[alert type=”muted”]Watch the full debate on WPRI.com[/alert]The three candidates for mayor of Providence promised to spur economic development, improve schools and add police officers during their first televised debate Tuesday, making the case that the city is plagued by poor finances and crime.
The debate between Democrat Jorge Elorza, Republican Daniel Harrop and independent Vincent A. “Buddy” Cianci Jr. was held at Rhode Island College was sponsored by WPRI 12 and The Providence Journal.
The candidates are running to replace outgoing Mayor Angel Taveras, who is leaving City Hall after one term in office following his loss in the Democratic primary for governor Sept. 9.
When Cianci was mayor I can recall he had little interest in transit (no patronage for him there as it is a state agency) other than reducing tis presence in Kennedy Plaza. Thus we lost an earlier auto restricted zone, Washington St was opened to thru auto traffic, and RIPTA’s presence was reduced to the inadequate outer islands in the Plaza with no shelters and not enough room.
The city was then in charge of lighting, litter control, and snow removal and did a crappy job, RIPTA eventually had to take it over.
Cianci also opposed bike lanes on Blackstone Blvd, didn’t maintain an earlier bike route around the Fox Point harbor area, and was derisive about concerns for pedestrian safety.
I think his election would set back all alternative transportation efforts in the city. It could also hurt the entire state as it would be seen as an acceptance of a culture of corruption.