LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Forget the 'nice guy' reputation

Posted 8/6/15

To the Editor:

Allan Fung has forever tried to portray himself as a “nice” guy, using the broad smile at every turn in his career. I could give some real examples in offering him as …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

E-mail
Password
Log in
LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Forget the 'nice guy' reputation

Posted

To the Editor:

Allan Fung has forever tried to portray himself as a “nice” guy, using the broad smile at every turn in his career. I could give some real examples in offering him as a man not of his word, but by concentrating on the present. It offers so much more to appreciate his damning performance as mayor while the investigation of the police department was still under way by the state police department headed by Colonel Steven O’Donnell.

The colonel gave strict orders that there should not be any interference by the mayor or his office. He knew that to offer a final product that could be verified and conducted in an honorable way, that there could be one and only one responsible for the final product.

So what does Fung do during the investigation?

He attempts to work out a deal with the disgraced Captain Antonucci to let him back on the force “with minor sanctions.” This is the same person that was sanctioned seven times by Captain Barry of the state police who was responsible for the day-to-day operation of the department for about 10 months, and to a accomplish a full investigation into the internal structure of the department and all personnel issues. This behavior by the mayor illustrates one of the core problems during the assessment; “the secretive interference by you and your staff” which came to light during the investigation by the state police.

It further highlights “the strong relationship between Cranston Mayor Allan W. Fung and the former head of the police union, Stephen Antonucci.” All of this led to a grossly divided department which was all part of a total lack of leadership. Fifty individuals were interviewed to make the assessment by the state police thorough and truthful.

Most of what we as taxpayers know was in a letter written by O’Donnell to Fung. There is still the full report of 200 pages still being held by Fung, who will not release it to the public. Keep in mind that his report was paid for with $500,000 of the state police budget, all of which is taxpayer’s money. And Fung has spent hundreds of thousands more dollars for paid leave for two captains and lawyer fees, again all taxpayer’s money.

So my fellow citizens of Cranston, where does that leave us at the present? Common Cause, Sen. Frank Lombardi, the ACLU, the City Council and many others demanded that we see the full 200 pages of the state police report. What has been the reaction from during the “king of mismanagement and secretive operation”? He has gone “fishing” as we are left with the greatest crisis Cranston has suffered in modern times. Call City Hall, council members, senators, and House members of the state, write letters, and make your presence felt.

Better yet, run for office to bring honesty, sound management and leadership returned and exercised for the city of Cranston.

And be ready to sign a petition to recall Allan Fung as mayor of Cranston. This is a very serious proposal to make, but what is more serious is the position the mayor has put not only the police department, but every citizen and taxpayer of this proud city in. Remember, we just had our taxes increased, and when you juxtapose that increase alongside of the minimum $1 million already spent (and more to come from the pending suits against the mayor and the city by certain police) we should all be outraged!

This is a call to action that any city would not want in their lifetime, but we must act to first protect ourselves from further harm and to make sure that those responsible are held responsible.

But remember, we are responsible also: if we don’t act we will get what we deserve. Starting with more taxes.

Richard Tomlins

Cranston

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here