This week’s city council meeting was once again the venue for multiple verbal confrontations
EAST PROVIDENCE - We’ve certainly had some disagreements.
These were the words of Mayor Joseph Larisa Jr. at Tuesday night’s East Providence City Council meeting. At recent meetings, the city council chamber at city hall has been home to some of the most heated and contentious debates in recent memory, particularly one between Mayor Larisa and city councilman Brian Coogan that dominated a city council budget deliberation in late October.
And this past Tuesday was no different.
Step aside please
For starters, a verbal sparring session broke out after Mayor Larisa and city councilman Robert Cusack asked Mr. Coogan to recuse himself on a vote relating to the reinstatement of police officers. The reason, Mayor Larisa said, was because of Mr. Coogan’s spot on the city’s tow list. Mayor Larisa argued that because of this position, Mr. Coogan’s livelihood is affected by a smaller number of police officers writing fewer traffic tickets leading to a reduced need for towing.
Mayor Larisa added that if Mr. Coogan did not recuse himself, the only two options for the “city council majority” would be to either remove Mr. Coogan from the tow list or file a complaint with the state ethics commission.
City solicitor James Briden said the only way to be sure a conflict doesn’t exist would be to get an advisory opinion from the state ethics commission. His advice to Mr. Coogan was also to recuse himself.
Mr. Coogan’s response, however, was “absolutely not.” He voted with the rest of the council to reinstate the officers (see story, page 4).
After the meeting, Mr. Coogan told The Post he believed the push for recusal was “punishment” for his argument with Mayor Larisa late last month. Mr. Coogan added that he had already spoke with the state ethics commission and they said there was no conflict with him voting on union related issues.
Letter scare
A few minutes later, the two squared off again when Mayor Larisa said it was “completely unacceptable” for Mr. Coogan to have received a letter containing sugar, an event that lead to Hazmat team’s and police shutting down half of Grove Avenue last Thursday to examine the substance.
In response, Mr. Coogan said Mayor Larisa never reached out to him directly on the incident. He also said the mayor “threw him under the bus” in the media.
“Don’t sit up here and act like you care about me and my family because you never did,” Mr. Coogan said.
Back to Mayor Larisa, who said the only thing he told “the media” was that a number of residents were angry with Mr. Coogan’s behavior at the most recent budget hearing.
TV time
After this debate wrapped up, Mayor Larisa found himself engaged in a brief exchange with former Senator Paul Moura. While Mayor Larisa was presenting an item he had requested on the city council agenda, Mr. Moura stood next to a public access television camera, mocking Mayor Larisa’s regular meeting addresses, which are often delivered directly into the camera.
“I guess I’ve got to stand near the camera for you to talk to me,” Mr. Moura said.
Countering, Mayor Larisa said that should Mr. Moura win his “all but announced” run for city council at-large next November, he can do whatever he wants. Until then, however, Mayor Larisa said he will continue to speak to the entire community and not just those in attendance at city council meetings.
Another verbal battle broke out when Senator Daniel DaPonte took the podium towards the end of the meeting. Voicing similar concerns as the ones he made to The Post in an article published last week, Sen. DaPonte (who was on hand with almost every member of the city’s delegation to the General Assembly with the exception of Sen. Frank DeVall) said the city council has spent the last year “playing politics” instead of resolving the financial issues plaguing cities and towns around the state.
Additionally, Sen. DaPonte again characterized Mr. Cusack and Mayor Larisa as “hypocrites” who govern through television cameras and newspapers.
“We all represent the same citizens. They need our help. Not circus antics,” Sen. DaPonte said.
Solutions?
In response, Mayor Larisa said that despite all his criticism, Sen. DaPonte hadn’t offered any solutions to the fiscal problems facing E.P., including a school department cumulative deficit of roughly $5 million. Mr. Cusack said there needs to be more communication between local and state leaders. He added that “time and time” again the city has attempted to reduce spending, only to be thwarted by measures at the state level.
