Battle over Urban League of Rhode Island's Future Heats Up
Kate Nagle, GoLocal Contributor
Battle over Urban League of Rhode Island's Future Heats Up
The Urban League is currently looking to sell its Prairie Street property to pay off $2.2 million in debt -- for $2.6 million. Proponents say the project by the proposed developer, The Aspen Group, could mean jobs and tax revenue to the city, while bringing the nearly 75 year-old non-profit out of debt.
However, some in the community are asking how the organization, which runs shelters as well as adoption, foster care, and community programs, accrued the millions in debt -- and if the sale of one of the organization's biggest assets is the best way to address the fiscal situation, and what the plan is moving forward.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST"The leadership's only plan is to sell a building that was acquired - prior to current leadership -- for $1," said former Urban League Board Member Raymond Watson, who is now the Executive Director of the Mount Hope Neighborhood Association. "That's not even the matter -- it's more of a matter of covering up mismanagement."
Urban League Executive Director Dennis Langley said however that non-profits across the state are struggling financially -- and that the City of Providence was playing politics with the League.
"I met with representatives with the Mayor's office, who told me in no uncertain terms, "Why should we help you, when you have a council member on your payroll who opposed our budget?," said Langley. "They had their beef. I told them we need to grow up, I said we needed to start acting as adults here."
Tax Potential for Providence?
"After looking at the amount of programs that we have, the decrease in administrative costs -- it was appropriate to downsize. The overhead cost of the facility was enormous. To keep the agency in fiscal fitness, we had to address to not having enough tenants, with the recent Allen Berry departure," referring to the Providence Community Health Center.
"We had to do something. The plan is to sell the 246 [Prairie Avenue] complex, pay off whatever debt we owe, and go into Gordon Street Property, which is a solar facility, it's a green building. It's less costly to maintain."
Langley mentioned that prior to the Aspen Group, Lifespan had been interested in the property, but didn't pursue it due for internal reasons. The Aspen Group, however, said they'd "love to purchase the property," said Langley. "They'd tear it down, and put up two large office buildings -- but would not use all of the land, instead the would put up greenways for the community."
"We're talking about $500,000 each year in taxes back to the city on a $30 million project," said Langley. "It's a win-win situation. The clause that the city has is that the money should be enhance and grow the Urban League -- but that's what the money's supposed to be used for."
Leadership, Finances Called into Question
"The red light should have gone off years ago," said Toni-Marie Roderick, who had worked at the Urban League for 15 years. "I held almost every position there -- I started as a part time case worker and worked my way up to Director of Program Development. I brought in millions of dollars, brought in new units and programs, working with higher risk populations." Roderick currently works for a non-profit out of state.
"I started to see the downfall of the business decisions being made. You stated to feel like you were seeing a great institution of close to 80 years crumbling," said Roderick. "I think the board's in the dark, or they're covering. They should have sold this property years ago. We had viable assets that weren't being sold. If you can't pay staff, you need to make educated business decisions."
Roderick continued, "I'm not saying this as a disgruntled employee -- I was a good administrator there. A lot of what people are saying right now might sound like hearsay, which is why a lot of people haven't come forth -- for fear of losing their jobs. I went without a job for 9 months when I left the Urban League. I just couldn't stay there and watch it go down like that."
Roderick said that she didn't believe selling the building to cover its debts was justified, given what she said she was "mismanagement" by the leadership. "The city should not be responsible for bailing out the League," said Roderick. "Why should the city say the League can just have the $2.6 million from the sale of the building?"
Former board member Watson, who helped found the League-affiliate, Rhode Island Young Professionals, said, "If the only plan of action is to sell off the biggest asset that the organization has, where is the plan of action moving forward? I'd personally like to see it go into receivership, and a new president and board. I don't see how the same organization can now with any sort of integrity lead this organization out of this. It wouldn't happen with any business."
"My concern is to the residents of South Providence. There's a lot of changeover in that neighborhood. How does this benefit them?" asked Watson.
Next Steps
"They can audit the financials," said Langley, noting he had handed over everything asked of him of the City -- but said they were playing politics. "The Urban League is not in the business of making money -- we're here to help the community, we don't charge a fee. Look at adoptions, helping youth -- one kid in the training school is more than $60,000 a year."
