East Providence mayoral candidates DaSilva, Russo respond to questions at forum

Conley, Peters discuss issues pertaining to state senate race

By Mike Rego
Posted 10/20/18

EAST PROVIDENCE — The second of two candidate forums during the 2018 election cycle, this one for the general election, took place last Wednesday evening, Oct. 17, in the Martin Middle School …

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East Providence mayoral candidates DaSilva, Russo respond to questions at forum

Conley, Peters discuss issues pertaining to state senate race

Posted

EAST PROVIDENCE — The second of two candidate forums during the 2018 election cycle, this one for the general election, took place last Wednesday evening, Oct. 17, in the Martin Middle School auditorium, an event co-sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Rhode Island and East Bay Newspapers, parent company of The East Providence Post.

The question-and-answer sessions, both lasting approximately 30 minutes, matched Roberto DaSilva and James Russo, candidates in the race to become the city’s first elected mayor, and incumbent Democrat William Conley and Independent Jack Peters, the contestants for State Senate in District 18.

And though there was some divergence in the responses of those on the dais throughout the evening, it was a courteous exchange, albeit one likely not as illuminating or differentiating as some would have hoped.

Messrs. Conley and Peters opened the evening, discussing issues ranging from gun-control legislation to abortion rights to small businesses and schools.

Mr. Peters said he was running for office due in part because of concerns over the state’s economy and the struggle senior citizens, an age of which he just reached, to continue living in Rhode Island post employment.

“I don’t want to become a ‘snowbird,’” Mr. Peters explained, using the colloquial phrase giving to folks who split residence here outside of the region.

He said in his professional experience, which has seen him in and out of the workforce due to market forces, over-regulation is a problem that needs to be addressed when it comes to maintaining jobs in Rhode Island and luring new companies to the state.

Mr. Conley, seeking a fourth term in office from the district composed of neighborhoods here and in Pawtucket, countered saying he sponsored legislation that has reduced regulation by some “31 percent.”

On the subject of school spending, Mr. Conley said monies needed to be “targeted on early education” programs. Mr. Peters said technical education curriculum should be re-emphasized.

The candidates were posed a question about a woman’s right to choose, Mr. Peters saying while was “personally against abortion on demand” he “stood behind Roe V. Wade and I doubt it will be overturned.” Mr. Conley said state legislators “need to do everything we can, including codifying to protect” a woman’s right to opt for the procedure.

Asked their position on potential gun rights restrictions, Mr. Conley seemingly called for a ban on assault rifles so often used in mass slayings, including school shootings. Mr. Peters, who claimed to be a “proud member” of the National Rifle Association for some three decades and a qualified instructor on the use of weapons and preparedness, said more needed to be done in the ways of training of targets, like teachers and students.

The candidates concurred on the need to maintain “net neutrality” standards, which deny providers from segregating access to the internet. As well, they seemed in general agreement more education and information was needed to address the current opioid epidemic.

Likewise, the forum between Messrs. DaSilva and Russo touched on a numbers of topics beginning with a consensus on the importance of the city’s emerging waterfront district as a source of helping ease the tax burden on property owners.

Mr. Russo, stressing a similar theme throughout the gathering, said it was imperative to formulate a “long-term” plan to address economic development. He also suggested, in consultation with Mr. Conley, potentially creating legislation that would restrict tax increases on property owners based on the length of time one lived at their residence. Mr. DaSilva said he had already sponsored such a proposal while serving as a state rep back in 2009.

The candidates also found seeming agreement on prioritizing the construction of a new high school if the bond measure on the November 6 ballot passes. Mr. DaSilva said another of his focal points would be “reshuffling” some of the departments in the city to run more efficiently. Mr. Russo said an additional aim of his would again be to come up with a long-term plan to address problems in East Providence to “avoid quick fixes that have plagued the city.”

The composition of the mayor’s administration brought about the most sparring between the candidates. Mr. DaSilva chided Mr. Russo for seemingly seeking to construct a sizable office. “We’re not running a governor’s office, a lieutenant governor’s office or a congressional office,” Mr. DaSilva said, adding, “I will be the communications director for the city.”

Mr. Russo balked at Mr. DaSilva’s assertion of largess, saying mayoral municipalities like Warwick and Cranston spend upwards of $500,000 annually on the office, well below what is being set aside in East Providence. He urged keeping a public relations post in the set-up, something the current council removed and appeared to be supported by his opponent. Mr. Russo said lack of communication has been a bugaboo for the city, adding “Inadequate staffing would be a big mistake.”

When queried about their perceived conformity and agreement on many issues, each candidate said there were substantive differences between them, though even there they used the same measure in an attempt to distinguish themselves.

Mr. Russo said his background of working in government and as an attorney made him “better suited for the job.” Mr. DaSilva, likewise, referred to his background, though he said his was a “more well-rounded” one considering his 25-year tenure as a Pawtucket Police officer and term as an elected state representative.

Mr. DaSilva also cited his volunteerism in the community as a factor, to which Mr. Russo also referenced his long tenure as a youth sports coach throughout the city.

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MIKE REGO

Mike Rego has worked at East Bay Newspapers since 2001, helping the company launch The Westport Shorelines. He soon after became a Sports Editor, spending the next 10-plus years in that role before taking over as editor of The East Providence Post in February of 2012. To contact Mike about The Post or to submit information, suggest story ideas or photo opportunities, etc. in East Providence, email mrego@eastbaymediagroup.com.