Visit www.eastprovidenceri.net to view the entire meeting. To view last week’s story regarding the argument between Sen. DaPonte, Mayor Larisa and Mr. Cusack, visit www.eastbayri.com
Providence – Raymond J. Silva and his brother Domingo – president and vice president of Local 81 of the International Longshoreman’s Association – have been arrested and charged with extortion. Also implicated in the charges is Rhode Island State Representative Paul E. Moura, the senior deputy leader in the State House of Representatives. The extortion charges involve David Bourque, the president of State Line Scrap Company. Bill Malinowski of the Providence Journal reported an affidavit alleges that the Silva brothers threatened Bourque after he "refused to hire a member of their union to work 30 hours a week at the port regardless of whether or not the work was needed." Bourque went to the state police and on October 9 an undercover detective accompanied the president to a meeting with the Silvas. During a "profanity laced tirade" from the brothers, Domingo Silva was reported to have said that if the ILA wasn’t used to do work, "I’ll kill you and your family." An hour and a half into the heated meeting Moura arrived just as Raymond Silva jumped up from his seat with his fist "cocked back" ready to bash Bourque in the face. Moura was said to have calmed Silva down, but left quickly afterward. Moura was also witnessed at another meeting "patting down" Bourque to see if he was wearing a wire. The Silvas are scheduled to be arraigned on December 17.
Providence – Raymond J. Silva and his brother Domingo – president and vice president of Local 81 of the International Longshoreman’s Association – have been arrested and charged with extortion. Also implicated in the charges is Rhode Island State Representative PAUL E. MOURA, the senior deputy leader in the State House of Representatives. The extortion charges involve David Bourque, the president of State Line Scrap Company. Bill Malinowski of the Providence Journal reported an affidavit alleges that the Silva brothers threatened Bourque after he "refused to hire a member of their union to work 30 hours a week at the port regardless of whether or not the work was needed." Bourque went to the state police and on October 9 an undercover detective accompanied the president to a meeting with the Silvas. During a "profanity laced tirade" from the brothers, Domingo Silva was reported to have said that if the ILA wasn’t used to do work, "I’ll kill you and your family." An hour and a half into the heated meeting MOURA arrived just as Raymond Silva jumped up from his seat with his fist "cocked back" ready to bash Bourque in the face. MOURA was said to have calmed Silva down, but left quickly afterward. MOURA was also witnessed at another meeting "patting down" Bourque to see if he was wearing a wire. The Silvas are scheduled to be arraigned on December 17.
The fires are beginning to burn out of control.
Hmmmmmm.......I see nothing in that article that shows Representative Moura did anything of a criminal nature whatsoever. As a matter of fact, it merely showed Representative Moura attempting to mediate and diffuse a confrontational situation.
But as usual, Larisa's #1 lackey "improveEP" puts a stupid spin on it. Don't worry "improveEP", it will be a different story next year, when Representative Moura becomes MAYOR MOURA.
"MOURA was also witnessed at another meeting "patting down" Bourque to see if he was wearing a wire."
A SPIN?
Do your homework "improveEP"-in this state it's against the law for someone to record another person's conversation without that person's consent. Thank goodness we have honest individuals such as Representative Moura to address situations such as that.
COULD YOU EXPLAIN WHY "MAYOR MOURA" WOULD PAT SOMEONE DOWN?
I already explained it "improveEP"-because it's against the law. But you probably wouldn't understand that "improveEP"-you're too busy cutting and pasting the same tired nonsense 50 times over. Get some creativity you moron.
OK "improveEP", show me where it says in the article where Bourque received permission from a superior court judge to record a conversation without the other person's consent.
TITLE 12
Criminal Procedure
CHAPTER 12-5.1
Interception of Wire and Oral Communications
SECTION 12-5.1-2
§ 12-5.1-2 Application for orders. – (a) The attorney general, or an assistant attorney general specially designated by the attorney general, may apply ex parte to the presiding justice of the superior court of competent jurisdiction for an order authorizing the interception of any wire, electronic, or oral communications. Each application ex parte for an order must be in writing, subscribed and sworn to by the applicant.
