To the Editor,

I have always described Robert Cushman as “one of” the smartest people in Warwick. From now on, I am removing the “one of” part of that sincere complement.

I read his letter to the editor of January 11^th and conclude the following:

The firefighters employment contract has always been vague; always had loopholes; always had overtime conditions that were unclearly defined and easily taken advantage of, and as far as I can recall was always in need of improvement. Simply stated it needs to clearly define what a firefighter can and cannot do. To my knowledge, it still doesn’t.

This is NOT the fault of any firefighter. They didn’t write the rules; they just follow them, and when former Mayor Avedisian offered side deals (legal or otherwise) the firefighters would be foolish to say “No.” I wouldn’t have. I don’t know anyone who would.

Who is to blame? First, it doesn’t matter. We should focus on the solution; not the problem. Second, it was the “blame” of every administration from the sixties on to present times. Every Mayor and City Council member who didn’t speak out about the poorly written contracts shoulders part of the blame. Only the vast minority, like Councilman Ed Ladouceur, have ever recognized the need to re-write these rules and regs. The entire Council should have, and I hope in the near future, will follow Ladouceur’s and Cushman’s lead.

One thing, Bob. You stated that Mayor Picozzi should have gotten involved but didn’t. How do you know he didn’t? The Mayor is not a grand-stander. That’s probably his best attribute. He works quietly and behind the scenes. No headlines. No fanfare. In other words, smart. This “quiet leadership”, I believe, is serving the taxpayers well. Why do you think he ran unopposed? I think he is involved, and it’s probably on a daily basis. I think he has met with all the decision makers. I believe improvements are coming and I believe it’s due to people like you Bob, Councilman Ed Ladouceur, the rest of the present City Council, the firefighters union, and the quiet leadership of Mayor Picozzi.

I, for one, appreciate all their effort, and look forward to an even better City of Warwick in the upcoming months.

Happy Spring to all.

Richard Corrente

Taxpayer