If it's not raining, Mayor Scott Avedisian is prepared to throw some cold water on the Gaspee Days parade.literally. Confused? So were some of those who gathered Wednesday morning at Pawtuxet Park. Avedisian brought along a bucket of water
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If it’s not raining, Mayor Scott Avedisian is prepared to throw some cold water on the Gaspee Days parade…literally.
Confused?
So were some of those who gathered Wednesday morning at Pawtuxet Park. Avedisian brought along a bucket of water and an explanation.
He said the people of Seattle, where it rains a lot, have come up with a form of graffiti, for lack of a better word, that becomes visible when wet. When Avedisian learned of Rainworks Invisible Spread at a Rhode Island Outdoor Recreational Council meeting, he thought of several uses, including the promotion of neighborhoods, events like Gaspee Days, and schoolyards where images would appear from the wet pavement. His thought is to purchase 18 spray bottles that would be given to neighborhood associations.
“It’s just kind of fun,” Avedisian said, “and we like to make the city more fun.”
Department of Public Works director and chief of staff David Picozzi, whose crews applied the first Rainworks Warwick creations using stencils of the Gaspee Days logo, confessed he wasn’t convinced.
“There have been some crazy ideas. I thought this was crazy, but it’s pretty cool,” he said.
The mayor put the invisible spray to the test. He upended the bucket, and from the formerly dry sidewalk emerged the Gaspee logo. He thought the logos could be stenciled at the water stations on the Gaspee 5K road race. The artistic creations generally last two to four months and under ideal conditions up to a year, according to the Rainworks website.
Using economic development and tourism funds generated by hotel tax revenues, Avedisian said the city bought about $400 to $500 of the invisible spray.
Unless there’s some kind of introductory offer, or the city is getting a special deal, it would seem it could get pricey to have associations “painting up” their neighborhoods. The cost of a 16-ounce bottle of spray is $160. There is a discount of 10 percent that applies to the purchase of four bottles and 20 percent for 10 or more. Smaller 2-ounce starter kits sell for $29.
MAKING A SPLASH:
Mayor Scott Avedisian empties a bucket on the Pawtuxet Park sidewalk, from which an image of the Gaspee Days logo emerged. (Warwick Beacon photos)
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richardcorrente
Dear Mr. Mayor,
The tourism budget for 2016 is $750,000. In ten years that comes out to $7,500,000 and you think that "invisible spray" will attract tourists??? Are you kidding me??? Why don't you have "Welcome to Warwick" signs like every other community has? Why don't you have a "Welcome to Warwick" magazine at the airport like other communities have? Why don't you take the Christmas decorations out of storage that the taxpayers have already paid for and decorate City Hall?? East Greenwich had over 10,000 lights. Warwick had NOTHING! (These are my ideas. In sixteen years you haven't had any!) In 16 years as Mayor you haven't done anything to attract tourists that might evolve into new taxpayers. In the last ten years Warwick has lost 5,800 taxpayers according to the U.S. Census Bureau. You argue with my numbers but they come from the U.S. Census Bureau!! Go argue with them Scott! In the mean time these are some of my ideas to repopulate Warwick and for the record, I agree with David Picozzi. I am not at all convinced that "invisible spray" will help at all!
Stay well.
Richard Corrente
Democrat for mayor
Thursday, June 2, 2016 Report this
BigPapi
Corrente showing his true colors more and more by the day. What a hateful, little man you are. It's comical you say he hasn't come up with an idea in 16 years, in the comments section of an article about an IDEA he has for the neighborhoods of this city. Don't you have more 16 year old transgender students to bully with your pal stacia?
Thursday, June 2, 2016 Report this
Justanidiot
mayer corrente,
I am glad to see that your administration is not wasting water. It is our most precious resource and should not be thrown away by the bucketful.
Friday, June 3, 2016 Report this
richardcorrente
Dear BigPapi,
You misread my comment.
I said "In 16 years you haven't done anything to attract tourists that might evolve into new taxpayers." This "invisible spray" is "an idea he has for the neighborhoods of this city", (your words exactly), but no one believes it will attract "tourists that might evolve into new taxpayers." Not even you believe it will!
As far as your other comment about having "more 16 year old transgender students to bully", I never have. I never would. No one ever has associated me with anything even remotely like that,... and you should be careful not to accuse.
I hope I have made myself clear to you BigPapi.
Richard Corrente
Democrat for Mayor
Friday, June 3, 2016 Report this
richardcorrente
Dear Justanidiot,
I always enjoy reading your comments, even if your secretary misspells a word or two.
Enjoy your Summer. I look forward to your next comment.
Richard Corrente
Democrat for Mayor
Friday, June 3, 2016 Report this
boniko
I've watched this guy for years and think he's a great mayor. He's smart and does alot for the community. I wish he would run for governor. Maybe it's time for those that criticize him to step up and help.
Friday, June 3, 2016 Report this
richardcorrente
Dear boniko,
Although I agree with you that "Taxadesian" is "smart", I respectfully disagree with you that "he does a lot for the community." In the last 16 years he has increased taxes EVERY SINGLE YEAR. How is that doing "a lot for the community"?
At RIPTA since 2011 when he arrived, he plummeted assets by $14,703,460. He skyrocket liabilities by $79,579,486 and he reduced income by $2,554,270 a year. That means he caused RIPTA to lose $1,400 in income per day! PER DAY!
One thing I do agree with you boniko: You say "Maybe it's time for those who criticize him to step up and help" That is what I plan to do. If you want to help, my phone number is 401-338-9900. If you feel that tax increases every year for 16 years in a row is a good thing then you should vote for him. It's your choice my friend. My web site is www.correntemayorwarwick.com
Enjoy your summer.
Richard Corrente
Democrat for Mayor
Monday, June 6, 2016 Report this
Justanidiot
Look into the mirror mayer correnti, you will see me there
Tuesday, June 7, 2016 Report this