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David Cicilline

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David Cicilline
File:DCicilline.JPG
Mayor of Providence, Rhode Island
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 6, 2003
Preceded byJohn J. Lombardi
Member of the Rhode Island House of Representatives
from the 4th district
In office
January 1995 – January 2003
Personal details
BornError: Need valid birth date: year, month, day
Providence, Rhode Island
Political partyDemocratic
ResidenceProvidence, Rhode Island
Alma materBrown University (AB)
Georgetown University Law Center (J.D.)
Websitecicilline.com

David N. Cicilline (born 1961), an American Democratic politician, is the current Mayor of Providence, Rhode Island. He is a candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives in the state's 1st congressional district and is the first openly gay mayor of a U.S. state capital.[1]

Early life and career

Cicilline was born July 15, 1961 in Providence to a Jewish mother, Sabra, and Italian American father, John F. "Jack" Cicilline. [2][3] His father is a prominent attorney in Providence who defended local Mafia figures in the 1970s and 1980s and was an aide to Mayor Joseph A. Doorley.[2]

He was raised in Providence before moving to Narragansett. At high school, he served as president of his graduating class before heading to Brown University, where he established a branch of the College Democrats with his classmate, John F. Kennedy Jr. He took a degree in political science, graduating magna cum laude in 1983. He then went to Georgetown University Law Center where he earned a J.D., remaining in Washington, D.C. for a while to work for the Public Defender Service.

David Cicilline worked as a lawyer before being elected to the Rhode Island House of Representatives in 1995, representing the 4th district on Providence's East Side. He served a total of four terms in the legislature, during which time he came out as a gay man.

Mayor of Providence

Cicilline was elected in a landslide in November 2002 with 84% of the vote, following the downfall of controversial mayor Vincent Cianci and the aftermath of Operation Plunder Dome.[4] He succeeded acting mayor John J. Lombardi, who served out Cianci's term and decided not to run in the following election.[5]

Cicilline's administration has been focused on the residential neighborhoods of Providence as well as the "Renaissance" areas of downtown and Federal Hill that thrived under Cianci, and has continued the promotion of the city via the tax breaks given to artists and movie productions. As a former state legislator, he was able to deal with the animosity with state government that existed under Cianci.

Providence has experienced a significant drop in crime, attributed by some to community policing. As of 2007, Providence had its lowest crime rate in 30 years, contrary to national trends. The city has eliminated 14% of management positions, dropped to 17th in the state for per-capita tax and received an "A" bond rating from all three major bond-rating agencies.[6]

In 2006, Cicilline won an easy reelection with 83% of the vote.[6] Brown University's survey in September 2007 found that 64 percent of state residents approved of the job Cicilline was doing in Providence. By February 2008, that number had dropped to 51 percent. And in September 2008, his popularity fell to 46 percent..[7]

He is 2008 President of the National Conference of Democratic Mayors.

In May, 2009, Cicilline gained national headlines after proposing a $150 per semester Head Tax on each of the 25,000 college students attending four universities in the city. The tax was an effort to close $6 to $8 million of a reported $17 million dollar city budget shortfall. The associated press reported that if enacted, it would become the first-in-the-nation tax on students simply for being enrolled and attending college within the city limits.[8]

Issues

Mayor Cicilline is a member of the Mayors Against Illegal Guns Coalition,[9] a bi-partisan group with a stated goal of "making the public safer by getting illegal guns off the streets." The Coalition is co-chaired by Boston Mayor Thomas Menino and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

Mayor Cicilline has expressed concern for the Providence metropolitan area's carbon footprint and is seeking to implement a streetcar/light rail-type system for the city. The mayor also focuses efforts on fighting poverty, for example, by creating relationships between people and their banks. In response to the housing crisis, he passed a vacant and abandoned property penalty to provide economic disincentive for banks to hold properties for extended periods of time, and also proposed the city take out a bond to buy many foreclosed properties.[10]

