A packed City Council Chambers listens to Mayor Allan Fung as he answers questions about the State Police report about the ticket scandal. Photo by Andrew Augustus, WPRO News
Andrew Augustus, WPRO News
It was a mix of positive and negative questions and public for Cranston Mayor Allan Fung during a special City Council meeting. It was standing room only in council chambers as members of the public were able to ask the mayor about the Rhode Island State Police Report.
There were a few residents who called for his resignation. Others backed the mayor in his efforts saying he was acting in the best interest of the city.
“I’ve know you a long time Allan, we go back a long way. I spent the better part of the afternoon reading the report and I cannot tell you how disappointed I am in you, and the actions of certain people on the police department,” said city resident Carol Myron.
For the first part of the meeting members of the public were able to speak to the council as well as propose a question for the mayor.
“I’ve known Mayor Fung for many many years, probably about 40 years. I remember him as a little boy when he worked on Cranston Street in his parents’ restaurant, I can’t understand why the mayor would throw his political career away over ‘ticket-gate’,” said Mike Sepe, the Chairman of the Cranston Democratic City Committee and announced candidate for mayor.
However not all the comment was negative as many residents stepped up in support of Mayor Fung.
“I think that since the report has been released, Mr. Council President, we’ve seen that the mayor has been willing to answer questions and move this city forward,” said resident and Chairman of the Cranston Republican City Committee Nicholas Lima.
During the meeting there were a variety of comparisons ranging from “Watergate” to “Deflategate”.
“What kind of show is this tonight? I’m half expecting Ted Wells, the so-called disinterested third party from the NFL, to come out from behind this bench, with his full of holes 180 page ‘Deflategate’ report in one hand and your full of holes 180 page ‘Ticketgate’ report in the other,” said resident Joe Gabriel.
The Mayor responded to the questions saying he acted in the best interest of the city and wants to rebuild any trust that has been list.
“For those that express those concerns that they did tonight; my responsibility is to build back that trust and say to them that we have done a lot of good as an administration over the seven years,” said Fung.
Mayor Fung did not win over all of the city council as some members thought he was not fully honest.
“The key issue is tust and I can say I no longer trust the mayor,” said Councilman Steven Sycos.
The meeting adjourned with no official action taken.
