To the Editor,

I am disappointed that Representative Handy has taken on such a partisan and divisive tone in his letter to the editor. He is wrong on the facts and his false proposition that my administration is not giving equitable treatment to recreational facilities and projects on the eastern side of the city is just woefully inaccurate. Sadly, he sounds like an echo chamber for my opponent who refuses to acknowledge all the great things happening in our city.

Some of the improvements on the eastern side of the city include upgrades to Fay Field, Ricci Field, Calise Field and Speck Field. We have also used Community Development Block grant funds for the Smith Street Playground.

But my dedication and leadership on the eastern side is so much more.

My administration’s commitment starts with support with a new Eden Park School and Gladstone Street School. Please visit and observe our revitalization of Rolfe Square and Pawtuxet Village. Then see our attention to the Oakland Cemetery and the Mausoleum that have been secured and cleaned up. We also worked with the state and federal delegation to build a new electric station by RIPTA and the first community splash pad next to Bain Middle School. I also remind the state representative that Cranston will love our new Budlong Pool next summer.

I invite him to check out the former Sanders School that was torn down, sold and replaced by four new houses. Friendly Community was repaved. My staff helped Barbara Rubine in funding and cleanup of Stillhouse Cove.

The Edgewood Highlands School playground this year received some $200,000 worth of improvements in a bi-partisan community effort.

I still hope to address the Dutemple School basketball court to fulfill that same spirit of community participation.

Finally, I remind Representative Handy that the Bob Ferri led Democrats would not support a $7.2 million state grant for a free community center on the eastern side of our city that would have served our most vulnerable residents in that area.

My motto as mayor of One Cranston One Heart will continue in my next term. Our residents deserve the best of intentions from their city officials regardless of where they live.

Cranston Mayor Kenneth Hopkins

Editor’s Note: Mayor Hopkins was given the opportunity to reply to Rep. Handy’s letter to the editor prior to publication, so the two submissions could be published side-by-side.