It was early Saturday morning and Mayor Joseph Polisena was working.
He had just finished welcoming a new business, Zen Mafia, to town and told owners Stephanie Kazanjian and Kelly Cambio that “it’s the small businesses that continue to help drive our town’s economic engine.”
The mayor was accompanied by Linda Folcarelli, a first-term Johnston Town Council member who represents District 1, during the visit to the Zen Mafia yoga facility at 300 Morgan Ave.
After the meeting, Polisena invited Folcarelli to join him for a “special stop” at the Johnston Police Department’s headquarters at 1600 Atwood Ave.
One of Polisena’s favorite groups – the Johnston Police-coordinated Explorer Post 405 – was holding another important classroom meeting under the leadership of Maj. Thomas H. Dolan and Lt. Steve Guilmette. They were giving more up-to-date information about law enforcement to the group of Explorers, who have at one time expressed an interest in pursuing law enforcement as a career.
As Polisena and Folcarelli entered the downstairs classroom, the Explorers stood in unison and saluted the mayor.
“Thank you – again – to the Explorers,” Polisena responded. “This is an important program and I just wanted you all to know how proud I was of each and every Explorer during the recent snow storm. I again want to thank you for your outstanding work during that rugged storm and for your continued great work through the years.”
The Explorers’ most recent accomplishment involved 12 members shoveling out 21 homes whose residents are either elderly or disabled and unable to clear snow from their properties.
“You continue to make the town proud,” Polisena said.
“On behalf of the Town Council, I also want to congratulate you – as well as say thank you – for always being ready to help and going beyond the call of duty for our senior citizens and handicapped residents whenever there’s a need,” Folcarelli said.
Those Explorers who performed the snow shoveling were Kayla Desrosiers, Michael Camerona, Abigail Salas, Elivira Larios, Ben Barnier, Kaleb Mendez, Lt. Zack Morin, Sgt. Bailey Morin, Devin Medeiros, Capt. Aaron Blanco, Phil Thompson and Justin Delbonis.
It should also be noted, as Polisena said during Saturday’s special and surprise visit, that “our Explorers Post do not – and will not – accept money for their work. It’s all part of our great community service program.”
Officially, the snow shoveling and other storm-related duties come under the mayor’s Snow Shoveling Program, which since instituted by Polisena has become a model for other Explorer posts in Rhode Island.
Guilmette, speaking on behalf of Dolan, said: “As usual, our kids did a great, great job shoveling snow under some adverse conditions. And remember, they don’t get paid but they do earn points towards their graduation.” 1
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