By ETHAN HARTLEY City Council President Joseph Solomon has a lot of work ahead of him in the coming weeks. With 18-year Mayor Scott Avedisian officially taking a position as CEO of the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority, and reporting on Wednesday
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City Council President Joseph Solomon has a lot of work ahead of him in the coming weeks.
With 18-year Mayor Scott Avedisian officially taking a position as CEO of the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority, and reporting on Wednesday that he will be surrendering his duties as mayor once he goes on his final vacation on May 15, Solomon will effectively become the acting mayor of Warwick on the same day that the city’s Fiscal 2019 budget is due in the hands of the council.
While Solomon is no stranger to examining and putting together budgets for the city – he has remained a biannual constant on the City Council since he won a bid in 2000 over Everett O'Donnell by a count of 2,313 votes to 1,678 – the aggregation of responsibilities encompassed within the next couple of weeks will be unlike anything he’s experienced before.
“This time of year, traditionally, the big thing has been the budget and you were focused on the budget,” Solomon said during a Wednesday morning interview from the lower level City Hall conference room. “This year, our focus is spread a lot wider. There’s a lot on the table.”
Some of those budgetary issues include four bids on a $20 million healthcare contract coming before the council for deliberation on May 7, along with an increased ask of over $8 million from the school committee’s prior year allocation that stems primarily from lowering enrollment and less funding coming from the state. There is also a structural deficit of $4.2 million built into this budget due to the council opting to not increase taxes last year.
There are two collective bargaining tentative agreements with city unions representing municipal workers and the police department to consider, and negotiations with the fire union are ongoing – and both the current fire chief, James McLaughlin and one of his assistant chiefs, Edward Hannon, will be gone by the time budget hearings are scheduled to begin.
Then there is the issue of a significant portion of the city’s municipal offices being displaced to the former John Greene Elementary School after a pipe burst in the City Hall Annex in January. There has been no plan established so far on what exactly to do about that, but Solomon listed that problem as a priority once he takes the helm.
“I think to move along in a positive direction where we can restore our operations, where our displaced workers are placed in an environment where they’re more enthusiastic going to and performing their duties,” he said. “Where the general public who visit and go in for these services look and say, ‘This is where my tax dollars are going’ and they feel good about the city; where businesses coming from outside the community that want to locate inside the community look at our beautiful City Hall and our center.”
However, Solomon did not go so far as to commit to a plan to build a new annex building and did not yet propose an alternative to the current situation.
Mayor Avedisian said in an interview last week that he had been delivering “transition documents” to Solomon since it was made apparent he would be getting the job at RIPTA. These documents include things like summaries of where current issues in the city stand, people involved in those decision making processes and possible solutions to them – they include issues like the annex situation.
Solomon said that, while he has been receiving these documents, the deluge of information has been more voluminous than could possibly be handled at this time.
“When you’re sent thousands of pages worth of paperwork, you can’t humanly possibly go through each individual aspect of that, you just can’t; not alone,” he said. “I’m one person. I’m not trying to push it off on anyone, but I’m bringing in help to assist me in those areas, because I cannot do it alone.”
Solomon said, in addition to seeking assistance with the documents and that he was in the process of “winding down” his private industry work to focus on public business, he was confident his colleagues on the City Council would be up to the challenge of assisting him.
“I’ve got a great team on that City Council that are always focused on doing the right thing for the people,” he said. “Each one of my colleagues has an individual quality, and that’s what’s going to make the city go forward and work.”
Solomon said he plans to build a culture of cohesion and improved communication between the executive branch (plus the various departments) and legislative branch of the city, something that he felt might have led to a feeling of “frustration” that has been evident to attendees of recent City Council meetings.
“It’s going to be inclusive, it’s going to be informative and it’s going to be cooperative,” Solomon said. “The little bumps in the road aren’t going to derail us.”
Solomon said that he doesn’t plan on assuming power and cleaning house within City Hall.
“You hear things and it comes back to you and it makes me chuckle a little, like I’m going to come in, kick the door down and chop heads – that’s not my plan and that’s not going to happen. I can tell you that’s completely false,” he said. “It’s my plan to keep this boat sailing steadily forward.”
