Citywide Democrats: Michael Farina, John

Lanni, Richard Santamaria

The three Democratic hopefuls for citywide seats on the City Council say they hope to continue building on recent successes, promoting a responsible fiscal approach and improving services.

City Council President John Lanni, Council Vice President Michael Farina and Ward 5 Councilman Richard Santamaria are representing their party in the race for three available seats on the Nov. 4 ballot.

“Everything’s working well,” Farina said. “We’re getting a lot of good stuff done, and people appreciate that.”

Santamaria works at the Rhode Island Family Court. If elected, he would serve his final consecutive term as allowed under current restrictions.

While he initially debated whether to run for re-election, Santamaria decided to seek the citywide post when it became available.

“We’ve accomplished a lot,” he said. “I’ve watched out for the taxpayers…We have a city that works.”

Santamaria pointed to the council’s successful employment of a grant writer who helped secure a state Department of Environmental Management grant toward improved facilities at Cranston Stadium, and success in holding the line on taxes in recent years.

Looking ahead, Santamaria said he hopes to continue pursuing a responsible fiscal approach while helping to foster further economic growth.

Regarding the city’s new automated trash and recycling pickup program, Santamaria the dumping of bulky waste items as residents seek to avoid new disposal fees remains a concern. He plans to continue pushing for additional “amnesty days” and opportunities for residents to dispose of large items or extra trash at no cost, particularly during busy times of year.

“We need to work something out,” he said.

In terms of the situation that has surrounded the Cranston Police Department in recent months, Santamaria said he hopes to see “closure.”

Farina is in his first term on the council and was a top vote-getter in the 2012 election. He is employed as a business strategy and financial planning director in the retail sector and serves on the Board of Directors for CODAC Behavioral Healthcare.

Farina specifically lauded Lanni, describing him as a mentor.

“Working behind John Lanni’s been great,” he said.

Farina said fiscal issues are at the forefront his candidacy. The city faces the prospect of declining state aid and other challenges in the coming years, he said, and continuing the current approach is essential.

“We need to keep electing fiscally responsible people who are interested in transparency,” he said.

Farina said he supports taking a new look at how the city approaches road and sidewalk repair. He wants to “try to do it a little more strategically,” particularly in terms of pursuing grants and other funding sources.

Farina also pointed to efforts to obtain funding for the restoration of school music and sports programs.

“We’re trying to show that we can work with the School Committee,” he said.

On the new automated trash and recycling pickup system, Farina said he believes some attention is needed.

“I think the program, 80 percent of the time, works. We need to address that 20 percent of the time that it doesn’t.”

In terms of the police situation, Farina said the council has relied for months on “rumors, conjecture, hearsay and what the administration has told us.” He supported the appointment of Col. Michael Winquist as the department’s new chief, but continues to seek “full transparency” and push for the sharing, once complete, of the results of a Rhode Island State Police review of the department.

“We trust the state police. We’d like to see the opinion of the state police at some point … and I don’t think that’s too much to ask,” he said.

Lanni, who is retired, returned to the council in 2012 after departing two years earlier due to term limits. He was immediately elected back to its presidency.

He said his focus remains “making sure the city’s affordable for everybody.” Having been an auditor for 35 years, he said his approach has centered on taking a “fine-tooth comb” approach to the budget process and working to hold the line on taxes.

“I look at the bottom line…Cranston’s not a cheap city to live in,” he said. “I really don’t want another tax increase.”

Lanni has been a vocal critic of the city’s new trash program, particularly the associated fees and the limits placed on residents. He said he would continue to push for additional “amnesty days” and opportunities for free trash disposal during the holidays and other busy times of year.

“The citizens of Cranston pay high taxes, and they expect good, quality trash pickup,” he said.

Lanni was also critical of Fung and his administration with regard to the police situation.

“I think this whole thing could have been avoided,” he said. “I have to put that right at the feet of the administration.”

Lanni did add, though, that he has a “fairly good rapport with the mayor and the administration,” having previously served alongside Fung on the council. He specifically credited the mayor for his work to reach a pension reform agreement with the city’s police and fire retirees.

“I thought that was a big plus for him,” he said.

Lanni said in a new term he plans to continue fostering a collaborative, productive atmosphere on the council.

“I’ll be able to work with all the council members,” he said.