(b) The application must contain:
(1) The identity of the officer making the application;
(2) A full and complete statement of the facts and circumstances relied upon by the applicant to justify his or her belief that an order should be issued, including:
(i) Details as to the particular designated offense that has been, is being, or is about to be committed;
(ii) A particular description of the nature and location of the facilities from which, or the place where, the communication is to be intercepted;
(iii) A particular description of the type of communications sought to be intercepted; and
(iv) The identity of the person, if known, committing the offense and whose communications are to be intercepted;
(3) A full and complete statement as to whether or not other investigative procedures have been tried and failed or why they reasonably appear to be unlikely to succeed if tried or to be too dangerous;
(4) A statement of the period of time for which the interception is required to be maintained. If the nature of the investigation is such that the authorization of interception should not automatically terminate when the described type of communication has been first obtained, a particular description of facts establishing probable cause to believe that additional communications of the same type will occur after the described type of communication has been first obtained;
(5) A full and complete statement of the facts concerning all previous applications, known to the individual making the application, made to the presiding justice of the superior court for authorization to intercept wire, electronic, or oral communications involving any of the same persons, facilities or places specified in the application, and the action taken by the presiding justice of the superior court on each application; and
(6) Where the application is for the extension of an order, a statement setting forth the results thus far obtained from the interception, or a reasonable explanation of the failure to obtain the results.
(c) The presiding justice of the superior court may require the applicant to furnish additional testimony or documentary evidence in support of the application.
(d) Allegations of fact in the application may be based either upon the personal knowledge of the applicant or upon information and belief. If the applicant personally knows the fact alleged, it must be so stated. If the facts establishing reasonable cause are derived in whole or in part from the statements of persons other than the applicant, the sources of the information and belief must be either disclosed or described, and the application must contain facts establishing the existence and reliability of the informant, or the reliability of the information supplied by the informant. The application must also state, so far as possible, the basis of the informant's knowledge or belief. If the applicant's information and belief is derived from tangible evidence or recorded oral evidence, a copy or detailed description of the evidence should be annexed to or included in the application. Affidavits of persons other than the applicant must be submitted in conjunction with the application if they tend to support any fact or conclusion alleged in the application. Accompanying affidavits may be based either on personal knowledge of the affiant, or information and belief with the source of the information and reason for the belief specified.
"MAYOR MOURA" WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THE AUDIENCE, BUT BEFORE HE DOES...........................WOULD THE SARGEANT-AT-ARMS PLEASE PAT THE AUDIENCE DOWN. LOL, LOL, LOL
Don't worry "improveEP", Mayor Moura will be addressing the audience from the podium soon enough, and I'm hoping his first official act as mayor will be to turn Larisa Park into the new state landfill.
union_teacher says:
Don't worry "improveEP", Mayor Moura will be addressing the audience from the podium in handcuffs and leg shackles soon enough, and I'm hoping his first official act as mayor will be to turn Larisa Park into the new state landfill.
The ones who belong in handcuffs and leg shackles are the three stooges, a.k.a. Larisa, Cusack, and Perry, for the financial ruin they've brought upon the city. But don't worry "improveEP", help is on the way-Mayor Moura will be taking office in just over a year, and will be returning "Townie Pride" to the city.
So Joe and his gang think they can remove Mr. Coogan's company from the tow list? I know that Joey believes that he can do anything he wants, BUT.
HOW RIDICULUS!!!
And the Cusack/Larisa argument? Fewer cops on the road, which 2 weeks ago would not affect the cities safety in any way, now would cut down on the number of tickets issued and the number of tows requested. HOW???
You cannot have it both ways! Either the police officers were needed or they weren't! The new contract PROVES they were needed!
And Joey didn't get his manditory 20% co-share, SOOO He had to find a way to spin this around to make himself look good.
"MOURA was also witnessed at another meeting "patting down" Bourque to see if he was wearing a wire
"MOURA was also witnessed at another meeting "patting down" Bourque to see if he was wearing a wire."
FOLKS, YOU GOT TO TELL ME WHY MOURA WAS PATTING DOWN A GUY FOR A WIRE, AND THE GUY THAT WAS BEING PATTED DOWN WAS THE GUY WHO WAS BEING EXTORTED!
THIS IS THE NEXT MAYOR OF EAST PROVIDENCE? LOL, LOL, LOL
I DON"T THINK EVEN "union-teacher" WILL TOUCH THIS AGAIN. LOL ,LOL, LOL
Ring of fire, ring of fire....
Bill Malinowski of the Providence Journal reported an affidavit alleges that the Silva brothers threatened Bourque after he "refused to hire a member of their union to work 30 hours a week at the port regardless of whether or not the work was needed."
Like I said before "improveEP", Representative Moura knows the law, and knows it's illegal to record a party's conversation without that party's consent. I guess you wouldn't know that, due to the fact you're just a middle school dropout ghost writing for "Slow Joe" Larisa.
