Conimicut area residents got to know many of the state and local candidates who are on the ballot better and hear of at least one of their good deeds Tuesday night, but they didn’t get to ask them questions until the end of the session sponsored by the village association meeting.  And then the sparks started to fly.

From the outset of the meeting held at Woodbury Union Church, Conimicut Village Association President Leslie Derrig made it clear the candidates had five minutes to personally introduce themselves. Once all the candidates had completed that, they were given a minute to relate one positive thing they had done but not shared publicly. Derrig’s goal was for the audience to better know the candidates rather than where they stood on the issues. The candidates had the opportunity to provide campaign information that was available on a table in the back of the room.

Nonetheless, incumbents touched on what they have done. Mayor Frank Picozzi congratulated the village association for its activities including the farmers market, art festival, cleanups, and village beautification that have brought the community together. He also talked of clearing Conimicut Point Park of dead trees and the refurbishment of Conimicut Light. Ward 4 Councilman James McElroy, now running to be Representative of District 21, reported that the gazebo the association identified as a project for federal funding Picozzi made available to councilmen, has been built and is slated for delivery soon. Rep. Joseph Solomon spoke on his legislative efforts and successes and Sen. Anthony DeLuca talked of being a freshman legislator and the committees he serves on.

Leah Hazelwood, Democratic candidate for mayor, did not attend. She is the vice chair of the School Committee, which was meeting at the same time. In her absence, a member of the CVA read a history of her background focusing on work in Warwick schools and passion of helping people as demonstrated by fostering children.

When the session was opened to questions from the audience, Lonnie Barham was first to ask where the candidates for state offices stood on Question 1 on the ballot, whether to hold a constitutional convention.  Responses were heavily weighted against approval on grounds the convention could be influenced by out of state money and individuals to the determent of Rhode Islanders. Those favoring the convention reasoned the public should have a voice in reshaping the state’s constitution and the voters would have the final say.

Answers on where the candidates stood on banning assault weapons was weighted in favor of the second constitutional amendment and the right to bear arms, with an emphasis on education and heightened security and safety measures. A question whether the candidates felt school lockdowns and measures aimed at preventing school shootings were adversely affecting students, especially preschoolers and kindergarteners, went unanswered.

But incumbent candidates, especially Mayor Picozzi, didn’t let allegations that “hundreds” of complaints and questions weren’t being followed up go unchallenged. Picozzi said his office responds to calls and pointed to a member of his staff in the audience to back him up. Ward 4 Councilman McElroy said the mayor’s office followed up on calls.

However, independent mayoral candidate Patrick Maloney had another story. He said for the past three years, a parent of a Wyman School student had sought to get a crosswalk in vicinity of the school painted but nothing happened. Maloney, a former member of the school committee, took on the cause, calling the school department and pointing out that should a child be hurt or even worse killed while attempting to cross in the unmarked designated crossing area the city could be faced with a lawsuit costing taxpayers hundreds of thousands, if not more.  The crosswalk was painted in a matter of a few days. Maloney also took on members of the City Council and without naming names questioned if it was right that one was sleeping at meetings and another pleaded nolo contendere to a misdemeanor charge.

Picozzi was outraged, charging Maloney of fabricating the story, adding that the city painted the crosswalk. Maloney stood his ground, saying he had the emails from the person who initially complained proving the city had ignored the issue. As the two candidates faced off, Derrig stepped in to cool things off. She noted the meeting was scheduled to end at 8:30 and the time was rapidly approaching.