Citywide Republicans:

Dolores DiMeo-Carroll,

Jim Donahue, Nick Lima

The three Republican candidates for three citywide large seats on the City Council say their focus is on carrying forward Mayor Allan Fung’s record and vision for the city while fostering an effective, transparent and responsive local government.

Jim Donahue, Dolores DiMeo-Carroll and Nick Lima bring diverse backgrounds and range of experience to the GOP ticket.

“This is about community government,” said Lima, who serves as chairman of the Cranston Republican City Committee. “I think people out there are looking for some new voices.”

Donahue previously served on the council as a citywide representative in 2011 and 2012. He began his career with Fleet Bank before spending many years as an educator in South Providence. Since 2007, he has been the president and CEO of Old Sturbridge Village in Massachusetts.

DiMeo-Carroll is a lifelong Cranstonian and a newcomer to politics. She has been a realtor for 30 years, and is active in St. Mary’s Church and the Italian American Historical Society. The wife of the late Robert J. Carroll, she has four children and four stepchildren.

Lima, a native of Tiverton, served in the U.S. Army from 2002 to 2004, and attended Rhode Island College after being honorably discharged. At RIC, he became highly active in student government, serving as president, secretary and speaker.

Lima moved to Cranston in 2007, and ran for the Ward 3 seat on the council in 2012. He works as the director of media relations and broadcaster for the Newport Gulls baseball team.

For the Republican hopefuls, building upon the accomplishments of Fung’s tenure is a key goal.

Donahue said Fung inspired him to become involved in politics, and he credited the mayor with helping to bring new voices to the table coalesced around a new approach.

“Mayor Fung and his team have done a great job for the city of Cranston,” Donahue said, while acknowledging the efforts of all city officials and staff during the dire fiscal situation of recent years.

“We all want to work to move the city forward and continue the work that Mayor Fung has done,” Lima said. “There is no single solution to a complicated problem … It’s a foundation. I think the mayor has built a strong foundation, probably the first few stories, too.”

“I’d like to carry his focus forward,” DiMeo-Carroll said.

Donahue said in his role at Sturbridge Village, he has experience dealing with large-picture issues such as infrastructure, budgeting and overall management. He hopes to promote a “more aggressive and strategic vision for improving the business climate in the city of Cranston,” including a special focus on small business growth.

Donahue also wants to see “more out-of-the-box thoughtfulness regarding consolidation of services.”

Lima said his vision is centered around responsible budgeting, making prudent investments, focusing on educational quality and fostering a business-friendly environment. He said the city weathered the recession under Fung’s stewardship, and “cannot afford to go backwards.”

“They’re looking for their tax dollars to be put to good use,” he said of the city’s residents.

Transparency and communication are also hallmarks of Lima’s message.

“I think that looking at the details is paramount, and being able to communicate effectively,” he said. “I’m looking forward to doing something substantial to change the culture in government … It’s about communicating with the residents and serving for the right reasons.”

DiMeo-Carroll said she brings an outsider’s perspective – “I’ve never been a politician” – and a deep commitment to the community. She said her decades of experience as a realtor have given her an extensive knowledge of the city.

“I care about the city. I care about the people,” she said. “We’ve got a great city. Let’s keep it great.”

DiMeo-Carroll said her vision is focused on the “four E’s” – the economy, employment, education and the environment. Her approach, she said, is centered on the “three C’s” – “communicate, cooperate and compromise.”

“That’s my biggest focus,” she said.

More specifically, DiMeo-Carroll said she hopes to explore ways to make the tax structure friendlier to small businesses.

In terms of the situation surrounding the Cranston Police Department in recent months, the GOP hopefuls spoke positively of the mayor’s approach.

Lima praised the selection of Col. Michael Winquist as the new chief, and said Fung has held those responsible for misconduct accountable.

“He’s never micromanaged,” Lima said. “I think the mayor did exactly what he had to do.”

Donahue also spoke highly of the new chief, and said the mayor has overseen a “pretty significant amount of change in a short amount of time” at the police department. He also said he is confident the results of a Rhode Island State Police review of operations will be made public and acted upon.

DiMeo-Carroll, who has twice been married to a Cranston officer, likewise praised the Winquist selection.

“I think the mayor did very well selecting him,” she said, adding that she wants to see the city and the department “moving forward.”

All three also gave high marks to the city’s new automated trash and recycling pickup system.

“I think it was the right move for the city” in terms of controlling costs and promoting recycling, Donahue said. He also said he believes the new system is “definitely is helping with the rodent issue,” and hopes the mayor and council will review the system after a full year.

