What’s Cushman concerned about?

Posted 10/13/11

To the Editor: Well, it is two weeks since the Warwick Beacon article "Warwick taxes among the lowest of RI cities" (9/8/11) and after all of Bob Cushman's attacks on Mayor Avedisian, I have been …

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What’s Cushman concerned about?

Posted

To the Editor:

Well, it is two weeks since the Warwick Beacon article "Warwick taxes among the lowest of RI cities" (9/8/11) and after all of Bob Cushman's attacks on Mayor Avedisian, I have been waiting in vain for an admission from Bob that he had gotten everything wrong. I suspect that I will continue to wait. I get the feeling that Bob is not one to let facts get in the way of his constant attacks on the mayor.

This comes after Bob's attacks on the city's pension systems even though reports show that with two exceptions they are in good shape and at least the Avedisian administration has been continually funding the plans, something most Rhode Island cities have failed to do. Take into account the generally excellent services we have from the city and the honesty and integrity with which the city is run (as compared to the Indictment-a-Day process we have seen in other Rhode Island cities,) and I say the administration is doing a pretty good job.

I also say that Bob Cushman is looking more and more like the Grinch who had Christmas stolen from him.

But it gets worse.

In his September 15 column, The Taxpayer's Spin, Bob moves on to attack Dan Hall, the energetic and dedicated Warwick GOP chairman. What is Dan's crime, in Bob's eyes? Bob is shocked, SHOCKED, to discover that Dan is encouraging Warwick Republicans to write letters and speak out in support of a Republican mayor. But anyone with even a tenuous understanding knows that is what Dan is supposed to do.

But it gets worse.

Further in his column, Bob notes that Dan had sent a very thoughtful letter to Bob agreeing with Bob on the car tax and offering to put aside differences and to work with him on the issue. Rather than accept the offer and work together, Bob responded with one of the most arrogant and insulting lectures imaginable. No wonder Bob is so ineffective. Dan Hall is trying to improve Warwick and runs into Bob Cushman playing, as always, King of the Mountain.

I suspect these two will continue to butt heads. Dan Hall concerned about the future of Warwick. Bob Cushman concerned about...Bob Cushman.

Joseph H. Weaver
Ward 8 Republican Committee Leader
Warwick

Comments

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  • Thecaptain

    This letter is ridiculous and unfounded. The writer needs to take his head out of the sand and stop supporting people simply due to the political letter at the end of his name. If you think that the city is in great shape than elaborate on it with specifics and numbers. I dont see you doing that but what I have seen is Mr. Cushman produce accurate documents based on the current and past budgets that clearly show that the city is headed in the correct direction. well, news flash, its not. If you are suggesting that it is fair to the tax payer to suffer $19 million dollars of payments out of the $20 million for health care benifits, then you are a fool. In other words, we pay 95% of your healthcare, you pay 5%, and thats ok to you. Get a grip sir as you loyalty to your party and to knucklehead Dan Hall is trumped by the needs of the residents. The good news is that the vast majority of Warwicks leadership will most certainly be replaced very soon. The predictions are as follows: Avedesian, Place, Galucci, Travis, Coluantano, Delguidice, and Wilkinson - END OF POLITICAL CAREERS!!!

    Thursday, October 13, 2011 Report this

  • Thecaptain

    TYPO CORRECTION

    This letter is ridiculous and unfounded. The writer needs to take his head out of the sand and stop supporting people simply due to the political letter at the end of his name. If you think that the city is in great shape than elaborate on it with specifics and numbers. I dont see you doing that but what I have seen is Mr. Cushman produce accurate documents based on the current and past budgets that clearly show that the city is headed in the INCORRECT direction. Well, news flash, its not. If you are suggesting that it is fair to the tax payer to suffer $19 million dollars of payments out of the $20 million for health care benifits, then you are a fool. In other words, we pay 95% of your healthcare, you pay 5%, and thats ok to you. Get a grip sir as your loyalty to your party and to knucklehead Dan Hall is trumped by the needs of the residents. The good news is that the vast majority of Warwicks leadership will most certainly be replaced very soon. The predictions are as follows: Avedesian, Place, Galucci, Travis, Coluantano, Delguidice, and Wilkinson - END OF POLITICAL CAREERS!!!

