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The Mayor states "I urge the Warwick IAFF Local to put the best interests of the city before their personal interests." This is unrealistic to even dream about. There is an old saying. "I love you but I love me more". That is how our firefighters must feel and I don't blame them. I would feel the same way. The Mayor should meet with them weekly for an hour (an idea that several firefighters suggested to me during my Mayoral campaign that they wanted) and discuss how to keep the Warwick Fire Department from falling into bankruptcy like Coventry did. That would be a win-win-win for the taxpayers, the city AND the firefighters. I find their compensation package is understated in the salaries (maybe by a lot) and way too complicated in the benefits and pensions categories. It has led to widespread abuse and suspicions for decades. Rather than being "disheartened", Avedisian should work WITH the firefighters to put in the effort, to clarify the wording, close some of the loopholes, and improve the overall quality of the employment contracts. Look at areas that make the city a profit like rescues, and do more of that. ( a rescue costs approx. $110,000 and makes approx. $45,000 a year, an excellent return-on-investment). Look at areas of abuse and make a joint effort to save money that will end up in higher salaries as well as lowered taxes. Buying a new rescue, by the way, came from a firefighter who was with the department for only 2 years. Great ideas come from open communication. Do it Mr. Mayor. You'll avoid the flack you're presently receiving and you won't have to feel "disheartened" while 80,000 taxpayers are paying the tab. If you "reduce the abuse" and share the savings with the firefighters as well as the taxpayers, everyone wins, including you.

Happy Spring everyone.

Rick Corrente