Cushman gave all taxpayers something to consider

Posted 12/23/14

To the Editor:

I have been a resident of Warwick for many years and I was in attendance for the City Council meeting when Bob Cushman reported on the economic condition of our city. Here is my …

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Cushman gave all taxpayers something to consider

Posted

To the Editor:

I have been a resident of Warwick for many years and I was in attendance for the City Council meeting when Bob Cushman reported on the economic condition of our city. Here is my honest opinion of it:

First, a sincere “thank you” to City Council President Donna Travis and the rest of The City Council for honoring Mr. Cushman’s First Amendment rights by allowing him a sufficient amount of time to make a proper presentation. Thank you a second time for overruling an attempt by one of the municipal employees to keep Mr. Cushman from making his presentation even though he did not read it. (It would have been better if someone was able to lower the screen but that was only a small issue.)

Mr. Cushman presented his well-researched analysis to a very attentive City Council and, as a Warwick taxpayer, I am very appreciative of their careful consideration.

Next, on behalf of myself and all Warwick taxpayers, thanks and huge applause to Robert Cushman. No other taxpayer (including myself) has put as much effort, as much heart and as much time into helping the city of Warwick in regards to this issue as Bob Cushman did (at no cost to the taxpayers). Imagine that. He cares so much about Warwick’s economic future that he spent what looks like about a hundred hours of his personal time researching the last 10-plus years of our spending budget. No one else has done that! Then, at his sole cost, he had those reports printed and distributed to anyone who wanted them. The results of his report showed “the elephant in the room.” For understandable reasons, that wasn’t a picture some of us wanted to see (myself included) but it was a respectful warning from a respectful man who has nothing to gain by altering the facts.

We all knew we were spending more than we could afford. We all cringed when it was shown to us in black and white. And we all know that if we don’t change direction Warwick will not be “sustainable” (and none of us want to become the next Detroit or Central Falls). But shoot the painful message, not the messenger. Bob Cushman spoke the truth. We should all thank him. I don’t know anyone else that has done so much for Warwick without asking for a thing in return. Cushman is the definition of “unselfish.” Presenting it to an audience that didn’t want to face the truth (again, myself included) took courage and leadership.

Now to address the way some of the municipal employees in the audience responded. Guys, are you kidding me? Whistling?  Swearing under your breath? Coughing repeatedly? It was like a scene out of “Animal House.”  What are you, seven? Grow up! Look, if you disagree with Cushman’s figures (and, by the way, I don’t agree entirely myself) ask him about it. Or, better yet, put the time and effort he put in and prepare your own report challenging his. You deserve equal time, and that’s called Democracy. But if you aren’t prepared to dispute his numbers with your own and all you want to do is criticize his, then please just shut up. The taxpayers are paying the bill and they deserve better.

What happened Monday night made the taxpayers wonder why you were heckling Cushman. I had one taxpayer say to me, “What are they trying to hide?” Bad move, guys. Bad move. After the presentation I spoke with one of the municipal employees in the lobby and he totally disagreed with Cushman’s report and posed some sincere questions about it. That is someone to respect. And I will get him answers to his questions because he deserves it.

As far as the rest of you, if you want to be respected you need to show respect. We all have to live with the results. We all pay taxes. We all want a better Warwick. We’re all on the same team, guys. Honest. Merry Christmas.

Richard Corrente

Warwick

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