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Dear Scal,

Not being allowed to review the Warwick City records (other than what shows up in the budget), it is impossible to determine exactly where to "cut spending", but there are several areas that I would target and I have mentioned them before. However, in the interest of full disclosure and because I do respect you, (I appreciate your comment about "agree to disagree"), the most probable line items are the health benefits with Blue Cross that I believe have never been renegotiated and are extremely overcharged. Without annual strong resistence, BC will continue to increase their premiums to a level higher than you would pay if you walked in off the street with no "group discount". I experienced it with my own company and many others that I have analyzed. You might want to try an experiment yourself. Call them as a John Doe.

I called United Health and they indicated that they never had a chance to compete. they never said it outright but that is the impression I got. Scal, we have a Mayor that has a "that's OK, we'll just raise taxes" kind of attitude, in my opinion. Therefore in my administration, I would take a hard look at Blue Cross. It's a lot more work but I'm up for it. Is Scott? (in your opiniion)

Also,I was at the city council meeting a month ago where the topic of our maintenance agreement for our copiers and fax machines was brought up. Warwick pays approx. $4,800 a month for our maintenance agreement. When the repair guy comes to service one of our machines he also charges approx. $375.00. The reason you have a maintenance agreement is to avoid the per-visit charge. That is another one I would look at.

Scal, there are dozens of others but I don't want to get into these areas because it attracts criticism from certain people looking to find the flaw in every idea, rather than applauding the basic plan. Keep in mind how much criticism you and others gave me about my plans for Warwick. Note that, at least, that I had a plan. You (and others) never criticized Avedisian. I believe I know why. It is because he doesn't have a plan, or at least he isn't sharing it if he does. In either event, the fact remains he raised taxes for 16 years in a row! The schools are in critical shape. 5,800 taxpayers moved out (according to the U.S.Census). Warwick is in horrible shape financially (according to Warwick's own financials. Our debt doubled in the last ten years!) We could file for bankrupsy today and I doubt there is a judge in America that would disallow it. How has Avedisians tenure worked for the taxpayers of Warwick Scal? Cranston lowered taxes and their population grew. More taxpayers in Cranston caused total tax revenue to increase and the need for taxes-per-taxpayer to decrease, the same idea I was promoting for Warwick, through my rebate check program and my moratorium of building permit fees. Again, note that Avedisian had/has no plan except the 1% reduction of building permit fees that he said "would stimulate construction". (read about it in the Beacon when the R.I. Builders Assoc. sued for overcharging). How is that working out?

Scal, how come you never gave me credit nor did you criticize Avedisian for that? My cell is 338-9900. I repeat my invitation to you. The coffee is on me.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.

Rick Corrente