Warwick Ward 2 Council Race Q&A: Paola

WARWICK, RI — Bill Paola, Republican, lifelong resident of Warwick, is a US Army vet and retired account executive in print manufacturing, is running in the the Warwick Ward 2 Council Race Nov. 5 to challenge Rix and take a more active role in Fairfax Drive safety, signs and sidewalks.

Paola has been married 43 years to his wife Doreen, together raising two daughters. Like most parents, the couple were actively involved in their daughters’ schools and outside activities. Paola was named Gentleman of the Year in 1994 by Volunteers of Warwick Schools (VOWS), coached in the Apponaug Girls Softball League for 10 years while also a Board Member and Field Director.

“This year the voters have an opportunity to elect new leaders, with new ideas and to be change makers. Four Democrats are leaving and there are new Republicans and Independents running for their seats and others like me across the city. Voters across the city now have the opportunity to help elect new eyes and ideas to help balance the City Councils makeup to address critical financial issues,” Paola said.

Warwickpost.com invited all Warwick City Council candidates to answer the same seven questions, giving them four days to respond. Candidates were urged to answer the questions directly, and invited to elaborate on each topic after answering the initial question. The answers have been edited for style and spelling, to ensure responses remain on-topic, and to avoid introducing misinformation into the debate.

All the candidates’ answers to the questionnaire have been posted within the same  10-minute window, with a digital dice roll assigning the order each set of answers run on the site, and thus, their order in  the daily newsletter.

Here are Warwick Post’s questions, and Paola’s answers:

WARWICK  WARD. 2 COUNCIL Q&A –  1a) Should the policy require documentation of receipt and understanding, and/or reminders?

PAOLA: YES.

WARWICK WARD 2 COUNCIL Q&A – 1b) Warwick Post received information on the policy and its distribution to managers –  public information – after a public records request following unanswered requests to the mayor’s office, weeks later. Mayor Picozzi has declined comment on the issue, citing legal concerns. Does Warwick’s mayor have a responsibility to comment to the public generally about the sexual harassment policy, and the communication of it to staff? How would you handle such situations?

WARWICK WARD 2 COUNCIL Q&A- 1c) Please share any other thoughts you have on this.

WARWICK WARD 2 COUNCIL Q&A- 2) What is the most important thing you intend to do to aid small businesses in the city?

PAOLA: To find ways to address our pressing financial crisis looming. To Keep taxes down.

WARWICK WARD 2 COUNCIL Q&A – 3) In 2022, the RIAG’s office ruled the original digital records detailing WFD sick time taken by firefighters between 2013 and 2018 that cost the city up to $368,000, produced for the city by Marcum, belonged to Marcum and not the public, and therefore were not subject to the RI Access to Public Records Act, leaving the public to enter the information manually from the printed report for digital analysis:https://warwickpost.com/city-doesnt-have-to-produce-fire-sick-time-file-says-ag/

WARWICK WARD 2 COUNCIL Q&A-  3b) What is your opinion of how this information was released to the public?

PAOLA: Not familiar with that

WARWICK WARD 2 COUNCIL Q&A – 3c) Please share any other thoughts you have on this topic.

PAOLA: Paola did not elarborate on this topic.

WARWICK WARD 2 COUNCIL Q&A- 4) Warwick School Committee Chairman Shaun Galligan reports the new high schools project will outstrip the $350M bond.

WARWICK WARD 2 COUNCIL Q&A- 4a) Would you support a second bond to make up the difference? Why or Why Not?

PAOLA: Most likely NOT as the initial presentation has been drastically changed.

WARWICK WARD 2 COUNCIL Q&A- 4b) Please share any other thoughts you have on this topic.

PAOLA: The problem presently is the Construction for the schools have been scaled down and the physical designs altered. Yet the costs have increased.  The final design and size has not been approved so we need to see what that will look like before I can say if I would vote to approve.

WARWICK WARD 2 COUNCIL Q&A – 5) ACLU of Rhode Island has filed a free speech suit against the Warwick City Council  in federal court for stifling the free speech rights of Rob Cote, barred from speaking at a July 17 Council meeting about allegations of ethical misconduct aimed at Councilwoman Donna Travis.

WARWICK WARD 2 COUNCIL Q&A – 5a) Are you prepared to honor the public’s right to speak at Council meetings, even if the speech criticizes you personally, or someone you know?

PAOLA: Not familiar with this ACLU suit.

WARWICK WARD 2 COUNCIL Q&A – 5b) Why do you think Mr. Cote’s speech was so easily squelched? What would you propose to avoid a repeat of this behavior from the Council?

PAOLA: Not familiar with this action against Mr. Cote.

WARWICK WARD 2 COUNCIL Q&A –  5c) Please share any other thoughts you have on this topic.

PAOLA:  Paola did not elaborate.

WARWICK WARD 2 COUNCIL Q&A- 6) In 2023, members of the public unsuccessfully proposed reforms to the public speaking segment rules, including preventing Council members’ filibustering from counting against the public speaker’s time, and allowing responses from the Council.

6a) Will you support those changes when the rules are scheduled to be reconsidered in 2025? Why?

PAOLA: I have not seen the new rules, but I am in favor of questions being asked by attendees.

WARWICK WARD 2 COUNCIL Q&A –  6b) What other changes would you like to see?

PAOLA: Paola did not answer the question.

WARWICK WARD 2 COUNCIL Q&A –  6c) Please share any other thoughts you have on this topic.

PAOLA: Paola did not elaborate.