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Mayor Avedisian writes regarding preparing 10 year financial forecasts that "I don’t believe any city or town in Rhode Island does one". Maybe that is one reason Rhode Island has the highest unemployment and is ranked near the bottom economically in comparison to other states in the country.

Avedisian also claims, "What Mr. Cushman would love to have is a city plan that expects a tax increase every year". A typical false characterization from a career political trying to deflect the issue. Maybe Avedisian needs to take a look in the mirror and reflect on his fourteen years as mayor that have resulted in a property tax increase rach and every year he has been mayor. The man doesn't know how to balance a budget without raising taxes. Annual tax increases have become a hallmark of his administration. Tapping the city surplus 8 times out of the last 11 years is another example of his poor fiscal management.

The result of his policies:

97 cents of all new tax dollars allocated to the city spent on retired and active personnal expenses. 3 cents left for every othe line item in the city.

Social service programs cut.

Firefighters storiming city hall because equipment is breaking down.

1,500 homes up for tax sale last month, representing approximately 7 percent of the city population impacted.

Dangerious roads filled with pot holes, with no funding plan except to borrow more money to fix them.

Building in disrepair. Crumbling recreation facilities.

Employees receiving no raises yet tax still increasing.

Schools level funded for practically 6 years, yet tax still increases and all monies going to the city.

Do I need to go on?

Ask any successful business how important planning for the future is.

If a small town half the size of Warwick can create a strategic plan, what does that say about the political leaders in Warwick who believe doing the same is impossible?