Candidates for ward seats on council make case ahead of vote

By Daniel Kittredge
Posted 11/3/16

Voters have a number of decisions to make on Nov. 8, but perhaps no contests are as close to home as those for ward seats on the City Council.

The six ward seats are currently split evenly along …

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Candidates for ward seats on council make case ahead of vote

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Voters have a number of decisions to make on Nov. 8, but perhaps no contests are as close to home as those for ward seats on the City Council.

The six ward seats are currently split evenly along party lines. Democrats Steven Stycos of Ward 1, Paul Archetto of Ward 3 and Mario Aceto of Ward 4 are all seeking new terms, as are Republicans Donald Botts of Ward 2, Chris Paplauskas of Ward 5 and Michael Favicchio of Ward 6.

The Republican challengers include Stephen Gillissie in Ward 1, Johnrita Bina in Ward 3 and Trent Colford in Ward 4. The Democratic challengers are Paul McAuley in Ward 2, Stephen Ciambrone in Ward 5 and Sherry Ferdinandi in Ward 6.

Below are brief profiles of the ward candidates, based on recent interviews with the Herald.

Ward 1: Steven Stycos

Seeking a fourth term as the City Council’s representative from Ward 1, Democrat Steven Stycos says he hopes to continue work on several key issues and initiatives.

Increasing the diversity of the city’s workforce is near the top of that list. Stycos said while recent discussion has focused on the lack of women or minorities on the city’s fire department, figures show the issue extends across municipal government and that diversity levels have remained low – and stagnant – for several years.

Stycos also hopes to see expansion of a sidewalk improvement program through which the city shares costs with homeowners. The parameters of the program, outlined in a resolution Stycos sponsored, were approved by the council in 2015. During the budget review process for the current year, $50,000 was secured for the program through a council amendment.

Stycos said he views the establishment and funding of the program as key accomplishments, but believes “more needs to be done there” given the condition of many city sidewalks. He hopes to review the amount of reimbursement homeowners may receive through the program as a potential means of increasing interest and participation.

Stycos said he would continue to advocate for a $12 minimum wage for city workers. A proposal to that effect failed to garner the needed support earlier this year, although in the current year’s budget review process funding was set aside to increase the pay of part-time librarians. The councilman said he wants to see the “floor” raised in terms of compensation for some of the city’s other lowest-wage employees.

“Twelve dollars an hour with no benefits is pretty inexpensive,” he said.

Stycos said cleanup and reuse of the former Ciba-Geigy property remains on his radar, along with completion of a walking trail in the western part of the city. He also pointed out the council’s recent action to restart the Cranston Arts Commission.

“I’m looking forward to seeing what they come up with,” he said.

Regarding the current council, Stycos acknowledged proceedings have frequently been contentious but said he believes the overall atmosphere is “pretty good.”

“Everybody talks to each other,” he said. “It can get heated in the discussion on the floor … but people are still listening to each other … I think it’s kind of a temporary thing.”

Before being elected to the council, Stycos served for 10 years on the School Committee. He works as manager of Westbay Farms. He and his wife have two children, both graduates of Cranston High School East.

Ward 1: Stephen Gillissie

Stephen Gillissie will appear on ballots as the Republican candidate for the Ward 1 seat on the council. As of press time for this edition, Gillissie had not responded to requests for an interview.

Ward 2: Donald Botts

Running for what would be his third term as the Ward 2 representative on the City Council, Republican Donald Botts says he remains focused on “making Cranston a good environment for business” and building on progress in other areas.

“I think the city’s going in the right direction,” he said. “I think Ward 2 has come around a lot over the last four years.”

Botts said Rolfe Square is “on the upswing,” with new establishments like Diversi and Mosaic, the programs and productions of The Artists’ Exchange, and the impending arrival of Dave’s Marketplace at the former Seabra site. He hopes to find ways to foster “synergy” among the various stores, restaurants and organizations in that area of the ward – “The businesses are going to help one another – and to perhaps hold large community events such as a festival. He also favors exploring the establishment of an arts district in some form.

Botts said he believes the council and Mayor Allan Fung’s administration have “done a good job of keeping taxes where they are.” Those efforts to get the city “out of [the] mode” where annual tax increases were expected or relied upon, he said, will over time pay off and bring the tax burden for Cranston residents more in line with what is seen in other communities.

