Cranston Mayor Schedules Presser to Challenge City Council Chair … Retribution? or Good Governance?

Freshly reelected Cranston Mayor Ken Hopkins scheduled a press conference for Monday morning, ostensibly to attack City Council President Jessica Marino’s introduction of a TSA (Tax Stabilization Agreement) to benefit mega developer Carpionato Group. (FYI: Carpionato Group has allegedly withdrawn the TSA request today.) But is all as it seems? Included on the Agenda for Monday night’s City Council Meeting? A resolution regarding the ongoing controversy swirling around Mayor Hopkins “use” of a privately owned vehicle, the object of litigation by it’s owner. See below:

The Offending Language?

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT, the Honorable Cranston City Council 58
respectfully requests that *should the allegations of the plaintiff be admitted or proven, then an 59
independent investigation commence for the reasons articulated in the body of this Resolution.

Dear Taxpayer? What. Say. You? The language certainly seems reasonable. Is this a political tug of war, or a legitimate concern on behalf of taxpayers. The Coalition is reaching out to both sides, the Mayor, and Council President, for context.

The Entire Resolution

Press Release

Please be advised that Cranston Mayor Kenneth J. Hopkins and the Republican members of the Cranston City Council will be holding a press conference Monday November 25, 2024 at 10:00am.

Weather permitting, the press conference will be held in front of Cranston City Hall. 869 Park avenue, Cranston, RI.

The purpose of the press conference is to express concern and opposition for two pieces of special interest legislation being expedited by Democrat Council President Jessica Marino for the direct benefit of the Carpionato Group.

Both ordinances provide twelve-year tax treaties for Carpionato related entities for properties on Oaklawn and Scituate Avenue that have been tabled since January of this year and continued seven times. No other property owner receives a tax treaty benefit for residential purposes in Cranston.

With the scrutiny of the election passed, the Council President attempted to pass these controversial updated ordinances at a City Council Finance Committee meeting on November 13, 2024. In the face of opposition, the matters were continued to the next meeting on December 2, 2024.

Now a special Finance Committee meeting has now been called for Monday, November 25 th at 6:30pm.

Joining Mayor Hopkins will be Council Minority Leader Nicole Renzulli, Ward Four Councilman Richard Campopiano and Ward Five Councilman Christopher Paplauskas.

The Council Agenda