Cicilline is a strong proponent of after school programs as a means of improving opportunities for children.[11] Mayor Cicilline serves in a leadership position within the United States Conference Mayors, where he is the Chair of the Standing Committee on Children, Health and Human Services. [12] Also, he has been recognized for his efforts to establish youth programming and to strengthen ties between schools, businesses, and the local government in order to expand access to after school. In response to this issue, city officials worked with Rhode Island’s Education Partnership to form PASA, the Providence After School Alliance.[11] Cicille also serves on the board of the national nonprofit Afterschool Alliance, an organization that works to promote and to support after school programming for all children.[13]

During the Democratic primaries, Ciciline supported Hillary Clinton. In August, he attended the Democratic National Convention in Denver. While there he stated in an interview he supported Barack Obama, saying "There is a real sense of hope and optimism about what we're about to do and about a chance in leadership in this country."[14]

Cicilline has been a strong proponent of the outlawing of prostitution in Rhode Island[15] (prostitution was outlawed in 2009, between 1980 and 2009 prostitution was legal). He has personally testified in Superior court to stop the opening of "spas" in Providence, and has also appeared in the 2009 documentary Happy Endings?, a film that follows the lives of the women in the Asian massage parlors in the center of the debate to re-criminalize prostitution.[15][16] [17] He has lobbied for a prostitution law not only to arrest the women and the Johns, but also to fine the landlords that allowed for this activity on their premises.[18] On September 2, 2009, Cicilline submitted to the City Council leadership an ordinance to ban indoor prostitution in the city, imposing a $500 fine and a potential 30-day prison sentence on violators.[19] (See also: Prostitution in Rhode Island)

ICE controversy with Governor Carcieri

On June 8, 2008, Marco Riz, an illegal immigrant from Guatemala who had been arrested twice the previous year while under a deportation order, was charged in the robbery and rape of a 30-year-old woman.[20] A federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent criticized the Providence Police Department for not checking Riz's immigration status when they arrested him prior.[21] Governor of Rhode Island, Donald Carcieri blamed Cicilline for the Department's failure. Prior, Carcieri had signed an executive order requiring all state officials to work with ICE on arrests or hirings of illegal immigrants. When Carcieri asked the same of local agents, Providence Police Chief Dean Esserman refused. Cicilline responded that it has been the policy of the Police Department to work with ICE and its database for all arrests, that the policy was followed when Riz was arrested, and that ICE failed to act.[21]

On July 8, 2008, governor of Rhode Island Donald Carcieri claimed that Cicilline was not upholding his oath of office by failing to report illegal immigrants, suggesting the U.S. Attorney investigate the mayor.[22] Mayor Cicilline responded by accusing Carcieri of "playing politics", eight days later writing an op-ed in the Providence Journal stating that the city always has and will continue to report all arrests to immigration authorities, and that the focus is therefore inappropriate.[23] Carcieri is term-limited and is prevented from running for a third term in 2010.

Firefighters' union contract arbitration

Since 2003, Cicilline has been engaged in a dispute with the Providence Firefighters labor union (Local 799). In a July 2002 email Cicilline sent to the members of Local 799, he indicated that he hoped to resolve their pending contract dispute with the city within 30 days of taking office. In August, Cicilline said in an interview that promising the resolution of contract negotiations was impossible because of the unpredictability of the other negotiating partner.[24] The city and the union have been in arbitration in every contract year since 2002, with Cicilline appealing one arbitration decision to the Rhode Island Supreme Court. The appeal was rejected.[25]

In 2004, Democratic vice presidential nominee John Edwards canceled a fundraising appearance in Providence in support of the Local 799.[26] In 2007, Hillary Clinton asked Cicilline, a Clinton supporter, not to attend a Clinton rally because of threats by the union to picket the appearance.[27][28]

Both the Rhode Island AFL-CIO and the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) have censured Cicilline for his role in the issue.[29][30]

In 2009, due to the union's picket, the Obama administration canceled Joe Biden's appearance at the U.S. Conference of Mayors in Providence in the interests of remaining neutral in the conflict.[31]

