To the Editor,

In a recent Cranston Herald article (Renzulli Named Leader for City Council Republicans, July 5, 2022), Cranston Ward 6 Republican City Councilman Matthew Reilly paints Cranston Republicans as “pro-taxpayer,” saying that they want to control spending and improve infrastructure. But in fact, our Republican Mayor’s budget includes a $19 million spending increase from last year’s budget and still leaves the city with a $12 million structural deficit. In addition, Hopkins’ plan to use ARPA funds – money from the Biden administration intended for Covid relief – on operational expenses due to poor planning. Reilly knows how bad this financial situation is because he himself voted with Council Democrats against the Mayor’s proposed budget.

What does all this additional spending without proposed revenue sources get us? Better services? Hopkins has just cut 21 city jobs, mostly in building and highway maintenance. His administration also squandered time during Covid when the Budlong Pool could have been repaired or at least inspected, but now it will remain closed indefinitely. Cranston just spent almost $14,000 on a report completed by a firm with no pool expertise through a no-bid contract this past April, so that we would know how many millions various repair scenarios would cost, just in time for summer.

Reilly also claims that Cranston Democrats want to “inject their liberal, progressive causes into every facet of our local government.” In fact, several progressive ordinances recently have been co-sponsored by Republicans, such as the “Declaring the First Friday in June to Be National Gun Violence Awareness Day” resolution, the “Plastic Bag Reduction” ordinance and the resolution “In Recognition of the Month of June as Pride Month.”

Reilly stated that a Republican colleague had a natural ability to bring people together. It’s a shame he doesn’t follow that same sentiment. Rather than saying he looks forward to working together as a team with all colleagues to help create a better Cranston, he slings partisan accusations and insults the intelligence of Cranston residents who can see that Cranston needs the Council to work together to help salvage the financial mess that we currently face under Republican leadership.

Emily Grady

Cranston