Hopkins and Bucci Spar Over Her Missed Votes and Future of Cranston

Hopkins and Bucci Spar Over Her Missed Votes and Future of Cranston

The Cranston mayoral race is heating up in the final weeks. GOP City Councilman and mayoral candidate Ken Hopkins charges that his Democratic opponent Maria Bucci is refusing to explain how she missed 60% of her votes when she served on the Cranston City Council earlier in the 2000s.

“Maria Bucci is trying to distract and deflect the public’s attention away from her deplorable city council attendance record," Hopkins said. “My opponent said she doesn’t want to talk about her attendance record from fifteen years ago. If I had that type of attendance record I would not want to talk about it either.”

“How about eight years ago in 2012 when she missed sixty percent (60%) of her council meetings?” said Hopkins. “Will she defend that more recent horrible record of commitment to public service?”

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Bucci Responds

Hopkins said Bucci’s poor record of representing her constituents is worthy of public scrutiny. A statement from the Bucci campaign said she "readily accepts that the pressures of being a young mother and caretaker to an elderly family member meant that she needed to care for the people closest to her. This is why Maria chose not to run for reelection in 2008. During her elected terms on the council, Maria was unable to attend 6 of 45 regular City Council meetings."

“I am disappointed in Ken,” responded Bucci. “We are facing real challenges in Cranston. We must remain vigilant in protecting the health and safety of our residents during this pandemic, building a budget that keeps Cranston affordable, and stay focused on improving the services that Cranston residents rely on us to deliver. I will continue sharing my plan for how we make Cranston successful in 2021.”

But, Hopkins pressed on in his criticism.

“When somebody says she wants to be the chief executive of a $300 million corporation her work habits, attendance record, level of commitment all come into play,” said Hopkins.

“When I was teaching at Cranston High School East and a student missed sixty percent of school days, they certainly were not rewarded and promoted on to the next level.  They were held accountable, stayed back or had to make up time in summer school,” said Hopkins.

Hopkins stated that the review of the minutes of city council records shows that Bucci missed all or part of 47% of the council and committee meetings held during her terms.

Bucci Says City Faces Critical Challenges

“The future of our city is too important to risk on a person who is not committed to taking the job seriously.  We cannot entrust this award-winning community to a person who has a well- documented record of dereliction of duty to the residents of Cranston," said Hopkins. “My opponent is not the answer to keep Cranston moving forward."

Bucci's team charges her opponent’s personal attacks are an attempt to cover for a lack of ideas for the future of Cranston. "Democratic Mayoral Candidate Maria Bucci reminds voters that only one candidate in this race actually has a plan for how to address the dual-threat the city is facing from a global pandemic and economic downturn," said the Bucci campaign.

“My plan and my promise to each and every Cranston resident are readily available on my website, www.bucciforcranston.com. Everyone should compare our websites to see who is really committed to Cranston’s future,” said. Bucci.