Despite some acrimony during the recent term, the Ward 2 councilman also said he believes his colleagues have worked together in the city’s best interest. Key achievements, he said, have included the approval of “fair contracts for city employees and fair contracts for the taxpayers,” and the establishment of tax incentive programs to draw companies to Cranston and expand the commercial tax base.

“[We need to] come together on issues we think are important and get it done. I think we’ve done that,” he said.

Botts did call for “more change” from officials at the state level and criticized Democrats on the council for “beating a dead horse” with regard to issues that have surrounded the Cranston Police Department over the last two-plus years.

In the coming term, Botts said speeding is an area of significant concern. He suggested identifying hotspots and using an automated ticketing system as a potential means of discouraging speeding in city neighborhoods.

“I think something like that should be explored,” he said.

Botts has been a vocal critic of Harrington Hall, saying he would like to see the facility closed, and he also pointed to concerns over panhandling and sex offenders as a continued area of focus.

Botts said he favors a $20 million bond question for road repairs on the Nov. 8 ballot, but ultimately wants to see paving worked into the city’s annual operating budget.

“We should be borrowing as much as we can right now if the need is there,” he said, to take advantage of low interest rates.

Botts and his wife have lived in Cranston for more than 20 years and have three children. He ran for state representative in 2010. He is currently employed as the information technology chief for Ocean State Veterinary Specialists in East Greenwich.

Ward 2: Paul McAuley

Making his first bid for elected office, Democratic Ward 2 candidate Paul McAuley says he is focused on ensuring the voices of his neighbors are heard at City Hall.

“I want to be there for the voters of Ward 2,” he said. “It’s time for Ward 2 to get its fair share of available resources from the city.”

A resident of the ward for more than six decades, McAuley said he is “passionate” about running for City Council after many years of “behind the scenes” involvement in other campaigns. He pointed to the example provided by other accomplished civic leaders over the years, including Peter Pastore, David Hersey and Cindy Fogarty.

“We’ve had some very good people” in public service locally, he said.

While still doing some part-time security work, McAuley is retired after a career that included time at FedEx and Rhode Island Hospital. That, too, was a factor in his decision to become a candidate, now that he has the “time and energy…to do it effectively.”

McAuley said in campaigning, he has found many constituents convey a sense of disconnect from their current councilman.

“People do not know who Don Botts is…If you’ve been the councilman for four years, I find that troubling,” he said.

McAuley pointed to “numerous examples of streets that are in dire need” in the ward and questioned the means through which infrastructure priorities are currently set at City Hall.

“I think our roads and sidewalks are certainly a priority…They’re not going to get better by themselves,” he said.

McAuley also takes issue with some decisions made by the current council, including a zoning change approved for the current Citizens Bank offices on Sockanosset Cross Road. He believes that change, sought by Carpionato Properties, potentially puts small businesses such as Benny’s and Durfee’s Hardware at risk

“I don’t want to be anti-business, but I also don’t want to forget the little businesses,” he said.

McAuley additionally said he would like to see extended hours at the Budlong Pool to better accommodate working families and expanded parking in and around Rolfe Square to help support business growth. He offered praise for Theatre 82, The Artists’ Exchange, the newly announced Dave’s Marketplace, and the Park Theatre as valuable assets for the neighborhood and the city as a whole.

If elected, McAuley said he would also seek to address issues of speeding around the city. He favors the $20 million road repair bond question, but favors incorporating road repair funding into the annual operating budget.

Regarding the issues of panhandling and sex offenders, he said, “The answer is not closing down Harrington Hall…We have to get everyone involved to come up with a safe situation.”

McAuley is a 1973 graduate of La Salle Academy, a former Rhode Island Air National Guard medic, and a longtime member of the Knights of Columbus. He has served as a softball and baseball coach. He and his wife have two children who attended the city’s public schools.

Ward 3: Paul Archetto

Seeking what would be his fifth term, Democratic Ward 3 Councilman Paul Archetto says he offers voters a valuable perspective and a record of accomplishment.

“I bring experience and knowledge to the council,” said Archetto, who serves as the council’s majority leader.

Archetto said he intends to continue pushing to get “roads and infrastructure upgraded in my district,” and to “make sure schools are taken care of.”

A vocal critic of Mayor Allan Fung, he also said he will continue to serve as a check on the administration if the mayor wins re-election.

“This mayor is not transparent,” he said. “I’ll be a watchdog for the public.”

Archetto said in the last term he sponsored a measure seeking to provide greater property tax relief for 100-percent disabled veterans and advocated for the creation of a free local mattress disposal site for residents.

