we did during the week. We had a unpublished phone # and never advertized... not by my choice. I now have now 18 parking spaces approved by the ZBR which is 17 more LEGAL spaces than our old location, remember 8000 sq ft of parking is city property!!!! I will do 600 dozen at the Greek festival in Sept
4. There were 3 Greeks that had the biggest restaurants on the Midway, US , Jimmy the Greeks Sparta Cafe, and the Ocean Cafe, and we all got along. Except for my uncle Gus and Jimmy, they would wave shotguns at each other, and the dogs would even fight , but after a few beers my dad at 15 without a licence would have to drive them to the race track all happy for the long shot payoffs !
The Midway was lined with Amusements and store fronts. NO Parking
5 Success is not measured by smoke and mirrors, for a while it works... but someone will come along and break the glass. Educate a gullible person through their taste buds they will decide for themselves, then feel cheated from their past.
Jimmy Rengigas
Friday, August 4, 2017 Report this
CrickeeRaven
Hello Mr. Rengigas:
It is a shame that the fake "mayor" and his unfounded claims of business acumen should disrupt your work and require you to spend time responding to him. As seen on this and many other comment boards, it is clear that his sole aim is to promote himself and his political agenda.
Hello again Kammy:
Once again you successfully expose the fake "mayor" and his inability to write even four sentences without contradicting himself:
"You say that I continue to call myself 'mayor.' I don't... I call myself 'The Taxpayers Mayor.'"
In his mind, the fact that he adds "taxpayers" to his imaginary and undeserved title somehow makes it so different that he feels justified in implying that you are the liar, not him. It is this kind of embarrassing behavior that he persists in showing on this site that will inevitably lead to another defeat next November.
If he had the slightest understanding of basic civics, he would know that it is only winning elected officials who can claim to represent anyone following an election. But as you have seen so many times, the fake "mayor" does not bother with things like fact, data, and respect for civics when he can simply construct his own reality.
He will certainly continue to prove himself unfit for office and give any potential opponent more evidence of it with his next comments.
Friday, August 4, 2017 Report this
richardcorrente
Dear Jimmy,
You are right about Marleys and The Beach Pail. I only focused on their menu's, but there were many other issues. I wish you nothing but success. You clearly know the "midway". See you at the Greek festival.
Take good care.
Rick Corrente
Friday, August 4, 2017 Report this
Kammy
Keep digging Richard. Instead of the "taxpayer mayor" we will call you the "taxpayer court jester" because you are always good for a laugh. Not office, just entertainment.
Friday, August 4, 2017 Report this
Thecaptain
Now its time for the Captain to get down and dirty. Tax delinquent Corrente's statement - "Scal, my movement saved millions of dollars for 80,000 taxpayers, but you seem upset. I don't understand it. " The only movement you have had in 10 years is your bowels.
Rick , you are a moron and a fool. Your movement did nothing for anyone. You never spoke a reasonable paragraph at a council meeting in 2 years. You have been unable to produce an educated statement on city business in public. You had ZERO interaction with the city council except for your pandering with Travis and Wilkinson. You contribute nothing to the issues and no one takes you seriously as you are a tax cheat, dead beat, circus act, who leaves nothing but a trail of unpaid bills and litigation.
I take personal offense to your statement because in fact people like myself, Cushman and Durand and a few others have spent countless hours on APRA requests, analyzed documents, uncovered waste and quite frankly fraud, theft and abuse, and you have done friggen ZERO.
I take offense to your statement because you cant quantify anything you say. You've pissed me off so bad that now I have to make a statement that I havent made before.
I spent $10,000 out of my pocket to bring to light the car tax issue and how the city reduced the exemption to $500. In one year of publicly harassing the mayor, the council, the state leadership, the VVC, and getting hundreds of hours of air time, Avedisian was forced to increase the exemption by $1500 to what now has been for the last 7 years, a $2000 exemption. That effort resulted in approximately 8 million dollars going back to the taxpayers as of this date. Those numbers can be quantified. Neither you nor any other elected official can quantify and substantiate direct efforts that produced that kind of savings to the residents. You even think that Mattiello's bill on car tax reform is a great thing. It is failed from the get go, but much like yourself, he ignores mathematics.