“Any time you have an opportunity to make the city cleaner and greener … you have to take it,” Lima said.

“The trash system, I think, was greatly needed,” DiMeo-Carroll said.

Ward 1: Michael Glucksman

Michael Glucksman is the Republican nominee for the Ward 1 seat on the City Council. He previously ran for council in 2004 and 2012. At attorney, Glucksman runs a private practice in Warwick and is an adjunct law professor at Johnson & Wales University. He is also a past city solicitor for Cranston.

Ward 1: Steve Stycos

Running for a third term as the Ward 1 representative on the City Council, Democrat Steve Stycos says he hopes to continue advocating for environmental projects, keeping an eye on the city’s finances and bringing “common sense and independence” to local government.

Stycos previously served for 10 years on the School Committee. He manages Westbay Farm, which supplies fresh produce for a Warwick food pantry. He and his wife have two children, both graduates of Cranston High School East.

Among his accomplishments, Stycos cites starting the Pawtuxet Village Farmers Market and the community garden at Edgewood Highland Elementary School, and coordinating tree plantings at several locations.

“We don’t have much green space on our side of the city,” he said.

Stycos additionally pointed to the successful efforts during this year’s budget process to secure funding for 20 additional HeadStart program placements and increase the pay for part-time librarians in the city to $9 an hour.

Stycos and Ward 3 Councilman Paul Archetto found themselves at the center of the situation surrounding the Cranston Police Department when, in December, they made public their belief that their wards had been blanketed with parking tickets following a Finance Committee vote against a new police contract. In the months since, the department has seen the departure of its command staff, the involvement of Rhode Island State Police and, recently, the appointment of Col. Michael Winquist as the new chief.

Stycos said he is pleased with the Winquist appointment, and with a change in the leadership of International Brotherhood of Police Officers Local 301. In terms of several legal and personnel matters within the department that have come to light since the ticketing flap, Stycos said he believes it was “positive to get it aired out.”

The councilman does continue to have questions regarding the ticketing, including whether overtime was involved and if private cellphones were used during the incident.

“I think we need to know what happened,” he said.

Stycos spoke highly of the new automated trash and recycling pickup system, calling it a “good program.” He said education about the program is vital to improving recycling rates, which is in turn needed to extend the life of the Central Landfill.

Stycos, who chairs the finance committee, said he is concerned the structure of recent labor contracts entered into by the city will put added strain on the community’s finances in the years ahead.

In terms of the city’s schools, Stycos said he is hopeful the retirement of the so-called Caruolo Act debt – the terms of which he said had been “very restrictive” – will allow the district to begin restoring programming and making key investments.

“Now they can start looking at, ‘How do we improve what we have?’” he said.

Ward 2: Don Botts

Seeking his second term representing Ward 2 on the City Council, Republican Don Botts says he is “vested in the community” and committed to building on the successes of recent years.

“I think two years isn’t really enough to get done what you want to accomplish,” he said.

A 19-year resident of Cranston, Botts and his wife have three children. He ran for state representative in 2010, and won his seat on the council in 2012. He is employed in the information technology sector in Boston.

Botts said he hopes to pursue a more innovative approach to snow plowing in the city, perhaps through paying by the mile rather than the hour and by soliciting bids by ward instead of a citywide basis.

Such steps, he said, would potentially serve to control costs while ensuring more uniform quality of service.

“It should be consistently good,” he said.

Restoring music and sports programming at the elementary and middle school levels is a priority for Botts, who pointed to the declining numbers in the high school bands as evidence of the negative consequences prior budget cuts have had.

“I think it’s something that the Cranston schools need to explore,” he said, particularly now that the so-called Caruolo Act debt has been retired.

Botts said the council has been “vigilant” in terms of overseeing school spending. While the relationship between city and school officials has at times been strained in recent years, he said, “I think the trust factor is coming back.”

While characterizing the program as largely successful, Botts did have some criticism for the new automated trash and recycling pickup system, saying there “wasn’t any foresight” regarding the disposal of large items. He said free bulky item pickup days, perhaps one per quarter, should be worked into the budget.

“I think the constituents really need that,” he said.

Regarding the situation that has surrounded the Cranston Police Department for the past several months, Botts said he feels “for all intents and purposes, this chapter is closed.” He spoke highly of Col. Michael Winquist, who recently took the reins as chief.

