DelFino Jr. re-elected chair of Johnston Democratic Town Committee

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If Richard J. DelFino Jr. was a position player on a baseball team, he’d probably be batting a 1.000.

As chairman of the Johnston Democratic Town Committee, DelFino hasn’t lost an election since being elected in 2012. A member of the Johnston Democratic Party for many years, he was re-elected to the chairman’s position on Jan. 28 by the entire 55-member committee.

DelFino’s resume includes 30 years of community service. He was a member of the Johnston School Committee from 1988 to 2000 and served as its chairman for many of those years. He serves as clerk for Johnston Municipal Court.

Additionally, he serves on the Executive Committee of the Rhode Island Democratic Party, the Executive Board of the Rhode Island Association of City and Town Committees and the Board of Directors of the Tri-County Community Action Agency.

DelFino’s newest term leading the town committee will last two years. He will again be charged with coordinating the local Officers Committee and the 11 members from each of the town’s five voting districts who were elected to the town committee.

“Richard DelFino is a great, great guy,” Mayor Joseph Polisena said. “He’s fair. He has to deal with 55 different personalities, and that’s often difficult. He has without question put the Johnston Democratic Town Committee high on the state map.”

When asked what direction the town committee will take during the next two years, DelFino said, “Our focus will be supporting Mayor Polisena and the local elected/endorsed members of the Johnston Town Council, School Committee and General Assembly. These are our representatives who represent the interests of all Johnstonians.”

He added, “Our community and Democratic team tend to move to the right of center on issues affecting our state and country. We are certainly not the Democratic Party of the likes of [New York Congresswoman Alexandria] Ocasio-Cortez.”

Like most political leaders, DelFino said he was feeling fatigued after the 2018 election. However, as he said while previewing the next two years, “I have been re-energized in supporting a more moderate Democratic agenda.”

“While I respect the opinions of other more progressive agendas, a balance of opinions is crucial to maintaining a healthy process in an agenda for all Rhode Islanders,” he added.

DelFino’s fellow town committee officers are: Jennifer Russo, first vice chair; Anthony Pilozzi, second vice chair; Vilma Zanni, third vice chair; Linda Folcarelli, secretary; Christen Ciarlo, recording secretary; Lois Mazzulla Marandola, corresponding secretary; Richard Civetti, treasurer; Peter Susi, assistant treasurer; and Carlo Jacavone, sergeant at arms.

Delfino also announced members who will represent the five districts on the committee during the 2019-20 term.

District 1: Mary Cerra, Dennis Cardillo, Christen Ciarlo, Richard J. DelFino Jr., Linda Folcarelli, Eileen Fuoco, Derek LaFazia, Robert LaFazia, Jennifer Russo, Frank Saccoccio and Neicy Taveras

District 2: Patricia Colardo, Lauren Garzone, John Laurito, Stephen Mallane, David Santilli Jr., Scott J. Scungio and Peter Susi

District 3: Mary Sue Andreozzi, Robert Andreozzi, Claudia Belluscio, Janice D. Mele, Joseph Polisena Jr., David J. Santilli Sr., Ronald Webster, Beverly Williams, Benedetto Zanni, Bennie J. Zanni and Vilma Zanni

District 4: David aRusso, Elaine M. Cabral, Richard Civetti, Rep. Deborah Fellela, Cheryl Jackson, Rita Marsella, Joseph Quartino, Joseph W. Rotella, Gregory C. Russo, Robert Russo and Arnold Vecchione

District 5: Vincent P. Baccari Jr., Peter Delponte, Carlo Jacavone, Lois Mazzulla Marandola, Michael Parrillo, Anthony Pilozzi, Mayor Joseph M. Polisena, Mohamad V. Sasa and Rhonda Sasa 1

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