By JOHN HOWELL With their campaigns coming down to today's vote, candidates for mayor spent the weekend making final adjustments to cover the polls and attending events such as the Pilgrim football game that was played Sunday and Saturday's candidates
This item is available in full to subscribers.
We have recently launched a new and improved website. To continue reading, you will need to either log into your subscriber account, or purchase a new subscription.
If you are a current print subscriber, you can set up a free website account by clicking here.
Otherwise, click here to view your options for subscribing.
Please log in to continue |
|
With their campaigns coming down to today’s vote, candidates for mayor spent the weekend making final adjustments to cover the polls and attending events such as the Pilgrim football game that was played Sunday and Saturday’s candidates fair at Wethersfield Commons.
But things don’t always work out as planned. Mayor Joseph Solomon discovered that Saturday.
Republican Sue Stenhouse looked to strengthen her base in Wards 1 and 9. She spent part of Saturday going door-to-door to meet voters in Cowesett and working with her campaign staff to ensure all the polling locations are covered today. She said many of her supporters are not seasoned campaign workers and had given no thought to having a representative of the candidate at the polls.
Solomon had a schedule of appearances Saturday that were hastily put aside when a vehicle snapped a utility pole on Jefferson Boulevard at about 5:30 a.m., cutting power to much of the area and forcing closure of that section of the boulevard at the entrance to Wethersfield Commons for the morning. Solomon said he was on site to help coordinate the recovery effort between city crews and National Grid.
Solomon said Saturday as he joined other candidates for a first ever candidates fair at Wethersfield that the accident and its subsequent disruption of traffic is symptomatic of the mayor’s job.
“It’s not 9 to 5, it’s 24/7 without vacations,” he said.
Since assuming the role of mayor in May, Solomon said he’s found the job so much more multi-faceted than he imagined. As a councilman and in his role as council president, Solomon was accustomed to dealing with constituent issues such as potholes and complaints over missed trash collections or neighborhood speeding as well as legislation and the city budget. Now he’s got that plus representing the city at various events such as the diabetes fair at Warwick Mall on Saturday and, of course, the unexpected like the closure of Jefferson Boulevard. He says he gets the most enjoyment out of the interaction with people and attending events at the Pilgrim Senior Center or in the schools.
On Sunday Solomon and Rep. Camille Vella-Wilkinson co-hosted a “get out the vote” Democratic rally at the William Shields Post. The turnout and opportunity to rev up the Democratic faithful that included statewide candidates was impressive reported School Committee District 2 candidate Judith Cobden.
Stenhouse has been out and about, too. She’s a regular visitor at the Warwick Rotary Club luncheon meetings and at gatherings around town. She’s encouraged by the feedback she’s received to her message that she is looking to build bridges and bring constituencies together to resolve issues and plan for Warwick’s future. She has been consistent in her criticism of Solomon for having done little during his 18 years on the council and for having done nothing to address the major issues of school funding, the future of the city annex and firefighter pay for unused sick time since taking office. She has also countered Solomon’s efforts to lay the blame of budget woes on former Mayor Scott Avedisian.
At Saturday’s candidates fair, Stenhouse talked a bit about her passion for public service and what she would bring to the city as mayor. But she also brought goodies to the event – sugar cookies and brownies she had ordered from the culinary arts program at the Warwick Area Career and Technical Center. They made for good talking points as she informed Wethersfield residents they had been baked by students who also run the Tides Restaurant on the Toll Gate Campus. Indeed, not only Solomon and Stenhouse asked people for their vote and passed out campaign literature but so, too, did school, council and state candidates invited to participate. But more than anything, it was a meet and greet.
Several residents were asked whether the fair had helped them decide who they would vote for. Some, like Arthur Cunha, had already made up their minds. He’s voting for Solomon. But others were undecided, confessing, “I like them both.”
Today they will make a choice.
