i think someone needs to be held accountable and it needs to happen soon a full investigation by the state police and attorney gennerals office if necessary. and an all out demonstration at city hall a show of force from the citizens of woonsocket demanding action against those responsible.

There has never been even a hint of money missing in the school department. There is clear evidence of mismanagement and a complete failure of proper governance by the school committee that had hired Macera, Gerardi and Busby. Their failed management, misdirection, poor planning, and raw incompetence were astounding. Accountable? Well we certainly can't bring them back to fire them, they're gone or already fired. Incompetence is not a criminal offense, so what will you have us do with them?

And the school committee? Well, the voters make that decision every two years. If you think they lied when claiming surpluses and calling the city council liars about the expected deficit, then make sure you don't vote for them next time.

The city council will investigate and report, but those who don't want facts and only live to falsely accuse the mayor and me will never be satisfied with any answer, so we will do the job properly and live with the outcome.

Mr Ward you are so adamant that there was no misappropriation of taxpayer dollars, only mismanagement. If you are so certain, why are you blocking any attempt or suggestion of an outside investigation. How do you expect people to believe you when you have been stonewalling all along. You keep saying the City Council will investigate but what have you done so far - nothing.

Mr Ward,
How can you be so adamant that there was no wrongdoing by the WED/School Committee. If Busby's contract was altered after being signed by the School Committee as Marc Dubois has alleged - that is criminal activity. If Gerardi filled positions that he knew there was no money available for those positions - that is criminal activity (think - it is illegal to knowingly give someone a check when you know there is insufficient funds to cover that check). Why do you and Mr Fontaine refuse to request an independent investigation by the Attorney General's Office and the State Police. Do you think just maybe the taxpayers might have good reason to not believe you and Fontaine?

Everybody run for the exits,if you read between the lines,John Ward's saying that taxpayers have to fund incompetence and blatant disregard for budgetary limits.Woonsocket has it's own Too Big To Fail institution,the Woonsocket Education Department.Throwing more money at Too Big To Fail institutions is insane,go peddle your supplemental somewhere else.

Doesn't it strike anyone as amazing the John Ward is psychic. He keeps insisting that he knows that there was no wrong doing, thus no need for an investigation. In the real world if a contract was altered after having been signed by the authorized parties that is fraud and is a punishable crime. In Woonsocket, the former school committee chairman (Marc Dubois) says Busby's contract was altered after being signed. In John Ward's world that's not a criminal act. In the real world, if a CEO spent money that didn't exist, a criminal investigation would be launched and charges filed as appropriate. Supt. Girardi spent money that didn't exist. In John Ward's world, that's not a criminal act. Anyone who doesn't think that John Ward is trying to protect someone (maybe more than one person) is definitely wearing blinders. He keeps trying to cover his rearend by saying they will investigate but they won't find anything. When will he start this investigation sham? Maybe he is hoping that we will all forget about this over the next six to twelve months.

Reading the comments from Baldelli-Hunt, it is very obvious that Fontaine, Ward and the rest of the City Council knew that they were putting the shaft to the taxpayers all along. They knew that even if they did get their supplemental tax, a budget commission would be appointed. They had absolutely no plan to make up for the balance of the budget shortfall. I think the comments from Baldelli-Hunt should make the taxpayers wake up and realize that Fontaine and Ward are liars who have proven that they don't have the first clue what they are doing.

Memere,
I would hope it is possible, but doesn't seem to be. The City Council has thwarted every attempt to investigate the mismanagement and possible misappropriation of taxpayer dollars. It is become more and more apparent that the Mayor and City Council are trying to hide something. It would definitely appear that the mismanagement (at the very least) was not only within the WED/School Committee but at the city level also.

right

bummer

Woopty-do!

We were already two-notches below investment grade.

Bob she spared you and every other home owner a tax increase and your still complaining why?

I watched this same Baldelli Hunt during the finance committee hearings voicing her support of this bill with no crocodile tears or blubbering, only a complaint that the City Council didnt pass a resolution to support her bill to have members of the House investigate City Finances. Than she does an about face? First of all why in the world would anyone want the general assembly to to investigate anything to do with finances? They did such a great job with 38 Studios right ?? I also love when her colleague Jon Brien leaned over and gives her a hug and a kiss..I think I heard him say.."Oh thank you Lisa for saving me from having to vote on this" Despicable!

I agree joe she has mine as well

MARIE; interesting comment about baldelli-hunt running for the next term. i never gave the next election a thought. who else would you suggest. i also would like to hear some feedback from others on this . its never too soon to think ahead. thanks marie for bringing it up. i will certainly talk with my friends about it.

English first,
Please wake up and show some common sense. First, the average homeowner would have paid much more than $350.00 for their property tax, plus what they would have paid for their vehicle(s). Second, just because the supplemental tax was tabled, it does not mean that the taxpayers will not see an increase in their taxes. What it does mean is that the state will send in a budget commission to oversee the city finances. The budget commission will be able to make cuts, alter contracts and make other changes that the Mayor and City Council have refused to do. Unfortunately for the taxpayers, Fontaine and Ward will have seats on that budget commission.

Huh??? The WED is blowing money like drunken sailors. You want to give them an additional $200,000 that they can mismanage?

give them the 200,000 and cut the tax...

They're the city fathers,we're their children and they're telling us that they're witholding our allowance.It's for our own good.