| 10/07/2005 |
| Full house at council debate |
| Gregg M. Miliote , Herald News Staff Reporter |
|
FALL RIVER -- Most of the incumbent
city councilors stuck together during Thursday’s Candidates Night at
St. Michael’s Church. The challengers, however, used much of
their time to point out the numerous deficiencies they see in the
current council.
But challengers like Brian Dias, David Frederick, Peter Belanger, James Soule, William Kitchen and Gus Suneson tried their best to vocalize their views on the problems the current council may not be addressing. Dias chided the current administration for focusing only on a few issues, calling that a "critical error." "It’s key for all public safety to be reviewed, because it’s undeniable that a significant increase in violent crime is occurring in our city," said Dias, a local attorney. "This is all the result of our reactionary municipal government. The time to add police officers to the force was before, not after." Both Frederick and Eusebio Marcos continuously stressed the need for change. Marcos, a former mill worker, said he will bring forth fresh ideas, while Frederick said if residents continue to vote for the incumbents, progress will continue to be stymied. "I don’t see the real problems being addressed," Frederick said. Soule, a member of the Fall River Historical Society and Save the Bay, said he feels the current council has let Fall River down by not fighting for improved waterfront use. "This can be a desirable and exciting city to live in," Soule said. While most of the challengers had negative things to say about the current council, the loudest voices of dissent came from Suneson and former City Councilor Paul Viveros. Viveros conceded that his legal battles with the city regarding the proposed strip club at Oliver’s Restaurant has cost the city about $750,000. He said municipal government has dropped the ball when it comes to keeping the mayor in check, promoting economic development and advancing education. "This City Council had dodged the major issues," Suneson said. While the nine challengers attempted to hammer away at the incumbents, current councilors touted their respective records on education spending, roadwork, the addition of police officers, the fight against the Browning-Ferris Industries landfill and their unanimous opposition to LNG. "This is a council that gets things done," said City Council President William F. Whitty. Alves also hinted that he believes the council should be kept intact by voters. "A city councilor has to work with his colleagues to accomplish things," Alves said. "I hope we continue to work together for the benefit of Fall River." Veteran city councilors like Patricia Casey, Raymond Hague and Joseph Camara also spoke about their record of building new schools and beefing up the police department’s Community Policing Unit. Although they had differing viewpoints on many issues, all of the candidates seemed to unite around at least one theme: voting. "Get your neighbors involved in the political process," said City Councilor Linda Perreira. "You make the biggest decision of all." The lone candidate not to show up to Thursday night’s event was City Council Vice President Leo O. Pelletier. E-mail Gregg M. Miliote at gmiliote@heraldnews.com. |
