He’s baaack!!
That’s right, Vincent A. “Buddy” Cianci Jr. has filed papers to run for mayor of Providence as an independent.
It would be simple – and misguided – to view Mr. Cianci’s two terms as mayor through rose-colored glasses. Providence rose to fame as a culinary hotspot, Providence Place mall was built, the rivers were moved, so much of how we see today’s Providence happened while he was in office.
The truth, however, is more complex and less complimentary to the former “Prince of Providence.”
Remember the budgetary “Category 5 hurricane” that Providence Mayor Angel Taveras spent so much energy wrestling into submission? Those union contracts came while Mr. Cianci was mayor.
Paid attention to how high the city’s property tax rates are? All the hikes haven’t come in recent history.
And ask the business community how much of a relief it was when Mr. Cianci resigned in 2002. He was known to take names and hold grudges, not a positive environment for business.
Mr. Cianci served his time for a public-corruption conviction, and so has earned his re-entry into society. But it is a long way from talk-radio host to holding public office. •