Solomon unanimously elected Council President

In a show of unanimous support from his future colleagues on the City Council, Ward 4 Councilman Joseph Solomon was elected City Council president at a council caucus Sunday.

Solomon, who did not actively seek the position, praised the diversity, ambitions and talent of the all-Democratic council that will be sworn into office in January.

Solomon will succeed Ward 6 Councilwoman Donna Travis, who as recently as this past Friday said she was interested in seeking reelection to the post. Also interested in the job were Ward 5 Councilman Ed Ladouceur and Ward 8 Councilman Joseph Gallucci.

“I’m excited about this,” Solomon said of the council that will have four new members. “I’m honored that all voted in my support.”

Re-elected to his ninth term, an attorney and former Municipal Court Judge, Solomon is no stranger to the role of council president. He held the position for two terms after winning office for his first time in 2000. He stepped up to the job a second time in his fourth term in office.

During his tenure on the council, Solomon has had less than a harmonious relationship with Mayor Scott Avedisian. Over the years, the mayor has characterized Solomon’s persistent questioning as an effort to obstruct programs. That, however, hasn’t been an issue in recent years and in particular during Travis’ presidency. She endorsed Avedisian, a Republican, over her own party’s candidate, Richard Corrente, an action that rankled some Democrats.

Solomon said, “I look forward to working with the mayor.” He said he believes he and the mayor share a love of Warwick. “The election is over, the politics is over, let’s get on with city business,” he said.

“When the mayor has a good idea, we’re on board,” Solomon said. “It’s not going to be an adversarial council.”

“It’s not a Democratic or Republican thing, it’s a legislative and administrative thing,” he said of the roles of the council and the mayor.

In an email Avedisian said, “I thank Council President Donna Travis for her leadership and I look forward to working with Council President designate Solomon over the next two years.”

Prior to the inauguration, Solomon said he plans to meet with each council member-elect to learn of their interests and what committees they would like to serve on. Because interests may be similar, he stressed that he may not be able to fulfill all their wishes. On the other hand, he noted as not a single Republican was elected to the council, the Democrats are going to be kept busy.

Solomon said he is looking to streamline council meetings that frequently don’t start on time because of extended committee meetings.

“We don’t want to be burning the midnight candle,” he said.

Solomon along with Travis, Ladouceur, Gallucci and Ward 9 Councilman Steve Merolla are re-elected incumbents. New to the council in January are Richard Corley, Ward 1; Jeremy Rix, Ward 2; Timothy Howe, Ward 3 and Steve McAllister, Ward 7.

Speaking of the newcomers to the council, Solomon said they have a “diversity” of experience that he believes will benefit the council in its deliberations and the city.

“Everyone brings something positive to the table,” he said.

Issues Solomon identified as being close to his heart are ensuring that Warwick is affordable to its homeowners and highlighting the positive to ensure its growth. Of concern is the number of vacant homes.

“I want to continue to do positive things for the city to see it grow and improve,” he said.

Solomon preferred not to answer who asked him to serve as council president as he feels that is a confidential matter between him and the person who sought him out.

The caucus was held at Solomon’s law offices in Conimicut.