He also worked with state Rep. Charlene Lima and local officials to secure funding for resurfacing the Hugh B. Bain Middle School track and is helping with the Cranston Historical Society on the development of a series of historical markers throughout the community.

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

He previously worked as a state park policeman and currently works as an adjunct professor of history at the Community College of Rhode Island.

Ward 3: Johnrita Bina

Known to many as “Big John,” longtime radio personality Johnrita Bina said he is running as a Republican for the Ward 3 seat on the City Council as a supporter of Mayor Allan Fung’s record and an advocate for those most in need in the community.

“I will do everything I can to make [constituents’] lives better,” he said. “I just look at this as a lot of opportunities to do good.”

Bina spent more than 30 years on local airwaves and has been involved in politics since the 1990s. In 2006, he ran for a citywide seat on the council.

“Our rainy day fund was going down to zero,” he said of the city’s financial standing at the time. “I just really didn’t feel confident about Cranston’s future.”

Now, Bina speaks in praise of “what Mayor Fung has done in this city and kept us out of bankruptcy.”

“I’m encouraged,” he said. “We’ve got new businesses and jobs…I want to work with Mayor Fung.”

Bina said working to help veterans and service members is perhaps his top priority. He has spent time at the Providence VA Medical Center working alongside doctors and nurses and serves as a commissioner on the facility’s World Ward II memorial committee.

“I started getting connected with vets and experiencing more of them – not just the older ones, but the younger ones – at the VA and through this project,” he said. “I have found real satisfaction in doing that.”

Bina said he wants to bring that perspective to the council and help connect those who have served with resources and the benefits they have earned.

“A lot of them do not truly know all the benefits that are due them for all they did for us,” he said.

Bina said he also hopes to address the issue of hunger in the ward and plans to establish an office where constituents can meet and speak with him. He has touted his endorsement from Defenders of Animals, of which he and his wife Rita have been longtime supporters.

Bina said he intends to treat the job of councilman as a full-time position and take an “aggressive” approach. His son, Michael-Patrick Bina, a graduate of Cranston’s schools, has been managing his campaign.

“You just meet so many different kinds of people,” he said of campaigning. “It’s a lot of work, but it’s great to get out and meet people…Everybody should run for office at least once.”

Ward 4: Mario Aceto

Seeking a new term as the Ward 4 representative on the City Council, Democrat Mario Aceto said he wants to continue building on the record of the last four years.

“I want to finish the job that we started four years ago,” he said.

Aceto was first elected to the ward seat in 1998, serving two terms. He also served one term as a citywide councilman. In 2012 he was again elected to the ward seat. The coming term would be his sixth overall.

Aceto pointed to a handful of top priorities, including a new fire station for Western Cranston and incorporating money for road paving and repairs in the city’s annual operating budget. He said he supports the $20 million road bond question on this year’s ballot.

The councilman, who serves on the School Buildings Committee, spoke of major school facilities improvements that have started over the last term following voter approval of a bond initiative.

“School infrastructure was big,” he said.

He also said the restoration of sports and music programming at the elementary and middle school levels has made a “real, real big difference” for students and parents throughout the city.

Aceto did take issue with aspects of the record of his Republican opponent, Trent Colford, who currently serves on the School Committee.

“I think it’s really, really important that you compare the two of us,” he said, specifically pointing to Colford’s meeting attendance and his stance on issues such as busing and charter schools. “He believed in privatizing everything, and I don’t.”

Aceto and his wife have two children. He retired in 2013 and currently works in the law revision office at the State House.

Ward 4 Trent Colford

After two terms on the School Committee, Republican Trent Colford is seeking to make the move to City Council with a bid for the Ward 4 seat.

“I don’t have any personal agenda…I’m doing this, I feel, for the right reasons,” he said. “I’m trying to bring common fiscal sense.”

Colford said he first ran for school committee out of frustration and concern over the handling of a handful of key issues, including the dispute over the Cranston High School West prayer banner, the district’s finances, and the loss of sports and music programming. Over the course of two terms, he said, “I was able to help impact and accomplish a lot of things that I really wanted to when I started this journey.”

Colford also noted that he and his wife’s two children have now graduated from the city’s schools. Part of the reason for his decision to depart the committee, he said, is his belief that people whose children are currently enrolled should fill its seats.

“I think they have the most at stake there,” he said.

In the bid for council, Colford describes himself as a “concerned citizen.” He said he aims to focus on controlling taxes, fostering business growth, and ensuring the city’s young people can find opportunity locally.