“I don’t think one or two bad apples in the bunch should reflect on the department as a whole,” he said.

Botts also said police have been “doing a great job making the kids and parents feel safe” following the threats made against local schools through anonymous letters in recent weeks.

Botts said he hopes to see an increased Republican presence on the council in the next term – particularly to increase the party’s voice in the committee process – but generally spoke highly of the body’s record during the current term.

“I think the past two years on the council have been great,” he said. “Ninety-five percent of the time, we’ve put the interests of Cranston first.”

Botts also spoke highly of the Fung administration.

“Working with them has been great,” he said.

Looking ahead, Botts said the city will likely face increased challenges as the state grapples with projected deficits. He said continuing on a path of fiscal responsibility will be vital.

“What we can do is hold the line on taxes,” he said.

Ward 2: Ted Jendzejec

A newcomer to the city but not to public service, Democratic candidate Ted Jendzejec says he is running to represent Ward 2 on the City Council to provide an “independent voice.”

“I’ve always been involved in public service in one way or another,” he said. “I think more can be done as far as thinking outside the box.”

Jendzejec previously served on the Coventry Town Council, and stepped down from that body when he moved to Cranston in January with his fiancée. He has two children, and works in the Public Information Division of the Rhode Island Secretary of State’s office.

Jendzejec said the contrast between his former and present community is clear.

“Each community is so different,” he said, pointing to “a lot more involvement in Cranston.”

Speeding in neighborhoods has been a key issue for Jendzejec. Pointing to success he found in Coventry through the creation of a full-time traffic calming commission, he hopes to pursue the formation of a similar group – comprised of citizens and local officials – to work on the matter.

Jendzejec said another top priority is providing relief for homeowners and taxpayers.

“People are getting taxed out of their homes,” he said, adding that while residents understand the need for taxes to support services, “What they do mind is seeing nothing being improved for all the money being paid.”

Jendzejec also said the city should take advantage of a legal mechanism allowing banks to be assessed a charge for abandoned homes.

Jendzejec said he believes the situation that has surrounded the Cranston Police Department in recent months is “for the most part behind us,” and he feels there is a “new beginning” with the appointment of Col. Michael Winquist as chief.

While he was critical of the administration’s handling of the situation – “There has been no transparency … I think more should have been out in public,” he said – he feels “dwelling on the past isn’t going to do Cranston any good.”

Regarding the new automated trash and recycling pickup system, Jendzejec said it is a “good idea” but that many aspects of the program must be addressed. He called for the pickup of bulky items to be provided on at least a quarterly basis, and said the fees associated with a second bid represent “an extra tax because you have a large family.”

“I think it’s a great beginning … it needs to be evolved into something better,” he said.

Jendzejec said working to improve the city’s schools is another area on which he hopes to focus, particularly in terms of securing resources for programming and tools.

“If you don’t have that foundation of education, people aren’t going to look to move here, and they’re going to look to move out of here,” he said.

Ward 3: Paul Archetto

The sole City Council member running for a new term without opposition, Democratic Ward 3 representative Paul Archetto, says he plans to continue building on his record.

“You can’t replace experience,” he said. “I grew up here. This is where I live.”

A Cranston native and graduate of the city’s schools, Archetto has a range of experience in public service. He served as a state representative from 1991 to 1996, and as a member of the School Committee from 2004 to 2008. He was first elected to the council in 2008.

Archetto previously worked as a state park policeman, and is currently employed as an adjunct professor of history at CCRI.

Looking ahead, Archetto said continuing to hold the line on taxes and fostering a climate friendly to business growth will be key.

“The more businesses come in, the more we can keep the property taxes down,” he said.

Archetto said he and Ward 1 Councilman Steven Stycos began advocating for the new automated trash and recycling pickup system several years ago, motivated by a desire to increase recycling rates and address the city’s rodent problem.

While supportive of the program, he said the high number of rental units in his ward – and the resulting high volume of furniture and other large items that are thrown away – makes finding some accommodation for the periodic free disposal of such items imperative. He also said Waste Management is able to sell metal items for scrap after charging fees for pickup, and that should be factored into the terms of the arrangement with the company.

“[Amnesty days] would help my district immensely,” he said.

