Could John Hope Settlement House Have Kept Federal Funds if Williams Resigned?
GoLocalProv News Team and Kate Nagle
Could John Hope Settlement House Have Kept Federal Funds if Williams Resigned?
JHSH, Williams, and Morgan were explicitly disqualified from further participation in the federal Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) for program mismanagement, according to a recent ruling from RIDE on September 29 after finding the "absence of any documentation to establish that the CACFP funds were expended in support of the Program but rather evidence that the monies were spent improperly for non-food program items."
Now, a document entitled "Settlement Agreement and Dismissal Stipulation" from May shows that a deal had been put forth that RIDE would have rescinded its recommendation to the USDA that JHSH be disqualified from federal funding -- contingent upon the resignation of Williams and Morgan.
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After outlining its findings, the agreement put forth the following conditions that would have enable JHSH to maintain its funding.
NOW THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY STIPULATED AND AGREED as follows:
1. JHSH hereby withdraws, with prejudice, its March 23, 2015 appeal of RIDE’s Notice of Termination and Disqualification;
2. JHSH hereby represents that as of the date hereof, it has fully complied with all aspects of the Corrective Action Plan as to Serious Deficiencies 1 through 3, above, and has corrected Serious Deficiency 4, above;
4. RIDE agrees to verify the accuracy of JHSH’s representations in 2, above, as soon as is practicable;
5. RIDE further agrees that if the accuracy of JHSH’s representations in 2, above, are, in RIDE’s sole and absolute discretion, verified, RIDE will recommend to the USDA that RIDE be permitted to withdraw the Notice of Termination and Disqualification, nunc pro tunc; and
6. RIDE and JHSH both stipulate and agree that the sanctions sought by RIDE in the Notice of Termination and Disqualification shall, without further action, take effect immediately, without any right of appeal, in the event that:
(a) RIDE does not, in its sole and absolute discretion, verify the accuracy of JHSH’s representations
Williams did not respond to request for comment on Tuesday as to what happened to that May proposal.
The Ten Most Politically Powerful in Providence
10.
Buff Chace - Developer
Regardless of who is the Mayor, the Downcity developer flexes his economic muscle and constantly wins superior tax agreements.
The visionary developer transformed Westminster Street from a blighted dead zone to a tony-neighborhood.
He has realized tens of millions in benefits in tax breaks from the City over the past two decades and will be back again this year. He still has open issues on a range of properties and is the likely candidate to take control of the Providence Journal’s building on Fountain Street.
9.
Myrth York - Politico
The former State Senator from the East Side and three-time failed candidate for Governor has become a major power in Democratic circles both in the city and statewide. She went all in for both Gina Raimondo and Jorge Elorza and she won big.
Recently, she scored an appointment to the Beacon Insurance Board as a part of a Chafee-Raimondo agreement.
York has been the Chair of the Zoning Board during the tenure of Providence Mayor Angel Taveras. The changes to zoning on Federal Hill under the York leadership of the Zoning Board have been widely scrutinized.
York is seen as a major mentor and supporter to Brett Smiley, the City of Providence’s newly appointed Chief Operating Officer.
8.
Buddy Cianci - Former Mayor, Radio Talk Show Host
He lost the election, but make no mistake about it -- the two-time convicted felon and talk show radio host still casts a big shadow. He came within a couple thousand votes of winning the Mayor’s office again.
Cianci still talks to every player in the City nearly every day. He strategically uses his radio show to set the agenda.
The new Council leadership has a number of Cianci supporters among their ranks.
7.
House Majority Leader John DeSimone
With the resignation of Gordon Fox in 2014, the City of Providence’s influence in the legislature took a big hit losing the Speaker’s office. DeSimone rose to majority leader as part of the Speaker Nick Mattiello leadership team.
DeSimone will be the key to the City of Providence’s financial well-being. Elorza and Smiley will need to quickly build a strong relationship with DeSimone.
With the State of Rhode Island facing a $200 million budget deficit as well as a potential further hit due to the loss of gaming revenue with Massachusetts facilities coming online, the appeals of the City of Providence for financial support will be difficult.
6.
Joe Paolino - Former Mayor and Developer
The former Mayor of Providence upped his investment in the City of Providence with a $60 million deal in January of 2014 to purchase three major buildings in the financial district.
That investment further extended the Paolino empire in Providence. He continues to be a national player in Democratic politics and fundraising, but his economic interests are embedded in Providence.
5.
Sabina Matos, Council President Pro Tempe
Matos, who will be formally elected President Pro Tempe of the Providence City Council, has firmly established herself as the most influential Latina in the City of Providence.
Her savvy strategy to team with Aponte creates a trifecta of Hispanic power in the City of Providence - the three most powerful positions are all lead by Hispanics.
The Rhode Island College grad who represents the 15th Ward - the Olneyville and Silver Lake neighborhoods,-- is emerging as Providence’s most influential woman.
4.
Tony Simon, Chief of Staff
The Chief of Staff for Mayor Elorza comes to the City from Sheldon Whitehouse’s office. He served as Rhode Island Deputy State Director for the junior senator and his transition to City politics should be smooth.
He is knowledgeable about the City’s politics and obviously well-connected with the Congressional delegation and the State House.
His challenge may be will he -- or Smilley -- have the Elorza’s ear.
3.
Brett Smiley - Chief Operating Officer
The former political fundraiser, then candidate for Mayor, and now the City of Providence’s Chief Operating Officer knows a lot about politics, but has no experience in running a city.
Smiley and Elorza’s relationship will be critical to the the new Mayor having a productive agenda.
Smiley has to be careful to serve the Mayor and foster Elorza’s agenda. As a consultant he had many masters. As a candidate he had many plans, now he has to be staff.
2.
Luis Aponte - City Council President
Aponte was first elected to the Providence City Council in 1998. He is one of the first Latino candidates ever elected in Rhode Island and the true trailblazer in Providence when he was elected as Providence’s first Latino member of the City Council.
Aponte is seen as thoughtful and progressive. During the course of his tenure he has often been the bridge between the neighborhoods and downtown.
With nine votes on the Council, Aponte can at a minimum share with Elorza setting the City’s agenda.
1.
Jorge Elorza - Mayor of Providence
The former RWU Law Professor and Housing Court Judge is facing a tremendous number of difficult and complex problems:
- Budget shortfall
- Poor performing schools
- One of the highest commercial tax rates in the nation
- Concerns about crime
- Decaying city infrastructure
- Unfunded pension liability