As far as the schools are concerned, Solomon strongly advocated that a healthy, well-equipped and high-functioning school department was of the utmost importance to bring more people into the city and attract businesses who may want to set up shop in Warwick.
“You’re not going to have people that want to relocate to a city that doesn’t have the best education that they can put forward for their children; raising their families in that city,” he said. “When businesses look at our community to locate here, they look at our infrastructure, they look at our education system, because when they’re moving their family from out of state into Rhode Island, they want to make sure the community they move their family to is a good community to live and be a part of.”
However, he did not say that the school department’s request of over $8 million (a more than 6.6 percent increase in allocation from last year) would necessarily be approved as requested. He said that, while there needs to be trust between the city and the school department, there may still be a differing of opinion in regards to priorities set forth within any particular budget.
“There’s an expectation that everyone is going to do the right thing. But that doesn’t mean your definition of the right thing and my definition of the right thing are always going to be the same,” Solomon said. “I firmly believe that everyone involved acts with good intentions. There’s no malicious intentions, but there might be a difference opinion as to priorities.”
Solomon said that he plans to attend all City Council meetings while he is the acting mayor, and that his philosophy of “inclusiveness, communication and cooperation” should result in better results for city workers and taxpayers.
Since Avedisian is leaving with less than 180 days to go before the general election in November, there is no mandated need for a special election, per the city’s charter. Solomon has confirmed he will be running for a full term as mayor once that election occurs, but he does not seem to have big plans for campaigning at this time – instead focusing on the tasks at hand.
“My campaign is going to be my track record and what I do for the people of the city and what I do during my time as mayor,” he said. “If they like me, they’ll vote for me. If they don’t, the voters will decide.”
Solomon, a native of Providence, described his decision to go for a full term as one that was bred out of his love for Warwick and the gratitude he feels towards the city for being a great place raise his son, Joseph Solomon Jr., a current state rep, and be with his wife of more than 40 years, who is a Warwick native.
“We’re very proud of his accomplishments and his individualism and what he’s done and his compassion for the community and to stand up for what he believes is right,” Solomon said of his son. “My wife and I like to think that that’s the result of living and raising our son in a community such as this. So, I’ve got a vested interest, whether I have grandchildren or don’t have grandchildren down the line, that I want to make the community an even better place for future generations.”
He already has his campaign slogan: “A better Warwick.”
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CrickeeRaven
"There is also a structural deficit of $4.2 million built into this budget due to the council opting to not increase taxes last year."
A more accurate statement would be "not increase the tax rate." Tax revenue actually went up for FY18, as did spending.
Also, this is the result of the make-believe mayor's campaign statements about cutting taxes: It creates budget deficits. Warwick is already $4.2 million in the hole for FY19 because the council did not increase the tax rate to generate enough revenue to cover this year's bills. Instead it based the budget on an unrealistic 99-percent tax collection rate.
Hopefully Council President Solomon, once he becomes acting mayor, will realize that the city can not afford more short-term political expediency that jeopardizes long-term budget stability.
Thursday, May 3, 2018 Report this
Kammy
While I understand that Warwick has much room for improvement, I can't help but think we aren't that bad in comparison to other cities. I wasn't dissatisfied with Mayor Avedisian. I didn't always agree with his decisions or stance on issues but I still voted for him because I believe him to be the best candidate at the time of each election. I look forward to what the future holds and excited to see how Solomon handles the next few months.
It is going to be a very interesting election season. I can't wait to see who else decides to try their luck at being the Mayor.
Thursday, May 3, 2018 Report this
TermLimits
Good luck to Joe Solomon!!! What a fiscal mess he's getting handed by Avedisian. The generous salary and pension benefits Avedisian has given away for too long are going to continue to be funded on the backs of the Warwick taxpayers. Forget about fixing roads and repairing schools, all we have left is a failing system that will continue to suck the taxpayers right out of their homes, but the city retirees will be laughing all the way to the bank. How many millionaire retirees has Scott created? Too many.
Thursday, May 3, 2018 Report this
richardcorrente
Dear CrickeeRaven,
Thank you for finally admitting that you are a Soloman-supporter. It explains a lot.
