Meeting with "champagne" uncorks hubbub in Warwick
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WARWICK, R.I. -- School officials in Warwick say they knew they wouldn't win any friends this month when they made the decision to save money by closing the John Green Elementary School next year. They were admittedly flabbergasted, however, when during the stormy April public meetings that preceded their vote on Green, they were repeatedly accused of reckless spending, which included renting hotel rooms at the Radisson on Airport Road and buying champagne. One of their accusers was Ward 3 Councilwoman Helen Taylor, who spoke out at one of the meetings, saying, "(People) need to be aware that they are spending money on champagne and rooms at the Radisson -- they don't need to close schools." At a subsequent meeting, school administrators and committee members said the allegations were outlandish, but they reviewed their 2008 spending records to be sure. What they found, they said, was that the School Department did pay about $9,000 for rooms at the Radisson on Post Road for the three visiting accreditation teams that reviewed the city's three high schools at various times last year. They explained that school districts undergoing review for the accreditation of their high schools are responsible for providing accommodations for the teams sent out by the New England Association of Schools & Colleges. As for "the champagne"? There was a reimbursement of several hundred dollars made last year to an employee whose last name happens to be Champagne, according to School Committee members and Business Director Leonard J. Flood. School officials this week said that although they've publicly refuted the claims, they want to make sure the issue as been put to rest as they get ready to appear before the City Council next month for review of their proposed $169.3-million budget for Fiscal 2010. The allegations were "utterly absurd," said School Committee member Paul Cannistra, adding that he takes particular umbrage that one of the people who perpetuated the rumor was a member of the City Council. "Needless to say, there is no merit to her remarks, and the fact that an elected official chose to make such comments at an already emotionally charged meeting is very troubling," Cannistra said. Taylor contended that she regularly monitors school expenses through public information made by taxpayer groups, and she thinks it was clear that the money was spent on champagne the beverage, not Champagne the person. "There was no first name," she said, referring to a check register entry she saw on a computer disc that had been given to her. "It was champagne." Taylor also said she took offense at Cannistra's suggestion that she was grandstanding. "I do not grandstand," she said. School Committee Chairman Christopher Friel said he cannot understand why Taylor would not simply call school administrators if she saw something in the records that she questioned. During a meeting with the City Council a couple of months ago, Friel said, it was made clear that the School Department would answer any questions about its spending. In any event, Friel said the hosting of the accreditation team was proper, and he is confident that no champagne was purchased with tax dollars. 
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This story speaks VOLUMES about the intellect of Councilwoman Taylor. I wonder if she's intelligent enough to be thorougly humiliated by this?
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Helen Taylor's brain has been a bit tainted with hair dye!!
It is clear that Warwick is in need of closing a school. Enrollment is declining and we do not have the money to keep all of them open. Try going into any of the schools and ask if they have enough paper to make copies or pencils for the children to use!!!!!!
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who dose look into the spending? as for calling friel it would never be made public.the accreditation team, they all probably serve at times.
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Helen Taylor is right to question Warwick officials as we need to keep a close watch on City spending and make sure the money is spend for all the right reasons, and not frivlious reasons. And Warwick wants to raise taxes? Keep checking on Warwick spending habits Helen. Good work! Bill W.
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"If You're a Taxpayer...I Can Guarantee You... You Bought the Champagne!"
It is really amazing that this blog has printed vicious comments about me...when it is very clear on this site that only civil statements should be made and vicious comments and personal attacks would not be published...
I don't see my name under "Leave a Comment" that states there is an exception to Warwick City Councilwoman Helen Taylor!
This is Slander...not Substance!
The individuals who are making these comments
about me regarding the Warwick School Departments frivolous spending obviously have not looked at the School Departments check register for 2007, 2008 & 2009. If they had read thru the 656 pages that takes approximately about 30 hours...they too would be at the School Committee Meetings expressing their dissatisfaction for Champagne and all the other shocking expenditures. The School Department and the School Committee have been out of control for too many years. They have caused our taxes in the city of Warwick to skyrocket! We need to stop them! And that's what I plan on doing with the Legislation that I have passed to ratify all Teacher and Healthcare Contracts along with supervising all spending.
It has been sent to the State House. The city of Cranston has partnered with me on this endeavor and the city of Pawtucket will be coming on board also. If this legislation passes all Cities and Towns in Rhode Island will have this ability.
I have been elected by the residents of this city three times because they know that they can trust me to do the right thing for them and that's what I will continue to do.
Councilwoman Helen Taylor
Warwick Ward 3
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