BREAKING: Caucus Elects Matos Providence City Council President, Salvatore is Out
Sunday, November 11, 2018
Sabina Matos has landed eight votes — the majority of the Providence City Council and is claiming the Providence City Council Presidency.
The election knocks David Salvatore out of the council presidency a position which he held for less than a year.
She will assume the top position on January 7, 2019 when the new council is installed.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTThe caucus held Saturday also elected Councilman Michael Correia President Pro Temp and Councilwoman Jo-Ann Ryan Majority Leader.
Mary Kay Harris was elected Deputy Majority Leader and John Igliozzi elected Majority Whip
Matos had served as acting Council President in 2017 after Luis Aponte was forced to step down as President due to legal issues
Salvatore - Conflicts and Questions
For Salvatore, his tenure was brief and raised significant questions about conflicts in his dual roles as a full-time lobbyist for RI Realtors and his part-time position as City Council President.
Salvatore has repeatedly refused to answer questions about seeking an advisory opinion from the RI Ethics Commission as it relates to his actions on the proposed $300 million Fane Tower.
For nearly 18 months Salvatore would not take a public stand on the proposed project, but he also did not recuse himself Finally, in early August Salvatore announced that he was opposed to the height of the project and the location.
Salvatore’s Women Problem
In October, leading women across Providence have criticized Providence City Council President for being “abusive,” a “bully,” and failing to support issues important to women.
It started earlier in October when Lisa Ranglin, President of the Black Business Association, blistered Salvatore for a lack of support for issues that matter to women and minorities. By Tuesday night the number of high profile women raising questions about Salvatore had risen to five.
On Monday night an ugly incident took place after a City Council Committee meeting when Salvatore “screamed” and “intimidated” two female members of the City Council for not agreeing to vote the same way he wanted. Both Councilwomen recapped the incident exclusively to GoLocal.
"After the vote, I get a text from Salvatore -- he said I should be supporting women's issues, and that I'm shameful," said Councilwoman Jo-Ann Ryan. "I said you don't have the facts -- he was spouting off facts that were incorrect for as far as I know."
“After the meeting, I went to the City Council office," said Councilwoman Carmen Castillo. "Salvatore called me in the office and said shame on you, you don't support women. I said it's not like that. This is why we have a [city] lawyer, to advise us when we need review. I know what I'm doing. He was screaming at me. I said listen -- if we're going to pass it I want to be sure."
"I said I'm not your daughter -- I was almost crying," said Castillo. "I left the office, and talked with [Councilman] Correia -- and I see Councilwoman Ryan. Then Salvatore came out and started again out the door, 'Shame, shame, shame.' I feel 'cause I'm Latina and minority -- I don't know how he can say he say he supports women and minorities and he treats me like that."
“Council President Salvatore’s impertinent remarks directed to Councilwoman Castillo and me after the meeting were regrettable. It was a poor display and behavior unbecoming the Office of the Council President. He should know better, and frankly, we deserve better,” said Ryan.
This story was originally published 11/10/18 4:56 PM
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