EAST PROVIDENCE — Ward 3 councilman Joe Botelho issued a statement Tuesday morning, Feb. 14, calling for the reinstatement of Richard Kirby as city manager, a position he held until he was fired in August of last year on a 3-2 vote of the prior seated council.

Included in his statement, Mr. Botelho wrote "E.P. City Council will take up matter at next meeting," which is scheduled for Tuesday night, Feb. 21. He also alluded to potential support from a majority of his peers, whom he said had campaigned last year on the issue. Only Ward 1 councilor Bobby Britto remains on the body from its previous incarnation. He was one of the two votes opposing Mr. Kirby's termination at the time.

Mr. Botelho's statement read as follows:

After reading journals of all council meetings spanning the last eight months along with what have come to be known as the Leaver and Ragosta reports as it relates to the last summers firing of Richard Kirby, it is my opinion, based on my research that he was more a victim of backroom political chicaneries by certain members of the past council and their extended political relationships. As a result, he was rode out of the seat on a 3 to 2 vote based on inflated and excogitated charges by those who ousted him. Also, Mr. Kirby’s contentious relationship with the city solicitor’s office certainly didn’t help him regarding this, and in fact, the solicitor at the time, was picked by the three members who ousted Kirby, to replace him. It’s also my opinion, due to issues that Mr. Kirby obviated relative to certain council members, he was fired in retaliation.
This has left us with what I would call, a bit of a hangover from the prior administration, as this recent controversy regarding the new hires for the fire academy indicate.
To make a long story short, after my research and review of this matter, along with recent events such as the mysterious canning of the fire academy list, this city council should entertain the reinstatement of Mr. Kirby, as he has showed no ill toward the city regarding his ouster, and in fact, up to this point has not initiated legal action against the city. For this reason, I am placing an item on the next available council docket, for the reinstatement of Ricard Kirby as City Manager. I expect his reappointment to be confirmed, based on those current council members who rode the message of “Kirby’s Reinstatement” during their campaigns, and I am confident they will honor their campaign promises. This will empathically indicate to the citizens of East Providence that it’s no longer “Business as Usual.”
With all this, I am optimistic about the city’s future and am dedicated, as so many of you are, to ensuring we move forward in a positive direction. Never forget, we’re all in this together.