Mayor Fung Disappointed but Undeterred in Wake of Road Safety Ordinance Vote
CRANSTON, RI—Cranston Mayor Allan W. Fung announced Friday that he is disappointed but not surprised the Democrats on the city’s Ordinance Committee on Thursday night rejected an important road safety ordinance, choosing to play political games instead of serving the public.
Mayor Fung vowed to reintroduce the ordinance next year after a new City Council is inaugurated and fully expects the new council to pass the measure before someone is hurt or killed in a busy city intersection or while standing in a roadway.
“I’m sure the voters of Cranston join in my disappointment that the Democrats on the City Council continued to play politics even after the election has concluded rather than work to ensure that people are safe on our city streets,” commented Mayor Fung. “I am confident the new City Council that takes office in January will use facts and data to base their decision when the ordinance is reintroduced next year.”
Mayor Fung said that the Democrats on the council ignored the prior testimony about crashes and accidents at many of our busy city intersections, and then made false claims that they never were given data compiled by the police department. City records show that information was sent to the City Clerk to be distributed to all council members on Oct. 13 at 7:49 p.m., the same night it was requested and even before last month’s committee meeting was adjourned. (Copies of the e-mail thread is available to reporters upon request).
The mayor said that on this issue, the Democrats covered their ears, blindly reciting false information that the new ordinance might not pass Constitutional muster even though it has already withstood a legal challenge in another jurisdiction. This ordinance did not restrict speech nor did it prevent people from soliciting from sidewalks or holding signs in view of motorists, contrary to the misguided assertions made by Democrats Thursday night.
The proposed ordinance is clearly intended to ensure all people remain safe on city streets, whether on foot or behind the wheel. It would restrict the passage of money, goods, contraband or other items from a moving motor vehicle. This would affect not just panhandlers, but also everyone who solicits from within the roadway, including firefighters, cheerleaders, churches and other groups.
Mayor Fung also said Cranston will not sit by and wait for the state or other communities to pass similar legislation. The safety of those on and in our roadways is too important of an issue.