"People don't understand what's going on," said Langley. "The state is recognizing that they're needing more than what we can provide with unemployment, homelessness. We'd look for another building for homeless. We won't need Russia to start a war here -- if you don't have what you need to subsist, people will start revolting."
City Employees with the Highest Salaries
#40 Alyssa B. Deandrade
Department: Police
Position: Police Lieutenant
Total Compensation: $146,690.77
Pay
Base: $77,210.61
Longevity: $7,393.16
Overtime: $22,337.05
Detail: $24,533.14
Benefits (City Contributions)
Medical: $4,219.62
Dental: $421.72
Pension: $10,575.47
Note on Detail Pay: Details are normally funded by the private parties that require it. But some detail pay is funded directly by the city. Payroll data provided by the city Law Department does not distinguish between the two.
#39 Arianne Lynch
Department: Mayor's Staff
Position: (Former) Deputy Chief Of Staff
Total Compensation: $147,159.76
Pay
Base: $127,507.25
Longevity: $0.00
Overtime: $0.00
Detail: $0.00
Benefits (City Contributions)
Medical: $12,534.60
Dental: $1,380.08
Pension: $5,737.83
Note on Detail Pay: Details are normally funded by the private parties that require it. But some detail pay is funded directly by the city. Payroll data provided by the city Law Department does not distinguish between the two.
#38 Clarence A. Cunha
Department: Fire
Position: Acting Deputy Assistant Chief
Total Compensation: $147,372.06
Pay
Base: $91,807.36
Longevity: $7,949.52
Overtime: $18,839.30
Detail: $0.00
Benefits (City Contributions)
Medical: $14,789.32
Dental: $1,299.74
Pension: $12,686.83
Note on Detail Pay: Details are normally funded by the private parties that require it. But some detail pay is funded directly by the city. Payroll data provided by the city Law Department does not distinguish between the two.
#37 Kristopher S. Wright
Department: Fire
Position: Firefighter
Total Compensation: $147,585.09
Pay
Base: $58,663.74
Longevity: $4,447.53
Overtime: $48,507.28
Detail: $11,848.81
Benefits (City Contributions)
Medical: $14789.32
Dental: $1,299.74
Pension: $8,028.67
Note on Detail Pay: Details are normally funded by the private parties that require it. But some detail pay is funded directly by the city. Payroll data provided by the city Law Department does not distinguish between the two.
#36 Thomas M. Miller
Department: Fire
Position: Fire Rescue Lieutenant
Total Compensation: $147,951.99
Pay
Base: $64,547.59
Longevity: $6,476.44
Overtime: $51,832.96
Detail: $0.00
Benefits (City Contributions)
Medical: $14789.32
Dental: $1,299.74
Pension: $9,005.94
Note on Detail Pay: Details are normally funded by the private parties that require it. But some detail pay is funded directly by the city. Payroll data provided by the city Law Department does not distinguish between the two.
#35 Daniel Crowley
Department: Fire
Position: Deputy Assistant Fire Chief
Total Compensation: $148,230.56
Pay
Base: $93,692.88
Longevity: $9,855.21
Overtime: $17,904.62
Detail: $0.00
Benefits (City Contributions)
Medical: $12,534.6
Dental: $1,299.74
Pension: $12,943.51
Note on Detail Pay: Details are normally funded by the private parties that require it. But some detail pay is funded directly by the city. Payroll data provided by the city Law Department does not distinguish between the two.
#34 Alan N. Lippacher
Department: Fire
Position: Fire Rescue Lieutenant
Total Compensation: $148,783.985
Pay
Base: $63,829.18
Longevity: $6,602.73
Overtime: $53,326.52
Detail: $0.00
Benefits (City Contributions)
Medical: $14,789.32
Dental: $1,299.74
Pension: $8,936.495
Note on Detail Pay: Details are normally funded by the private parties that require it. But some detail pay is funded directly by the city. Payroll data provided by the city Law Department does not distinguish between the two.