For the record CrickeeRaven, as I have explained many times before, Warwick taxes have factually gone up EVERY YEAR FOR 17 YEARS IN A ROW! Your soon-to-be candidate, City Councilman Joe Soloman voted in favor of every increase!
THEN, I came along and campaigned to "Cut Taxes - Cut Spending".
I campaigned for 700 days in a row and spent over $40,000 of my own money to rally the 80,000 taxpayers that are paying the tab. Those taxpayers delivered my message LOUD AND CLEAR to their City Council who denied tax-increasing amendments from Avedisian 29 times in the 2017 budget hearings. My campaign, created by ME, Crickee, caused that movement. My campaign, created by ME got those 29 taxes cut from the budget. Joe didn't spend a dime. Joe didn't campaign a day. It was all ME. Joe and the rest of the City Council voted the way their constituents demanded, but make no doubt about it, I rallied the masses and even YOU, my biggest critic, had to admit that total tax revenue "actually went up for FY18". Thanks for acknowledging that.
My movement got your taxes cut. Once again, you're welcome! And I am proud to continue that message into the 2018 election. The response I am getting from the people that are "paying" those taxes is overwhelmingly positive. It's only those that are "receiving" those tax dollars that seem to oppose me. You have always sounded like one of them. Tax-and-spend doesn't work in an economy like this one. If you (or Joe) truly cared about the 80,000 taxpayers that are paying the tab, you would understand that. Warwick has liabilities over 750 million dollars and they have doubled in the last 3 or 4 years. The only way to attract new taxpayers into Warwick (We've lost 5,800 in the last ten years according to the U.S. Census) is to "Cut Taxes - Cut Spending". That will attract some new taxpayers which will reduce the tax needs on the rest of us.
Happy Spring everyone.
Rick Corrente
The Taxpayers Mayor
Thursday, May 3, 2018 Report this
TermLimits
@ Corrente, you are delusional. You have rarely if ever stepped up to the mic at City Council meetings or budget hearings and articulated how to cut taxes. You rallied all last year for teacher salary increases that resulted in the School dept coming to the City council wanting more money. You never once asked for increases in test scores to be tied to salary increases. Approx. 90% of the School budget goes to salaries and benefits. You can take credit for the teachers getting retro pay for working to rule for years and also take credit for the tax increases we will all get hit with this year for this outlandish giveaway. You have NEVER once stepped up to the mic to address the City employee salary increases and benefit increases. Have you ever calculated how much fire Chief James Mclaughlin's pension and healthcare costs will be billed to the Warwick taxpayers? It will probably approach or exceed $4million (conservatively) during his retirement years. Richard are you going to be stepping up to the mic during the upcoming budget meetings to condemn these retirement plans and outline how to stop it..not only with future retirees but with present retirees? Where do you stand on COLAS for retirees Richard? Richard, it's time to put up or shut up. The only thing people remember you for is waving like a clown on the sides of streets with that ridiculous grin on your face. No one takes you seriously. P.S. It's amazing you never called out Camille Vella-Wilkinson for the 4 years she sat on the city council finance committee who worked hard to raise taxes and give away the increased tax dollars to the special interest groups. The same can be said for Donna Travis. You've spent more time sucking up to them while they laugh behind your back.
Thursday, May 3, 2018 Report this
CrickeeRaven
"Thank you for finally admitting that you are a Soloman-supporter."
The make-believe mayor is again inventing facts. I support any candidate that will put a final end to the make-believe mayor's hopeless candidacy and repeated lies. Like the following, that have already been factually disproven by this article: https://warwickpost.com/digit-spinner-richard-corrente-fudges-numbers/
- "I campaigned for 700 days in a row..."
Not quite: "Corrente does not define what “campaigned” means, so it’s difficult to confirm whether he, indeed, engaged in political campaigning for 700 days. As for that figure of 700, Corrente filed his initial notice of organization with the Board of Elections on Dec. 11, 2014; election day in 2016 was on Nov. 8, a span of one year, 10 months, and 28 days, or a total of 698 days."
- "80,000 taxpayers"
False: "Going by his statements that focus on the city’s finances, Corrente is talking specifically about Warwick residents who pay “the tab” via car and property taxes, and there simply aren’t 80,000 of them."