I take offense that your complete ineptness is only superseded by your inability to be humiliated. You are an unskilled fool, financial failure, deadbeat dad, deadbeat land lord, and truly a court jester as would be indicated by the multitude of court cases you have lost as the defendant.
Now I have to puke as you sicken me to my core.
Friday, August 4, 2017 Report this
Thecaptain
And I apologize to the rest of the readers if my diatribe has offended anyone.
Friday, August 4, 2017 Report this
CrickeeRaven
Hello again Thecaptain:
First, you have no reason to apologize. Indeed, it is a sign of your intelligence, empathy, and maturity that you would feel it necessary after providing readers with such a thorough, honest, and forthright statement. And thank you for your work on the car tax exemption.
Indeed, after nearly three uninterrupted years of seeing the fake "mayor" make such a complete fool of himself on this site in the name of promoting a political agenda that failed so thoroughly last year, it is he who should be apologizing. But as you know, he has shown a complete unwillingness to do anything other than repeat statements that have been proven objectively false and bully other commenters. It is a further sign of his stunted cognitive abilities that the only halfway respectful reply he has given in this comment thread was to Mr. Rengigas, whose word he took immediately.
Contrast that to his treatment of other commenters who have provided data and objective provable fact to show that so many of his other claims are false. As you rightly point out, he has shown a capacity to embarrass himself that seems to be limitless. We can be certain he will continue in his future comments and in his expected second campaign for office, which he will no doubt lose thanks to you and thousands of honest, taxpaying voters rejecting his false claims and pathetic behavior.
Friday, August 4, 2017 Report this
Thecaptain
One more thing Rick.
I continue to make the statement that you unregistered your car with the plate BANKRS in 2013, 2014, & 2015, yet continued to drive your unregistered car in Warwick, while you lived at 177 Grand View during the time that you were tax delinquent and not paying your mortgage. You beat the car taxes during that time which was the same time that I was spending money bringing attention to the issue statewide to try to correct the car tax formula.
Each time I mention that you did this, you have never commented otherwise which shows that you did exactly what I explained. If you didnt, I would expect that you would vehemently take issue to my comments and offer documentation to prove otherwise. But you can't because you know that I have in my possession all of the documents that prove my allegations which is why you lack the basic integrity to even answer my allegation. What a dirt bag.
Friday, August 4, 2017 Report this
CrickeeRaven
Hello Thecaptain:
I have certainly noticed, as you accurately note, that the fake "mayor" goes silent when his comments are proven false, or he is confronted with facts that cast him in a poorer light than his behavior already does.
There is a recent article on the Warwick fire department, in fact, where his claim that rescues make more for the city than they cost is proven objectively false; he has likewise failed to respond since the information was presented.
The most entertaining part of the fake "mayor" and his antics will be watching his candidacy be rejected again by the honest, taxpaying voters of Warwick next November.
Saturday, August 5, 2017 Report this
Thecaptain
I am actually looking forward to him running again and getting slaughtered by whomever runs. But I think what my role in his campaign will be that I will be the guy standing next to him in Apponaug holding the sign that says "I'M WITH STUPID".
In the article that you refer to, he actually presents his case that if the city was to double the amount of rescues it would double the amount of rescue runs and double the revenue. He is suggesting that we will double the amount of illness. Probably one of his most stupid statements, but wait til tomorrow, I'm sure there will be another !
Saturday, August 5, 2017 Report this
RonPaul
They will be out of business in 1yr. I supported the fake mayor and I'm glad I did. Cut city workers by 50% now. Doesn't take 8 people to fill a pothole. Oh , that's right. We don't fill potholes in Warwick.