#33 David A. Soscia
Department: Fire
Position: Fire Battalion Chief
Total Compensation: $149,017.14
Pay
Base: $86,012.90
Longevity: $7,577.69
Overtime: $27,426.18
Detail: $0.00
Benefits (City Contributions)
Medical: $14,789.32
Dental: $1,299.74
Pension: $11,911.31
Note on Detail Pay: Details are normally funded by the private parties that require it. But some detail pay is funded directly by the city. Payroll data provided by the city Law Department does not distinguish between the two.
#32 Michael Krasnowiecki
Department: Fire
Position: Fire Captain
Total Compensation: $149,110.485
Pay
Base: $68,849.54
Longevity: $6,762.06
Overtime: $47,784.88
Detail: $0.00
Benefits (City Contributions)
Medical: $14,789.32
Dental: $1,299.74
Pension: $9,624.945
Note on Detail Pay: Details are normally funded by the private parties that require it. But some detail pay is funded directly by the city. Payroll data provided by the city Law Department does not distinguish between the two.
#31 Thomas E. Crowley
Department: Fire
Position: Fire Captain
Total Compensation: $149,965.63
Pay
Base: $69,535.07
Longevity: $7,177.86
Overtime: $47,429.98
Detail: $0.00
Benefits (City Contributions)
Medical: $14,789.32
Dental: $1,299.74
Pension: $9,733.66
Note on Detail Pay: Details are normally funded by the private parties that require it. But some detail pay is funded directly by the city. Payroll data provided by the city Law Department does not distinguish between the two.
#30 John P. Morgan
Department: Fire
Position: Firefighter
Total Compensation: $150,207.15
Pay
Base: $58,102.50
Longevity: $6,116.69
Overtime: $57,905.69
Detail: $3,847.12
Benefits (City Contributions)
Medical: $14,789.32
Dental: $1,299.74
Pension: $8,146.09
Note on Detail Pay: Details are normally funded by the private parties that require it. But some detail pay is funded directly by the city. Payroll data provided by the city Law Department does not distinguish between the two.
#29 Timothy S. Printer
Department: Fire
Position: Firefighter
Total Compensation: $150,731.68
Pay
Base: $58,369.52
Longevity: $6,115.36
Overtime: $61,938.32
Detail: $3,847.12
Benefits (City Contributions)
Medical: $14,789.32
Dental: $1,299.74
Pension: $8,219.42
Note on Detail Pay: Details are normally funded by the private parties that require it. But some detail pay is funded directly by the city. Payroll data provided by the city Law Department does not distinguish between the two.
#28 Adam Chuman
Department: Fire
Position: Firefighter
Total Compensation: $151,066.51
Pay
Base: $58,490.27
Longevity: $0.00
Overtime: $61,915.02
Detail: $7,149.18
Benefits (City Contributions)
Medical: $14,789.32
Dental: $1,299.74
Pension: $7,422.98
Note on Detail Pay: Details are normally funded by the private parties that require it. But some detail pay is funded directly by the city. Payroll data provided by the city Law Department does not distinguish between the two.
#27 Michael E. Correia
Department: Police
Position: Police Captain
Total Compensation: $151,421.89
Pay
Base: $81,206.12
Longevity: $8,538.4
Overtime: $36,811.50
Detail: $1,264.85
Benefits (City Contributions)
Medical: $11,083.47
Dental: $1,299.48
Pension: $11,218.06
Note on Detail Pay: Details are normally funded by the private parties that require it. But some detail pay is funded directly by the city. Payroll data provided by the city Law Department does not distinguish between the two.
#26 Stephany Blackwell
Department: Fire
Position: Fire Rescue Technician
Total Compensation: $154,001.24
Pay
Base: $61,045
Longevity: $4,086.68
Overtime: $64,492.87
Detail: $0.00
Benefits (City Contributions)
Medical: $14,789.32
Dental: $1,299.74
Pension: $8,287.63
Note on Detail Pay: Details are normally funded by the private parties that require it. But some detail pay is funded directly by the city. Payroll data provided by the city Law Department does not distinguish between the two.
#25 David J. Duggan
Department: Fire
Position: Firefighter
Total Compensation: $154,416.91
Pay
Base: $59,196.60
Longevity: $5,559.42
Overtime: $55,445.58
Detail: $9,910.95
Benefits (City Contributions)
Medical: $14,789.32
Dental: $1,299.74
Pension: $8,215.30
Note on Detail Pay: Details are normally funded by the private parties that require it. But some detail pay is funded directly by the city. Payroll data provided by the city Law Department does not distinguish between the two.