Archetto said the “crowning achievement” of the current term has been the response to the situation surrounding the Cranston Police Department. Archetto and Stycos in December of last year made public their belief that their wards had been blanketed with parking tickets following a Finance Committee vote against a new police contract. In the months since, Rhode Island State Police took temporary leadership of the department, multiple legal and personnel issues have come to light, and a high-ranking officer has been charged with misconduct and faces termination in connection with the ticketing.

Archetto said he and Stycos, through a resolution calling for state police involvement, “forced the mayor’s hand.”

“I felt the mayor acted much too slowly,” he said.

Archetto said he believes new Police Chief Col. Michael Winquist has the “experience and the knowledge to lead the department in the right direction.” He said he hopes two vacant major’s positions are filled through one internal promotion and one outside hire.

Archetto also said more answers are needed regarding the ticketing incident and the state police review of the department’s operations.

“We haven’t seen any conclusiveness,” he said. “To this day, I don’t know what happened that night.”

In terms of the relationship between school and city officials, Archetto said there “definitely needs to be more communication.” He suggested forums be held at the outset of each year’s budget process to voice concerns and share information.

Ward 4: Mario Aceto

Seeking re-election as the Ward 4 representative on the City Council, Democrat Mario Aceto says he wants to continue building on the last two years while working toward the realization of several goals.

“This particular council … was I think one of the most productive in the city of Cranston,” he said. “I see a lot of things … initiatives I want to complete. I think there’s a lot more to be done.”

Aceto served two terms as a ward councilman starting in 1998 before losing that seat. He then won a citywide seat but lost his re-election bid.

Two years ago, he was approached about making a new bid for the ward seat. If he were to win re-election on Nov. 4, it would be his fifth total term on the council.

Aceto has been married to his wife for 35 years, and the couple has two grown sons. He is employed by East Side Enterprises, a Shell gas station and convenience store franchisee.

Aceto points to the creation of a new playground at Orchard Farms Elementary School as a key accomplishment from the current term. He said he intends to continue advocating for infrastructure improvements in western Cranston, and watching the city’s finances “like it was my own checkbook.”

Addressing flooding issues in the Oaklawn Avenue area is another top priority, Aceto said.

“Somebody’s going to get killed there … something’s got to be done,” he said.

Aceto opposed the new automated trash and recycling pickup system, and said while he feels the program has “come a long way,” it “doesn’t go far enough.”

Aceto believes a larger cart should be offered for residents, and said he remains troubled by the additional fee associated with use of a second 65-gallon cart.

“However you look at it, it’s an unnecessary tax,” he said.

Regarding the situation surrounding the Cranston Police Department in recent months, Aceto said he has “full faith and trust” in the new chief, Col. Michael Winquist, and praised the department’s personnel for doing a “tremendous job” amid the controversy. He does, however, want more information regarding the ticketing scandal and the Rhode Island State Police review of department operations.

“I look forward to putting this to rest, but I want to know what happened,” he said. “I think we need to know, and the taxpayers need to know.”

Aceto said the restoration of elementary and middle school programming lost as a result of budget cuts remains a priority.

“Whatever it takes,” he said.

Aceto also said the council, and the city’s employees, deserve credit for the accomplishments of recent years.

“It wasn’t just the executive doing all these great things,” he said, adding that workers are “asked to do more and more with less and less.”

Ward 4: Mark Collins

Making his third bid for the Ward 4 seat on the City Council, Republican Mark Collins says he sees Cranston at a “crossroads” and wants to ensure it continues on the right path.

“I’m definitely concerned with the direction Cranston’s going to be heading for the next couple of years,” he said. “It’s about the city … it’s about the future.”

A lifelong Rhode Islander, Collins moved to Cranston seven years ago. He and his wife have three children, two of whom are currently students at Cranston High School West.

Collins has worked in the financial services industry for 21 years, and currently serves as an information technology security professional for a locally based bank. He also previously served on the city’s Tax Policy Review Commission.

Collins said his primary objectives are holding the line on taxes, finding new revenue streams and attracting businesses. He said he fears a return to a culture of “cronyism, pay for play, nepotism [and] corruption” at the local level, and hopes to see Republicans make gains on the council.

Collins said despite criticism from some over the mayor’s handling of the situation surrounding the Cranston Police Department, he sees the results as positive.

“The ends are justifying the means,” he said.

In terms of the new automated trash and recycling pickup system, Collins said he believes many of the initial criticisms have been proven wrong.

“It was a big deal that really turned out not to be a big deal,” he said. “It’s been a success. It’s going to be a success.”