Tax office controversy

In June 2008, John M. Cicilline, brother of Mayor Cicilline, pleaded guilty to conspiracy, obstruction of justice and making false statements for his role in the courthouse corruption scheme. Federal prosecutors indicted John Cicilline, disbarred attorney Joseph Bevilacqua Jr. and two assistants in January 2007. According to court documents, the two attorneys spun a complicated scheme to win leniency in a drug trafficking case.[32]

Before reporting to prison, John M. Cicilline gave the city of Providence a $75,000 check for taxes owed by a client, but asked that the check not be cashed and only held as collateral. Two of the mayor’s top aides told the city tax collector Robert Ceprano, not to cash a check sent by the mayor’s brother, a lawyer, on behalf of a delinquent taxpayer because it would bounce. In four instances, the tax collector says, aides pressured him to perform tax favors for the mayor’s friends and/or campaign contributors. The mayor says the taxpayers got relief because they or the city made a tax mistake — not because they are friends or contributors. Amid the controversy the tax collector Robert Ceprano was fired [33]

On May 10, 2009 Robert Ceprano filed a lawsuit against the City of Providence alleging conspiracy, corruption, libel and wrongful termination. The suit accuses John M. Cicilline, the mayor’s imprisoned brother, of attempting to defraud the City of Providence by writing a bad check for $75,000 on behalf of a delinquent taxpayer. Furthermore, it alleges, the mayor and his aides “willfully conspired … to conceal John Cicilline’s illegal activities.” Ceprano also charges that he was fired not for poor job performance, but because he resisted the mayor’s efforts to perform tax favors for political friends and supporters. Lawyers for Ceprano are asking for 10 million dollars.[34] The single count complaint against John Cicilline was dismissed by Judge Kristin Rodgers on November 17, 2009. [35]

2010 congressional candidacy

On February 13, Cicilline announced his candidacy for the U.S. House of Representatives to represent Rhode Island's 1st congressional district which is being vacated by fellow Democrat Patrick J. Kennedy. William Lynch, former chairman of the Rhode Island Democratic Party and brother of state Attorney General Patrick C. Lynch, announced his candidacy the same day.[36] David Segal, a member of the Rhode Island House of Representatives representing District 2 (East Providence and Providence) since 2006, announced his candidacy for the Democratic primary on May 12, 2010.[37] Other Democrats are also considering running in the September primary, in which a nominee will be chosen to run in November's general election.