#24 Joseph R. Desmarais
Department: Fire
Position: Deputy Assistant Fire Chief
Total Compensation: $154,544.52
Pay
Base: $91,623.12
Longevity: $9,079.63
Overtime: $27,402.94
Detail: $0.00
Benefits (City Contributions)
Medical: $12,534.60
Dental: $1,299.74
Pension: $12,604.49
Note on Detail Pay: Details are normally funded by the private parties that require it. But some detail pay is funded directly by the city. Payroll data provided by the city Law Department does not distinguish between the two.
#23 William R. Kenyon
Department: Fire
Position: Fire Battalion Chief
Total Compensation: $154,611.78
Pay
Base: $83,959.36
Longevity: $7,290.02
Overtime: $35,718.41
Detail: $0.00
Benefits (City Contributions)
Medical: $14,789.32
Dental: $1,299.74
Pension: $11,554.93
Note on Detail Pay: Details are normally funded by the private parties that require it. But some detail pay is funded directly by the city. Payroll data provided by the city Law Department does not distinguish between the two.
#22 Bryan D. Hawkins
Department: Fire
Position: Fire Rescue Captain
Total Compensation: $155,608.63
Pay
Base: $69,542.14
Longevity: $6,601.81
Overtime: $41,215.01
Detail: $0.00
Benefits (City Contributions)
Medical: $27,303.36
Dental: $1,299.74
Pension: $9,646.56
Note on Detail Pay: Details are normally funded by the private parties that require it. But some detail pay is funded directly by the city. Payroll data provided by the city Law Department does not distinguish between the two.
#21 Steven Pare
Department: Administration
Position: Public Safety Commmissioner
Total Compensation: $156,147.90
Pay
Base: $149,423.83
Longevity: $0.00
Overtime: $0.00
Detail: $0.00
Benefits (City Contributions)
Medical: N/A
Dental: N/A
Pension: $6,724.07
Note on Detail Pay: Details are normally funded by the private parties that require it. But some detail pay is funded directly by the city. Payroll data provided by the city Law Department does not distinguish between the two.
#20 Eric E. Fallon
Department: Fire
Position: Firefighter
Total Compensation: $156,404.55
Pay
Base: $55,236.24
Longevity: $5,829.36
Overtime: $63,076.02
Detail: $8,430.13
Benefits (City Contributions)
Medical: $14,789.32
Dental: $1,299.74
Pension: $7,743.74
Note on Detail Pay: Details are normally funded by the private parties that require it. But some detail pay is funded directly by the city. Payroll data provided by the city Law Department does not distinguish between the two.
#19 Brian R. Chin
Department: Fire
Position: Firefighter
Total Compensation: $157,360.51
Pay
Base: $58,983.30
Longevity: $0.00
Overtime: $84,865.12
Detail: $0.00
Benefits (City Contributions)
Medical: $5,618.60
Dental: $421.46
Pension: $7,472.03
Note on Detail Pay: Details are normally funded by the private parties that require it. But some detail pay is funded directly by the city. Payroll data provided by the city Law Department does not distinguish between the two.
#18 Carl H. Richards
Department: Fire
Position: Firefighter
Total Compensation: $157,878.05
Pay
Base: $57,446.04
Longevity: $6,115.36
Overtime: $64,351.37
Detail: $5,808.93
Benefits (City Contributions)
Medical: $14,789.32
Dental: $1,299.74
Pension: $8,067.295
Note on Detail Pay: Details are normally funded by the private parties that require it. But some detail pay is funded directly by the city. Payroll data provided by the city Law Department does not distinguish between the two.
#17 Fausto G. Garcia
Department: Police
Position: Police Officer
Total Compensation: $158,048.96
Pay
Base: $57,220.64
Longevity: $5,477.53
Overtime: $4,296.80
Detail: $70,833.77
Benefits (City Contributions)
Medical: $11,083.47
Dental: $1,299.48
Pension: $7,837.27
Note on Detail Pay: Details are normally funded by the private parties that require it. But some detail pay is funded directly by the city. Payroll data provided by the city Law Department does not distinguish between the two.
