To the editor:
I have watched the circus, around the East Providence City Council and the resolution to terminate the City Manager, Richard Kirby. I have watched as a small group of self appointed "guardians of the public interest", have loudly, and angrily criticized and defamed the council members seeking his ouster, who in my opinion, are trying their best to protect the city and the taxpayers. I've seen that those making the most noise have repeatedly put forward false or inaccurate information and ignored inconvenient facts. Because the question of Mr. Kirby's employment involves issues that are serious and maybe very expensive, and also because some have blamed me for his hiring,I want to give my opinion.
Let me first state that the rumors that I recommended Mr. Kirby for city manager are true. I did so because the council decided to seek a permanent manager and I was asked if I knew of any good candidates. I was also aware that there was a growing sense of alarm regarding Acting City Manager Paul Lemont's alleged conduct. I repeatedly heard that it was common talk in city hall that Mr. Lemont was engaging in inappropriate behavior, and had done so with or to the director of human resources. I had no way to know if the this was true, but I did know that it was the topic of much discussion. At the same time there was further talk about similar conduct by a high ranking city employee also involving the same director. So, I put forward Mr. Kirby's name to try to help the search. I must say now that I consider that to be an error, perhaps one of the most regretful of my time in public life.
We wouldn't be here today but for Mr. Kirby terminating the human resources director and refusing to allow her return to work after a federal judge decided his action was illegal. However, what is done is done, and now the city is on the receiving end of a potentially catastrophic judgment in a sexual harassment lawsuit. The allegations contained in the suit, if proven, are vile and disgusting and cannot be tolerated in any workplace. They involve conduct which none of us would stand for if it involved any of our mothers, wives, daughters or sisters. To think that the alleged victim is a fifty plus year old grandmother, raising her grandson as a single mother, is appalling. It also should give every home owner in the city pause, because, in front of a jury, it is a compelling story, possibly worth a very large sum of money, money that as of now, will not be covered by insurance, but instead by a tax increase. The city of Providence just lost one of these suits and is on the hook for $700,000. Their facts are far less damaging compared to the our allegations, and Providence tried to address the complaint. Not only has our city not taken any action against anyone mentioned in the suit, but I watched on Channel 10 when Mr. Kirby admitted that he did not even investigate as he is required to, an admission that is very valuable to the lawyer's suing us. If we lose in court, we will be looking at paying millions. Everyone should know that a million dollars is approximately one dollar on the tax rate.
There are other complaints against Mr. Kirby. They include his removing a country club and a successful restaurant from tax sale while other folks are struggling to keep up with their tax bills. Both of those cases involve real money by anyone's standards, money owed to the city for a long time. However, the lawsuit, and its allegations is the issue I find to be most disturbing. The fact that the “protestors" really don't want to talk about any of that is most telling. As they criticize and insult those trying to do the right thing, their silence on the issue is deafening. To say that this is not our city's finest moment is a great understatement. In my opinion, somebody, somewhere should be ashamed.

Daniel Da Ponte

Daniel Da Ponte is the state senator from District 14, representing East Providence.