Council Member Capobianco wants City Resolution to Allow City Workers to Coach:

East Providence City Council member at large, Tracy Capobianco has asked the city solicitor tonight to craft a resolution that would allow city employees to be coaches for our city youth, in particular for high school teams. City Manager Paul Lemont is not supportive of city employees using their own vacation time to leave work early on the days coaches may need to leave early. Former school committee and city council member Chrissy Rossi has been a vocal opponent of Lemonts edict to stop city employees from holding other stipend positions while working. "These coaches have brought us championships. They are dedicated to our children and they are proud Townies. I ask residents to reach out to your councilmen and tell them you want them to support the councilwoman's resolution," urged Rossi.

Directly involved are head hockey coach Kevin Croke and head soccer coach Tony Vieira. Croke works full time in the department of Public Works in engineering. Vieira also works for the city in the recreation department. Both were hired to be part-time coaches for the high school. Usually, by contract and prior practice, regular teachers are offered coaching jobs first. But in cases whereby no teachers apply for a coaching position, the school department can hire from the community at large.

This was the case with high school hockey and soccer. After no teacher applied for these two open positions, both Croke and Vieira were hired. Both coaches have done excellent jobs according to many close to both the hockey and soccer programs. There was strong talk in the city that hockey was going to be abolished at the high school due to its' cost and other factors. The school has to rent out of town rinks to practice and play games. Equipment is expensive and there are transportation costs. Within a short time, however, coach Croke built up a strong hockey program and the team won two recent division state championships. That seemed to lessen the appetite for dropping hockey and the program has thrived.

Tony Vieira has also brought a dedication and positive effort to the soccer team. The team's long time former coach, Mario Andrade has taken a leave and has not indicated a desire to return. Andrade teaches in Pawtucket. Vieira also is active in city soccer circles and is the person responsible for the effort to construct a new synthetic athletic field behind the high school. The field would be for high school and city youth groups. However, it has recently stalled after legal procedural objections from the city. This stall may delay the entire project in time for next season.

Tony Vieira, is taking a leave of absence from coaching Townie boys soccer. "I see both sides of this issue and I want to be fair to my players and not drag this thing out for their sake," said Tony Vieira in an interview with The Reporter. "Back around mid-March, Mr Lemont told me there were issues with me coaching EPHS soccer while also working for the city recreation department. Mr. Lemont was supportive and not negative toward me but said he had questions. Even though I was using my vacation time to leave early some days to coach the team, he (Lemont) said the issue was collecting a pay from both jobs," said Vieira. "Mr. Lemont has treated me with respect throughout this ordeal." Vieira said that Lemont would allow him to coach if he were a volunteer coach and not getting paid.

Earlier Kevin Croke indicated that he may take a harder stand than Vieira. "I'm still the hockey coach and I plan to remain the hockey coach," he maintained.

The Capobianco requested resolution will have to undergo a hearing and final city council vote.