    Thursday, October 13, 2011 Report this

  • betty1

    rut ro, dan hall's been called a name! he doesnt like that. now he gets Tiffany and the rest of his "operatives" immediatetly to their keyboards to fend off the insults.

    Thursday, October 13, 2011 Report this

  • JustBecause

    Bob Cushman stands up for taxpayers in Warwick and backs it all up with facts and charts all of which goes undisputed by pea brained 'politicians'

    Bash him, but he is on higher ground..and Danny Hall is worthless.

    But remember that one great speech Danny spoke, yeah ..me either. He is irrelevant.

    The republican party in this State is a bunch of rinos.

    We can call them "Blue rinos" for the blue state.

    Tax groups fight for lower taxes and the republican party of RI picks sides with the guy with an (R) next to his name. Two thumbs up for cronyism.

    Thursday, October 13, 2011 Report this

  • RichardLangseth

    Mr. Weaver:

    There are eight cities in Rhode Island of which three are total basket cases when it comes to unfunded liabilities: Central Falls, Providence, and Woonsocket. Cranston has had more than its share of problems over the years. Two years ago the Mayor of East Providence threatened to declare bankruptcy to get out of troublesome school obligations. So, the only cities that Warwick can be compared are Pawtucket and Newport.

    Newport's residential tax rate is $9.93. Warwick's is $17.69, almost twice that of Newport. Pawtucket is virtually the same as Warwick at $17.78. (I don't hear anybody in Pawtucket claiming that the city tax rate is lower than most cities!)

    So how can one claim that a rate that is almost twice that of Newport is among the lowest rates OF THE CITIES in the state? Want a low rate? Try Little Compton with less than one third the rate of Warwick on significantly lower valuations.

    Here are the other cities: East Providence is $20.89. Cranston is $20.26 with substantial cutbacks in services and a commercial rate that is through the roof. Central Falls is $22.03 after significant state aid. Woonsocket is $25.10. Providence is $31.89.

    So, you and the Mayor can claim that Warwick's tax rates are among the lowest of the cities in Rhode Island. But, upon inspection, the argument looks pretty foolish.

    Thursday, October 13, 2011 Report this

  • WarwickTaxpayer

    What's funny about this letter is that if you bought the news stand editor of the paper, direcly above this letter is Mr. Cushman's "The Taxpayers' Spin" column describing the stealing of tools and supplies at the Department of Public Works. Opps Mr. Weaver I guess you should strike your quote about "the honesty and integrity with which the city is run (as compared to the Indictment-a-Day process we have seen in other Rhode Island cities)".

    What's Cushman concerned about? For one, administration officials allowing employees to steal from the taxpayers. Maybe Mr. Weaver should ask this question to Republican Chairman Danny Hall, "Why isn't Mayor Avedisian concerned about employee stealing from the taxpayers and his right hand DPW Director permitting it to happen?

    Friday, October 14, 2011 Report this

  • DanMurphy

    I agree with Thecaptain's letter fr the better part, but he (she?) may well be wrong in assessing the political futures of Avedesian, Coluantano, Place, Galucci, Travis, DelGiudice, and Wilkinson.

    The councilmen and women have no meaningful opponents on the horizon. With Gallucci, the Democrats completely overlook The Dave's Lobster Scandal like it never happened. And everybody in Ward 6 knows the only way to beat Donna Travis is in the primaries - in other words, by another Democrat, who will soon fall under the sway of the ward committee.

    Avedesian owns these councilmen, and will see to it they face no meaningful opposition. Why bother? Republican candidates don't usually fare well, and if they do, two years down the road they'll face new Democrat candidates who are not wholly owned and operated by Avedesian.

