EDITORIAL

Why Avedisian

Posted 10/30/14

It’s no mistake that Scott Avedisian has been mayor for 14 years. He’s done a good job. He’s the right man to continue to carry the city forward.

Change, taxes and roads have been the …

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EDITORIAL

Why Avedisian

Posted

It’s no mistake that Scott Avedisian has been mayor for 14 years. He’s done a good job. He’s the right man to continue to carry the city forward.

Change, taxes and roads have been the themes of those vying to take his place.

In her bid for the Republican nomination, Stacia Petri talked of the need to alter course as the city faces financial ruin from unfunded pension and healthcare liabilities. And she hit upon Avedisian’s record of perennial tax increases and the current state of roads that she labeled as “crumbling.” Those who voted in the Republican primary didn’t buy it. They handed Avedisian the nomination by a plurality of almost 65 percent.

Next Tuesday, Avedisian comes before all city voters. Also on the ballot are John “Jack” Kirby, the Democratic candidate, and Kevin Eisemann, an independent.

Kirby has run for mayor so often that voters have come to know him as the soft-spoken man in a brown suit handing out palm cards outside Stop & Shop. Kirby has played the role of the alternative candidate, with his consistent message that taxes should be cut; costs could be reduced if the city and not outside contractors did road repairs and sewer construction; and that opportunities for young people not going to college would be enhanced by an expanded career and technical center.

In his second bid for the office – he ran 20 years ago – Eisemann has focused on making “a good city better” by addressing the city’s business taxes. Business taxes are higher than residential taxes – which, he argues, if lowered would bring more small businesses into the city and create more jobs. With more jobs, there would be fewer home foreclosures and a more robust economy.

During this campaign, Avedisian has looked ahead to the immediate and long-range changes he sees as benefiting the community. He has talked about private developments, from the rebirth of Rhode Island Mall as an outlet mall, the sale of Pontiac Mills, to new construction at the former Leviton property. He has talked about the rebirth of Apponaug, with the state circulator project and construction of a boutique hotel overlooking Apponaug Cove, and he has hinted at developer interest in construction in City Centre.

Rocky Point, which Avedisian has done so much to preserve for the public, first with city acquisition of 41 acres of shoreline and then support for state acquisition of the remaining 83 acres. How that park will be developed is on his agenda and part of his vision for the future.

This vision for Warwick’s future rests on bedrock of proven performance. Yes, taxes have consistently increased in small increments, along with increased costs and higher pension liabilities. Consistently, the city has ended the fiscal year in the black and with a surplus. Services are being provided.

This is not to say it couldn’t be better, and Avedisian has pushed schools to address the fundamental issues of declining enrollment and cost. Avedisian has negotiated three years of no wage increases for municipal employees and actuaries project $32 million has been wiped clear from the city’s unfunded pension liability. There needs to be fundamental changes in both these areas. If no wage increases can make such a profound impact in the sustainability of city pensions, imagine what a reasonable fixed rate of pension increases could mean.

Avedisian is the best man for the job. He knows the people, he understands the issues and he has proven he can run the shop and bring meaningful change.

Comments

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  • ..

    well I'm A Stacia supporter and thank God for her and her team for all of the information they continue to educate the public with. Avedisian has increased our taxes for 14 straight years and looks like we are headed for 2 more! Stacia if you're reading this, please run again!

    Thursday, October 30, 2014 Report this

  • warwick10

    Nice Guy, yes. Good job, no. Slow, yes. Apponaug bypass, school consolidation, airport expansion, Rocky Point (millions in lost revenue) ....etc. 20 + years! We need a mayor who is going to get things done!

    Thursday, October 30, 2014 Report this

  • warwick10

    And nothing to show for --14 years of tax increases! Especially out schools... needing tremendous amount of work..bathrooms barely useable! !

    Thursday, October 30, 2014 Report this

  • Reality

    Another endorsement by the Beacon that is so off the mark. Scottie has been a lousy mayor.....taxes up, roads crumbling, schools in disrepair but employee benefits are now over the top.

    Really Mr. Howell....what planet do you live on ?

    Friday, October 31, 2014 Report this

  • ..

    John Howell----when did you become the press secretary for Avedisian? You're no better as a human being than the Mayor for supporting his corruption. You help to cover it up.

    Saturday, November 1, 2014 Report this

  • imallrightjack

    Shame on you Sir to call yourself a journalist! Have your own personal opinions by all means, but using your so called "profession" as a mouthpiece for those personal opinions is a disgrace.

    Sunday, November 2, 2014 Report this

  • Scal1024

    John Howell you and your paper are a disgrace to this city. It's a shame that a lazy, hack like you takes the job of a young proffesional, who would actually work and inverstigate. I didn't need you to waste a paragraph on endorsing Avedesian....you endorsed him 14years ago and your paper hasn't stopped slobbering over him since. You are a pathetic, washed up, bum who trots out the same lazy Rocky Point columns you wrote when they closed. Be a man and stop hiding behind the mask of "journalism". You sir should be embarrased!!!!!

    Monday, November 3, 2014 Report this

  • FASTFREDWARD4

    with all of the cry baby,s the mayor wins 75% . You can,t win with a beer in your hands. 350k take hims out of the picture. Anybody going to step up.

    Thursday, November 6, 2014 Report this

  • warwick10

    Unbelievable!!! People complaining but voting the same! Sickening!

    Thursday, November 6, 2014 Report this