Tempers Flare As Fane Tower Vote Comes to a Head - Hassett Blasts Leadership Partner Salvatore

As the vote to override Mayor Jorge Elorza's veto of the Fane Tower variance is again scheduled for today, members of the City Council are firing an ever increasing number of social media attacks on one another.

The most recent spat started over the weekend as outgoing Ordinance Committee Chairman Terry Hassett took to Facebook to criticize his leadership partner Council President David Salvatore. 

Salvatore is the fulltime lobbyist for the RI Realtors.

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“You know it's been an interesting 10 days. The Fane Tower is perhaps one of the most discussed issues. We, I say the City Council, [have] been open, 2 unprecedented public hearings, a record, and 6 Ordinance Meetings to properly vet and discuss this matter,” wrote Hassett.

“Unfortunately, I have been criticized by the current City Council President for not vetting it completely. I am in disagreement...2 public hearings and 6 ordinance meetings. Unprecedented in Council history. I never lashed out council members on other issues in this case. 3 female council members because they didn't do what he said you should do. What? Who the hell are you to dictate what or how they vote?  

My position...vote your concern and reject intimation.  Look, I'm leaving office but I would not nor would have ever threatened my colleagues,” said Hassett referring to another one of Salvatore’s previous battles.

In October, Salvatore got into disputes with a number of leading women in the City — both business and political leaders.

It started when Lisa Ranglin, President of the Black Business Association, blistered Salvatore for a lack of support for issues that matter to women and minorities.

Then an ugly incident took place after a City Council Committee meeting when Salvatore “screamed” and “intimidated” two female members of the City Council for not agreeing to vote the same way he wanted. Both Councilwomen recapped the incident exclusively to GoLocal.

"After the vote, I get a text from Salvatore -- he said I should be supporting women's issues, and that I'm shameful," said Councilwoman Jo-Ann Ryan. "I said you don't have the facts -- he was spouting off facts that were incorrect for as far as I know."

“After the meeting, I went to the City Council office," said Councilwoman Carmen Castillo. "Salvatore called me in the office and said shame on you, you don't support women. I said it's not like that. This is why we have a [city] lawyer, to advise us when we need review. I know what I'm doing. He was screaming at me. I said listen -- if we're going to pass it I want to be sure.

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But, Salvatore fired his own salvo’s this week via Twitter relating to Tuesday’s City Council meeting that was continued until Thursday. The Council meeting is to consider the override of Mayor Jorge Elorza.

Salvatore tweeted, “Members of the public have closely followed the progression of the Hope Point Tower’s zoning change request. Many came to today’s City Council meeting expecting a decision. Instead, Council members punted until they thought they would have the votes to ram this through. (1/3).

To all those who came to City Hall this afternoon for a pointless meeting - I apologize. As elected officials we owe it to the public to make hard decisions, respect the voices of our constituents, and take action. Today we did not do any of those things. (2/3)

I will personally reimburse anyone who paid for parking to attend today’s City Council meeting. If you paid for parking to attend the meeting, please contact me at [email protected] for reimbursement. (3/3)."

The continuation of Tuesday's Council meeting will be held at 6:00 PM at the City Council Chamber -- this evening.