LETTERS

Petri thanks supporters, plans to remain involved

Posted 9/16/14

To the Editor:

Well it’s over…for now.

I came into this race for mayor of Warwick with a primary goal in mind, to get the truth out to the public. Mission accomplished.

To everyone that …

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LETTERS

Petri thanks supporters, plans to remain involved

Posted

To the Editor:

Well it’s over…for now.

I came into this race for mayor of Warwick with a primary goal in mind, to get the truth out to the public. Mission accomplished.

To everyone that has supported me and believed in me, it is truly heartwarming, and I am so appreciative for the personal time you took out of your schedules to help me and publicly advocate on my behalf. This experience was so very gratifying to me because I took action, and it was so well received, but yet, so many more of us still need to do the same. I hope my actions inspire others to put their name in to run as a political candidate in the future, or at least to get involved with our local politics.

I announced my candidacy to run for mayor of Warwick on June 25, 2014, an unknown, politically active Warwick resident, having very serious concerns about the fiscal stability of our city. Despite the opinionated, false rebuttals that have been printed in the media regarding all of the data we have presented, the facts remain and the numbers don’t lie. With limited financing and limited time, what we have achieved is extraordinary. With additional resources and time, I believe this race would have had a much different outcome. There are 60,000 registered voters in Warwick, yet less than 7% voted in this Primary. To the 1,627 that voted for me, I can’t thank you enough!

In the 2012 Republican Primary, only a total of 1,150 registered Warwick Republicans and independents voted. In 2010, it was a total of 2,494 votes. To total 4,735 votes for this year’s Republican primary is a great accomplishment, considering the last two turnouts. It could have been far better, and we have much more inspiring work to do.

Hopefully now that the spotlight has been shined on the Warwick municipal debt analysis, a formal investigation will take place to verify the financial data we have presented to the public. I also hope the active and retired municipal workers will be far more proactive with asking questions and calling for meetings to gain a thorough understanding of what is truly happening with their pension plans and why they are all so seriously underfunded.

As to the billion-dollar debt, here is the breakdown: 

General obligation bond, $50,992,040; Police/Fire I Pension, $309,774,579,20.3 % funded; Police II Pension, $182,130,783, 81.0 % funded (98.3% funded 2008/09); Fire II Pension, $41,218,696, 83.4 % funded (88.3% funded 2008/09); Municipal Pension, $130,992,110, 69.5 % funded (79.2% funded 2008/09); City Health Care (OPEB), $246,036,471(Warwick taxpayers pay $8 million per year into this massively growing unfunded health care debt); School Health Care (OPEB) $39,359,679

A total debt of: $1,000,504,358.

As a consequence of this astronomical debt, Warwick social services funding has been seriously cut or eliminated: 

Senior Citizen Services – cut 40%. (Sparrows’ seniors shared with me that it was the transportation services that were severely lacking).

J. Arthur Trudeau Center- serves individuals with disabilities –CUT 40%

House of Hope – provides support for homeless individuals with families – CUT 40%

Elizabeth Buffum Chase – serves individuals and families affected by abuse – CUT 53%

After school student programs – ELIMINATED

For decades, Detroit paid its bills by borrowing money while struggling to provide the most basic of services for residents. The city, once fueled by the massive auto industry it gave birth to, shrunk from 1.8 million people six decades ago to fewer than 700,000 now. Amid a huge exodus of residents, plummeting tax revenues and skyrocketing home abandonment, Detroit’s leaders engaged in a billion-dollar borrowing binge, created new taxes and failed to cut expenses when they needed to. Simultaneously, they gifted workers and retirees with generous bonuses. And under pressure from unions and, sometimes, arbitrators, they failed to cut health care benefits — saddling the city with staggering costs that today threaten the safety and quality of life of people who live there, now under a state of bankruptcy.

We see the same thing happening today right here in Warwick. The answer is to keep borrowing instead of working to cut spending. Warwick has faced a 5%-plus population decline in the past ten years and it continues, as more homeowners and small business owners continue to face the immense burden of 14 straight years of continued tax increases. The unsustainability is already showing its signs with crumbling roads, deteriorating services, dilapidated school buildings, home foreclosures, small business closings & Bay pollution, despite massive tax and utility usage rate increases and mismanaged sewer construction projects. The people that stay will only be faced with more tax burden. The cycle will never stop unless leadership takes responsible control of the spending wheel.

