Questions Daniel Harrop Must Answer to be Providence's Next Mayor
GoLocal News Team
Questions Daniel Harrop Must Answer to be Providence's Next Mayor
SLIDES: See Questions Harrop Has to Answer to be Mayor BELOW
The East Side Republican doctor has made a run at the office before, losing last in 2006 to David Cicilline. This time around, the pro-business, small government Harrop will face not just one but two oppponents in the general -- the winner of the Democratic primary, and former Mayor Buddy Cianci.
Harrop told GoLocal in April about his top priorities, if elected.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST"I am proposing specific remedies to help the finances: no new taxes, no new tax stabilizations, and rolling back the unjust pension that were given out (fire chief retires at $65K, now has $195K pension, etc). I am not afraid to talk about receivership (polite municipal term for bankruptcy) to SAVE most of the pension system -- but it cannot given as promised," said Harrop.
Harrop continued, "I warned about this 8 years ago in my campaign, that we could not pay the pensions we were promising, I was told by the unions and the Mayor Cicilline this was nonsense, and, low and behold, Taveras cut the pensions. Unfortunately, it has to be done again. I am the only candidate with a plan talking about how to SAVE the pensions and provide the money for the schools we need to re-build."
Questions Daniel Harrop Must Answer to be Providence's Next Mayor
Party Politics?
Providence hasn't seen a Republican Mayor for thirty years. The last, of course, was Vincent "Buddy" Cianci's first tenure at the post from 1975 through 1984. But when Buddy came back in 1990, he saw his path to victory as an independent.
Harrop's Republican credentials certainly are unwavering. The former candidate garnered nearly 17% of the voted in 2006 against David Cicilline. Can Harrop convince enough predominantly Democratic and independent Providence voters that a GOP Mayor is the way to go?
Big Issues?
Privatization. Receivership. Education reform. Harrop has bold ideas in the traditional Republican vein to turn things in the state's capital city around. The question is, are Providence voters open to bold ideas? One such proposal -- having free parking for an hour at meters around the city -- seems to be a pro-business no-brainer.
By contrast, other candidates are talking about spending more on programs. Can Harrop's vision of spending less resonate in a city with high crime and struggling schools?
Relatability?
The erudite Dr. Harrop is just that -- a highly educated East Side white male. While GoLocal asked the same question of Brett Smiley -- i.e. can the city's diverse voting base relate to the wonkish East Side liberal, the same can be asked of the conservative Harrop. Smiley for his part has been a stalwart at community events around the city.
While Harrop backs the "swim empowerment" effort to allow for recreational opportunities throughout the city following the close -- and opening -- of the Davey Lopes poll, has he actually had enough boots on the ground in the ciy's urban communities to convince voters he's their guy?
Buddy Factor?
Harrop has been at the forefront of pointing out former Mayor Cianci is a two-time felon. When Buddy entered the face at the end of June, Harrop told GoLocal, "I am more concerned with with his attempt to re-write history and downplay his part in the scandals surrounding Providence pensions which are going to throw the city into bankruptcy."
The doctor will undoubtedly hammer Cianci hard once the primary season is through and the field is set to three. The question is, can Harrop stand up to criticism lobbed at him by Cianci should the time come? For better or for worse, Cianci has name recognition. Harrop does not.
Can he win?
How much is Harrop willing to bankroll on his own in an attempt to take the city's highest post? He loaned himself $100,000 back in 2013 for the effort. While he's currently in good shape on paper, at least -- he's got $130,000 cash on hand -- the question is whether he's got the resources, and resolve to go the distance in a sure to be bruising three-way general election against the winner of the Democratic primary and Buddy Cianci.
