Baldelli-Hunt Proposes Taking Over Economic Development to Turn on Streetlights

Mayoral hopeful and current State Rep. Lisa Baldelli-Hunt (D-Dist. 49) has proposed cutting the city's Economic Development Director's position to pay to turn on city street lights shut down in 2010. 

Baldelli-Hunt said she would assume Economic Development Director Matt Wojcik's duties if elected Mayor.

“A city that can’t keep the lights on is not a city that is going to attract businesses,” said Baldelli-Hunt in a release to media Wednesday,  “We need to re-establish our priorities and recognize that turning on the lights sends the message that we care about our neighborhoods and are proud of our city.”

Mayor Leo Fontaine, who shut down 1,200 lights in 2010, told Woonsocket Patch in 2011 the extinguished lamps had saved the city $200,000 over the previous two fiscal years. Fontaine could not be reached for more recent comment after calls to his office since Baldelli-Hunt's Wednesday announcement.

“My first act will be to eliminate the Economic Development Director position and use the funds we save to put the street lights back on in neighborhoods that have been left dark for months. This is a public safety issue for children, seniors and people who are afraid to walk in their own neighborhoods at night,” Baldelli-Hunt said in the release.

According to Woonsocket's Fiscal 2014 Budget, the entire Economic Development Department, including Wojcik's $16,000 salary as director, is budgeted at $21,145. Wojcik's other job as Human Services director pays $63,916. His compensation for both jobs together is $79,916.

Baldelli-Hunt said Wojcik's dual role causes her concern over how much attention is being focused on reviving Woonsocket's economy. She said his salary doesn't provide an effective return for the city.

Instead, Baldelli-Hunt said she would take over Wojcik's role. "I'm going to work directly with any company, franchise or business that wants to come into this city," Baldelli-Hunt said, "I don't want anything to come between the city and a potential business owner."