Council hopefuls take part in forums

A week after the hopefuls for ward seats gathered at the Central Library on Sockanosset Cross Road, the six candidates for citywide seats on the City Council met for a public forum on Oct. 6.

The forum, co-sponsored by the Cranston Herald and Cranston Public Library, preceded an hour-long session with the two candidates for mayor, Democratic challenger Michael Sepe and incumbent Republican Allan Fung.

The two incumbents seeking re-election to citywide seats – Democratic Council President John Lanni and Republican Michael Farina – are leading their respective tickets. Joining Lanni on the Democratic side are Lammis Vargas and Kate Aubin, while Farina is joined on the Republican side by Ken Hopkins and Louis Petrucci Jr.

Farina and Lanni used their opening statements to focus on areas they have worked on to improve Cranston and offer some suggestions for improvement.

Aubin, Hopkins, Petrucci, and Vargas – all first-time candidates – spoke of their respective backgrounds and the changes they would like to see implemented in the city under their watch.

In responding to a series of questions, all agreed that one of the biggest concerns for taxpayers throughout the city is the condition of roads and the need for improved infrastructure maintenance.

The candidates also discussed economic development, concerns over panhandling, the city’s lack of a full-time personnel director, and the state of Cranston’s schools.

The prior week featured the majority of the candidates running for ward seats. Those on hand included Democratic Ward 1 Councilman Steven Stycos; Republican Ward 2 Councilman Donald Botts and his Democratic challenger, Paul McAuley; Democratic Ward 3 Councilman Paul Archetto and his Republican challenger, John Bina; Democratic Ward 4 Councilman Mario Aceto and his challenge, Republican and current School Committee member Trent Colford; Republican Ward 5 Councilman Chris Paplauskas and his Democratic challenger, Stephen Ciambrone; and Republican Ward 6 Councilman Michael Favicchio and his Democratic challenger, Sherry Ferdinandi. Amy Ricci, who is vying for the Ward 4 seat on the School Committee against Vincent Turchetta Jr., was also present.

The candidates said while going door-to-door talking with constituents over the summer, some of the most frequently raises issues have been roads and property taxes.

Also discussed were economic development, education, the state of the Cranston Police Department, and other local issues.

Follow the Herald in the weeks ahead as we publish full profiles of the local candidates.