Editor's note: This is the latest in a series of articles/videos in Woonsocket Patch's coverage of the Sept. 24 Candidates Night, now turning to City Council incumbents.
Albert Brien, 72, a former state rep and city finance director in the 1980s and a consistent voice of caution on the City Council, is seeking a second term to continue his challenge of the Budget Commission.
He returned to public life for a successful run at a City Council seat in 2011, according to the Woonsocket Call, because he felt the council was not listening to his ideas.
Brien voted against asking the state to instate a budget commission last year. In May 2012, Brien suggested a bill authorizing the city to borrow from its pension fund to raise money to stave off insolvency as an alternative to calling in the Budget Commission.
At the time, City Finance Director Thomas Bruce said the idea wouldn't work. The money would have to be paid back, and the city would only get it once, setting them up for the same problem next year, Bruce explained.
Brien, a real estate agent, has also suggested making compensation for affordable housing part of the state reimbursement formula again.
Woonsocket Patch asked each Council candidate a series of questions about their approach to the city's challenges. Brien could not be reached for his answers.
Albert Brien, 72, a former state rep and city finance director in the 1980s and a consistent voice of caution on the City Council, is seeking a second term to continue his challenge of the Budget Commission.
He returned to public life for a successful run at a City Council seat in 2011, according to the Woonsocket Call, because he felt the council was not listening to his ideas.
Brien voted against asking the state to instate a budget commission last year. In May 2012, Brien suggested a bill authorizing the city to borrow from its pension fund to raise money to stave off insolvency as an alternative to calling in the Budget Commission.
At the time, City Finance Director Thomas Bruce said the idea wouldn't work. The money would have to be paid back, and the city would only get it once, setting them up for the same problem next year, Bruce explained.
Brien, a real estate agent, has also suggested making compensation for affordable housing part of the state reimbursement formula again.
Woonsocket Patch asked each Council candidate a series of questions about their approach to the city's challenges. Brien could not be reached for his answers.
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