From poverty to late-night village noise, candidates address issues

John Howell
Posted 10/21/14

It seems logical enough; if Warwick crews can pick up yard waste every week during the summer, why can’t they do it in the fall, when leaves are falling and it’s really needed?

That question …

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From poverty to late-night village noise, candidates address issues

Posted

It seems logical enough; if Warwick crews can pick up yard waste every week during the summer, why can’t they do it in the fall, when leaves are falling and it’s really needed?

That question was one of many Thursday night at the Pawtuxet Village Association candidates’ forum at the William Hall Library in Cranston.

Warwick’s three mayoral candidates were there, as were Warwick Ward 1 incumbent Republican Steven Colantuono, his Democratic challenger Patrick Maloney and Cranston Ward 1 Councilman Stephen Stycos. State legislators Rep. Joseph McNamara and Rep. Arthur Handy, as well as Senator Erin Lynch, and her independent challenger James Roche, participated in the two-hour discussion that ranged from how to control late night noise from some of the village lounges to how to solve poverty.

Avedisian fielded the question on yard waste collections, saying the sheer volume of material needed to be picked up during the autumn made it impossible to do weekly collections. While having the vehicles and the manpower to accomplish such a task is part of it, Avedisian said the city’s compost station would be overwhelmed if everything came in at once. The effect, he explained, would likely place the composting station in violation of Department of Environmental Management regulations.

Nonetheless, Kevin Eiseman, independent mayoral candidate, thought weekly yard waste collections at this time of year is doable. Democrat John “Jack” Kirby would also like more frequent pickups at this time.

The mayoral candidates were the first to take the floor. In a two-minute opening statement, Avedisian talked of economic development, pointing to the planned transition of Rhode Island Mall to an outlet mall; redevelopment of the former Building 19 site; the Apponaug circulator; and the recent sale of the Pontiac Mill. He also said an announcement will be made on the redevelopment of the former Leviton property.

The mayor also touched on the reopening of Rocky Point as a state park that will happen this Saturday.

In opening statements, Eiseman and Kirby spoke of the need for change, citing taxes, the condition of roads and a need to create an environment for more jobs.

Eiseman, who ran for mayor in 1994, said he is back in the race 20 years later because he’s fed up with taxes, lack of quality jobs and the numbers of foreclosed properties.

“I’m determined to make the best city even better,” he said.

When it came to how he planned to address roads, Eiseman said it didn’t make sense to have a first-class airport when roads to get there are deteriorating. He said he would work for federal money for runways to be spent on roads. He was reminded that funding for airports is often derived from air passenger charges and earmarked for airport use.

Avedisian said he proposed a $5 million road bond that the City Council has yet to endorse. If backed by the council, he believed it could come up for a vote should there be a special election next year to elect delegates to a constitutional convention. The issue of whether the state will hold a convention will be on this year’s ballot.

Kirby reasoned the city’s Department of Public Works is capable of addressing road repaving and, with the proper equipment, could handle much of the needed work at half the price of contractors.

Addressing the question on ending poverty, Eiseman talked of the importance of creating well-paying jobs. Avedisian spoke of the role of education.

Council and legislative candidates got into a discussion about global warming and what measures could be taken to address sea level rises of three to five feet by the end of this century. While recognizing these are issues greater than their wards, the city or the state, they thought steps do need to be taken to reduce our “carbon footprint.” Stycos, for instance, talked about the importance of trees in reducing greenhouse gases. Handy spoke of how the state could play a role in assisting municipalities to consider rising sea levels in new construction and renovations when drafting codes. Roche questioned the impact of human activity when a single volcano eruption can dramatically alter the climate.

Noise and late night activity associated with village bars and restaurants were concerns raised by audience members. Stycos and Colantuono urged residents to file complaints with police and to keep a log of those complaints. They also said they would follow up with their police departments.

General Assembly candidates were asked their stance on a constitutional convention – all were in opposition, with the exception of Roche. They also opposed term limits for legislators.

On charter schools, McNamara said the intent of charter schools as a laboratory for improving public schools has failed. Also, he said, charter schools have become havens for parents and students with high interest and educational expectation. He said this has hurt public schools. Rather than a lottery among just those interested in attending charter schools, he suggested all students be placed in the lottery.

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