Sunday, August 6, 2017 Report this
richardcorrente
Dear Scal1024,
I appreciate your "I'll wait" comment. Sorry this response took so long. You ask me to explain "how crazy Mr. Gravino was an Iggy's next to Aunt Carries" . I never said he was but I believe you are comparing that huge market that can sustain a new competitor, with the somewhat limited one on the midway at Oakland Beach which may, or may not.
Scal, I have no answer for you. I don't have any stats on Aunt Carrie's before and after the arrival of Iggy's. I have no comparison information of alternate locations for that Iggy's. I have never even been to that Iggy's, but I do know a lot about the Oakland Beach market. I did extensive research there speaking to customers, bartenders, waitresses, waiters and chefs of Iggy's and both The Beach Pail as well as Marley's. You say I "completely ignore the positives of the location and the positive impact it has on the community" and you're absolutely right. I'm supposed to do that when I analyze a business. It's not how it benefits the community. It's how it benefits the owner. It's risk vs. reward. It's the "owners" money vs. the "owners" return-on-investment. You and I agree that Mr. Gravino "has built an incredible business", and that "he deserves a lot of credit". We also agree that Jimmy Rengigas has every right to be there if he chooses to. I just feel that the "dough-boy" market at Oakland Beach is already saturated, especially if you could sell that property to Gravino at a premium (which I'll bet he could). You can have a different opinion. That's OK.
You mentioned the fight between them. I won't go there. I just hope that they both succeed. One thing is certain. After all these comments responding to my original opinion, I have GOT to taste a Mrs. Gus's dough-boy. Join me on opening day. I'll buy!
Happy Summer Scal1024.
Happy Summer everyone.
Rick Corrente
The Taxpayers Mayor
Sunday, August 6, 2017 Report this
CrickeeRaven
"Scal, I have no answer for you."
That still does not stop the fake "mayor" from insisting he knows better about Oakland Beach than the actual business owners there. Claiming the year-round potential of that area is somehow less desirable than the four-month tourist-oriented traffic in Narragansett is yet further proof of his unfitness for office and complete lack of basic business knowledge, whatever he may claim (without proof, as usual) about his "research."
The fake "mayor" thus extends his unbroken record of making fraudulent claims and humiliating himself on this site. He will no doubt continue in his next comments.
Sunday, August 6, 2017 Report this
Thecaptain
But still, the fake Mayor Dumbness refuses to refute the allegations by TheCaptain, that he knowingly and willfully unregistered his car with the plates BANKRS, for 3 years during the time that he was completely tax delinquent and mortgage delinquent, while loaning himself $30K to run for mayor. He still will not address that issue as he knows that I have the documentation to prove that he drove an unregistered car while he was running for mayor and beat the residents out of the taxes. Just another uneducated amateur conniving to beat the system. I think that I will request an APRA to see if he was on food stamps while he was campaigning.
Sunday, August 6, 2017 Report this
Kammy
One point that has been mentioned a few times that does't seem to get more credit is the fact that the lines are super long at Iggy's in the summer. I have driven away more times than I can count because I wasn't willing to wait an hour for my food. I think most people have their favorite go-to clam shack in the area and unless you are a staunch Iggy's loyalist you would be more than happy to go around the corner to the other location to try it out. Especially if you are hungry. It is a win-win for the consumer. Iggy's doesn't have anything to worry about....unless Mrs. Gus's turns out to have better food. Competition is never a bad thing because businesses tend to step up their game to come out on top, You have McDonald's next to Burger King, CVS next to Walgreen's, Speedy next to Sunoco, etc. So why not Iggy's and Mrs. Gus? I for one will be thrilled to try a new place to eat.
Monday, August 7, 2017 Report this
Justanidiot
it iz likes in politics, weez only has room for one mayer. anyone who tries to hone in on that market should be shut down by law
Tuesday, August 8, 2017 Report this
RISchadenfreude
How pointless...the vast majority of comments have nothing to do with the story.
Thursday, August 10, 2017 Report this