    The mayor himself is in a golden position. Look at the vote counts he gets. People are convinced he's doing a good job. Listen to him when he gives those impassioned speeches at any airport-expansion soirees. He damns the players and the process, but never says anything like "My administration is opposed," or "City Hall is responding to majority opposition by," or "We have passed legislation strengthening our wetland protection position," or anything that actually sounds like he's doing something.

    And people leave these dog and pony shows convinced that he's fighting the good fight for them, and that he'll win, so there's no need for them to do anything - except re-elect him, which they gladly and willingly do.

    His own political future never looked better, but with a "but" added to it. Langevin and Whitehouse are both up for re-election, but there are more major Republicans than positions this time around. Carcieri has indicated he's rested and ready to screw Rhode Island again, and John "Carcieri Lite" Robitaille is still in the game, too - and the Republicans owe him. So, if Avedesian runs for either seat, he'll have Carcieri (who won't support gays based on his religious convictions) coming out against him, if not running himself, and supporting whatever Robie does.

    I know, that sounds bad for Avedesian. But, truth is, he'll have an incumbent governor supporting him - usually a good thing, though Chafee is rapidly dying in the State House. BUT - there it is, that "but" - if Avedesian feels weak in Warwick (very unlikely) or loses in a run for a job in D.C., Chafee will appoint him to some cushy, meaningless state position, with just enough prestige to keep him in the public eye until 2014. And best of all (for Avedesian), it keeps him from having to do something he hasn't done since he delivered Projo every morning - get a REAL job. Another BUT here is, Chafee is sinking fast, and unless he pulls it out in 2014, he'll be out the door - and hopefully will take Avedesian with him.

    Friday, October 14, 2011 Report this

  • betty1

    i'm so confused by mr hall, my heads a spinnin'. maybe im wrong. danny hall checked off on these car tax revolt pages on facebook that he would be attending the rallies....... doesnt that say that he opposed the republican mayor's budget? his picture was even in the beacon proving that he was at one of the rallies.

    Friday, October 14, 2011 Report this

  • DrewDzykewicz

    I agree wholeheartedly with Mr. Weaver.

    Cushman's column really needs to be renamed. Who chose Bob Cushman to be the voice of the taxpayers? We name our spokespersons at the ballot box, and I can't seem to remember his being elected King of Warwick.

    Seriously, I find the mane of the column offensive when I read what is written there.

    Friday, October 14, 2011 Report this

  • Bob_Cushman

    Weaver here is something I am conerned about: (Police report of corruption in City Hall)

    https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B6P1sIPd4PTdMDlmMTFjYWMtNWRhYS00MWQ2LWEzYjctYzcwNjRiYWMwOWE1&hl=en_US

    Why don't you call on your fellow Republican's to demand that the FBI investgate this scandal?

    Drykewicz, I find it offsensive that out right stealing is taking place in the city and NO ONE is doing a thing about it. So why don't you step up to the plate and do something instead of writing non-sense letter about nothing.

    Saturday, October 15, 2011 Report this

  • patientman

    Only in Rhode Island do fiscal conservatives need to protect themselves from the republican party at the local level. Avedisian is a tax and spend liberal that has already stated he is going to raise taxes by the maximum amount legally possible. Joe, you and Dan are complicite in the ruining of Warwick and the republican party.

    Monday, October 17, 2011 Report this

  • patientman

    And Dan you spew rubish about the pensions being in good shape only 1 in 5 is 80% fully funded. Thats 20%.

    Monday, October 17, 2011 Report this

  • Serpico

    My suggestion to you Captain is that- you get your ducks in order as well - because when I was hired by the city many years ago there was a Republican administration in office and I received all the promises that were made by the Democratic administrations to follow. So the blame for Warwick's crisis can be blamed on both political parties as well as on the citisens who continually voted them back into office.

    I am an Independent voter..... I am not now nor would I ever be, a one lever puller.But, I do feel that Mayor Scott Avedesian is doing his best trying to straighten out the mess that the city is in and all indications appear that he is doing just that.However, he doesn't need criticism or threats to discourage him down.

    Tuesday, November 22, 2011 Report this