Online attack ‘crosses line,’ says Picozzi, who vows suit

John Howell
Posted 8/4/15

An online video apology, a bouquet of flowers and an admission that she should have “followed her gut” and not done what she did hasn’t dissuaded Public Works Director David Picozzi from …

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Online attack ‘crosses line,’ says Picozzi, who vows suit

Posted

An online video apology, a bouquet of flowers and an admission that she should have “followed her gut” and not done what she did hasn’t dissuaded Public Works Director David Picozzi from pursing legal action against former Republican mayoral candidate Stacia Huyler.

“She crossed the line this time,” Picozzi said Thursday.

Picozzi and the city administration are frequently the targets of attacks on Warwick WATCH, a Facebook page run by Huyler and others.

What started the latest episode was a photograph of two cars parked by each other with seemingly identical registration plates. Huyler says she was sent the photograph from someone living in the neighborhood where the vehicles were parked.

In the first of scores of postings, which escalated into a crossfire between Warwick WATCH and people commenting on the issue and police involvement, Huyler says they are being told the vehicles belong to relatives of a city employee. She then raises questions whether taxes are paid on both cars and whether they are properly insured.

Huyler was right about one thing. The vehicles belong to Picozzi’s father- and mother in-law.

Picozzi learned of the posting once the exchange between Warwick WATCH and those commenting had reached a high pitch. Accusations were flying that the couple were being given preferential treatment because of City Hall connections, and city tax records proved taxes were being paid on only one of the cars.

Picozzi explained the situation Thursday. The four-digit plate has been registered to a member of the family since 1932. About 20 years ago, his father-in-law, who is a retired lieutenant colonel and is now 83 years old, was able to get the identical number on a suburban plate. While the numbers are the same, there are separate registrations.

As for the taxes, as exemptions exceed the value of one of the vehicles, it is not taxed by the city.

But in the course of the online exchange, personal attacks flew, and Warwick WATCH interjected it had verified the name of the vehicle registrant and that there is one vehicle, not two, through the State Police. When one of those commenting threatened to visit the elderly couple, Picozzi talked to Warwick Police.

An officer visited Huyler and the individual suggesting he would be visiting Picozzi’s in-laws. A car was also sent to the in-laws.

“We did it in the interest of keeping the peace,” Chief of Police Col. Stephen McCartney said Thursday.

McCartney said the action was also taken “to stop all the inappropriate behavior on this website.” He said people “need to do their homework” before commenting.

Huyler immediately took down the photograph and the string of more than 100 comments it generated. Soon after she posted a rambling video in which she says, “I should have known better.”

She goes on to outline her efforts to substantiate information, including contacting Warwick and State Police, the registry and the mayor’s office. She called the incident an embarrassing situation.

“I’m very sorry, I’ll make sure it doesn’t happen again…I’ll get the facts straight before calling someone out,” she said.

Picozzi has watched the video.

“I can’t wait for a judge to see that,” he says, pointing out it’s an admission of wrongdoing. In addition, he has a copy of the posting and the comments it generated before being taken down.

As a city employee, Picozzi says he is subject to public scrutiny and criticism. He’s okay with that.

“Now she’s crossed the line to private citizens,” he said. “They can’t just say whatever they want…not even the mafia plays around with your family.”

Picozzi has been in contact with an attorney, and he’s prepared to move ahead.

“He can go ahead and do it. There’s no case,” Huyler said.

She added if it does come down to a legal fight, “he’s not going to like the information I have on him.” She didn’t elaborate.

She reiterated, “I made a mistake,” but insisted her motives are in the interest of the city and come from the heart. She said she would contact Picozzi and make the effort to apologize face-to-face.

On Friday, Picozzi said the bouquet, note of apology to his in-laws and any apology to him doesn’t change things.

“This woman has got to be stopped,” he said.

Comments

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  • Notbornyesterday

    And she makes another threat in this article. 100% looney tunes stuff right here. I knew it was only a matter of time before she stepped over the line... AND SHE WANTED TO BE MAYOR....

    Tuesday, August 4, 2015 Report this

  • Scal1024

    How many times have I said Warwick Watch always over plays their hand? This is no different. This was a disgusting act of "gotcha" and I'm glad it backfired. If Stacia wanted to get the facts, she could've done so before posting this. Instead it was about trying to make Mr. Picozzi and the city look bad. Her motives have never been more clear to the voters. What was embarrassing was how Stacia continually argued with the people who were telling her this was wrong. I hope she learns from this but judging from this article she's learned absolutely nothing. It really is sad.

    Wednesday, August 5, 2015 Report this

  • wwkvoter

    This is so bad. Does anyone think she will suddenly become restrained and professional once in office? And we're still waiting for a plausible solution to her main gripe, the huge bill we owe to retirees.As to the web site, I have never seen it, may take a look now. But will not be taking it seriously.

    Wednesday, August 5, 2015 Report this

  • Scal1024

    Also strange that none of her fan club has commented on this article. Mr. Cushman, Mr. Dempsey usually have no problem commenting on stories that are unfavorable to the mayor and the city council. Just wondering what their opinion was on this story. Then again, I'm still waiting for their take on Stacia using multiple user names on this page to comment and attack voters, which was taking place months ago. The beacon never even touched that story, but there is more than enough evidence there to print it. So let me ask you guys directly...what do you think of your mayoral candidate now?

    Thursday, August 6, 2015 Report this

  • richardcorrente

    I just read and re-read the above article and I don't think Stacia did a lot wrong.

    Fact: there was a photo that looked like there were 2 license plates that were exactly alike.

    Fact: they did belong to Picozzi's father and mother-in-law.

    Fact: Huyler exersized her first and second amendment rights and reported what she honestly believed was accurate information.

    Fact: she was wrong! Just like other better known national reporters sometimes are.

    Fact: unlike some, make that most, of them she took responsibility for her mistake and apologized for it.

    Picozzi says "They can't just say whatever they want." but Hyuler didn't. She said what was apparently true at that time and when she found out it wasn't accurate she handled it in a fairly professional way. Doesn't look like a big issue to me.

    Richard Corrente

    Thursday, September 17, 2015 Report this

  • WarwickWatch

    Warwick Watch is in full throttle mode!!! When is the DPW going to have a forensic audit?

    Friday, April 29, 2016 Report this

  • ginaa

    She needs a life. She is on of those people who has nothing better to do then to find the littlest thing wrong and make it a big deal. She needs purpose in her life obviously and has no friends or hobbies. She needs to find a job and a purpose other than worrying about what everyone else is doing. She attacks. I wonder what she is hiding.

    Thursday, May 5, 2016 Report this