"...City Council who denied tax-increasing amendments from Avedisian 29 times in the 2017 budget hearings."
False: "Corrente is misreporting how the budget was passed in Warwick. For this year’s budget, the council proposed 29 amendments that reduced proposed city spending by about $750,000 and held back $3 million in school funding while the teachers contract was negotiated... So, Avedisian did not “try to pass” those 29 amendments; none of the amendments were aimed at increasing taxes; and not all of the council votes on the amendments were unanimous."
- "My campaign, created by ME got those 29 taxes cut from the budget."
False: "Corrente is taking credit for the city council passing a tax cut when the tax rate is staying the same, whereas he criticized Avedisian for raising taxes last year, when the tax rate went down, and also claiming tax and spending cuts when both are actually increasing."
- "[E]ven YOU, my biggest critic, had to admit that total tax revenue 'actually went up for FY18.'"
I have consistently noted the increase in tax revenue built into the FY18 budget from the very beginning, when the make-believe mayor was taking credit for the city council "cutting taxes." And now he is blaming the council for raising taxes. This flip-flop is only the most recent example of the make-believe mayor's delusional belief that he can fool voters into supporting him.
But honest, taxpaying voters in Warwick have already seen through his false statements in overwhelmingly rejecting his candidacy in 2016, and continue to understand that he is a political nobody with no influence on anything that happens in the city. As a result, he will lose his next [and hopefully final] futile attempt to get elected.
Thursday, May 3, 2018 Report this
Scal1024
-Rick Corrente can't answer why the landlord of his current campaign office paid taxes he owed.
-There is no record of the Corrente campaign paying rent for his current campaign headquarters in his campaign expense account.
- He can't explain why there is no record of his car being registered for 3 years (to escape paying taxes)
- He is a delusional tax delinquent who will bankrupt the city almost as fast as he can tell a lie.
- He "campaigned" on cut taxes cut spending but was unable to name one budget line item he would cut.
No reason to go on. These are just a few of the reasons he can't be trusted. On top of the DOZENS AND DOZENS of lies he's told.
Thursday, May 3, 2018 Report this
Thecaptain
Dear Mayor Dumbness,
Since you are unable to name one single line item in the budget that you could make cuts to, Ill throw you a bone. Its line item 35-220 (fire dept. fuel)
Currently the shopping trips are amounting to in excess of 30,000 miles per fiscal year on our apparatus. (less wear and tear) Do the math. If you got the nads to even speak about it.
Friday, May 4, 2018 Report this
CrickeeRaven
Hello again, Scal and Thecaptain:
You both point out a glaring and consistent defect in the make-believe mayor's statements: They usually lack details -- or when they do include details, he twists the information to fit a false narrative.
Take these two statements:
- [T]otal tax revenue "actually went up for FY18".
- My movement got your taxes cut.
So, the make-believe mayor is claiming that the "tax cut" resulted in higher revenues -- when, in fact, it was not a cut because the tax rate stayed the same, and the estimated increase in revenue is from the unrealistic 99-percent collection rate that the council set, over the city finance director's objections, for the FY18 budget.
And, based on his repeated claims of credit for the these decisions by the council, which have created a $4.2 million hole heading into FY19, it seems that the responsibility for next year's tax increase -- which, as the article explains, will have to cover that deficit as well as increased school spending and three new municipal contracts -- is his.
I invite you both to share the message that the make-believe mayor claims he inspired the council to irresponsibly reduce the tax rate, unrealistically anticipate higher tax collections, and shortsightedly approve a budget with $6.5 million more in spending without appropriately funding it.
His support of his party's 9-0 city council delegation and their desire for short-term political expediency over long-term budget stability will be valuable information for honest, taxpaying voters to have when they overwhelmingly reject his candidacy again this year.
Friday, May 4, 2018 Report this
Kammy
The person who taught Corrente how to "cut & paste" needs to be run out of town. The same applies if self-taught.
Friday, May 4, 2018 Report this
Thecaptain
FYI to anyone who really cares:
On Monday night, the city is asking the council to approve $21,531,770.00 in funding for the city portion of the dental, medical , and pharmacy bill. Bear in mind, there is not one single nickle in the healthcare account.
