EP City Council Action: Riley in, Barilla out, Board of Canvassers.

After a short absence from the East Providence Board of Canvassers, outspoken veteran member Tom Riley has replaced another veteran board member, Peter Barilla, by the city council on a split 3-2 vote in January. The appointment came after intense lobbying from the city Democratic Party which felt that the appointment was rightfully theirs in accordance with state law. Riley was not re-appointed by a prior city council. State law requires that canvassing board members are selected from one of two lists to be provided by the city's Republican and Democratic parties. Party chairpersons submit the lists to the council. The Mayor then nominates one candidate and the council must ratify by a majority vote. Through the years the votes have gone along party lines.

Mayor and at-large councilman Jim Briden, a registered Democrat, nominated Republican Tom Riley. Riley's nomination received support from Ward 4 councilman, Democrat Brian Faria, and Ward 2 councilwoman, non-affiliated Anna Sousa. Councilman Joe Botelho, Democrat Ward 3 immediately questioned the rationale for Briden's nomination of Riley. "I'm just curious why at least 4 and maybe 5 sitting members of the Democratic city committee would oust veteran Democrat Peter Barilla," asked Botelho. Sousa quickly said, "Isn't this body non-partisan? I'm unaffiliated." While the city council is non-partisan, the process is expressly outlined as a partisan selection process by state law.

"A citizen is a citizen," said Mayor Briden. "If a resident is qualified, that's the criterion I go by," he said. The target of intense lobbying from city Democrats - Brian Faria - spoke at length. "This isn't just the Joe Botelho show, it's the five of us. I ran for all the people, Democrats, Republicans and Independents," shot back Faria. "I'm not going to be controlled by any party or any past politician or anyone," said Faria. "I'm a lifelong Democrat." Faria then referenced what may be at the center of his feud with his own political city committee when he talked about the past election. "I also ran for three Democratic ward seats," said Faria referring to the fact that Faria, his wife and daughter were ward 4 committee candidates. Faria's daughter finished tied for last on the committee and eventually was not kept on after some procedural maneuvering. (Faria is the son of City Democratic Chair, John Faria).

"As far as Tom (Riley), he is the most loyal, honest person for this appointment," said Faria. "He has helped this community as candidates go to him for unbiased help. The canvassing authority is the holy grail for candidates," continued Faria.

"I'm just curious," interjected Botelho. "Mayor Briden says experience and qualifications count but he just booted out Peter Barilla who has 10 years dedicated experience. Also he (Briden) never asked me so maybe you three (Sousa, Briden, Faria) are on the same team," said Botelho. "He didn't ask me," said Sousa. I saw it on the docket just like you did."

The mood continued combative as Botelho addressed Faria directly. "So listen, when you say how much above the fray you are, Brian, make no mistake, you're in it up to your knees," Botelho said.

"Is there something you want to say Joe, just say it," Faria responded. "I just don't understand the logic of it, that's all," said Botelho. "We all know I've been assassinated by calls from just about everyone on this Democratic Committee," said Faria. Faria then tried to move the question but Ward 1 councilman Bob Britto spoke up. "Back in June this issue came up with the former council. Mr. Reilly said it wasn't being done the right way. We're doing it that way now. Why was it wrong then but right now," asked Britto.

Mayor Briden said that he asked the solicitor to check things out. He said he also checked state law. "I selected a name, it's on the docket for a vote of the council," said Briden. The council then voted 3-2 for Riley, with Britto and Botelho voting against. Riley joins Kimberly Bass and Elizabeth Pegg on the three member panel. Bass is listed on their web site as the Republican City Committee chairperson.

Former Mayor Rogers Speaks:

After the vote to replace Barilla with Riley, former Mayor Bruce Rogers addressed the council in his capacity as Vice-Chairman of the city Democratic Committee. "I wanted to speak before your vote, but it wasn't allowed. Can anyone here speak to Robert's Rules of Order," Rogers asked. Rogers was wondering why the order of docketed items was rearranged by Mayor Briden to start the meeting. Rogers procedural question wasn't addressed and he then read a statement. "This was a vote against someone as much as a vote for someone," he said. Peter Barilla has been a Canvassing Authority representative since 2007. His seat has always been a Democratic one. He served this city well in the school department and city hall for years before.

The city has more registered Democrats than any other party and as a majority party this seat belonged as Democratic appointee," Rogers stated. "Of this city council, four members are Democrats and 3 sought and won seats on the committee. State law states that party chairs submit names for considerations. The Democratic chairman did so. The listed Republican chair did not although a list given by a Kathy Santos was sent in supporting Riley," Rogers said.