He also pointed to roads as an area in which greater investment is needed and to zoning in the western part of the city - which some fear could spur a significant increase in development - as requiring continued vigilance.

Colford said he is opposed to the truck-tolling plan included in the RhodeWorks legislation approved earlier this year – “I’m very concerned for our state,” he said – and wants to work with other officials to develop a “viable plan that makes sense” to address the issue of panhandling.

Colford said he made an ongoing personal pledge to respond to constituent questions or concerns within 24 hours whenever possible. Presently, he said, he has found many “constituents don’t feel like there’s someone they can talk to.”

While acknowledging that travel associated with his job led him to periodically miss school committee meetings, he said he has “always made time to know what’s going on” and remained in close consultation with his fellow members. He also said he has attended other events such as sports games and open houses “so that people have access to me.”

“There’s not a single school committee member out there that’s made every meeting,” he said, noting that those who serve on the committee are not compensated. “We’re basically in a volunteer position.”

Colford has lived in Cranston for 15 years. He works as a director of operations for Wendy’s – overseeing 30 of the restaurant chain’s locations in the Boston area – and has coached a range of youth sports, including baseball, basketball and lacrosse.

“I’m not very good at sitting on the sidelines,” he said.

Ward 5:

Stephen Ciambrone

Running as a Democrat for the Ward 5 seat on the City Council, former firefighter Stephen Ciambrone says he hopes to be a voice for constituents and an advocate for improved city services.

“I’m getting a lot of feedback of what the real problems are,” he said. “I’ve been involved on the sidelines for a long time…I’ve always paid attention to what’s going on.”

Ciambrone spent just under 23 years on the fire department, retiring as a lieutenant.

“I served my city well,” he said. He now works with his family’s business, Amp Supply Co., a carpet and flooring supply distributor. His family has deep roots in Knightsville.

Ciambrone described himself as a “revenue guy,” and “not a cutter.” He said his “disenchantment” with the city’s approach to services began during the administration of former Mayor Stephen Laffey. Presently, he said, the shortcomings are the “worst that I’ve seen” - specifically in terms of road repairs, street sweeping and addressing flooding “hot spots” during storms.

Ciambrone also said Ward 5 is “one of the worst places I’ve seen in terms of roads,” and that the condition of streets in the area is the “first topic” he hears from constituents.

“I want to be a watchdog for the taxpayers,” he said.

Ciambrone said he intends to advocate for streamlining the city’s purchasing practices and wants to reach out to nearby communities such as Johnston, Warwick and North Providence in hopes of finding ways to reduce costs through bulk purchasing.

He also wants to review the city’s wastewater management contract with Veolia, saying he believes it does not provide the city with adequate benefits.

“Those things should be negotiable,” he said of such long-term contracts.

Ciambrone said he is “very excited” about this year’s Democratic slate for council, which includes a number of new faces.

“They all have their good points that they bring to the table,” he said.

Ciambrone took issue with what he described as incumbent Councilman Chris Paplauskas politicizing community improvement efforts, including the new Knightsville sign and the Christmas tree lighting ceremony.

“These are all something that you’re supposed to do,” he said.

Ward 5: Chris Paplauskas

After making history with his election to the Ward 5 seat on the City Council in 2014, Republican Chris Paplauskas is seeking another two-year term to “give back to the community that I love.”

“Serving on the council for the last two years has been one of the most amazing and fulfilling times,” he said. “I have always put our neighborhoods, our schools, and Cranston first. We’ve achieved a lot in two short years and with two more we can continue making Cranston better together.”

Paplauskas said he has “accomplished a lot” over the term, both at City Hall and in the community. He pointed to last year’s Christmas tree lighting in Knightsville – which returns at 4 p.m. on Dec. 3 – along with a cleanup at Meshanticut Park, a new sign being installed at the Knightsville library branch, and an updated “Welcome to Knightsville” sign being erected off Park Avenue.

“Those are some of the things I’m proud of,” he said.

Paplauskas also touted the efforts of the School Committee, council and mayor to restore middle and elementary school sports and music programming and the expansion of all-day kindergarten.

“I’m really happy that everybody worked together,” he said. “I know we can do a lot more.”

Paplauskas said, looking ahead, he intends to be “super-focused on bringing more small businesses into the neighborhood of Knightsville.” He would like to assist in the creation of a local business association.

“We have a great neighborhood…I think we can do a lot more to make it even better,” he said.

While tensions have at times run high on the council in the latest term, Paplauskas said he strives to maintain a positive approach.

