Leo vs Everybody

I just want to point out that Leo Fontaine has far more opponents than he does advocates. It almost seems like the guy likes to make enemies. This is a bad thing if you are the custodian of a city with over 40,000 people. 

Let's take a tally. The state government hates him. Not so cool when more than half of your funding comes from the state. Sen Marc Cote is trying to sue Leo and the Budget Commission. Rep Lisa Baldelli-Hunt is running against the guy. Reps Casey and Phillips are in her corner. 

The Tax Payer Coalition has also lawyered up against Fontaine's shenanigans. A group of some of the most high-profiled business owners in this city are trying to stop Fontaine. This organization has the support of a large portion of Woonsocket's citizens.

On the serving side, Fontaine has repeatedly threatened to sue the School Committee and the WED. The most recent attempt being a gag order to keep the Department from showing the people its finances. 

Big box stores have become soured by this guy and have made a timely exodus out of the city, some finding refuge right across the border. The hospital where most of us were born hangs in the balance.

He has made national headlines as well. Once for being among the biggest failures in country. Newspapers and TV announcing to the world that Woonsocket is a welfare haven that hands out SNAP benefits like it was Halloween. The only other publicity he's made is from a lawsuit made by an anti-religious movement threatening our monuments.

He does have one friend. A very powerful friend. This is the friend that pays his salary. Who is it? Mr Tax Bill. Each and every quarter, Fontaine makes sure each and every one of us gets to meet his good friend.

Now, butting heads with other leaders and politicians is sometimes virtuous. Take Chris Christie for example. He was ripped apart by his own political party for standing up for his state and demanding actions get done. Unfortunately, in our proud city we are not so lucky. Fontaine collects enemies only to be faced by even greater adversity. I would respect him if he were the lone gun trying to save our city, but the reality is: we are further in the toilet than ever. It's a sad day when the biggest voices in our city beg for bankruptcy. No lights. No businesses. Poor schools. The ceiling in City Hall has literally collapsed. We can't afford anymore adversity. We can't afford anymore enemies.