To the editor,
So here we are again, we’re in that attention getting spot that seems like the whole world is watching. I have to give this city credit, just when you think things have calmed down and control is back, someone throws that wrench in the works (in this case, it’s the entire tool box) and they do it in the most ridiculous way possible.
We start with the Budget Commission handing back the reins to the Council. Wow, we’re back in the saddle again, almost. As soon as we get those reins, the horse takes off at full gallop. Mr. Graczykowski, the City Manager, puts Chief Tavares on paid administrative leave stating the matter is under investigation. It’s a personnel issue, apparently complaints within the ranks of the police officers. Whatever the issue(s) I wonder why it took this long to come to light.
Within days of regaining some lost ground, the City Manager blew that out of the water with this move. If this/these issue(s) were so pressing, why the hell didn’t the budget commission know about this? Why weren’t they a part of this decision? Hmmmm, is this a part of someone’s personal agenda? We will never know. It seems many things get tossed aside and the people of this city forget and try to move forward.
We then move on to the Rossi/Briden go-round. When Mayor Briden requested help from the budget commission regarding these personnel issues, Mrs. Rossi had a mouthful to say. She brings up the City Charter (Ah ha! They do know we have one!). She then proceeds to state that it is against City Charter for the Council to get involved with personnel issues and then wallops Mayor Briden by filing a formal complaint.
Which brings me to this, I was at the council meeting when Ms. Rossi brought the name of someone whom she thought should be promoted to Highway Superintendent. In another meeting she also recommended putting a certain police officer in charge of looking for freebee’s that the city could receive.
Well, I’m no rocket scientist but this looks and sounds to me as though Mrs. Rossi had no problem sticking her nose in those personnel matters. So the words fly, she’s livid, Mayor Briden is hurt and we, the people stand, once again, wondering who really has control of this city.
At some point, we learned that Pond View received its SECOND cease and desist order from the city. What was wrong with the first? Why was that ignored and why didn’t the city do its job and stop operations? Why in the world are we paying people to not do their jobs? I can only think that the people of Ward 1 are also livid as well.
Maybe they should file a formal complaint too but with the state police! Heck, why can’t the residents file formal complaints with the state police against the elected officials for not doing the job they were elected to do!
So there we have it. Some are livid, some are hurt, some aren’t doing their jobs and some probably don’t care to do their jobs, the budget commission is back or still, swing your partner, Dosey Doe!
The one thing I definitely know, months ago I asked the Budget Commission to leave and give us our city back. If I could turn back time, I’d take back all those words that hurt you and you’d stay………forever, please!
Lynn Miller
Riverside
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Can the East Providence Commission stay? Please!
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