Thank you Scott Avedisian for the brilliant management of the health care fund having never put a dime into it in 18 years.
I wonder what Mayor Dumbness has to say about this.
Friday, May 4, 2018 Report this
CrickeeRaven
Hi Thecaptain:
I'm looking at this link, which is the FY18 budget. Page 69 is employee benefits: https://www.warwickri.gov/sites/warwickri/files/news/fy18_general_fund_budget.pdf
There's a figure of $27.8 million in the far-right column for FY18; is your figure the active employee [as opposed to retiree] costs?
Also, it seems that this is a regular practice of the city and looks like a "pay as you go" approach that other communities also use, where they estimate the health care costs for the year and set aside money for it. Not saying it's right, just common.
And as for the make-believe mayor, he has attacked the school department for keeping a health insurance reserve fund, saying that it's unnecessary: http://warwickonline.com/stories/school-budget-director-praises-efficacy-of-reserved-health-fund,131727?#comments
So, he doesn't believe in health reserve funds -- unless, suddenly, he decides that he does.
Friday, May 4, 2018 Report this
richardcorrente
Dear TermLimits,
A lot of valid questions that you seem to have already pre-answered yourself. You sound just like Rob Cote.
If you go to my web site "www.correnteformayor.com" your questions will be answered. If you have any new questions, call me at 401-338-9900. The bigger question is "Where does Joe Solomon stand on these issues?" As far as taking the podium, I have done that dozens of times, just not recently.
Dear Scal1024,
More questions that I already answered:
1. No one (including my office landlord) has ever paid my taxes. You can be the first as I have stated several times before.
2. There is no record of my campaign paying rent because my mortgage company (owned 100% by me) did not charge my campaign any money. This is perfectly legal and ethical and common with other campaigns.
3. My car taxes, registration and insurance have always been paid. Every year. None of those organizations would allow me to have a car currently if ANY back money was owed, but you already know that.
You're a hypocrite Scal1024. You always complain about what I "won't do" when you won't even give your real name.
Happy Spring everyone.
Rick Corrente
The Taxpayers Mayor
Friday, May 4, 2018 Report this
richardcorrente
Dear Kammy,
I have never "cut and pasted" anything in my life.
Happy Spring Kammy.
Happy Spring everyone.
Rick Corrente
The Taxpayers Mayor
Friday, May 4, 2018 Report this
CrickeeRaven
To spare anyone else from seeing the make-believe mayor's website, I took a brief look and found that he is calling himself "endorsed Democrat for Mayor" -- meaning that, at the very top of the front page, he is already making false statements. The Democratic party has not endorsed any candidates for the 2018 election.
Also, Scal, you have again led the make-believe mayor to willfully repeat [or copy and paste, as Kammy rightly points out] statements that we already know to be false:
- The taxes on the make-believe "mayor's" residence were paid in 2014 and 2015 by Clayton Shackleton, who is also the owner of GW Realty and to whom the make-believe mayor now pays office rent. This information is easily and quickly found by accessing the city tax assessor's database and entering 177 Grand View: https://www.citizenselfservice.com/MSSProd/citizens/RealEstate/Default.aspx?mode=new
- The taxes on his residence were paid by Red Stick Acquisitions of Louisiana in 2016 and 2017 following the tax sale of the property. This information is also found on the tax assessor website listed above.
- In February, 2016, the make-believe mayor paid Mr. Shackleton $4,000 in campaign funds for office rent. This information is found at the following Board of Elections link: http://ricampaignfinance.com/RIPublic/Reporting/ExpenditureDetailReport.aspx?Level=S&Site=Public&Type=Expend&Transactionid=246696
The make-believe mayor is also basically admitting that he changed the source of payments for office rent from his campaign to his mortgage business so that he would not have to report it on his campaign finance reports -- meaning that he is trying to hide his ethically questionable behavior.
- The registration for his license plate BANKRS was not active from 2013 through 2015, as shown on the tax assessor's motor vehicle database, found here: https://www.citizenselfservice.com/MSSProd/citizens/MotorVehicle/Default.aspx
That information can be found by entering BANKRS in the License Plate Number field.
