Repub and Democratic Ward Committee Chairs file Complaint in Providence, RI
Released on = November 3, 2006, 7:10 am
Press Release Author = Press Dept
Industry = Government
Press Release Summary = Ward 8 Democrat & Republican Committees agree that Mayor endorsed candidate Leon F. Tejada does not live in ward and file complaint with US Attorney, RI Attorney General, RI Board of Elections and RI State Police
Press Release Body = (Providence , Rhode Island , USA , Ward 8) Providence Republican Committee Chairman David B. Talan and Democratic Committee Chairman Wilbur W. Jennings Jr. have lodged a formal complaint with the US Attorney questioning the Mayor Cicilline candidate Leon F. Tejada who they say never moved into the 8th ward and so cannot properly represent the people of Ward 8.
"Mayor Cicilline and his director of neighborhood services, Gonzalo Cuervo know Tejada does not live in the ward" said Democratic Ward Chairman Jennings in a statement. "They know he doesn't live on Stadden Street , and didn't buy a house on Potter Drive . They they know that he was moved here because the Mayor could not control any of the candidates likely to win the seat." "In the primary, life long ward residents had their votes diluted by outsiders brought into the ward. The Board of Elections, although tied two to two on our complaint for a new election, DID find sufficient credible evidence and valid witness statements to order the information sent to the State Police for further investigation."
"Leon F. Tejada does not live in the ward" agreed Republican Ward Chairman Dave Talan. "We know he doesn't live on Stadden Street , nor did he buy a house on Potter Drive ." "How can you vote for a councilman you can't find to discuss problems with? How can he identify with the problems we have here?" "Even his website does not have any contact information," Talan went on, "and I expect his allegiance will be to the people who got him elected, not the people in this ward he is supposed to represent."
Mayoral control of the city council is at stake, and a Tejada win would most likely wrest the presidency from current president John J. Lombardi to give the Mayor a far more "pliable" council to work with.
Democratic Ward Chairman Jennings and Republican Ward Chairman Talan also filed joint complaints yesterday with the Board of Elections, the Rhode Island Attorney General and will be filing today with the Rhode Island State Police.
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Press site at: www.digitalgurune.com/jennings/pressc.html
Web Site = http://www.theghost.us
Contact Details = Bob Cooper 127 Dorrance Street Providence , 02903 $$country