Keep an eye on our government

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To the Editor:

Some of Johnston’s shameful acts in 2016 made the news.

Mayor Polisena keeps telling everyone what a wonderful job he and his administration are doing. Do you follow the Johnston news?

In January of 2016 The King’s Tabernacle Church filed a Federal lawsuit against the Town for the six months of multiple acts of discrimination and racism they suffered. In February, the Mayor apologized, and an agreement was made that would allow the church to open. At the March 14 Town Council meeting, councilwomen Manzi brought church neighbor up to discuss and ask questions about the construction work being done. The Town Solicitor in reply to the questions said “they have to comply with DPW rules.” According to my inspection of public records, the church only had two permits issued. So there was a huge amount of work done with no permits on file according to solicitor and DPW records.

In February, a high school teacher, Greg Russo, was charged with two counts of fraudulent transfer of funds. Students and parents were very upset because he is a well-liked and respected teacher who donates extra work and time to his students. Charges were dropped in July.

In March, the Deputy Chief of Police was doing an investigation on a DPW employee for missing funds. That employee resigned, and for some reason was not held accountable, and given severance pay. When a taxpayer questioned this at June and July Town Council meetings, the Chief of Police said there was never a complaint. If that be true, why would the Deputy Chief have reported on it in the first place?

In March all news media were reporting on Councilwomen Manzi’s shameful actions that lack ethics and morals in breaking the laws that she voted on to pass. She was investigated, lost her position at Roger Williams University as Dean of Justice, and had to pay back her homestead exemptions to Johnston. Records do not show penalties and interest were paid in full as the Mayor said they would have to be. She was allowed to finish her term with the administration’s support.

In March the Citizens Bank campus was given a huge 20-year tax break at the expense of the neighborhood lifestyle change. Area residents are presently living with a construction and future traffic nightmare. The administration had no sympathy for them when they begged for time to fight for their rights.

From April, to October Oak Swamp Reservoir, a town lake, had been in the news as fenced off and gated to the public. The Mayor is advising and supporting lakefront property owners on how to privatize the lake. Taxpayers that don’t want what belongs to all given away to the chosen few are speaking out in news reports, the papers, and at overcrowded Town Council meetings, submitting petitions, pictures, and town maps as proof of public right of way since the 1940’s. Month after month they are being ignored and lied to, while New Ordinances like 2016-14 and resolutions like 2016-27 are being passed to discourage our freedom of speech rights.

In June the Budget report papers didn’t match what has been reported. Due to The King’s Tabernacle mess the Deputy DPW Director was supposed to have a month off without pay. That does not show up. All I see in the paperwork is he received a $15,000 a year pay increase, and the Director of DPW received a $10,500 a year pay increase.

In August, a Johnston Police office filed in US District Court for wrongful termination because he worked by the book. The Town reported different reason for the termination that I do not believe because I see and hear way too many fictional things created by the administration to cover their wrongful actions.

In August the construction of (no cost to taxpayers) new indoor athletic complex costing 2.5 million to 3 million began without voter approval. The administration tells people they have no funds for infrastructure problems but spend millions on locked up athletic complexes.

In November, the EPA charged Johnston for violating the Federal Clean Water Act. For over five years, I begged and fought with the Town to do something about the broken sewer line in front of my home. The problem was ignored and my family was attacked for complaining to the DEM. The town can’t do that any longer. Now complaints have to be reported and investigated properly in five days. The mayor commented, “I don’t have any major concerns over it” and “the issue is we didn’t do this intentional.” Sorry but it is a major concern when the federal government comes after you for breaking the law and evidence proves it was very intentional.

There are hundreds of thousands of dollars of lawsuits against the Town that tax dollars are paying for. If you care about Johnston and your tax dollars come to Town Meetings. Don’t believe what you are told search for the truth and fight for your rights.

Jean Lynch

Johnston

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