15 comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here
richardcorrente
Complement to Joe Solomon. He said it's "24/7 without vacations." So far, he's lived up to that schedule. Former Mayor Avedisian went on vacation fourteen times in twelve months while splitting time between the Mayors office and R.I. Public Transit Authority. I didn't think that was much of a commitment.
As far as these last minute events, I have purposely stayed away to allow the candidates to enjoy their events without distraction but a lot of credit has to go to Debbie Rich who coordinated the "Candidates Fair" at Wethersfield Commons and State Representative Camille Vella-Wilkinson for doing the same at the Williams Shield Post. I know both events were successful at getting out the vote. Maybe greatly. Maybe mildly but Debbie and Camille should be thanked for their time and efforts.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone.
Rick Corrente
The Taxpayers Mayor
Tuesday, November 6, 2018 Report this
Justanidiot
eyes stayed away too because i are not a candidate fer mayer. eyes is glad dat da real taxpayers mayer stayed away two for da some reasons.
Tuesday, November 6, 2018 Report this
wwkvoter
DEBUNKING ANOTHER CORRENTE DELUSION/LIE: Avedisian went on numerous business development trips. They WERE NOT VACATIONS (Although life is short and I hope he had a little get-away time on each).
Tuesday, November 6, 2018 Report this
Thecaptain
Here's a bit of factual insight.
As of today, Solomon has a pension benefit of $5000 annually. Tomorrow, when he crushes Stenhouse it goes to $35,000. If he does 1 term and 1 day it goes to $55,000. Now that's some serious motivation to keep the peace and not upset the apple cart.
Based on mortality rates, with this election, he pockets $700,000 over and above his salary as mayor.
Tuesday, November 6, 2018 Report this
CrickeeRaven
Thank you, WwkVoter, for showing how pathetic the two-time election reject is in still trying to smear former Mayor Avedisian.
And look at how the two-time election reject says he "purposely stayed away" from campaign events because he would have been a "distraction."
This is, of course, more proof of his delusional self-possession.
As we've seen, when there's an opportunity to further disgrace himself, the two-time election reject will enthusiastically embrace it.
Tuesday, November 6, 2018 Report this
Scal1024
Rick, its not that you've stayed away to prevent from being a distraction, its that you can't show your face at these events after your shameful behavior the last 4 years. Aren't these the same folks you referred to as "political insiders" just weeks ago? Now that you've been embarassed at the ballot box you state you'd love to rub elbows with these folks, but you don't want to be a distraction? What a joke!
Rick, you also compliment Mayor Solomon on a 24/7 job as mayor when just days ago you were slandering him accusing him of manipulating property evaluations on his home. You also falsely accused him of other ethics violations...all BASELESS, all FALSE. When has that ever stopped you from lying?
Rick Corrente will continue to embarrass himself with lies like claiming he's approached by folks everyday. This is blatantly false. None of these people ever show up in public or on this website, yet we're expected to believe these same people approach the TWICE FAILED CANDIDATE daily? I hope someday the Make Believe Mayor will realize that he only further embarasses himself with each pathetic, uninformed, baseless lie he tells. Lucky for all of us NO ONE in Warwick is buying the nonsense this tax delinquent is selling.
Tuesday, November 6, 2018 Report this
wwkvoter
"This is, of course, more proof of his delusional self-possession."
Raven dont you mean "self abuse"?
Tuesday, November 6, 2018 Report this
CrickeeRaven
WwkVoter, that was hilarious.
And Scal, as usual you very correctly cut right though the fog of the two-time election reject's statements and expose the truth about his past behavior and contradictory comments. I wonder, do you recall what the chairman of his own party said after the candidates first declared for mayor, setting up the Democratic primary? “We know [the two-time election reject] ; we have complete confidence in Joe Solomon.”
Notice, it wasn't "we expect a competitive primary," or "I look forward to hearing the candidates make their cases to the voters."
