Breaking News: Oh, What a Night [in East Providence]

I just returned from the Inauguration Ceremony and Reception of our [new and improved] City Council and School Committee, which occurred earlier tonight on the 50th anniversary of the founding of The City of East Providence.

Here is the rundown from the meeting:

The Oaths of Engagement to the Council-elect and the School Committee-elect were both given by Supreme Court Chief Justice Frank Williams. By my count, he only used the word “Lincoln” 4 times during his somewhat wordy prepared remarks — which, based on previous speeches of his which I’ve been at, showed considerable restraint on his part.

For City Council, Brian Coogan and Joseph Larisa will join incumbents Robert Cusack, Valerie Perry, and Bruce DiTraglia. Joseph Larisa, who had served previously as Mayor on and off since 1992, was unanimously elected by the Council to once again serve as Mayor of East Providence. Robert Cusack of Rumford was elected as Assistant Mayor.

Following his election as Mayor, Joseph Larisa gave a very good speech, where he detailed some of the dire problems facing the city, and some ideas on how to remedy them. I can’t wait for them to get started.

The Council made the following appointments for two-year terms, all of which are new (I’m going by the audio, so some of my spelling here may be a little off):

City Clerk - Kim Casci
City Solicitor - James Braden
Asst. City Solicitors - Matthew Olivero and Robert Craven
Probate Judge - Christina Ferguson
Municipal Court Judge - Patrick Rogers
Municipal Court Officer - Joseph Connors
City Sergeants - William Abboud and Jason Mederios
Sealer of Weights and Measures - John Butler

For School Committee, political newcomers Shannon Barbosa and Luisa Abatecola will join incumbents Anthony Carcieri, Steve Santos, and Robert Faria. Anthony Carcieri was unanimously elected by the committee to serve as its Chairman. Steve Santos was elected as Vice Chairman. Shannon Barbosa was elected as Clerk.

All the votes tonight were unanimous [5-0], which just may be a first for us.

Monday, December 1st, 2008, by Will Ricci and is filed under "Breaking News, Meetings, Reformers ". Both comments and pings are currently closed.