CLOSING ARGUMENT: Michael Farina, Republican Candidate for Mayor of Cranston
GoLocalProv Political Team
CLOSING ARGUMENT: Michael Farina, Republican Candidate for Mayor of Cranston
GoLocal asked him the questions and read his closing argument on why he is the best candidate for the office.
We are running a feature this weekend prior to the primary allowing the candidates for Mayor to offer some last words to voters:
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1) GoLocal: Why should voters cast their ballot for you in the primary?
Farina: Since I announced my candidacy in January, I have worked hard to provide the residents of Cranston a clear understanding of my platform, which includes my vision and plans for Cranston’s future. Hence, the residents are well-informed about what they can expect from me as Mayor of Cranston. I am not following in anyone’s footsteps because a leader needs to be innovative and bring fresh ideas to the table.
As we face a budget crisis in our City due to the pandemic, I believe that City Hall needs a Mayor who has a proven track record of driving cost savings, managing large budgets, and the skills required to fight for necessary economic policies to protect our community.
To navigate the future, we need to elect experienced leadership. I am proud to have the endorsements of the Cranston Republican City Committee, the Cranston Fire Department, and the Cranston Police Department. Their confidence in me as City Councilman and City Council President is a testament to my record of success by putting the residents of Cranston FIRST with common sense, conservative policies, and strong leadership that protects our City’s future.
2) GoLocal: What is the most important issue facing the city?
Farina: The fiscal health and future of Cranston as it emerges from the COVID Pandemic is one of our two biggest challenges right now. My record will show that I voted AGAINST the 2021 budget that slashed 4.1 million dollars from the Education Budget and contained a potential for an additional 3-5 million dollars in structural deficits. Cranston does not need to raise taxes. Instead, we should have worked collaboratively to cut costs before approving a flawed budget. Getting our kids back in school safely is proving to be extremely challenging. We need a stable budget to ensure that administrators, educators, and the children of Cranston have the necessary tools to move forward in a healthy and productive environment. This is why it is imperative Cranston votes for a Mayor who has the financial expertise to manage municipal size budgets. In my current position at a Fortune 2 corporation, I manage multi-million dollar budgets, lead complex negotiations that eliminate unnecessary spending, and drive significant cost savings across the board. I will use these same skill sets and best practices as Mayor to do more with less by allocating funding appropriately to navigate this deficit and move Cranston forward without placing an additional burden on Cranston’s taxpayers and citizens.
3) GoLocal: Name three people you will appoint as Mayor?
Farina: It would be premature of me to name any appointees at this time. I do not promise jobs in exchange for financial or volunteer support as it puts unqualified people in jobs and ultimately fails the tax-payers of Cranston. When I become Mayor, I will evaluate all positions under my administration and fill them with the most suitable candidates who will best serve all of Cranston residents. I will work with my Transition Team to develop a hiring strategy that focuses on employing a diverse pool of well-qualified staff members.
4) GoLocal: What is the first action you will take?
Farina: My first actions as Mayor will include reviewing all the current policies, procedures, and workflows of each and every Department to learn more about how they are run and identify ways in which they could be streamlined.
In addition, I will focus heavily on the budget to identify ways to eliminate wasteful spending and ensure that there will not be any tax increases to Cranston residents.
Included in The Farina Promise:
NO tax increases!
Increase the education budget by reallocating funds so that our children and schools have the necessary resources to navigate what lies ahead successfully
Create jobs and decrease unemployment
Support small businesses with established loan programs and grants
5) GoLocal: What differentiates you from all the other candidates?
Farina: Plain and simple, I can offer the City of Cranston an unmatched set of skills needed to move Cranston forward. The first order of business will be to address our financial crisis, affecting all residents, whether school children, working adults, or senior citizens. There has never been a more critical time to elect experienced leadership for the survival of our community. We need a leader with the financial expertise to implement a healthy recovery plan for Cranston. I am the only candidate on the ticket, on either side of the aisle, with the practical experience and knowledge to successfully move this City forward starting on the day I am elected. In light of these facts, I hope I have earned Cranston’s citizens’ support in this year’s Primary on September 8th and the General Election on November 3rd. If you honor me with your vote, I will ensure that the “New Normal” for all Cranston residents will look brighter and more hopeful.