Collins said he is supportive of continuing to offer free bulky item pickup days for residents, and would be open to revisiting the fee structure and terms of the contract with Waste Management.

Foster a better relationship between city and school officials is another goal for Collins.

“I would like to promote a better relationship,” he said. “There’s a lot of positives that could come out of a more productive relationship … Overall, we need to work together,” he said.

In Ward 4, Collins said he is committed to serving as a watchdog against over development, and wants to “open lines of communication” with residents regarding the city’s zoning and permitting process for building projects.

Collins also spoke of more generally forging a connection with constituents through the use of tools like social media and email.

“I don’t want [constituents] to call the mayor’s office [for information or with concerns],” he said. “I want them to call me.”

Ward 5: Ralph Ciunci

Running for the Ward 5 seat on the City Council, Democrat Ralph Ciunci says he hopes to bring a “common sense” approach to local government – one rooted in accountability and fiscal responsibility.

“I felt like it was time to get involved,” he said. “We need to start getting ahead on these things and looking forward.”

A lifelong resident of Cranston, Ciunci is married with three teenage daughters. He is a certified public accountant, and serves as president of Ralph M. Ciunci & Co. on Atwood Avenue.

“I enjoy what I do,” he said.

One key issue for Ciunci has been the current council’s response to the Police Department ticketing scandal and its fallout.

“I couldn’t believe with the ticketing scandal that the council wasn’t stronger than they were,” he said, also criticizing Mayor Allan Fung’s handling of the situation.

Citing legal issues surrounding the department that have come to light in the last several months – and the associated costs those matters have, and will continue, to carry – Ciunci said he believes a public safety commissioner should be put in place to oversee operations.

“We need police officers we hold to a higher esteem,” he said.

Ciunci was also critical of the administration for its oversight of the city’s new automated trash and recycling pickup program. He said he was initially supportive of the new system but believes the carts being used – and the new fees associated with having a second bin or disposing of bulky items, which he characterizes as a tax – point to a lack of due diligence during the negotiation of terms with Waste Management.

“They didn’t do their homework … The mayor’s office was bamboozled by Waste Management,” he said. “We pay a lot of taxes in Cranston and I think we’re entitled to the service.”

In light of Fung’s run for governor, Ciunci also said he feels the city should take steps to ensure the mayoral election lines up with statewide elections. A victory by the sitting mayor, he noted, would set off a chain of other elections, depending on who were to seek the mayor’s office in a special vote and whether any council seats would subsequently be opened up.

“You need to run on your own time, not the city’s time,” he said.

Ciunci said he supports increasing the pay for the mayor’s office to ensure qualified candidates are drawn to the position.

“It should be more like $110,000 [a year], for the amount of work that they do and to get good candidates,” he said.

Ciunci additionally said there “needs to be more open discussion” regarding the school budget each year, with the council becoming more involved earlier in the process.

Given his professional background, Ciunci said he would be well equipped to advocate for taxpayers and push for prudent spending decisions at City Hall.

“Putting a CPA on the council is like having another fiscal advisor,” he said.

Ward 5: Chris Paplauskas

Making a second bid for the Ward 5 seat on the City Council, Republican Chris Paplauskas says he is motivated foremost by a drive to give back to the community.

“I love Cranston,” he said. “I want to work hard for the residents of Ward 5…I want to be that bridge between the constituents and government.”

A homeowner in Cranston since 2005, Paplauskas and his wife have a son and daughter in the city’s schools. He is employed in a management at Falvey Linen Supply in Cranston and is a member of the Cranston Advisory Committee for Parks and Recreation.

Paplauskas is eying history in Ward 5, which he said has not elected a Republican to the council in more than 70 years.

“Knocking on doors, the response has been absolutely fantastic,” he said.

Paplauskas said he wants to work with school officials to restore programming lost to budget cuts in recent years, and to establish a capital improvements account meant specifically for upgrades to school buildings.

“Put the money aside so when something breaks, you have the money there,” he said.

A member of the Peters Elementary School PTO, Paplauskas said he is “all-in with the school department” in terms of making the city’s students and educational system a top priority. He called the $15 million bond question for school building improvements a “no-brainer,” and also voiced strong support for an all-day kindergarten program.

Paplauskas said he is pleased the new automated trash pickup system has placed a new emphasis on recycling, but did add that he hopes free bulky pickup days can be held on a regular, perhaps quarterly, basis.

“That’s one of the big issues,” he said.

