From The Office of Mayor Ken Hopkins:
“I am so disappointed in Bob Ferri’s incessant carping and unwillingness to be a collegial and
participating member of the city council to seek common ground and pro-taxpayer solutions,”
Hopkins said. “Ferri’s attacks are used to deflect and show his lack of understanding on
financing capital projects like the Budlong Pool.”
participating member of the city council to seek common ground and pro-taxpayer solutions,”
Hopkins said. “Ferri’s attacks are used to deflect and show his lack of understanding on
financing capital projects like the Budlong Pool.”
“Bob Ferri has aligned himself with the progressive partisan Cranston Forward activists who
choose stubbornness over reality and continue to demand we waste money on fixing a pool built
in the Depression,” Hopkins continued. “It is well known that even his Democrat colleagues find
him difficult to work with on issues. We have all seen his outburst and temper tantrums as
evidenced by his childish behavior at the September 6th community forum at Cranston East
where he banged the table and got up and left in a fit of rage.”
choose stubbornness over reality and continue to demand we waste money on fixing a pool built
in the Depression,” Hopkins continued. “It is well known that even his Democrat colleagues find
him difficult to work with on issues. We have all seen his outburst and temper tantrums as
evidenced by his childish behavior at the September 6th community forum at Cranston East
where he banged the table and got up and left in a fit of rage.”
Hopkins noted even Council President Jessica Marino was alarmed by his antics at this meeting.
Hopkins says Ferri and others want to keep talking about a pool size that is unrealistic and too
expensive to fix or build for the taxpayers.
expensive to fix or build for the taxpayers.
“We have about $4.7 million for a new modern pool that will serve the interest and swimming
needs of Cranston families,” Hopkins said.
needs of Cranston families,” Hopkins said.
The mayor reiterated that he had consulted a national aquatic design professional firm Weston &
Sampson to guide Cranston into the 21st century with a new and exciting pool concept.
Sampson to guide Cranston into the 21st century with a new and exciting pool concept.
“Mr. Ferri’s idea of a good pool design is just making it look like a bowling alley,” said Hopkins.
The mayor said his political opponents do not want a new pool for the community – “They want
a campaign issue to run against me on.”
The mayor said his political opponents do not want a new pool for the community – “They want
a campaign issue to run against me on.”
Hopkins stated most Cranston residents will see through this political charade and appreciate his
efforts to wisely spend tax dollars for a modern pool complex.
efforts to wisely spend tax dollars for a modern pool complex.
Citing a recent encounter with Ferri at the polls for the October 3rd special council election,
Hopkins again expressed disappointment in Ferri’s unpleasant disposition.
Hopkins again expressed disappointment in Ferri’s unpleasant disposition.
“I approached Ferri and said that we need to find a way to be more constructive in our tone and
actions on city business,” Hopkins said. “Keep in mind that I have known Bob Ferri long before
he flip-flopped from a Republican councilman and turned to being a partisan Democrat”Hopkins said Ferri rejected his conciliatory approach and made clear “politics dictates the
adversarial attacks he brings to the public dialogue.”
actions on city business,” Hopkins said. “Keep in mind that I have known Bob Ferri long before
he flip-flopped from a Republican councilman and turned to being a partisan Democrat”Hopkins said Ferri rejected his conciliatory approach and made clear “politics dictates the
adversarial attacks he brings to the public dialogue.”
“How sad is that?” asked Hopkins.
“I will continue to place good public policy and responsible leadership over partisan
obstruction,” concluded Mayor Hopkins.
obstruction,” concluded Mayor Hopkins.
Ferri for his constant negativism and partisan criticism as an elected official in the city.