Any lingering doubts about the ridiculous state of politics and process in our city were squashed at Tuesday night’s East Providence City Council meeting. The story reads like a script summary for a situation comedy set in a bumbling city hall in a mid-sized New England city.
During a meeting recess City Manager Richard Brown went online to discover he did not get the job he was hoping would take him out of this mess. Mr. Brown was one of three finalists for a job as Plymouth’s Town Manager, but he didn’t get the gig because three of Plymouth’s five member board worried his experience was primarily with town and city councils and not enough with town meetings.
“They had their shot,” Mr. Brown said.
They had their shot? We respect his confidence.
Riverside resident Christine Rossi (wife of International Brotherhood of Police Officers Local 569 President John Rossi) has a petition with 266 signatures looking to replace Mr. Brown. Mayor Joseph Larisa, who was absent Tuesday night, said prior to the meeting that the petition would have “zero” impact on any council decisions. We’re not in support of witch hunts, but we believe petitions signed by the public are worth a little more than “zero.” He also claimed the petition was driven by special interest groups. He’s probably right. Though she denied being influenced by the connection, Mrs. Rossi is married to the man who represents the men laid off by Mr. Brown.
We’d rather she admit that she represents people who don’t like what Mr. Brown has done, such as laying off police officers. There’s nothing wrong with a special interest when it’s out in the open. After all, aren’t all of our interests special?
Finally we have the slings and arrows thrown before the meeting by city councilman Brian Coogan, who said “I think Richard Brown is a phony and a fraud. I think he’s incompetent and if Joe Larisa’s so smart he shouldn’t be fooled by him.”
Conspiracy theories about behind-the-scenes puppetry aside, Mr. Brown serves at the will of the council and has behaved as such during his time here. We can’t blame him for wanting to better his lot in life somewhere else. That’s how the world works. But what sort of government are we running where people are checking their parachute during a town meeting, petitions from citizens are promised to be ignored and councilmen lash out at the man who works for them after a meeting closes?
The clowns are the public employees who continue to think the world revolves around them.Get in your little car an go away.Larisa and Carcieri as ring masters keep you all in line,as they do the high wire act with the greatest of ease.
Jethro how did you fit your entire head into Larissa's keester. You must be blind deaf and dumb to not see the self serving motives of these clowns.
I think somebody paying him to make these comments. I can't believe anybody with any level of common sense and intelligence would seriously think this way. Even the most conservative minded can see the reasons for this mess. They just know that it's going to have very negative effect on future elections for these people.
"jaqdadi", you seem to have more insight than the average EP stakeholder. Why don't you tell us the "reasons for this mess".
Then, tell us what you think should be done to solve the "mess"
Sorry ImproveEP, no answers from the peanut gallery.It's funny, some one who believes he has so much common sense and can't answer a question.CLUELESS! I expect it from Rastabri, he has an agenda.Spokes person for the National Extortion Association. NEA
"JETHROJOE"
That is funny talk coming from a man who belongs to more groups than he can even count, unless of course he was to take his shoes off so he could get above ten. JethroJoe, you claim to be some straight shooting indepdent man, but you are all about what's best for JethroJoeSousa, and you are beholden to all the groups you do public relations for on this site, far more than I am to the NEA. That's alright JethroJoe, continue to pretend to be an expert on every issue that arises on this blog. It makes for interesting reading. We would miss your morning updates about our future state of slavery.
Still no answers just peanuts.
Look up egomaniac and you will find Joe Larissa II's picture. Watch the meeting on the city council website. Do as I say not as I do is Joe's mantra. Poor III.
The audacity of this Rossi woman....she didn't think anyone would figure out what her stake in the feeble attempt to.....hahahaha....get Mr. Larissa 'removed'was? Or are these people really that arrogant.
Probably the latter. Judging by Mr. Rossi's girth, I suppose I would be in a panic to preserve extrodinary wages, lest he start eating family members. That was a joke. Naw, I meant it, so na na, na na,, boo boo.
1) UNIONS FIGHT AND SQUEEZE FOR MORE MONEY FOR THEIR MEMBERS (TEACHERS - POLICE - FIREMEN)
2) WHERE DOES THAT MONEY COME FROM?
3) IT COMES FROM THE ANNUAL TAXES PAID BY THE TAXPAYERS
4) IF YOU WANT HIGHER ANNUAL TAXES, THEN SUPPORT THE UNIONS AND THE POLITICAL CANDIDATES THEY SUPPORT AND WANT IN. YOU WILL THEN GET HIGHER TAXES.
5) IT'S JUST THAT SIMPLE !