I hope the Mayor will heed the concerns of the Warwick citizens and start doing what is in the best interests – of the people, by the people – who are seriously burdened to pay for the continued irresponsible, mismanaged, accruing debt. We surely are not experiencing “fair and equitable gains” as you so insultingly stated Mayor, and we will be unrelenting with this reality that you have become too complacent to not acknowledge, and still refuse to accept.

I will never stop bringing these issues to light. I will continue to be engaged and proactive in our local politics, this was just round one. Warwick, don’t give up and don’t lose hope. There are 60,000 of you out there and I will get to all of you, eventually…but you have to keep helping me spread the information. Knowledge inspires change.

I am very proud of what I, along with my team and supporters have achieved. I couldn’t have asked for a better group of men and women who volunteered their time and supported this campaign. Roy Dempsey, Robert Cushman and Roger Durand, you are truly, intellectually brilliant. If we could only clone you and have you running every city in the state of Rhode Island, all would be financially thriving! Thank you for your inspiration and dedication to fight for what is right and fair, and for believing in me to represent and deliver to the people of Warwick.

To my dedicated supporters: John & Darlene K., Emil, Captain Ian, Roland L., Don F. Michelle, Liz D., Leia, Kathleen, Jim B. and family, Patrick M., Dave & John (FedEx), Bruce B., Captain Rick, Jeremy M., Rob C., Diane & Jane, Evelyn S., RozLynn, Angelo A., Sparrows Point Apartments and Mr. Carpionato, Shalom Apartments, all of the Facebook supporters, everyone who took the time to meet and speak with me along the campaign trail, the financial donors, my friends and family, and to my wonderful, patient and supportive husband Jay, thank you, my heart is full of gratitude. I am truly thankful that I had the opportunity to share the best year of my life with all of you.

Jay and I very much look forward to our honeymoon!

Until we meet again everyone...

“In a time of deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act.” George Orwell.”

Stacia Petri

Republican candidate for Mayor of Warwick in the 2014 Primary

Comments

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  • connor

    You almost had me fooled an believing you were intelligent. Until of course you got the three Stooges of Warwick involved in your campaign. If you really care to know why you lost please reread this sentence you wrote. Roy Dempsey, Robert Cushman and Roger Durand, you are truly, intellectually brilliant. I truly couldn't stop laughing at the intellectually brilliant comment, shows you keep the bar pretty low.

    Tuesday, September 16, 2014 Report this

  • warwickguy

    Hahahahaha you can say that again, not a smart woman at all.... Of all people to align yourself with, 3 angry old bored guys....

    Tuesday, September 16, 2014 Report this

  • RoyDempsey

    @corror and warwickguy - do you REALLY want to make those types of comments when you are apparently backing someone like Avedisian?

    Sincerely,

    Roy Dempsey

    Angry (NO) - Boring (TRY NOT TO BE) - OK, I WILL ACCEPT BRILLIANT

    Tuesday, September 16, 2014 Report this

  • Unionthug

    Hahahahahahahaha. @ Dempsey

    Tuesday, September 16, 2014 Report this

  • fenceman

    Sreve,

    You would stand no chance in a debate of any subject matter against Cushman, Dempsey, or Durand. They would have to each consume a gallon of whiskey just to give you a fighting chance in a debate, which you would still not prevail in.

    Thursday, September 18, 2014 Report this

  • Unionthug

    Can you provide one instance where they have ever prevailed? Stacia lost simply because these clowns were behind her. People can see through all their misinformation, their false scare tactics, their fake numbers. I don't need to debate them their own idiotic attitude shows how out of touch they are. One point I'd like to make is ---- these clowns run around town telling us the sky is falling and people hate the mayor. Yet everyone votes for him and not the loonies? And most people I talk to don't think the sky is falling, understand the numbers, understand that the info is false from Roy/Bob.... Oh yea Warwick was voted one of the top 50 places to live in country. I guess everyone else in the world is wrong about numbers but the there's stooges are correct? I give you credit for your perseverance...