Paplauskas spoke favorably of the mayor’s handling of the situation surrounding the Cranston Police Department in recent months.

“The mayor was very cautious and took his time,” he said.

He also praised the department’s personnel – “I think the police do a great job” – and was critical of the issue having been used for political purposes.

“I don’t like how things get politicized,” he said.

Pursuing regional collaboration with communities such as Warwick and Johnston – for the purchase of school books or vehicles, for example – and holding the line on taxes are other priorities Paplauskas highlighted.

“I think we have to watch every dollar very closely,” he said. “We’ve got to prioritize the way families do.”

Paplauskas also said he is emphasizing transparency and civic engagement in his campaign, and pledged to host quarterly town hall meetings with constituents.

Ward 6: Michael Favicchio

Running for a third term as the Ward 6 representative on the City Council, Republican Michael Favicchio says he wants to see his priorities through and continue serving the community.

“Having become engaged with many projects for my constituents, I would like to pursue them until completion,” he said. “And it is an honor to be able to make decisions regarding the city.”

Favicchio has lived most of his life in Cranston. He and his wife have two grown children who graduated from Cranston High School West. He has been a practicing attorney for 35 years, the last 27 of which he has been self-employed at his firm providing with real estate, bankruptcy, probate, personal injury and business representation.

Favicchio said the city’s new automated trash and recycling pickup system “seems to be working well,” and he supports efforts to increase recycling as part of the broader goal of controlling costs.

“I think the extra pickups that have been tried will be necessary around major holidays to ease the problems caused by large gatherings,” he said.

Despite the controversy of recent months, Favicchio said he believes the Cranston Police Department is in “good shape.” He pointed to the department’s national accreditation and the recent appointment of Col. Michael Winquist as the new chief.

“The ticket blitz, while an unfortunate action by very few if not just one officer, pales in comparison to other police issues around the country,” he said. “I have said at meetings that the police department will always have issues, since the nature of their work is confrontational and involves arresting people and dangerous situations.”

Favicchio said he favors more interaction on the part of school and city officials during the year to discuss common issues. He is supportive of the $15 million bond for school building improvements, and of the establishment of term limits for school committee members.

Favicchio cites roadwork, efforts to secure more natural gas lines and the city’s holding the line on taxes as accomplishments of the current term. Looking ahead, he said he hopes to address minimum housing issues and pursue a tree project for Poplar Drive in Garden City.

Ward 6: Bernadetta Petrone

Making her first bid for elected office, Democratic Ward 6 City Council hopeful Bernadetta Petrone says she wants to serve as a catalyst for renewed engagement on the part of citizens.

“People are just unhappy,” she said. “People just want to know that their voice is being heard…just the fact that they’re being respected and heard is huge for them.”

A lifelong resident of Cranston, Petrone and her husband have three daughters. She previously spent 10 years working in the city’s schools – eight as a special education teacher assistant, and two as a secretary – and is currently employed at a salon in East Greenwich.

Petrone said residents are particularly concerned with the new automated trash and recycling pickup system, which she believes “should have been thought out a little more.” She took issue with the size of the new carts, and said some accommodation must be made for the disposal of bulky waste without the fees currently associated with the new arrangement.

“There should be some kind of amnesty,” she said.

In terms of the situation surrounding the Cranston Police Department in recent months, Petrone said she believes a public safety commissioner should be put in place to oversee operations.

“I think there needs to be a separate person for that regardless of who’s the mayor,” she said.

Petrone also feels additional answers are needed regarding the Rhode Island State Police review of the department, which was sought by Mayor Allan Fung following the emergence of the ticketing scandal late last year.

“It’s been kind of stonewalled…that just kind of makes it appear suspicious,” she said.

Petrone said there “definitely needs to be better communication” between city and school officials, and she is pleased the council is able to serve as a final check on budgets and contracts. Given her experience as a parent and former school employee, she feels she can help foster a “balance” that serves the best interest of education.

“Having a strong school department is such a big thing for the city,” she said. “That’s how you keep cities growing and moving.”

Petrone called the $15 million bond question for school building improvements” necessary.”

Petrone also spoke highly of the council’s record in recent years, particularly in terms of overseeing the community’s finances. She said she hopes to be a part of continuing that emphasis on prudent decision making.

“The taxpayers are pretty happy with their performance…people want fiscal responsibility,” she said. “I want to be an advocate for the citizens of Cranston.”