To the Editor,

Last week, Cranston city council approved the independent investigation resolution regarding the civil case against our sitting mayor, Kenneth Hopkins v. Davide Broccoli, with a lengthy list of amendments. In short, the council decided that until and unless there is an admission or finding of guilt that no independent investigation will be conducted. On its face this seems fair enough, afterall, everyone deserves due process. That said, I do have some concerns that I feel the council should consider and add stipulations appropriately or reconsider altogether. First, this case could grind through the courts for years, and by the time any facts may come to light it may be too late and immaterial for an independent investigation to commence. We the residents of Cranston deserve to know what happened in a timely manner. Second, if this case settles out of court and/or the record is sealed, we will never know the truth one way or the other. In this meeting I heard quite a bit of lamenting by the council to approve the independent investigation into their former colleague and friend. I do believe that these personal feelings need to be placed aside and an independent investigation should commence regardless. The accusations in this case are stunning, some involving the misuse of city resources, and if any of them are true, public servants need to be held accountable for their actions while it is still material. It is because of these reasons that I believe an independent investigation should commence. If the accusations are false, and this is truly a “political hit job” as has been claimed, then this investigation would do nothing other than exonerate our mayor.

Heidi Lavigne

Meshanticut