No matter how loudly he denies these facts, how often he attempts to ignore these facts, or how frequently he calls other commenters names for presenting them, the make-believe mayor will not make them go away.
Friday, May 4, 2018 Report this
patientman
The question is what does Solomon get dropped on his lap. Will it be a Catagory 5 fiscal hurricane? Does Solomon dig up every problem and place the blame on the old Mayor. A key indicator will be the Mayor putting his house on the market. If he sells or rents out his home you can bet there are some revelations coming at Warwick and they won't be good.
Friday, May 4, 2018 Report this
CrickeeRaven
patientman, the article explains that Solomon has been on the council since 2000 so if anything gets "dropped in his lap," it indicates that he's been asleep at the wheel for 18 years.
He'll have no one to blame but himself.
Saturday, May 5, 2018 Report this
Scal1024
Rick Corrente continues to lie and embarass himself. I would invite ANYONE to visit the websites provided by CrickeeRaven.
-There you will see car with license plate BANK3RS wasn't registered for '13-'15. Rick lies and says it was but its right there in print for all to see. The only reason someone wouldn't register a car is to avoid paying taxes on it.
-He says nobody has ever paid his taxes for him, but that is a proven lie as the site shows.
I could go on and on but folks can see for themselves. When a candidate tries to promote themselves as a tax cutting crusader, they could atleast have the decency to tell you they were once evicted, or that they are a tax delinquent, or that they've been sued a dozen times. The more Rick Corrente opens his mouth, the more room he has to insert his foot.
What is your response to the black and white proof Rick? Have you visited the site provided by CrickeeRaven? How can you still deny these proven claims?
Saturday, May 5, 2018 Report this
wwkvoter
This is all why I said long ago that Corrente's mental capacity appears in question. Something not right there. Plus I think he is creepy as well. Enough with the loser.
Thankfully long-serving Council President Joe Solomon, who is knows what he is doing (and is mentally fit) is going to serve as mayor. This should be a smooth transition.
Saturday, May 5, 2018 Report this
erzmys
Council President Solomon has been on the City Council for 28 years. Has been Council President multiple times with a large democratic majority. Much of what he inherited he helped create.
Saturday, May 5, 2018 Report this
erzmys
My bad 18 years.
Saturday, May 5, 2018 Report this
wwkvoter
True enough. My point was that he has experience with running the city. If the public was unhappy about how the city is run, he wouldn't have lasted 18 years and neither would the mayor.
Saturday, May 5, 2018 Report this
Kammy
My reference to cut & paste is that you string the same incorrect facts into a sentence over and over again even though they have been proven to be false. However, if you are stating you never used it then I guess you are in the camp of working harder, not smarter. Useful function if you know how to use it correctly.
I 100% agree that Solomon is far more qualified to run the city than Corrente. If he does't like what he has inherited then he only needs to look in the mirror.
Monday, May 7, 2018 Report this
CrickeeRaven
Hi again, Kammy:
It is very instructive, as you correctly point out, that the make-believe mayor has basically admitted to re-typing his comments every time he posts new ones. As you note, it shows that he is making more work for himself -- at least as far as repeating his false statements. As we've seen too often, he puts little to no effort into acknowledging or correcting these disproven campaign talking points.
As far as Council President and soon-to-be actual Acting Mayor Solomon, the challenge ahead of him will be to resolve the existing tension between the executive and legislative branches. In the past several months, the city council has taken steps that seem to be intruding on the mayor's authority [like the requirement to notify the council about personnel changes, which Mayor Avedisian argued is not supported by the City Charter]. It will be interesting to see how Mr. Solomon approaches this situation when he is on the other side of the proverbial fence.
Monday, May 7, 2018 Report this
Justanidiot
da mayer never has cut and pasted anyting in his life. dat is why he failed kindygarden and failed to move on up. tank goodness fer socialiable promotion
Monday, May 7, 2018 Report this
wwkvoter
raven as always great comments. I actually didnt disagree with the council attempting to require notification of key personnel changes, just the short timeframe which could be tweaked. still curious the real story of what happened with celeste that caused that whole thing in the first place.
Tuesday, May 8, 2018 Report this