#16 Thomas L. Cassin
Department: Fire
Position: Fire Captain
Total Compensation: $158,104.17
Pay
Base: $68,755.40
Longevity: $7,305.32
Overtime: $56,308.60
Detail: $0.00
Benefits (City Contributions)
Medical: $14,789.32
Dental: $1,299.74
Pension: $9,645.80
Note on Detail Pay: Details are normally funded by the private parties that require it. But some detail pay is funded directly by the city. Payroll data provided by the city Law Department does not distinguish between the two.
Photo: Flick/401(K)2013
#15 Thomas F. Oates, III
Department: Police
Position: Deputy Police Chief
Total Compensation: $158,736.47
Pay
Base: $116,423.81
Longevity: $12,378.08
Overtime: $0.00
Detail: $0.00
Benefits (City Contributions)
Medical: $12,534.60
Dental: $1,299.74
Pension: $16,100.24
Note on Detail Pay: Details are normally funded by the private parties that require it. But some detail pay is funded directly by the city. Payroll data provided by the city Law Department does not distinguish between the two.
#14 Michael L. Pearis
Department: Finance Administration
Position: Director of Finance
Total Compensation: $159,370.71
Pay
Base: $139,192.37
Longevity: $0.00
Overtime: $0.00
Detail: $0.00
Benefits (City Contributions)
Medical: $12,534.60
Dental: $1,380.08
Pension: $6,263.66
Note on Detail Pay: Details are normally funded by the private parties that require it. But some detail pay is funded directly by the city. Payroll data provided by the city Law Department does not distinguish between the two.
#13 Peter A. Tagliaferri
Department: Fire
Position: Fire Rescue Lieutenant
Total Compensation: $159,656.86
Pay
Base: $63,350.24
Longevity: $4,877.01
Overtime: $66,683.79
Detail: $0.00
Benefits (City Contributions)
Medical: $14,789.32
Dental: $1,299.74
Pension: $8,656.76
Note on Detail Pay: Details are normally funded by the private parties that require it. But some detail pay is funded directly by the city. Payroll data provided by the city Law Department does not distinguish between the two.
#12 Michael A. Legault
Department: Fire
Position: Firefighter
Total Compensation: $159,740.28
Pay
Base: $57,446.04
Longevity: $6,115.36
Overtime: $72,016.89
Detail: $0.00
Benefits (City Contributions)
Medical: $14,789.32
Dental: $1,299.74
Pension: $8,072.93
Note on Detail Pay: Details are normally funded by the private parties that require it. But some detail pay is funded directly by the city. Payroll data provided by the city Law Department does not distinguish between the two.
#11 Gregory D. Paolo
Department: Police
Position: Police Sergeant
Total Compensation: $160,715.32
Pay
Base: $70,277.64
Longevity: $6,818.24
Overtime: $30,025.64
Detail: $31,573.87
Benefits (City Contributions)
Medical: $11,083.47
Dental: $1,299.48
Pension: $9,636.985
Note on Detail Pay: Details are normally funded by the private parties that require it. But some detail pay is funded directly by the city. Payroll data provided by the city Law Department does not distinguish between the two.
#10 Andre' M. Ferro
Department: Fire
Position: Firefighter
Total Compensation: $162,109.81
Pay
Base: $58,333.41
Longevity: $6,251.76
Overtime: $61,589.16
Detail: $11,668.47
Benefits (City Contributions)
Medical: $14,789.32
Dental: $1299.74
Pension: $8,177.95
Note on Detail Pay: Details are normally funded by the private parties that require it. But some detail pay is funded directly by the city. Payroll data provided by the city Law Department does not distinguish between the two.
#9 James P. Mirza
Department: Fire
Position: Deputy Assistant Fire Chief
Total Compensation: $164,737.13
Pay
Base: $91,623.12
Longevity: $9,722.85
Overtime: $36,888.57
Detail: $0.00
Benefits (City Contributions)
Medical: $12,534.60
Dental: $1299.74
Pension: $12,668.24
Note on Detail Pay: Details are normally funded by the private parties that require it. But some detail pay is funded directly by the city. Payroll data provided by the city Law Department does not distinguish between the two.