“It doesn’t come from me or start from me, and I’ve done my best on the council to avoid that…I’m staying true to myself and true to my constituents,” he said.

The councilman did voice frustration over the holding for study of Mayor Allan Fung’s proposed ordinance amendment to combat panhandling.

“I promise to support the ordinance on the grounds of public safety and work to get it passed with a new Republican council in January if the Democrats continue to hold back progress,” he said.

In 2014, Paplauskas became the first Republican in decades to win in Ward 5. He said he looks “forward to working with anyone,” but did express hope that the GOP can win control of the council, which Democrats currently control by a 5-4 margin.

“I think we’re going to get a lot done if the council does change,” he said.

Paplauskas and his wife have two children. He currently works for his family’s business, BORI Graphix in Warwick.

Ward 6: Michael Favicchio

Republican Michael Favicchio says he is seeking a fourth term as the Ward 6 representative on the City Council to continue his work on “unfinished business.”

“I want to complete some of the project and some of the ideas I’ve worked on,” he said.

While campaigning this year, Favicchio, who serves as the council’s minority leader, said concerns over speeding, panhandling and the sex offender population at Harrington Hall have come up most frequently. He has previously testified on the sex offender issue at the State House and said in the coming term he intends to continue working with lawmakers.

“I have some new ideas on some new restrictions and some new ways to address the problem,” he said. “We want to make sure we know where they are at all times.”

Favicchio called panhandling a “real safety concern” that needs to be addressed, and he spoke in support of Mayor Allan Fung’s recent ordinance proposal, which was held for study at the committee level.

Favicchio has also been working on plans for a playground serving the Oak Hill Terrace neighborhood at the longtime field off New London Avenue. A resolution supporting the project received council approval, and efforts are under way to finalize needed plans, financing and other approvals.

The councilman said roads and traffic “are always an issue,” and he spoke in support of a $20 million bond question for roadwork. Another area of focusing is bringing city departments more fully into the “digital age,” streamlining permits and other aspects of operations to make them “more user-friendly for businesspeople and professionals.”

Favicchio defended Mayor Allan Fung’s decision to appeal in the American Civil Liberties Union of Rhode Island challenge to the city’s 2012 redistricting plan. The counting of the ACI population as residents of Ward 6 was at the heart of the case, and the councilman said he was involved in the proceedings and gave testimony.

“I’ve always maintained that we should fight against it,” he said, adding that doing so has saved significant legal fees that would otherwise have been owed to the ACLU.

Favicchio pointed to a number of accomplishments from the council’s recent term, including zoning changes for large-scale solar projects, the establishment of new tax incentive programs to lure larger-scale development, the restoration of sports and music programming in schools, and the expansion of all-day kindergarten.

“I think we’re doing pretty well,” he said. “It’s nice to have some impact on what goes on in your community.”

Ward 6: Sherry Ferdinandi

Democratic candidate Sherry Ferdinandi says she is seeking the Ward 6 seat on the City Council in hopes of bringing more financial expertise to City Hall.

“I have a lot of experience with small businesses,” she said. “I think you need more people with numbers experience within the city government.”

Ferdinandi, a CPA, has worked out of her own office for the last 5½ years after spending time at larger firms. She has also served on the city’s audit committee.

“The city’s got to be run like a business,” she said.

Ferdinandi said she has been involved in politics for some time but embraced the run for office after being drafted as a candidate this year.

“I enjoy meeting with people, and I love to help people,” she said.

Aside from a continued focus on prudent fiscal practices, Ferdinandi said her top priorities include supporting the city’s public schools and connecting young people with career opportunities in the trades and other similar pathways. She also favors the incorporation of financial literacy into the school curriculum.

While acknowledging many streets are in tough shape, Ferdinandi said she has faith in the city’s current formula for prioritizing and addressing ailing roadways. She favors Mayor Allan Fung’s proposed ordinance amendment aimed a curtailing panhandling and also wants to further explorer Democratic mayoral candidate Michael Sepe’s proposal to create a work program for those engaged in the practice.

“I don’t think that they should be standing in the middle of New London Avenue,” she said.

Ferdinandi said she wants to bring a positive approach to her campaign and hopefully her service on the council. She said she has known incumbent Councilman Michael Favicchio and his family for many years.

“I have nothing bad to say…hard workers and a good family,” she said.

She hopes to be a consensus builder if elected.

“I like to help. I’m here, and I think that I can help the taxpayers,” she said.

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