Senator Alan DiMario attended the Confirmation Hearing. Senator Bridget Geraci Valverde was absent as she has been from all the Town of Narragansett's issues even though she represents Narragansett. Representatives Teresa Tanzi and Carol Hagon McEntee who represent Narragansett and South Kingstown were also absent. I did not realize the public were allowed to give testimony. I would have definitely attended.
Below is my assessment of the Senate Confirmation Testimony. Why the RI Senators do not ask pressing questions to the person being confirmed is beyond me. I guess it is legalized insider politics. We arrested Buddy Cianci and our former Governor Edward DiPrete for insider dealings in Providence, but I guess we have senators who must be either totally clueless on what has happened in Galilee, or they must be somehow playing ball with the RIDEM and Procaccianti Developers and they are getting away with it. Our former Speaker of the House, Gordan Fox, was arrested for insider behind the scenes dealing too. I would let each of you listen to the testimony, and you can judge for yourselves.
The Testimony Presented Stated: Director Gray Provides More Transparent Business Processes. He Is Clear and Transparent. Saved Properties from Being Destroyed. (Look what happened to the Lighthouse Inn Hotel). Regulatory Head. The testimony said he knows how to bring in revenue for the State of Rhode Island. How is giving a 19-year parking lot lease to Procaccianti Developers bringing in revenue to the State of RI? The Testimony Notes He Wants to Clean Up Areas. I guess he forgot about the 5 Acre Parcel in Galilee. While acting director, we had one of the worse eyesores ever in Rhode Island at the hands of a Billionaire. The testimony notes, Director Gray, Readily Gets Back to You. He Gives Us His Cell Phone Number. The Reality Is: Director Gray Has Not Been Transparent. Director Gray Has Allowed Procaccianti to Create an Abandoned Hotel That Now Has to Be Torn Down at the Expense of the Taxpayers. Why Senator Alana DiMario did you not ask these pressing questions? Director Gray wants the State of Rhode Island to pay for the demolition of the Lighthouse Inn. The RIDEM failed to enforce its prior lease agreement with Procaccianti. It is noted he is good with Customer Service, Responsible, Being Polite. Has He Been Responsible with Protecting the 5 Acre Parcel of Galilee and Making Sure Procaccianti Developers Took Care of the Leased Land? It is noted Shell Fishermen....Town Managers...Engineers gave testimony on his behalf. How Come the Narragansett Town Manager, Our Town Planner, or Dr. Ewa Dzwierzynski Were Not Invited? How Come Our Town Council Was Not Invited? It is noted by one of the Senators, " Individuals Feel they Can Do Harm AND TAUNT THE NEIGHBORS Since You Do Not Have the Resources to Respond? " I guess Procaccianti felt the RIDEM did not have the Resources to respond based on their actions in Galilee as Procaccianti caused irreparable harm to Galilee. Senator DiMario gave testimony on Director's Gray willingness to sit down with her. She noted I praise your approach to solving your complex problem. Director Gray said Galilee hit him in the eye. He adds, I heard from the tenants...the properties in the port. Regarding The Lighthouse Inn Site, He stated I pondered what is the highest and best use for the property? How is creating a street level parking lot in a portion of the 5-acre parcel helping the 5-acre parcel being used to its best use.? He adds, what was our Mission in Galilee? He states, Our Mission Is To support the Commercial Fishing Industry. The true North. I wanted to give a short-term extension to Procaccianti. We got 3 responses to the RFP. We received a Shellfish Proposal, a Mixed-Use Proposal, and a parking lot with a strip mall. He added, we negotiated with the Current Tennant. (He should have stated we negotiated a no bid behind the scenes deal with the Multibillion-dollar developer who previous abandoned the Lighthouse Inn and Created A Horrendous Eyesore). He adds, I had my staff process THE PROPOSALS WITH Commerce. HE ADDED NONE OF THEM MET THE MISSION TO SUPPORT THE FISHING INDUSTRY. HE ADDS, PARKING SERVES THE LOCAL BUSINESSES., THE FISHERMEN AND THOSE WHO GO OUT TO GALILEE and Block Island. WE WANT TO MONETIZE THE AREA. HOW DOES MORE STREET LEVEL PARKING HELP GALILEE? He adds, I WANT TO CLEAR THE DECK OUT THERE. GET RID OF THE DATED LEASE. WE NEGOTIATED THAT WITH THE TENANT. Senator Alana DiMario, HOW CAN YOU STATE: THANK YOU FOR YOUR TRANSPANCY? You Added, YOU MAKE THE BEST OUT OF A COMPLEX SITUATION WHERE THERE IS NO PERFECT SOLUTION. Totally unacceptable Senator Alana DiMario. The RIDEM is playing ball with Procaccianti. The Town of Narragansett's Proposal was the only viable proposal that complied with the Galilee Master Plan Agreement. It was the only proposal that would help Galilee and the Fishing Industry. It was the only proposal that was supported by the Narragansett Town Manager, Town Planner, the Narragansett Town Council, the Friends of Galilee, the Narragansett Pier Residents Association, and supported by over 3030 signatures at Change.org. We do not need another street level 375 car parking lot in the area as that would fail to make the area the best use and give Procaccianti Millions More in Revenue that will Be TAKEN AWAY FROM THE STATE OF RI. We do not need to give a Billionaire a 19-year multimillion dollar parking lot lease that was not even put out for bid. RIDEM is not even challenging the illegal expansion of the Champlin's Marina that can have devastating effects on The Great Salt Pond. The Champlin's Marina was recently purchased by Procaccianti Developers. Senator Alana DiMario, why did you not ask him, why are you giving a lucrative multi-million dollar 19-year parking lease to a Multibillion Dollar Company Who Abandoned the Lighthouse Inn and created one of the worse eyesores on State land in the history of the State of Rhode Island? Senator Alana DiMario did you inform me, members of the Friends of Galilee, our Town Council, Town Manager, the Narragansett Pier Residents' Group about these proceedings or that we could testify at the nomination hearing? More Insider Corrupt Politics in the State of Rhode Island. I have to call it like it is. Where were Representatives Carol Hagan McEntee and Teresa Tanzi? I would also like to know where was Senator Bridget Geraci Valverde?