ON THE RECORD
Volume 2 Number 12
MAYOR BRIEN?
Mayoral candidate Todd Brien was a recent guest on the MIDDAY SHOW and spoke about some of his ideas should he become Mayor. He believes that he could negotiate changes and concessions with the city unions because, as he phrased it, it's a time of "maintenance", and the unions understand that. The term means that automatic raises may not be in the best interest of any party during these economic times. He also spoke of "three platoons" in the fire department
to reduce overtime.
One of his top priorities will be economic development as a way of increasing the city's tax base. He also will attempt to address the fact that businesses in the city pay the some of the highest taxes in the state.
He is also in favor of having the state renew its commitment to World War II Memorial State Park as well as the state's taking control of the Technical and Vocational School.
WHY PAY FOR PRIMARIES?
Where can we cut? That's a question that states and municipalities keep asking. Actually, there are many area left if political leaders are willing to face the music. First, why should taxpayers pay for primaries. Here in Woonsocket, we have non-partisan elections, so why have a primary? Rewrite the charter and schedule just one election. Statewide, if a party wants to have a primary, let the party pay for it.
Another area which should be addressed is the state's budget for the corrections department. Did you know that Rhode Island's cost per prisoner is the highest in America--$45,000 per year per prisoner. Louisiana has the lowest at $13,000. The overtime budget is astronomical, much of which is related to overtime for officers who appear in court. In this age of cell phones, why do officers have to wait around in courthouses for days for a trial to start. When the trial starts, buzz the officer via cellphone.
Many of the arguments against cuts is "we've always done it that way".
MONEY IS COMING BACK
During the last few months credit card holders have become more fed-up with credit card companies, their new policies and their insensitivity to clients. Some groups have begun to pay cash and not use credit cards. In fact, some Americans are tearing up their cards. Some of us can remember when all purchases were paid in cash or by check. What's wrong with going back to that
system? Furthermore, with the increase of ID theft, why not do away with internet purchases and bill paying? Has convenience become the evil that will drag us all down?
UPCOMING ELECTIONS
As candidates prepare their press releases and their appearances on various radio shows, I hope that they are ready to put forth specific issues and ideas such as would it be a good idea to privatize our water system? Should we phase out all of the housing complexes? What do we do with all the vacant mills and land, some of which are real eyesores? Are the candidates willing to walk neighborhoods and speak with residents. The Council has recently been accused of being too insulated and not being in touch with what's going on in the city. Have the incumbents lived up to their promises?
Don's comments are his own. He doesn't speak for WOON Radio or this website.
You can contact Don weekday mornings at the radio station, telephone (401) 762-1240.
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