Elorza Yet to Submit Any Appointments
Wednesday, January 14, 2015
Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza has yet to submit any appointments to the City Council for board and commission positions, to the surprise -- and concern -- of city council members.
"I think people are a little surprised. There have been no appointments [from the Mayor's office] on the council docket to my knowledge," said Council Majority Leader Kevin Jackson. "Any appointments would to come to the council, and then be referred to committee. Thursday will be last meeting in January, so it won't be taken up until the first meeting in February."
"We were surprised, all our stuff is in -- the committee assignments, the internal auditor, city treasurer," said Jackson. "The council has two members on parks, water supply, housing authority, PRA, which will be addressed on Thursday. So we're pretty much set up and good to go."
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTRecently elected City Council President Luis Aponte said that in total, there are "thirty plus" slots the new Mayor needs to appoint on boards and commissions.
"There are a bunch of appointments that need to be made, but there's not any statutory time frame," said Aponte. "They've got to address the school board, licensing board, and a few others. The school board, probably a third are up for reappointment. Licensing has two members, city plan commission, deputy directors."
Aponte pointed out that the issue of having a quorum in some instances could present a problem.
"There may be some committees that don't have quorum," said Aponte. "The administration's probably being deliberative. There are probably 30 plus slots to fill. Different Mayors do it different ways."
Key Decisions Made, to Come
Elorza has already hired a staff of 13 whose salaries total more than $900,000.
"Appointments aside, there's also the issue of student apartments," said Jackson, regarding the proposal to build dormitories on the 195 land. "A [tax stabilization agreement] isn't on the agenda for Thursday, and I know they have to move quickly on that. Then it becomes our problem if things don't get done fast enough."
Former interim Mayor and City Councilman John Lombardi, who is currently a State Representative, offered his perspective.
"The trouble he'll have is Cicilline's people," said Lombardi of the former Providence Mayor. "And you've got Smiley and York in there who haven't ever run a city. The Mayor's job is technically head janitor -- everything needs to be cleaned, and tended to. I'm not trying to simplify it. I think we'll see what the dynamic of the council brings, to see what issues arise out of that."
The Mayor's office did not respond to request for comment as to the expected timeframe of addressing board and commission appointees.
School Board Extension
Recent Providence School Board president Keith Oliveira, whose last term expired in December 2014 along with two other board members, said that he hoped the new Mayor would quicken the process.
"They extended the application deadline until the 19th," said Oliveira of the prolonged appointment process. "I have no idea of anything more, right now I'm just another applicant. So the board is currently a 6 member board -- we can have a quorum 4 of a 6 -- ideally you want to have the board full constituted, so this a temporary situation. "
"I have to go through the nomination process, and the time frame depends on how quickly the administration moves,' said Oliveira. "The Mayor has explained to me that education is a top priority of his administration, as I understand it he's making these appointments as soon as he can, especially given they extended the deadline. The they have to have to public forum to consider the appointees. I hope they expedite the process."
Jackson warned of the potential of undermanned boards.
"It could hold up business," said Jackson. "Let's face it, at the School Board meeting last night, if one member was missing, there wouldn't be a quorum. It puts the onus on people to show up, which they should be doing anyhow but If someone's sick -- the flu's certainly going around -- there's an issue."
"I'm surprised because Tony Simon is experienced in the world of politics," said Jackson of Elorza's new Chief of Staff. ""I don't know if they're trying to be cautious. We want to work closely with him -- and them -- moving forward."
Related Slideshow: Ten Issues Elorza Can’t Hide From
Inauguration activities are now underway for the new Mayor of Providence, Jorge Elorza.
While the pomp, circumstance, and celebration taking place over the next several days, here are the issues the new Mayor will have no choice but to soon have to deal with.
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