    Thursday, September 18, 2014 Report this

  • Unionthug

    Roy please explain your Brilliancy?

    Thursday, September 18, 2014 Report this

  • fenceman

    SteveD,

    Have you honestly ever read the actuarial report that Mr. Cushman references? It is public information.

    Friday, September 19, 2014 Report this

  • Unionthug

    I've read them all. My argument with him is he combines opebs and pensions to come up with a number. No one else does this. He is providing calculations that are not comparable.

    Friday, September 19, 2014 Report this

  • Reality

    Am I the only one who is fed up with Steve D's rants ? Steve D. has never once gotten up at city council meetings to articulate why he finds the pension numbers incorrect. He hides on the blog with all his name calling, always resorting to malicious name calling but never has the guts to identify himself at a public meeting.

    Hey Stevie maybe someday you'll leave the fire house .....stand up at city council and prove that you are a man and not some far out whack job.

    Friday, September 19, 2014 Report this

  • Unionthug

    Is Reality your first name? And I'm the one hiding. Loser....

    Saturday, September 20, 2014 Report this

  • Unionthug

    Reality, I'm not arguing with the cities numbers, why would I stand up and argue when I agree with them. My argument is with cushmans combined numbers.

    Saturday, September 20, 2014 Report this

  • Reality

    Stevie......be a man for once......stand up and identify yourself at a city council meeting....explain the Mayor's numbers and how they won't bankrupt the city....be a man Stevie and prove you aren't a loudmouth who knows nothing.

    Saturday, September 20, 2014 Report this

  • Unionthug

    When will you be a man?

    Sunday, September 21, 2014 Report this

  • Unionthug

    Lot of talk about being a man from a coward that hides his name

    Sunday, September 21, 2014 Report this

  • Reality

    Stevie........shut up or be a man for once......leave the fire house and show people you can stand up on your own and be a man.

    Sunday, September 21, 2014 Report this

  • Unionthug

    You sound like a real man..... What's your name? You can continue to hide all you want. You have no balls....

    Sunday, September 21, 2014 Report this

  • Bob_Cushman

    Steve I guess the only chart you can understand is the one where you add up the numbers.

    I write things down and add them up.

    Like the rest who are afraid to comment on the analysis that looks at the impact of the increased expense each year as a result of the idebt. Now that would take a little more knowledge then the Jethro Bodine education your sporting.

    Here is something you might understand. Ten years ago the fire department wasn't storming city hall complaining about obsolete fire protection equipment.

    Ten years ago the streets were t riddled with pot holes.

    Ten years ago the schools weren't crumbling.

    Why is that Stevie D?

    Could it really be that ever though taxes are increasing every year (another chart) that most of the money is going to retired employee benefits (another chart)?

    You like most others are cowards content to live day to day but don't give a dam about the next generation our kids who have to pay for your and others collective greed.

    Monday, September 22, 2014 Report this

  • Bob_Cushman

    Steve waiting for you to get the courage to come up stairs from the basement turn off the computer and speak up at the next budget hearing and demonstrate some of your knowledge. Easy to hide behind the terminal. Much harder to run for school committee and city council and not be afraid to say what you believe and stand behind your convictions even if it means losing your seat.

    Monday, September 22, 2014 Report this

  • Unionthug

    Bob you and your "knowledge" are one of the main reasons you friend stacia wasn't elected. People know the truth not was is forced information to scare them.

    Tuesday, September 23, 2014 Report this

  • Reality

    Bob.....you have to realize Stevie has no guts......stays in the fire house and hides at the computer and rants ......castigates anyone who gets up to the microphone at city hall who disagrees with him......but Stevie's a coward and won't get up to speak and identify himself......what a little girl

    Tuesday, September 23, 2014 Report this

  • Thecaptain

    SteveD,

    AKA, Firefighter first class Steven DiMuccio, hasn't the intelligence or the balls to stand up in public and attempt to articulate his position. That is indicative of the real problem with the Warwick Fire Dept. They are all self proclaimed hero's but are silent in public as they do not have the integrity to speak to the issues as they are controlled by the union leaders. Whether they agree or don't agree, they lack the courage to debate in public, the issues that are compromising the community. Can you imagine if SteveD was forced to speak about all of the cowards that have been pensioned off on 2/3rds disability yet have nothing wrong with them? No comment right Steve? I would love to be around the gas grill at dinner time at station 1 when the guys discuss how the union negotiated BS "minimum manning clause" has allowed them to rob the taxpayer for tens of millions of dollars in overtime. To be exact, 9.8 mil from 2010 - 2013. Yet they play the hero card to continue the fleecing of the taxpayer. Steve, when will you have 1/2 a ball to speak in public you coward?

