On Wednesday Night at Cranston City Hall, the council called for a meeting to set up a hearing for Councilman Pelletier, regarding his residency requirement as outlined in the city charter.

It wasn’t long after the public speaking segment to figure out where this meeting was going and who was behind much of the rhetoric.

When I spoke I reminded (or tried to) of where all of this really began – First was the coup-d’-d’état right after the last election, when Councilman Pelletier and current President Lupino were used by Mayor Fung to “convert” to the Republican Party, giving them the five votes they needed (with the three elected as Republicans) to become President and Vice President of the council.  Then as chairman of the finance committee Pelletier did all he could do to engineer the results that Fung wanted. He even went so far to offer amendments’ to close the entire library program and the senior center!  At first he voted against the budget and then on the final vote he voted for it.  Having been called out for his shenanigans, he wrote an article to try and explain his action.  Basically what he tried to say was that since he knew the final budget was going to pass anyway, he thought, “what the heck” I might as well vote for it after all! It isn’t just this one indulgence, but it’s the sum of the parts that’s so troubling.

Ah such statesmanship!

Then in June he leaves his ward four residency, and knowing the charter does not allow for same, he fail to let the other members know and to discuss a remedy.  If he had done that there would be no story.

But he seems not to be able to control himself.  He must feel that he can either get away with things and/or has a flaw in his persona!!

Whatever the cause he has demonstrated a total lack of integrity, good character, goodwill, along with ignoring his oath of office and the Cranston charter. This is not a person who should be representing a the voters of Cranston.

Now for the comment that the “over the transom” unsigned letter is disturbing to some.  I may not like that approach either, but let’s remind ourselves that “dropping the time” is as old as politics itself.  Just ask almost any one in politics and they will tell you that either they or someone they know has been a victim of such. I can remember many local talk show hosts spending days on this issue when it involved a public figure.

Mr. Quinlan, solicitor for the council, under the direction of Lupino, wrote a legal opinion that he read that night, that was as one-sided as any I have ever heard.  A lawyer has an obligation to give as many side of an issue available.  In this case he should have gone out of his way to make sure that this charge against Pelletier that goes to the very core of integrity for this legislative body, allowing the public they represent to have full confidence in their deliberations always.

Those that spoke in favor of Pelletier’s’ action, also lost something. Because when faced with this type of behavior by Pelletier, they are demonstrating a short sightedness and a very dangerous view of how good government must work to the benefit of all citizens.

The reporting so far on this council meeting has been the most amateur journalism, as I have witnessed in a long time. As evidenced by the fact that there was not one word of the public comments, Ignoring two former long term councilmen, both of whom were President for their last two years in office. I witnessed their tenure over the years and they were as dedicated and public minded as any two I have had the pleasure to observe. John Lanni and Aram Garabedian both should be applauded for trying to educate us all about the sanctity and the responsibilities each council member has when they take their oath of office and their allegiance to the city charter. They also spoke about the councils’ responsibility and authority in dealing with this most egregious action taken by Mr. Pelletier. 

They also questioned why so many were so willing to exonerate the charter that they all pledged to uphold? Was it written in the “still of the night” and not reviewed by legal or any other responsible agency? This begs the question, is it not worth the paper it is written on?

Sorry to say that there was very little of that from the council.  Councilman Archetto, Navarro and Stycos tried, but were given very little support. The President only gave a speech about the poor and disadvantaged in these times, trying to portray Pelletier as a victim and not one who broke his vows! WOW! Please don’t ask me what that speech had to do with his Vice President ‘breaking his commitment to the city, fellow councilpersons or even himself.

This meeting was totally absent of even a specter of leadership or decorum

Personally I hope that don’t ever force myself to sit through such a “lined up” demonstration again.

The Idea of trying to defend this type of behavior by one of Fangs chosen’ boys by his “made” council truly demonstrates in a horrible way what is wrong with this Administration

When or when are we going to witness leadership as defined by integrity and patriot ship?

I AM WAITING LIKE ALL LIKE MINDED TAXPAYERS

- Richard Tomlins