References

  1. ^ Dahir, Mubarak (December 24, 2002). "Leading Providence: David Cicilline becomes the first openly gay mayor of a U.S. state capital". The Advocate. Retrieved 2007-06-29.
  2. ^ a b [1][dead link]
  3. ^ "Niet compatibele browser". Facebook. Retrieved 2010-07-12.
  4. ^ "Article: Leading Providence: David Cicilline becomes the first openly gay mayor of... | AccessMyLibrary - Promoting library advocacy". AccessMyLibrary. 2002-12-24. Retrieved 2010-07-12.
  5. ^ Perry, Jack (2002-11-14). "Mayor-elect Cicilline announces transition plans". Providence Journal. Retrieved 2009-04-03.
  6. ^ a b "City of Providence - Mayor David N. Cicilline". Providenceri.com. Retrieved 2010-07-12.
  7. ^ Marcelo, Philip (2009-02-19). "'Providence Mayor Cicilline's approval rating sinks'". Providence Journal. Retrieved 2009-07-11.
  8. ^ [2][dead link]
  9. ^ "Coalition Members". Mayors Against Illegal Guns. Retrieved 2007-09-21.
  10. ^ “”. "YouTube - Mayor David Cicilline of Providence, Rhode Island". Hk.youtube.com. Retrieved 2010-07-12.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link) CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  11. ^ a b http://www.governing.com/articles/mayors-dc.htm
  12. ^ "The U.S. Conference of Mayors : Children, Health & Human Services". Usmayors.org. Retrieved 2010-07-12.
  13. ^ http://www.afterschoolalliance.org/press_archives/Cicilline_111405.pdf
  14. ^ http://www.wpri.com/Global/story.asp?S=8901866&nav=F2DO
  15. ^ a b Press Release From Mayors Office (2009-05-31). "MAYOR CICILLINE URGES RI SENATE TO PASS PROSTITUTION LEGISLATION". Office of The Mayor. Retrieved 2009-07-11.
  16. ^ Arditi, Lynn (2009-05-24). "Film Chronicles RI's Asian Brothels". Providence Journal. Retrieved 2009-07-03.
  17. ^ http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1455623/
  18. ^ Cicilline, David (2009-05-19). "Time to End Prostitution in RI". Office of The Mayor. Retrieved 2009-07-11.
  19. ^ Marcelp, Philip (2009-09-02). "Providence to consider ordinance banning prostitution". {{cite news}}: Text "http://www.projo.com/ri/providence/content/PROVIDENCE_PROSTITUTION_ORDINANC_09-02-09_AKF_v25.36178f1.html" ignored (help)
  20. ^ "Suspect charged in Warwick robbery, rape | Rhode Island news | projo.com | The Providence Journal". projo.com. 2008-06-14. Retrieved 2010-07-12.
  21. ^ a b "Case of illegal immigrant fires political feud | State Government | projo.com | The Providence Journal". projo.com. 2008-06-26. Retrieved 2010-07-12.
  22. ^ http://www.firesociety.com/forum/thread/27362/Gov.-Carcieri-deepens-war-of-words-with-Providence-Mayor-David-Cicilline/
  23. ^ David N. Cicilline (2008-07-16). "David N. Cicilline: Stop pointing fingers at illegals | Columnists | projo.com | The Providence Journal". projo.com. Retrieved 2010-07-12.
  24. ^ "The Brown Daily Herald - Providence firefighters, still without contract, increase assistance to Brown EMS". Media.www.browndailyherald.com. Retrieved 2010-07-12.
  25. ^ "City appeal of firefighter arbitration rejected by court | Providence | projo.com | The Providence Journal". projo.com. 2008-04-08. Retrieved 2010-07-12.
  26. ^ "Extra: Election | projo.com | The Providence Journal". projo.com. 2004-09-27. Retrieved 2010-07-12.
  27. ^ "Clinton campaign tells Cicilline to stay away when she's in R.I. | Rhode Island news | projo.com | The Providence Journal". projo.com. 2008-02-22. Retrieved 2010-07-12.
  28. ^ "In the face of pickets, Cicilline resign from Clinton's R.I. campaign | Rhode Island news | projo.com | The Providence Journal". projo.com. 2007-09-19. Retrieved 2010-07-12.
  29. ^ "Local Scene". IAFF. Retrieved 2010-07-12.
  30. ^ "Mayor lands censure over firefighter contracts | Providence | projo.com | The Providence Journal". projo.com. 2008-09-18. Retrieved 2010-07-12.
  31. ^ "Daley, Obama at odds over meeting's picket line :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: City Hall". Suntimes.com. 2009-06-10. Retrieved 2010-07-12.
  32. ^ Russ, Hilary (2008-09-19). "Brother of Providence, RI, Mayor Headed to Prison". Associated Press. Retrieved 2009-07-11.
  33. ^ Stanton, Mike (2008-01-24). "Providence tax collector says he was pressured to give favors". Providence Journal. Retrieved 2009-07-11.
  34. ^ Stanton, Mike (2008-05-13). "Fired Providence tax collecter alleges corruption". Providence Journal. Retrieved 2009-07-11.
  35. ^ Court Docket 09-2712
  36. ^ Henry, Ray (2009-02-13). "2 prominent RI Dems run for Kennedy's seat". Boston Globe. Retrieved 2009-02-13.
  37. ^ Gregg, Katherine (May 13, 2010). "Democrat Segal joins race for Congress". Providence Journal. Retrieved May 23, 2010.
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