PowerPlayer: Allan Fung
Monday, February 28, 2011
Welcome to Power Players. GoLocalProv’s newest feature takes you inside the life of Rhode Island’s movers and shakers in politics, business and the community.
Today, we have Cranston Mayor Allan Fung. Arguably the most popular Republican in the state, Fung was born in Providence and graduated from Classical, Rhode Island College and Suffolk Law. The 40 year old is the chief executive for the third largest municipality in Rhode Island, where he oversees a $235 million budget.
1) What led you to run for Mayor of Cranston?
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTI was proud to have served as a citywide councilman during the city’s fiscal crisis in the early 2000’s and was part of the team that helped get the city out of junk bond status. I ran for Mayor to continue that progress and bring back fiscal discipline and stability to our great city.
2) You aren't the typical Rhode Island Republican. Take us through a day in the life of Mayor Fung.
My day starts early with a morning workout. From there, my life is not my own. When I get into the office, I try stay on top of the local and national news before my schedule kicks into gear. I treat my position like any other corporate CEO. My day at city hall is usually filled with meetings (both inside and outside the office) with my staff, outside businesses or even residents; a flurry of phone calls; work on various projects; and occasionally interaction with the media. Once the city hall day ends, my night schedule starts and it can end pretty late. My schedule can include events for local or statewide charities or organizations or the local and state GOP to even more meetings with residents.
3) If you hadn't heard, Rhode Island is small, which means everyone seems to know what everyone else is doing. Are you conscious of your role as a public figure?
I have come to realize that there is a significant loss of privacy that comes with my position. As evidenced by my car being broken into recently, I was amazed that it was a newsworthy issue that reached out of state media outlets. I’ve learned that the public can really gain access into many parts of my life.
4) What's the most difficult/disappointing part of your job?
I can’t implement changes as quickly as I would like or would have been able to do in the private sector.
5) If you could change one thing about the state, what would it be?
I’d love to see more Republicans elected to all levels of government because the one party dominance in our state is not a healthy form of democracy.
6) Tell us something nobody knows about you.
I’m an avid collector of sports trading cards and haven’t missed the Cranston Sports Collectibles show in over twenty years.
Quick Hitters
Role Model: Julius “Dr. J” Erving. He handled everything on and off the court with class.
Favorite Restaurant: Tie between Twin Oaks and Marchetti’s
Best Beach: Newport Second Beach
Best Book You’ve Read In The Last Year: Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother by Amy Chua
Advice For The Next Allan Fung: You have to always work harder than everyone else and prove that you belong because no one is ever going to give you anything in life.
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