Cianci Serves Up an Inside Scoop of Politics and Pasta at East Providence Book Signing

Buddy Cianci has been called a lot of things by a lot of people; however, to overlook his ability to charm a crowd would be a mistake. And if his reception Monday night at the was any indication, Cianci is perhaps one of only few political figures doing what most people want them to do: speak their minds freely.

During an hour-long speech from behind a podium, the former Providence Mayor spoke to a crowd of 62 before signing his recently-released memoir, Politics and Pasta: How I Prosecuted Mobsters, Rebuilt a Dying City, Dined with Sinatra, Spent Five Years in a Federally Funded Gated Community, and Lived to Tell the Tale.

As of Monday night, the book stood at number nine on Amazon.com's bestsellers in Political Leader biographies.

Throughout all of his one-liners and Sinatra-esque accounts of life on the inside of the halls of power, Cianci received laughs and applause. All of which seemed to solidify his status as that rare political animal that can say what people are thinking without needing to issue a statement of apology the next day.

During the question-and-answer portion of his talk, Cianci answered a question as to whether he would run for office again with characteristic off-the-cuff delivery.

"You think I'd let those people take another shot at me?" he asked.

Cianci has had a long political career in Rhode Island. He served as Mayor of Providence from 1975 to 1984 and again from 1991 to 2002. In 2002, he was convicted of racketeering and served 5 years in federal prison.

Judging by the reception he received throughout the evening, his criminal past seemed to be the last thing on the minds of Monday night's attendees.

Jim Hibbert of East Providence, who served in the same Army Reserve unit as Cianci, said his respect for the former mayor transcends his past.

"We've all got a past in some way," he said. "I look the other way because of what he's done for Providence. Actually, I wish more politicians were like him. He can think on his feet and you can tell he cares."

Cianci also talked about his successful career as a radio talk show host on WPRO’s News Talk 630 from 3pm to 6pm, along with his post as a political analyst for Rhode Island's ABC 6.

The topic of talk radio segued into disclosing about radio legend Don Imus, as a result of a question from the audience. Cianci offered barbs he and Imus would trade with each other.

"We'd go back and forth with each other," he said. "Finally, I told him that it took the Coast Guard, the Federal Government and the IRS to take me down. You get bitch-slapped by Al Sharpton and you disappeared!"

Imus was not the only well-known person Cianci openly discussed. He also addressed a question as to what his relationship was like with the former Providence Mayor and current U.S. Congressman David Cicilline’s (D) family, given Cianci’s vocal opposition to his successor’s management of the city and congressional run.

Before detouring into a lengthy portrayal of a courtroom scene involving Cicilline’s father, he quickly stated that "it's not good...nor should it be."

Cianci also stated that he left Providence with a large operational surplus, and was disappointed with where the city was headed financially under Cicilline’s watch.

Using the topic of his successor as a springboard into current issues, he commented on what he sees is the internal state of the Providence Police Department.

"The morale in the police department sucks," he said. "It's never been this bad."

Cicilline was not the only Providence Mayor to receive witty appraisals from Cianci. He spoke openly about current mayor Angel Tavares (D), saying that he "liked [him]" and would "help support him in anyway possible."

But that didn't stop Cianci from making one of his trademark observations. He said he noted the toll the job had taken on the new mayor when the two saw each other several nights ago. His assessment, like everything else he said, was received with big laughs.

"The new kid just looked bedazzled," he said.

By the time the actual book signing was underway, Cianci had traded in his rat-pack persona for one more understated. Each autographed page was accompanied with a spoken word of "I hope she gets well" or "Send him my best."

Later, in a one-on-one interview, Cianci shared his thoughts and prescriptions for East Providence and the state at large.

"I'm here at the Weaver Library because the people in East Providence are great," he said. "The library asked me to come a while back, so I was happy to."

When asked what experience as Mayor of Providence he would apply to East Providence, he thought larger, more systemic changes were needed.

"Rhode Island should regionalize and consolidate government," he said. "Providence and East Providence could share the same the same tax collection, police and fire dispatch, to name a few."

Those looking to read check out the former mayor’s book for free will have to exercise patience. According to Joyce May of the Weaver Library, the state library system currently has 107 copies in circulation with a 300-person waiting list.