From the beginning, the two-time election reject was not supported by his party. The primary on Sept. 12 proved it, overwhelmingly -- he wasn't even enough of a "distraction" to earn 18 percent of the vote.
And so, yet again, we see the level of delusion that is willingly shown by the two-time election reject -- and like you, I wonder whether he will ever be truly aware of how badly he has disgraced himself.
Wednesday, November 7, 2018 Report this
richardcorrente
Dear Scal1024,
Don't try to con the readers into believing you know how I feel. You don't even have a real name.
Unlike you, I give credit where credit is due. i.e. my sincere complement to Mayor Solomon in the first comment. I ALSO call him out about having real estate that is assessed today FOR LESS THAN HE PAID FOR IT 29 YEARS AGO! That's just wrong! Scal!! There isn't a piece of real estate in all of Warwick that can say that!
It's called being fair Scal, like I always have been and always will be. (the exact opposite of you). If Solomon does something right, I'll be the first to say so. Unlike you, you anonymous coward of a critic whose always-negative comments need to thrown in the garbage like a used baby diaper...and for the exact same reason. I used to challenge you to "come out of the shadows". Now I think you should stay there where you belong.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone.
Congratulations to Mayor Solomon on his victory.
Rick Corrente
The Taxpayers Mayor
Wednesday, November 7, 2018 Report this
CrickeeRaven
Scal, let's look at the two-time election reject's idea of "fair."
To him, it's fair to falsely accuse Mayor Solomon of manipulating property assessments and then pay him a hollow and grudging compliment [not "complement"] for winning the election.
This is the same person, as we know, who repeatedly called Mayor Solomon a "tax and buy votes" candidate and a "political insider" before offering belated congratulations.
That's not fair, by any honest person's estimation -- and neither is engaging in name-calling and juvenile taunts or insisting on rules for this website that its owners do not set for it.
Wednesday, November 7, 2018 Report this
CrickeeRaven
Oh, and Scal, let's review this claim by the two-time election reject: "There isn't a piece of real estate in all of Warwick that can say that" it is assessed at less than its price when sold to its current owner.
So, one would think that finding another property that currently has a lower assessment than its original purchase price would be difficult.
As a matter of fact, I didn't have to look any further than his own former residence, which city records show he purchased in 2007 for $365,000 and is currently assessed at... $357,200.
That assessment value is, if I may use the two-time election reject's own words, LESS THAN HE PAID FOR IT.
You can search this website for this property to find the factual information: https://gis.vgsi.com/warwickri/Search.aspx
I am sure the two-time election reject will readily admit this fraud that he has perpetrated on the city, just as he has accused Mayor Solomon of doing...
No, wait, I'm sure he'll stop screeching about Solomon having exactly the same sorts of changes in his property assessments as the two-time election reject...
No, wait, I'm absolutely certain he will drop this issue altogether because property values don't follow sale prices, and having current assessments that are lower than original sale prices are nothing out of the ordinary...
No, wait, I'm convinced that he will finally admit that using tax assessments as an attack line is useless, because for every example he twists into a claim of his, another example can be found to disprove it...
Actually, I take that all back.
The two-time election reject has proven that all he can do is humiliate himself with disgraceful and false statements, and as long as there's a way to further disgrace himself, he'll enthusiastically embrace it.
Wednesday, November 7, 2018 Report this
Thecaptain
Hey mayor dumbness,
Interestingly enough, in Ward 7, with no solicitation, 4.7% of the vote went to a write in. Take a guess who that was. That more than doubled your percentage for not spending a penny, and not declaring. HAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
Wednesday, November 7, 2018 Report this
richardcorrente
Dear WwkVoter,
I accept your premise that Avedisian went on "numerous business development trips". Tell us, what business did he EVER develop? I didn't witness ANY. That's why I called them "vacations". When Citizens Bank was leaving Warwick and relocating 700 employees from their Jefferson Blvd. offices, they called Avedisian to try finding a way to stay. Avedisian never even returned their several calls. When I researched the U.S. Census and the R.I. Secretary of States office, I learned that Warwick lost 4,666 businesses in the last ten years. My critics have argued that number but the fact remains, Warwick LOST A LOT.
