http://www.boston.com/dailynews/249/region/Providence_s_longtime_Mayor_Ci:.shtml I thought he'd walk for many reasons, but maybe not, save for an 11th hour deal. Cianci's always been a fascinating character, and did steer a lot of positive changes to the city. For those unfamiliar with Providence, it really has risen in the past 10-20 years to be a funky city that not many people know about. Many in greater Boston don't even acknowledge it exists, which is a shame. However, if you break laws, which in one case the court says he did, there are consequences.
In many ways Providence has blossomed under Cianci. Unfortunately, his methods of creating positive change have been entirely corrupt and he has harmed many of his citizens, if by nothing else than by shutting out anyone who refused to pay "tribute" to him. Luckily he is now inelligible to run for office again. After he was reelected following his last prison term (for putting a cigar out on the forehead of some guy his ex-wife was seeing while a city cop held him down) the city council passed the "Cianci law" prohibiting convicted felons from holding office.
I had a boss who was from Providence. Knew Cianci had his slimy side, but would've taken him in a heartbeat over Paul Schell, who was Seattle mayor at the time the discussion came up. There's corruption and there's corruption. Here in Seattle, if you're rich, you get your way. And we're now actually seeking to kick poor people out of subsidized housing because they don't make enough money. Somehow, I don't think Cianci would do that.
I'd be surprised if he did all the time. RI's high profile felons always seem to come across "generous" judges/parole officers/etc (see Joe Mollicone). This may be different, though, since it was a federal case. He has until December to appeal, but I don't think the ladies and gents in Boston will be very sympathetic. The cult of personality Buddy had was amazing. I walked by the courthouse on Friday during lunch and the street was filled with his supporters, some wearing "Free Buddy" t-shirts. I guess some folks just don't want to believe that a mayor with his own marinara sauce could be a crook. Damn shame, Buddy. Damn shame.
I'd like to see someone do a poll to determine the percentage of people with "Free Buddy" shirts/stickers who aren't just kidding.
Cianci wouldn't. If not for the slimy side, he would have gone down as one of the greatest US mayors of the 20th century. Providence has undergone a tremendous renaissance, most of which happened when Cianci was in office. I also feel that Rhode Island's political reputation helped Cianci's popularity. RI has been notorious for corruption for so long that a lot of folks likely said "we're so used to it anyway so let's get behind the guy who at least led a revival, who really cares about the slimy stuff because our city's coming back."
I'm really looking forward to the next few years to see what becomes of Cianci's work. If our renaissance is truly based in corruption, as many believe it is, there's a good chance that our new "shinning city" will crumble quickly when Cianci isn't around to return all the "favors" he owes. Oh, and IMO, if Reagan and Nixon can be viewed as 2 of our greatest Presidents then Cianci is easily one of our greatest mayors.
Minor note, apparently in RI he has to serve 85% of the time, or 4 years 3 months. He is currently out on bond (or whatever) and won't have to report to jail for another 90 days. He's trying to get his conviction overturned, and wants to stay out of jail while the appeal is pending. I know nothing about Providence (other than what I can see on 95 on the way to boston), but there does seem to be a very "so what?" attitude towards his crimes from what the providence reporters say. Reminds me of the Gotti-loving "he only hurts criminals" attitude most of NY had going for many years (and does still, to a large degree). Glad for the city that it turned around, but you can't have a mayor doing what he was accused/convicted of- if it is all true. Of course, I am on the lying/cheating/stealing to improve government is better than the lying/cheating/stealing to improve oneself side of the fence that makes me like the Cianci's of the world more than the Bill Clinton's and Marion Berry's of the world, even if Cianci committed more actual/serious crimes. I'll take corruption that got me a highway over corruption that got him a BJ any day.
One thing though, Fujimoriwas a president. I don't know if you were comparing a president to a mayor or not. President has a bigger scope of power, but you know that. I won't try to tell you I know the extent of what Fujimori did.
I compare the abuse of power given to him by the power of the people. I compare the way some people still defend him because they felt he did some good. I compare they way they think the end justifies the means.
I understand where you're coming from now. I'll say this, from what I know about Fujimori, his activities had a far greater impact on more people, just alone that he was a president of a nation vs. a mayor of a city of 200,000 in a state barely over 1 million. Anyway, my stance is, many people overlooked Cianci's slimy activities because of the positive changes to Providence on the surface. Another factor has to have been Rhody's rep for shady politics. It's not called Rogue Island for nothing. It's only human nature to become semi-oblivious to it after a while. Finally, a personal opinion: he did do a lot for the city, but the court determined he broke some pretty serious laws behind the scenes, and that has serious consequences.
Well, before he even goes to jail on 12/6 (if he goes, that can change), he got a TV political analyst gig: http://www.boston.com/dailynews/253/region/Convicted_Providence_mayor_lan:.shtml
My impression of Providence has always been bad. May be I only spent my time in the seedy neighborhoods and places.
i grew up just outside of providence and i went to college there for 4 years. its a great city, and it's because of buddy. of course rhode islanders aren't that harsh on him. why? because we're f---ed up, that's why. we've always had corrupt politicians, always, at least this one brought some serious needed change to the city while being corrupt, most of the other ones were just making themselves rich by screwing the towns and the state. rhode islanders are an odd breed, we like our del's lemonade cold, our dunkin donuts "regulah", our french fries soaked in vinegar and our mayors corrupt! long live buddy! i also find it odd that everyone calls him buddy, that's too funny. his name is vincent
I grew up in Lincoln, RI and now live in DC so I've observed many parallels with Buddy and Marion Barry. Both were charismatic politicians who had various successes in their respective cities but their hubris ultimately did them in. I'm glad Paolino lost, I always thought he was as smart as a sack of cement. K