Senator Alana DiMario Wrote to Me as Follows.  Senator DiMario attended the confirmation hearings for the RIDEM Director Terrance (Terry) Gray and she approved the Director's confirmation without asking any questions regarding the gross malfeasance of the RIDEM and Procaccianti Developers regarding the RIDEM failing to hold Procaccianti Developers accountable for abandoning the former Lighthouse Inn Hotel and creating one of the worst eyesores on State of Rhode Island Leased Land.  In addition, she failed to voice her objection to Director Gray regarding the no bid 19-year parking lot lease to Procaccianti Developers.   

   Below is Senator Dimario's statement to me regarding why she approved the nomination of Terrance (Terry Gray) and why she feels Procaccianti should be given the 19-year no bid parking lot lease that will cost the Town of Narragansett and the State of Rhode Island millions of dollars of loss revenue for the multi-billionaire's gain and the taxpayers of Rhode Island's loss.

Al Alba. Senate and House Committee Agendas as well as Floor Calendars are posted publicly for the upcoming week each Friday: https://status.rilegislature.gov/agendas.aspx The Governor sent his nomination for Advice and Consent from the Senate in April, the Hearing was in mid-May. It was a Senate Committee Hearing so Rep. Tanzi and Rep. McEntee would not have been present. Sen. Valverde was sick that day. The terms of the original lease are important to note here, and the resulting consequences of a lawsuit in terms of cost to taxpayers and delay with moving forward to remediate the problems with the site if those terms were violated. I don't believe those costs and the loss of use of that site for potential years of costly litigation would be a better option than what we have now. I will also note that the costs for parking there are set by the state, so profits are limited.   As a Narragansett resident, I am glad the Lighthouse Inn eyesore will be demolished soon instead of sitting for many more years through a lawsuit and that plot once again available for development, and that the parking area will be improved both safety and appearance-wise. The fact is, if it were a viable spot now for a successful hotel or other venture, developers would have been all over that RFP. The fact that they were not is telling. The last thing we need is another property that flops and is vacant and in disrepair after a few years, or to pursue a plan that doesn't have the funding to come to completion.

I replied back to the Senator as follows: 

Senator Alana DiMario there is absolutely no justification in giving Procaccianti the parking lot lease. The scare tactic of not wanting to fight a lawsuit from a developer who created one of the worst eyesores on State of RI leased land is inexcusable. Shame on the State of Rhode Island if they do not want to fight for what is right. Do we have a mob like mentality in Rhode Island where we succumb to the warlords in fear of the fight and the cost for defending what is right? Do we allow the Russians to take over Ukraine since the war will be costly and lengthy? No excuses Senator for failing to defend what is right. The behind the scenes deal for a parking lot lease that will give Procaccianti millions is sickening and a sign of more corruption in state politics. Regarding the RFP, many felt the whole RFP process was a dog and pony show from the start. The Town of Narragansett was the only viable proposal. The Town’s proposal was supported by the Galilee Master Development Plan, the Narragansett Town Manager, Town Planner, and Narragansett Town Council. The rubric the RIDEM created was deeply troubling. Why the RIDEM is married to Procaccianti after they abandoned the Lighthouse Inn and caused it to fail makes people recognize the RIDEM is a troubled and suspect State Agency. When I get a notice records are NOT available for an APRA request it only makes you shake your head in disbelief. The Lighthouse Inn was a wonderful hotel. I attended many wonderful functions there. Procaccianti could have totally renovated the hotel if needed. Sadly, the slumlord billionaire elected not to spend a dime. No excuse for anyone who supports the RIDEM with respect to their gross negligence on the 5 acre parcel of leased land. I look forward to attending the State Properties Committee’s meeting. If any Senator or Representative fails to speak out against the parking lot lease, then he or she lost my vote.