And no matter how many caps you put it in, that is NOT a delusion. That is NOT a lie.
But that was then. This is now. We should both give New-Mayor Solomon a vote of confidence. I think we BOTH can agree he is an upgrade over Avedisian.
Happy Thanksgiving WwkVoter.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone.
Rick Corrente
The Taxpayers Mayor
Thursday, November 8, 2018 Report this
CrickeeRaven
WwkVoter, thank you for drawing out the two-time election reject's complete inability to acknowledge facts and instead substitute his own delusional views.
"I didn't witness ANY [new business developments]."
The existence of new businesses in Warwick doesn't depend on whether the two-time election reject actually saw them happen.
And that's odd for him to say, because the Beacon -- which as we know he has used for free political advertising for three years now -- regularly reported ribbon cuttings and other events that celebrated them opening.
Here's one at an assisted living facility from October, 2017: http://warwickonline.com/stories/family-run-care-business-opens-68-unit-assisted-living-facility,128348
Here's one from Proclamation Brewery from November 2017, after it moved from South Kingstown: http://warwickonline.com/stories/things-are-brewin-at-city-centre,129812
Here's one about Koch Eye opening a new location, also in October, 2017: http://warwickonline.com/stories/with-vision-of-continued-success-koch-eye-opens-new-office,128453?
Here's one from Fine Time Watch in October, 2016: http://warwickonline.com/stories/fine-time-for-a-grand-opening,118961?
Here's one from Open Season in March, 2016: http://warwickonline.com/stories/he-went-for-the-sliders,110599?
That's just a sample, of course. There's a new Sonic in progress on Rte. 2, Chik-Fil-A opened a couple of years back, At Home just reopened at Rhode Island Mall, Burlington Coat Factory moved in, new hotels have gone up near the airport, and so on.
The only way the two-time election reject would "not witness" them is if he didn't look.
And, of course, he's still trying to push his long-debunked claim about changes in the Warwick business sector.
"Warwick lost 4,666 businesses in the last ten years. My critics have argued that number..."
His number is a lie. And it wasn't "critics" who "argued that number," it was a news website in Warwick that factually and honestly compared the numbers that the two-time election reject had twisted into his false claim: https://warwickpost.com/numbers-game-corrente-claims-of-lost-businesses-dont-add-up/
Notice that the date on that article is September, 2016. So it's been two-plus years, and in that time he has lost two elections yet has never done anything other than repeat that claim.
Contrary to his reply to you, his view of the business sector is delusional, and he did tell a lie about it.
"But that was then. This is now."
The two-time election reject will not make his past false statements and delusional claims disappear. He has willingly left a long trail of his intentional comments on this website that prove how correct we and thousands of our honest, taxpaying neighbors were in rejecting his candidacy twice.
Thursday, November 8, 2018 Report this
Scal1024
1. The soon to be THREE TIME FAILED CANDIDATE finally acknowledges his "numbers" on businesses lost in Warwick are incorrect, now stating even if his numbers are not accurate Warwick still "LOST A LOT".
2. Joe Solomon doesn't need a vote of confidence from a lying, twice failed, tax delinquent who gives themself a fake nickname while running around smearing REAL public servants.
3. Voters showed "no confidence" in Rick Corrente which is why he went from 14,000 votes in 2016 down to a miserable LESS THAN 2,000 votes in 2018.
4. We can only hope the TWICE, soon to be THREE TIME FAILED CANDIDATE will go away and find something productive to do with his life. That doesn't include continuing his borderline obsession with online commenters who call out his lies, smears and propaganda.
5. I have full "confidence" Corrente will continue to use this website for free advertising, all while embarrassing himself with his latest conspiracy theories, baseless accusations and smears
Thursday, November 8, 2018 Report this