Former mayor Cianci outlines plans for Fitchburg's growth - Sen...

Former Providence mayor and convicted felon Buddy Cianci told about 50 city and business officials that Fitchburg is poised to have the type of positive economic and social revitalization that Rhode Island's ...

[Formerly lived in RI]

I lived in RI during "Buddy's" reign. NOT
some one to be looked up to. Read Wikipedia on him, they only cover the top layer. I'm sure they don't want to be sued, but there is much more that went on then they cover.(It was covered by the Providence Journal) He acomplished many of "his" great things for the city with the assistance from his croanies on "The Hill" (Federal Hill). Helps to have the Mafia on your side.
Find a better role model. He is not it.

[outraged resident]

Why did Cianci come to Fitchburg?
Did members of the city government invite him?
Was he paid for his appearance? If so, where did that money come from? Was he paid with tax-payer money? Was each person who attended the speech charged a fee? Did Rollstone Bank and Trust pay Cianci?
I call for a boycott of Rollstone Bank and Trust for hosting Cianci – the most vile of people; using the force of government to rob, control, and intimidate citizens. He is a disgusting individual.
I think his appearance in Fitchburg and Wong’s apparent excitement to hear his sends a clear message about the type of person Wong is…a pervert! I would have developed a great deal of respect for Wong is she had challenged Cianci on his criminal activity and told him she was not interested in his opinion of Fitchburg. But instead of doing the right thing, she appears to be praising him – according to this article.
Fitchburg is strapped for money. If tax money was used to pay Cianci, then everyone one involved should be tarred, feathered, and run out of town.
If Wong admired Cianci, should be be expecting a Cianci-style government from Wong?
All she talks about is her utopian vision of Fitchburg. I am not sure what to make about all of her babbling about her dreams for Fitchburg. If she is going to spend her time trying to get individuals and businesses to donate money to a plan, then I might be an active supporter. But, if Wong intends to spend tax dollars to bring her dream to fruition, I’m adamantly opposed to it. It would just be another socialist’s wet dream – forcibly taking money from people for her own cause.
If the people who attended Cianci’s talk paid out of their own pockets, then I’d remove my complaint about giving citizen’s money to a felon. But I would still have to conclude that Wong, and the other people who attended, are criminal friendly…not a good sign for the future of Fitchburg.

[Ken Burgess]

Cianci was PAID to show up, he does this on a regular basis, making speaking arrangements. While downtown Providence may be a jewel, just travel 1 mile in any direction from the state house, you will see slums and more.

[Erebus]

Just what we need in Fitchburg, another criminal.

[Embarrassed]

Buddy Cianci? Did anyone do there homework on this guy? This is just what this city needs for a pick me up. First Chronical not seeing ALL of Fitchburg, just what the outside wants to see. Now a criminal, to tell us how to make this an All American city once again. Tell you what, after seeing that I am embarrased to say I live in this once great city. Good luck....

[Gulf War vet]

I can't believe our elected officials seemed to be so enthralled with this guy. It doesn't take a rocket scientist, less a felon, to realize we need to make the city more family- and pedestrian- friendly, and come up with more novel ideas on how to rejuvenate the economy downtown. Shees, what are we paying the mayor for any way? I thought we elected her to use some of that education; I guess good old common sense wasn't part of the deal. DiNatale likewise should be ashamed of himself for supporting this guy.

[Ken Burgess]

What's next ? Wong is a 1 term mayor, period.

[AJ Pennypacker]

I attended his talk at RBT and my invitation and RSVP came from the Chamber of Commerce, so I assume they sponsored that event along with Cianci's appearance at their monthly breakfast the next morning.

[Ex RI citizen]

Buddy Cianci is one of the most corrupt hypocritical individuals around. Yes, he spent time in prison for a crime he committed and was caught at, what about all the other crimes he didn't get caught at? Or the other things he was involved with but ended up getting the charges dropped? Does Mayor Wong know he is a wife beater? Still somehow he seems to come up smelling like a rose!! He doesn't do anything unless there is something in it for him. The sad part is according to some people in Providence he is still looked at as if he was a saint because to some people in Providence, as long as you're Italian, they need know nothing more about you to support you. If I lived in Fitchburg and I found out my tax dollars went to pay for his visit to the city, I would demand my money back. Who next, Whitey Bulger? Give me a break!!

[Ron]

Come on people, the North Central Mass Chamber of Commerce sponsored the event. They paid for it, not our city. And I am sure Mayor Wong HAS to go to events she is invited to by that group. How good would it be for our new Mayor to snub a helpful group of business and their chamber? You'd be deriding her for not being business friendly then, right?

Another point, do you really think that the Sentinel has presented the whole story? How does anything in this story lead any of you to conclude anything about our city, our mayor, or what type of job she is doing. Give me a break, there are bigger things going on, you know? Things that don't need to be nitpicked to find fault with.

[Ex RI citizen 9 opinion]

I had a momentary memory glitch in my comments about Cianci,#9 comment. It wasn't his wife he beat but her boyfriend. Either way, he is not a nice person!!

[WestSide Resident]

Ron wrote:

Come on people, the North Central Mass Chamber of Commerce sponsored the event. They paid for it, not our city. And I am sure Mayor Wong HAS to go to events she is invited to by that group. How good would it be for our new Mayor to snub a helpful group of business and their chamber? You'd be deriding her for not being business friendly then, right?
Another point, do you really think that the Sentinel has presented the whole story? How does anything in this story lead any of you to conclude anything about our city, our mayor, or what type of job she is doing. Give me a break, there are bigger things going on, you know? Things that don't need to be nitpicked to find fault with.

My thoughts exactly. It's too bad not everyone can see the big picture. Instead they jump to ridiculous conclusions stemming from their own negativity. I applaud Mayor Wong for ALL she is doing to help this city.

[Erebus]

WestSide Resident wrote:

<quoted text>
I applaud Mayor Wong for ALL she is doing to help this city.

Like what?

It wouldn't be hard for me if I was mayor to skip a speech by a convicted felon not matter who invited him. They would get a response the likes of, "Sorry I will not be able to attend on the grounds that I choose not to fraternize with or take advice from convicted felons."

[WestSide Resident]

Erebus wrote:

<quoted text>
Like what?

It wouldn't be hard for me if I was mayor to skip a speech by a convicted felon not matter who invited him. They would get a response the likes of, "Sorry I will not be able to attend on the grounds that I choose not to fraternize with or take advice from convicted felons."

Like this for starters
http://www.sentinelandenterprise.com/editoria...
http://www.sentinelandenterprise.com/local/ci...
http://www.sentinelandenterprise.com/local/ci...

Along with performance based budgeting and making department heads accountable, ensuring their budgets are in line with department goals.

Many convicted felons that have been rehabilitated use their past mistakes to help teach our children what can happen when they chose to make such mistakes. Have you ever seen the tv series "It Takes a Thief" Two convicted ex-felons who now have a successful home security business and a TV show to boot. The point being, we can learn first hand from their criminal actions.

Martha Stewart, need I say more?

[Erebus]

Unless they are given a pardon they are felons not ex-felons. Don't believe me have one of them try and apply for a gun permit.

She hasn't been in office long enough for anything she has done to have an impact yet so it is far too early to sing praises.