Council - Residents At Odds Over Council Benefits & More

As reported here earlier, the city council meeting of January 19 pitted some of the city's most active social bloggers and resident critics of city council actions. City resident Jason Desrosiers has been highly critical of the three council members who were granted medical benefits as part of a compensation package. Thomas Rose, Helder Cunha and Tim Conley had accepted the benefit from former City Manager Paul Lemont. Conley has since said he no longer will accept the coverage.

"How did former manager Lemont justify granting health benefits to council members without any documentation," asked Desrosiers. "This benefit for part time elected officials doesn't help taxpayers. Process matters. This was done with no discussion. The public was kept out of the process. It was done at taxpayer expense," he continued.

"Wait," said Ward 2 councilman Helder Cunha. "Taxpayer? Where do you live?" When Desrosiers gave his Riverside address, Cunha shot back - "Isn't that Tom Riley's house? So you pay rent to him and he pays the taxes," Cunha said to Desrosiers. "Correct," answered Desrosiers as Cunha then said, "You don't pay taxes." Riley is also a frequent critic of city council decisions.

"You don't have to be a homeowner to speak. I pay car taxes, meal taxes and state taxes - all of which go to the city," Desrosiers said. "Your health benefits cost more than your stipend according to the budget," Desrosiers continued.

"Yes, that is correct," was Cunha's reply. "We were offered it and we took it," he added.

"And I believe that was an unethical decision on your part," said Desrosiers. "That's your opinion. We looked into that to see if it was kosher ," answered Cunha.

"I'm asking that you rescind this ordinance (for health benefits) and allocate that money for city infrastructure repairs or other priorities," stated Desrosiers. "Every dollar counts."

"You know what, I wish there were more of you that would come up here and give such a great speech with positive stuff," said Cunha. "That would be fantastic. But it's week after week after week the same people come up here with negative stuff. It's sickening, come up here with positive stuff. Think we're here to steal, it's disgusting," said Cunha.

"The City of East Providence is doing $250 million worth of private construction," said Mayor Tom Rose. "A lot of this has to do with this council being up here voting on those things. People say businesses are empty. That's because others are buying them. The new owners of Fox Toyota will be spending millions on new construction. Goodyear and Firestone buildings will have new owners. Each and every member of this council has worked harder on this city than any other council we've had before," Rose stated adamantly.

"You'll be impressed with what's coming aboard," said Cunha. "It's behind the scenes, things we can't present yet."

"This is all great," answered Desrosiers, "but it doesn't negate what I said before." Scott Scienzo and Candy Seel also addressed the council in opposition to the matter of council benefits. "I sat astounded watching your rules of procedures which you only enforce when it's to your advantage. There was a council resolution #9 but really two versions were seen. One version included language which gave the city council health benefits. There remains a mystery where this all came from. I've emailed the city manager and Mayor Tom Rose with questions and I never got an answer," said Seel. "I didn't get a response, yet Mr. Kirby gave a 25 minute response tonight to a question on this. You complain about public tone of speakers here yet that should go for both sides," said Seel. "You can't berate the public on their tone when they speak." "I apologize for not getting back to you," Kirby told Mrs. Seel.

"I have been called a keyboard warrior by some on this council. Well that's how we get our word out. Thousands are on line," Scott Scienzo told the council. "I have a list of complaints," he said. Scienzo went on to question the council on several areas from council resolutions to budget expenses. "The council approved a resolution that gave yourselves health benefits and there are two versions of a resolution out there. I was told the resolution that included council health benefits was an error," said Scienzo. In an earlier blog Scienzo wrote: "Time to put an end to the foolishness coming out of City Hall."

Hinting at more problems to come, Mayor Rose said "There are a lot more serious problems coming up. Things from outside areas where attacks are being made on the city council. You know, it'll come up," the Mayor said without elaboration. Stay tuned.