    Tuesday, September 23, 2014 Report this

  • Unionthug

    I'm not steve dimuccio. No way related to him. Just an FYI.

    Tuesday, September 23, 2014 Report this

  • Unionthug

    Maybe we should go volunteer. I'm sure hero Rob C. Would love to help answer the 18000 calls a year.... I'll even let you turn the siren on Rob.

    Tuesday, September 23, 2014 Report this

  • Reality

    Stevie....be a man and show up at council meeting to give us your take on the city finances....stop hiding at the fire house.....the calls you quoted are inflated because of rescue runs....also take out all the trips to dave's and Stop and Shop and will see how busy you are Stevie....be a man Stevie

    Tuesday, September 23, 2014 Report this

  • Unionthug

    Inflated because of rescue runs please explain. 18000 is the call volume, not the amount of trucks that go out. Reality are you allowed a lunch break at work? Every job I held before this I was allowed a break. Fire department no we aren't. So if you want to shop for us please do. I'll even give you a tip.

    Wednesday, September 24, 2014 Report this

  • RoyDempsey

    @SteveD. Stop and Shop will deliver right to your door. No tip required.

    Friday, September 26, 2014 Report this

  • Hemi_Royed

    "the Captain" aka Rob Cote. Here's the real Rob Cote:

    News Release

    RI Department of Environmental Management

    235 Promenade St., Providence, RI 02908

    (401) 222-2771 TDD/(401) 222-4462

    For Release: June 5, 1998

    Contact: Bob Ballou 222-4700 ext. 4420

    Martin Cappelli 222-6768

    DEM ARRESTS WARWICK MAN FOR ILLEGAL DISPOSAL OF GASOLINE IN SEPTIC SYSTEM

    PROVIDENCE: A Warwick man was arrested today for allegedly disposing of gasoline by pouring it down the drain at his business. Robert Cote, 39, of 12 Social Drive in Warwick, was arrested by DEM Officers at his place of business and arraigned before Judge Walter Gorman in 6th Division District Court in Warwick. He was charged with a single count of unlawfully disposing of hazardous waste. Cote entered no plea, as typically occurs in felony cases. He was released on $5,000 personal recognizance and faces an arraignment in Superior Court on August 14. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in jail and/or a $5,000 fine. The RI Attorney General's Office will be prosecuting the case.

    According to Sr. Agent Giusto Iannelli, of DEM's Office of Criminal Investigation, the Warwick Fire Department was called to Cote's business, the Pro Divers Shop at 2442 West Shore Road, on April 30 after a neighbor in an adjacent strip mall heard an explosion and observed smoke coming from the dive shop. The fire department responded and extinguished the fire, but an officer at the scene noticed a heavy smell of gasoline coming from the facility. Cote admitted to placing a container with less than a gallon of gasoline in a sink to see if the gasoline was contaminated. Cote claimed that the fumes from the gasoline were ignited by a spark from a hot water heater.

    The fire officer at the scene called DEM to determine if there was a remaining hazard. John Leo, a Sanitary Engineer with DEM's Emergency Response Unit, responded and found that a considerable amount of gasoline was present in the septic system. Leo determined that the situation constituted a threat to public safety and the environment, and he immediately called CYN Environmental to come to pump out the septic system.

    Subsequent lab tests indicated that there was at least 20 and perhaps as much as 30 gallons of gasoline in the septic system, enough to pose a significant danger of a major explosion. Leo noted that if the fumes had backed up overnight in the pipes and vents associated with the septic system, the result could have been disastrous.

    In addition to today's arrest, DEM officers, assisted by officers from the Warwick Police Department, executed a search warrant and removed evidence from the scene.

    Sunday, September 28, 2014 Report this