Woonsocket City Councilor James Cournoyer issued a response to an August 1, 2022 press release from council candidate Garrett Mancieri.

Cournoyer said “Mr. Mancieri, in an attempt to be relevant, criticized the current City Council with regard to modest budget amendments they passed for fiscal year 2023.

Specifically, Mancieri complained that the City Council increased the tax levy by less than 1% ($489,411) above that which the Mayor proposed. Mancieri also naively said that the Council ‘raised property tax rates to have inflated contingencies.”

Cournoyer noted that the less than 1% tax levy increase came after six consecutive years of levy decreases and provided funding for the following recurring operating expenses that were left out of the Mayor’s election-year budget proposal:

- funding for collective bargaining contracts (Local 808 Police, Local 732 Fire, Local 3851, and Local 670), all of which were expired as of June 30, 2022

- a $150,000 increase in school funding after several years of no increases

- restoration of funding for our Senior Center that was eliminated in the Mayor’s budget

- providing salary increases for non-bargained employees after being told that the exodus of employees from City Hall was the result of low pay, as opposed to a toxic work environment

- providing books and supplies for our library

- funding the city’s election costs

Further, Cournoyer noted that Mancieri parroted the Mayor’s election-year talking points with suggestions that American Rescue Plan Act (“ARPA”) funds should have been used in lieu of the modest tax levy increase. However, Cournoyer explained that ARPA should not be used for normal operating expenses so as to not create structural deficits in future years and that the majority of the city’s ARPA funds have already been ear-marked for large, onetime expenses, while at the same time the City faces several additional large ticket items for which funding will be required, including our Waste Water Treatment facility and demolition costs associated with several blighted properties.

Cournoyer said “it did not go unnoticed that, while complaining about taxes, Mr. Mancieri’s parents will enjoy a more than $1,175 (22%) tax decrease on their property at 372 Congress Street where Mr. Mancieri resides.”

“Perhaps if Mr. Mancieri himself made an investment in the City and actually received a tax bill, he would be more informed on these matters”, Cournoyer added.

In reference to Mancieris statement that, if elected, he would not participate in political factionsCournoyer said Mr. Mancieri should know that his former running mate, Councilman David Soucy, not only voted in favor of the budget amendments, but he also voted to over-ride the Mayors veto.

According to Cournoyer, Mr. Mancieri’s misguided comments are reminiscent of his naïve and uninformed criticisms of siting the City’s new water treatment plant on City owned property off Jillson Ave.

If Mancieri had his way, not only would he have blocked progress, but our new water treatment plant, which by all accounts has been nothing but a success, would be located outside of Woonsocket and subject to the whims (and taxes) of another community, said Cournoyer.

Cournoyer concluded by suggesting that Mr. Mancieri should stick with party-planning and cheerleading from the sidelines, while leaving the heavy lifting to the adults.

 

Republican House leaders say they hope to have the "big, beautiful bill" on President Trump's desk by Friday. The Senate narrowly passed the massive spending package Tuesday morning. Asked by a reporter if they have the votes, House Speaker Mike Johnson said they have more work to do, but it's going to get done.        President Trump says Israel has agreed to a 60-day ceasefire in Gaza. He posted on Truth Social Israel has agreed to the necessary conditions to finalize the deal. Trump added he hopes it brings peace to the region.        The jury will pick-up deliberations tomorrow in the Sean "Diddy" Combs sex crimes trial in New York. The jury told the judge they have a verdict on four of the five charges. They say they cannot reach a verdict on the racketeering charge.        Over 70-million Americans are expected to travel for the Fourth of July holiday. Triple-A says most will travel by car with the busiest travel days being tomorrow and July 6th. The TSA expects to screen more than 18-million air travelers between today and next Monday.        The University of Pennsylvania is banning transgender women from participating in its women's sports programs. The Education Department announced Tuesday it had reached a deal with the university months after accusing it of violating Title IX rules when it allowed a transgender woman to join the women's swim team. The agreement also mandates that the woman in question, Lia Thomas, have her records removed and her national title taken away.        Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is set to become the highest paid player in NBA history. The league MVP has reached an agreement on a four-year, 285-million dollar super max contract extension. The Thunder just beat the Indiana Pacers to win their second championship in team history.