"refused to hire a member of their union
Burn, burn, burn...
Unlike Larisa and Carcieri, who only hire their political hacks and bootlickers for city jobs. Thank goodness Mayor Moura will be taking over the city in a year-can't come soon enough.
SO WHAT YOUR SAYING IS THAT MOURA WAS JUST MAKING SURE THE GUY THAT THE SILVA BROTHER WERE EXTORTING WAS NOT BREAKING THE LAW? LOL
ARE YOU SERIOUS?
Also implicated in the charges is Rhode Island State Representative PAUL E. MOURA, the senior deputy leader in the State House of Representatives.
I WISH THE ELECTIONS IN EAST PROVIDENCE WERE TODAY!
union_teacher says:
"Like I said before "improveEP", Representative Moura knows the law, and knows it's illegal to record a party's conversation without that party's consent."
FOLKS ..................... IS THIS GUY SERIOUS?
I'M JUST GOING TO LET THIS UNION PIGGIE KEEP TALKING................................HE IS HANGING HIMSELF
100% serious
And it burns burns burns, the ring of fire, ring of fire, ring of fire...
THIS IS JUST ONE PAGE OF A BOOK THAT WILL BE COMING OUT WHEN HE RUNS FOR city council "MAYOR"
Once again your spelling deficiencies and ignorance is shining through-there is no such word as "piggie"-it would be "PIGGY"-as in you are Larisa's PIGGY.
NOT "IS" SHINING TTHROUGH ....................... IT IS "ARE" SHINING THROUGH. THATS GRAMMAR................. UNION PIG as in YOU "ARE" A UNION PIG
OR AS YOU WOULD SAY IT: YOU "IS" A UNION PIG! LOL
"YOU AIN'T EVER GONNA BEAT US"
BECAUSE "US" IS NOW THE TAXPAYERS
BECAUSE US IS THE "FED-UP" GENERAL PUBLIC
I fell into a burning ring of fire, I went down, down, down, and the flames went higher, and it burns, burns, burns, the ring of fire, ring of fire......
GET RID OF REP. JACK "THE HACK" SAVAGE THE TEACHERS UNION SUPPORTER
"YOU AIN'T EVER GONNA BEAT US"
BECAUSE "US" IS NOW THE TAXPAYERS
BECAUSE "US" IS THE "FED-UP" GENERAL PUBLIC
THE FOLLOWING WAS POSTED BY A UNION AGITATOR:
"Fortunately next year's elections are right around the corner, and a new broom will be coming in to sweep this idiot Larisa and his small band of cronies out the door."
MY QUESTION IS: WHO IS YOUR "NEW BROOM?"
IS IT "PAT DOWN" PAUL MOURA, THE UNION BAD BOY AT CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS WHOSE BEHAVIOR EMBARRASSES EVERYBODY AROUND HIM?
IS THAT YOUR "NEW BROOM?"
GOOD LUCK!
I and the citizens of EP are glad the reason prevailed over kids stuff and the city and the police union got together and worked out a financial package that saved jobs, will maintain a good level of needed service and worked out equally for the taxpayer.
In the sixty years of watching the city grow, I have never seen as much acrimony and lack of Townie Pride as witnessed during these last few months.
Lets get back to leadership and cooperation and forget the kids games.
Effective governance comes with consensus not continued threats and lack of communication.
Both sides should be commended for getting together and getting with the "people's business".
Dear "rags123", I hope that you understand that the people (City Council & School Committee Members) representing you and the other taxpayers of East Providence have been showing "leadership" by not caving in to the onerous demands that the unions try to put on EP.
Until you sit down yourself and hear what these unions ask for, you will never understand what it is about. Nor will you ever understand what it is to be demonized for trying to do whats right for the City.This is everything but "kid stuff"
If effective governance and consensus entails giving in to the "outrageous" union demands ........................... you better get your checkbook out, because only then you will appreciate just how much leadership has been shown by the people who sit on the Council and School Comm.
The East Providence City Council meetings have become the laughing stock of the state thanks to "King Joe" thinking the city is his own personal fifedom, and trying to run the city like a dictatorship. It's time for this bum Larisa to be impeached-the sooner the better.
I vote unanimously for improveEP and union_teacher to go have coffee and get this over with. This is not a discussion, it is a sparring match without much illumination for the rest of us.......If you're "not part of the solution"..."
