Hopkins Blasts Farina Over Ties to Costco Developer’s Lawyer

Hopkins Blasts Farina Over Ties to Costco Developer’s Lawyer

City Councilman and mayoral candidate Ken Hopkins on Wednesday praised residents of the Oak Hill Terrace area for organizing a neighborhood meeting for the proposed Costco development at Mulligan’s Island.

“Last night’s gathering was a good launch for neighborhood awareness and involvement to protect the city and their homes from this out of state developer.  As more details are revealed, I predict that the concerns of the community will grow," said Hopkins. 

And, Hopkins blasted Council President Michael Farina -- both are seeking the GOP nomination for mayor of Cranston. 

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“I noted that my primary opponent Mr. Farina was there in the background.”  Hopkins charged that Farina is being influenced by Bolton.

"Hopkins speculated he was taking notes for the Costco lawyer John Bolton," said the Hopkins press release.

“My opponent works for CVS and it is well known Mr. Bolton is a leading zoning and land use lawyer for the pharmaceutical chain.  I am sure Mr. Farina had his business associate on speed dial to fill him in on the night’s activities,” charged Hopkins.

“Their business relationship explains why my opponent worries more about Costco’s rights than protecting the neighborhoods.  Instead of advocating for transparency and more citizen involvement, Mr. Farina wants to slide this project through the bureaucracy of zoom meetings on the Costco playing field,” stated Hopkins.

Farina said, "I only know Mr. Bolton from my time on the City Council. As a Fortune 5 company, CVS has multiple thousands of people working in RI alone. I work in Sourcing, Finance and Strategy and have nothing to do with the planning and zoning process for my employer. Mr. Hopkins is aware of this and is only grasping at straws due to his campaign losing steam."  

Farina has accepted thousands in campaign donations from Bolton and his wife.

Home Team

“Let me be clear. I am for the home team. The residents of Oak Hill Terrace, Garden Hills and Mayfield Avenue will not be left on the sidelines,” said Hopkins

Hopkins again called for a halt to the consideration of the Costco project until residents can attend in-person meetings at city hall to "forcefully advocate for their property rights."  

"My opponent wants to dictate that people call into by telephone to try and speak against the largest commercial development in the last decade," he said. 

Hopkins said, “The limitations on public participation hurts the neighbors and only helps the out of state developer.”

“My opponent should call his business associate Mr. Bolton and tell him to put this project on hold until the neighbors can fully engage with the City Council in a public meeting at their city hall.”

Farina has repeatedly refused to take a position on the project citing that the council has a role in the review process.