‘Now I think that Allan Fung did an incredible job as our mayor … He helped this city enormously. And I feel that we should, in fact, honor him. But this soon into his departure is not the time.’”

Citywide Councilman Robert Ferri

‘He has left an indelible mark … [as] one of the greatest mayors and servants this city has ever had.’

Daniel Parrillo

Fung Stadium? Not just yet.

Following a debate that was at times politically charged, a City Council resolution seeking to name the new multi-sport athletic field at Cranston High School West after the city’s most recent past mayor was withdrawn by its sponsors on Monday.

Citywide Councilwoman Nicole Renzulli and Ward 6 Councilman Matthew Reilly had proposed naming the field at the Henry “Hank” Orabone Sports Complex as “Allan W. Fung Stadium.”

Due to term limits, Fung left office in January after 12 years as mayor. Prior to his time as the city’s chief executive, he served as a member of the City Council. A two-time GOP nominee for governor, he recently took a new job as a partner with Johnston-based law firm Pannone Lopes Devereaux & O’Gara.

Supporters of the move touted Fung’s record in office and framed the field naming as a fitting tribute to man Reilly called a “people’s mayor.”

“This is a well-deserved honor for a man who has served the city,” said Daniel Parrillo, who served as Fung’s director of administration in recent years and is now director of personnel under Mayor Ken Hopkins, during public comment on Monday.

He added: “He has left an indelible mark … [as] one of the greatest mayors and servants this city has ever had.”

Others, however, questioned the move. Some, like Ward 2 Councilwoman Aniece Germain, noted that the proposal came less than three months after Fung’s departure from office.

“It’s too soon for me to judge the legacy … We need a little more time,” she said.

Citywide Councilman Robert Ferri was critical of the process through which the resolution came before the council. He said he had received calls and emails from some constituents after the matter appeared on the docket.

Ferri was initially concerned that Fung’s name would replace an existing tribute at the field, although Reilly assured that was not the case.

Regardless, Ferri said he would not support the proposal, which likely would have meant its failure had it gone to a vote. Republicans hold a 5-4 edge on the council, but all four Democrats – plus Ferri, a Republican – expressed reservations or opposition to the resolution.

“I just think that it could have been done in a different way … and not making it look like some of us are for Allan Fung, and some of us are against Allan Fung,” Ferri said. “We need to be more cohesive and work as a unit and do things like this together.”

He added: “Now I think that Allan Fung did an incredible job as our mayor … He helped this city enormously. And I feel that we should, in fact, honor him. But this soon into his departure is not the time.”

After the likely outcome of the vote became clear, Reilly said he would withdraw the resolution and pursue a different approach. Renzulli agreed to the withdrawal.

“It’s extremely disappointing, some of the things I’ve heard tonight,” Reilly said.

A number of speakers during the public comment portion of the meeting voiced support for the resolution, praising Fung for his service to the community and support for youth athletics. The Cranston West stadium project, completed during Fung’s tenure, was a public-private partnership on the part of the city and the Cranston West Alumni Association.

“It’s now a jewel on the western side of the city, and I can’t think of a better person to name a facility after than our former mayor,” said Steve Piscopiello, president of Cranston Western Little League.

Tony Liberatore, who served as the city’s director of parks and recreation under Fung, said the former mayor was supportive of the project “every stop of the way.”

“I think it’s so well-deserved to name that complex after Allan Fung,” he said.

Nick Caruolo called Fung a “role model” who “impacted our community in a tremendously positive way.”

“I couldn’t think of a more perfect individual to have the field at Cranston West named for,” he said.

Those who opposed the move also credited Fung for his service to the community, and most agreed that finding some way to pay tribute to the former mayor would be appropriate. But the timing of the resolution and the selection of the Cranston West field drew particular criticism.

Janice Ruggieri, a former chairwoman of the School Committee who served during much of Fung’s tenure, said it was the Alumni Association that drove both the stadium project and the renovation of the Cranston West auditorium.

“They put their blood, sweat and tears into that project,” she said.

Ruggieri suggested that officials name something in Fung’s honor that is “more centrally located [and] that’s truly reflective of his years of service.”

“I agree with the sentiment,” she added. “I just don’t agree with the place you’re putting his name on.”

Several council members agreed. Some suggested the field should instead be named in honor of a teacher or coach, perhaps on a rotating basis.

“There’s no question that former Mayor Fung should be thanked for his dedication to the city … and he is a good person,” Citywide Councilwoman Jessica Marino said.

She added: “To do something of this nature is rather unprecedented … Just because you can do something doesn’t mean that you should do something.”

Ward 1 Councilwoman Lammis Vargas said: “While I commend the mayor for his years of service … I really feel that a building really shouldn’t be named after an elected official.”

At the start of the debate on the resolution, Ward 3 Councilman John Donegan voiced a “procedural objection.” He noted that in 2017, when the Senior Center was named in honor of former mayor and current School Committee member Michael Traficante, the resolution calling for that move went through review at the committee level before heading to the full council. Monday’s resolution came directly to the full council for consideration.

“I think it’s questionable to honor someone’s legacy three months, less than three months after they turned in the keys,” Donegan said, adding that he felt the proposal warranted “a little bit more of a public conversation and public input.”

Council President Chris Paplauskas said during the current term, he has allowed all resolutions to come directly to the council floor. The committee review for the 2017 resolution, he said, was “an extra step that it didn’t need to go through.”