Photo: Flickr/Tax Credits
#8 J. J. Varone
Department: Fire
Position: Acting Fire Battalion Chief
Total Compensation: $165,600.53
Pay
Base: $84,914.32
Longevity: $7,290.02
Overtime: $45,628.29
Detail: $0.00
Benefits (City Contributions)
Medical: $14,789.32
Dental: $1299.74
Pension: $11,678.85
Note on Detail Pay: Details are normally funded by the private parties that require it. But some detail pay is funded directly by the city. Payroll data provided by the city Law Department does not distinguish between the two.
#7 James S. Bennett
Department: Planning & Development
Position: Director of Economic Development
Total Compensation: $170,061.83
Pay
Base: $149,423.11
Longevity: $0.00
Overtime: $0.00
Detail: $0.00
Benefits (City Contributions)
Medical: $12,534.60
Dental: $1,380.08
Pension: $6,724.04
Note on Detail Pay: Details are normally funded by the private parties that require it. But some detail pay is funded directly by the city. Payroll data provided by the city Law Department does not distinguish between the two.
#6 Zachariah Kenyon
Department: Fire
Position: Fire Rescue Lieutenant
Total Compensation: $172,514.51
Pay
Base: $63,589.71
Longevity: $4,877.01
Overtime: $79,272.01
Detail: $0.00
Benefits (City Contributions)
Medical: $14,789.32
Dental: $1,299.74
Pension: $8,686.72
Note on Detail Pay: Details are normally funded by the private parties that require it. But some detail pay is funded directly by the city. Payroll data provided by the city Law Department does not distinguish between the two.
Photo: Flickr/401(K) 2013
#5 Boyce Spinelli
Department: Water Supply Board
Position: General Manager, WSB
Total Compensation: $177,418.15
Pay
Base: $150,392.56
Longevity: $9,299.47
Overtime: $0.00
Detail: $0.00
Benefits (City Contributions)
Medical: $9,159.90
Dental: $1,380.08
Pension: $7,186.14
Note on Detail Pay: Details are normally funded by the private parties that require it. But some detail pay is funded directly by the city. Payroll data provided by the city Law Department does not distinguish between the two.
#4 Hugh T. Clements, Jr.
Department: Police
Position: Police Chief
Total Compensation: $180,872.02
Pay
Base: $134,397.90
Longevity: $14,080.04
Overtime: $0.00
Detail: $0.00
Benefits (City Contributions)
Medical: $12,534.60
Dental: $1,299.74
Pension: $18,559.74
Note on Detail Pay: Details are normally funded by the private parties that require it. But some detail pay is funded directly by the city. Payroll data provided by the city Law Department does not distinguish between the two.
#3 Luis F. Sanlucas
Department: Police
Position: Police Lieutenant
Total Compensation: $190,234.68
Pay
Base: $77,210.61
Longevity: $8,148.40
Overtime: $9,003.18
Detail: $72,819.67
Benefits (City Contributions)
Medical: $11,083.47
Dental: $1,299.48
Pension: $10,669.88
Note on Detail Pay: Details are normally funded by the private parties that require it. But some detail pay is funded directly by the city. Payroll data provided by the city Law Department does not distinguish between the two.
#2 Michael D'Amico
Department: Mayor Staff
Position: Director of Administration
Total Compensation: $196,086.60
Pay
Base: $174,327.20
Longevity: $0.00
Overtime: $0.00
Detail: $0.00
Benefits (City Contributions)
Medical: $12,534.60
Dental: $1,380.08
Pension: $7,844.724
Note on Detail Pay: Details are normally funded by the private parties that require it. But some detail pay is funded directly by the city. Payroll data provided by the city Law Department does not distinguish between the two.
#1 Vincent J. D'Ambra
Department: Fire
Position: Fire Rescue Captain
Total Compensation: $218,145.27
Pay
Base: $68,762.44
Longevity: $7,290.03
Overtime: $116,356.94
Detail: $0.00
Benefits (City Contributions)
Medical: $14,789.32
Dental: $1,299.74
Pension: $9,646.80
Note on Detail Pay: Details are normally funded by the private parties that require it. But some detail pay is funded directly by the city. Payroll data provided by the city Law Department does not distinguish between the two.
