Russell Moore: Meet the Unelected Mayor: Brett Smiley

Name: Go Local Prov
Price range: $

Monday, November 17, 2014

Russell J. Moore, GoLocalProv MINDSETTER™

Give the new administration credit: they're not time wasters.

More than a month before they're even sworn in, the new regime in Providence already has trouble brewing on the city's East Side, and all the key players are members of == or closely tied into -- the Jorge Elorza transition team.

That shouldn't really come as a surprise to anyone given that Elorza was thrust into office based primarily upon his deal-making ability.

GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST

Deal Makers

Remember, when then-Democratic primary Mayoral candidates Brett Smiley and Elorza stood alongside one another on that hot day in late August, the two men announced that Smiley would be leaving the race and throwing his support behind Elorza. Then, both men assured the press that no deal between the two men had been cut. Elorza claimed no staffing decision had been made, and that Smiley was not assured of a position in his administration.

Did anyone actually buy that line?

Yet now, it's become clear as crystal, rather quickly, that Smiley, an experienced political operative, was running the day-to-day campaign of Elorza. So it really wasn't much of a surprise last week when Elorza announced that Smiley would be serving in his administration as his Chief Operating Officer. Given the debt that Elorza owes Smiley thanks to that deal, it seems like Smiley is going to be the de facto mayor, calling the shots from behind the scenes--especially considering how emboldened his closest allies are acting.

Serious implications

That truth is already having serious implications on the City of Providence, ironically enough, in the section of the city that served as Elorza's stronghold--the powerful East Side. Elorza rode the wave of high voter turnout on the East Side to provide him with the margins he needed for victory in both the Primary and General Elections.

So it's ironic that the first hurdle of his mayoralty is brewing in that very section of the city even before he's been sworn into office and the top players on his transition team are intricately involved.

The Providence Journal reported on Monday, November 10, that a group of Blackstone Boulevard neighborhood residents are up-in-arms about a plan that would create a massive subdivision at 440-460 Rochambeau Ave, one of the last large estates of its kind in the city. The plan would subdivide the 3.6 acre compound into roughly 12 lots. The residents who oppose the plan say it would significantly alter the character of the neighborhood.

Residents irked

Hundreds of residents have signed an online petition to oppose the plans implementation, which will go before the City Plan Commission tomorrow at 444 Westminster Street.

This issue could become a serious powder keg for Elorza relatively quickly if he doesn't start taking steps to distance himself from this issue. That's because some of the key players behind the deal are also on his transition team or spouses of members of his team. The listing agent on the deal is James Derentis, who is the husband of...you guessed it, Brett Smiley. And the listing agent's President and Chief Executive Officer is Sally Lapides---who is one of three co-chairs of his transition team.

The property's listing price is roughly $5 million dollars. If the property were to sell at that price, Derentis (and therefore Smiley), would stand to make $150,000 on the sale--assuming a 6-percent commission.

No developer?

The plan still currently lacks a developer, so it's interesting that a plan is in place and sailing through the city regulatory bodies without someone coming forward with interest in carrying the plan through. Perhaps the sellers are seeking the changes and plan affirmations to make the property more attractive to potential sellers.

If Elorza is smart, he will take steps to intervene on behalf of the hundreds of East Side residents who are concerned with the potential subdivision and make certain that their concerns are heard. The last thing Elorza needs is for his key constituency to already sour on their man before he even steps into office--unless he'd like to see the boat sink before it's even left the dock.

Russell Moore, a lifelong Rhode Islander, has worked on both sides of the desk in Rhode Island media, in both newspapers and on political campaigns. Follow him on twitter @russmoore713.

Elorza Donors - See 25 Interesting Donors

Chafee & Cicilline Aide

Deb Brayton

$600

Former top aide to Lincoln Chafee and David Cicilline is a big Elorza supporter (following Smiley's exit) and was part of the core group of the failed Anybody But Cianci effort.

She worked for Chafee in DC and came back to RI to serve as Chief of Staff for Cicilline during his tenure that created the City of Providence's fiscal meltdown.

Developer

Alfred Carpionato

$500

Carpionato is the mega developer who is one of the finalists to develop the 195 parcels -- and is the owner of the still yet-to-be developed Fruit and Produce warehouse site in Providence.

He ranks 17th on GoLocal's list of RI's Richest and Most Influential.

Widow of Kim Chace

Elizabeth Chace

$2,000

The founder of Residential Properties, Liz Chace has been active on reforming John Hope Settlement House - she was a former Board member.

Chace is the widow of billionaire Malcolm 'Kim' Chace III.

Director

Michael Corrente

$1,000

Corrente is a film director. His films include Shot at Glory, American Buffalo, Outside Providence, Brooklyn Rules and Federal Hill.

He was one of the early organizers in the anti-Buddy Cianci group.

Corrente is being sued for $5 million.

Son of Governor

Dennis DiPrete

$250

DiPrete is the son of former Governor Edward DiPrete. His brother Tom has donated to Cianci.

Dennis is one of the state's most successful engineers and developers.

PR

$750

Lee is a Tony Award winning theater designer. He started at Trinity and has designed TV sets for Saturday Night Live and The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.

He has designed many of Trinity's Reps' most elaborate sets.

Union Leader

Karen McAninch

$250

While police, fire, teachers, Teamsters and city workers' unions have gone with Cianci, McAnnich is one union leader to sign on with Elorza.

She is with the United Service and Allied Workers of RI.

Beer Distributor

Timothy Moran

$500

Moran's beer distribution company - McLaughlin & Moran - is one of the largest in the region. He has now relocated to Florida.

Taveras' Lawyer

Thomas Moses

$1000

Moses is the boss of the firm Moses & Alfonso - one of the top political firms in the City. Recently, the firm paid a $4.4 million settlement for the firms involvement with 38 Studios.

The firm has been a strong supporter of sitting Providence Mayor Angel Taveras.

Former Fleet Bank CEO

J. Terrence and Suzanne Murray

$2000

The former CEO of Fleet Bank built the bank into one of the largest in America before selling to Bank of America. The bank has the tenant at the now vacant Superman Building. Murray now lives in Palm Beach, Florida.

While the Murrays lives outside of RI for most of the year, they still ranked #36 in GoLocal's Richest and Most Influential.

Former GOP Leader

Lila Sapinsley

$500

Once the Minority Leader of the Senate Republicans in the 1980s, Sapinsley has been a leader in the moderate wing of the GOP in RI for years.

She was a regular guest on A Lively Experiment for more than a decade.

Former BankRI CEO

Merril Sherman

$1000

The former BANKRI CEO was once rumored to be a candidate for Mayor of Providence. Sherman has been active in politics and the community.

She is now a special master in resolving the federal forclosure crisis. She ranks #23 on GoLocal's Richest and Most Influential.

Former Brown VP

Richard Spies

$120

Spies came to Brown from Princeton and served as the #2 for Ruth Simmons for a decade. He drove the negotiations with Cicilline and Taveras.

Spies continues to live in Providence.

Former Hasbro

Alfred Verrechia

$500

Verrechia was the longtime executive and ultimately CEO of Hasbro.

Today, Verrecchia serves on the boards of Iron Mountain, FM Global and Lifespan -- and previously, RIEDC and CVS.

He ranks #20 on GoLocal's Richest and Most Influential.

Super Lobbyist

Christopher Vitale

$1000

Vitale is a big time lobbyist up at the State House and close ally to former Speaker Gordon Fox. His Capitol City Group represents healthcare and energy clients.