Tom Riley Speaks:

Later in the meeting Tom Riley addressed the council. Riley often addresses city councils and sometimes school committees amid criticism from some quarters that canvassing board members should limit publicly speaking on political issues. "I've been on the board for 16 years Mr. Botelho," said Riley. "You're listening to Mr. Rogers and his misinformation. I put a lot of effort to make a clean and level playing field for all candidates. I have more training in this," added Riley. As Riley made other comments about Rogers, the former Mayor answered him back from his seat in the audience chambers. After some back and forth, Mayor Briden, who does not run a tight meeting, stopped the discussion.

Riley then brought up the topic of councilman Brian Faria's daughter's alleged treatment by the city Democratic party. "It was heartbreaking to see what happened to Rochelle Faria in the primary as to how she was dealt with by the Democrat Party," said Riley. "Notice I didn't say Democratic? There's nothing democratic about the Democrat Party. They're a bunch of little fascists. She was assaulted verbally and physically intimidated at a polling place as she went to vote," Riley told the council. "It was reported to the canvassing office which was told to bury it (the complaint)," claimed Riley. Riley then alleged that Faria's daughter was harassed by the wife of another candidate. "You don't intimidate or bully me. That's how a fascist government works. They gang up on you."

Riley's characterization of the Democratic Party as fascists didn't sit well with Joe Botelho. Botelho asked the city solicitor, Greg Dias, to see if Riley's comments were appropriate. "I want to direct that the city solicitor checks with the state board of elections to see if Mr. Riley has disqualified himself from serving on the board of canvassing.

Democratic City Committee Responds to Riley:

The Democratic City Committee has responded with correspondence to the media regarding the appointment of city board of canvassing member Tom Riley. The Democrats are upset with Riley's appointment and the process used by the council. The Democrats took issue with Riley's use of the Fascist term and the council's lack of adherence to its rules for public speaking.

The letter goes on to use dictionary terms to define Fascism: "Any ideology or movement inspired by Italian Fascism, such as German National Socialism; any right-wing nationalist ideology or movement with an authoritarian and hierarchical structure that is fundamentally opposed to democracy and liberalism.”

"Tuesday night, January 17, 2017, Tom Riley, the newly appointed third member of our Canvassing Authority, in defense of his appointment, called The East Providence Democratic party 'a bunch of Fascists.' City Council President Briden called Tom Riley, the most qualified candidate. Really?

This is the best East Providence has to offer? Mayor Briden started the meeting by rearranging the docket without unanimous consent, as required. Additionally, Mayor Briden allowed Mr. Riley to speak for a total of 30 minutes – ignoring the five minute rule for speaking. Moreover, the current Republican Party Chairman is already on the Canvassing Authority which is probably why a “temporary, NON ELECTED Republican leader submitted Mr. Riley’s name. Canvassing laws say that the Chairman of both active parties is supposed to submit five names each to the City Council for consideration.

The shameful disrespect Mr. Riley showed to The East Providence Democratic Party proves that Mr. Riley is not impartial or stable enough to be selected to a leadership position in our City. The three council members, Mr. Briden, Mr. Faria, and Ms. Sousa, who voted for Mr. Riley, also happened to be the only council members that voted benefits for themselves AND a completely unnecessary office for themselves in City Hall. These three council members should be watched very carefully. It is a shame that shenanigans have already started with our new council!" - East Providence Democratic City Committee.

Rumors and a Cancelled Meeting:

In another matter of city council dissent, Joe Botelho said he wanted to dispel all rumors in the community regarding a cancelled city council meeting in January. Rumors persisted in the city that interim city manager, Tim Chapman was the topic of that aborted meeting. "To dispel all the rumors out there...Mr. Faria (Brian) contacted me to have a special city council meeting to replace Tim Chapman as acting city manager. I agreed. But because the meeting wasn't posted correctly, the meeting was cancelled. I don't know if that meeting will happen. That's what happened," said Botelho.

"Who are you blaming," asked Faria. "They've always been posted before," he added. "The law department said differently," interjected Botelho. "Well the law department did cite some cases," added Faria.

Solicitor Dias said that he stopped the meeting from happening because "I didn't want the council to be in violation of the state Open Meetings Law."

EP Fire Department Honored:

Fire Chief Oscar Elmasian accepted recognition from the Liberty Mutual Insurance Company during the January council meeting. Jen Bergeron of Liberty Mutual gave the award for "Outstanding Commitment to Community Service." "After meeting with East Providence High School Principal Shani Wallace, we were able to organize an effort to give a crash demonstration for the students," said Bergeron. These demonstrations are very important as communities seek to keep students with cars safe after a school prom or other event while driving. Bergeron also thanked Battalion Chiefs Mike Carey and David Rave. Chief Elmasian introduced several of his department members, telling the audience that, "while we accept criticism at times for various reasons, I am glad to give these men and women a lot of credit. They respond to emergencies all the time with no hesitation." Also helping with key planning for the event was high school health and physical education teacher Sara Duarte.