Labrecque To Run For City Council

Philip Labrecque wants to see greater fiscal responsibility in the City of Woonsocket. 

"We cannot count solely on the state to bail us out, thinking that maybe if Rhode Island has a better year, then maybe they can send us more money," said Labrecque, the latest resident to declare his candidacy for the City Council. "We can no longer spend what we cannot afford."

Labrecque said he is running for a seat on the seven member board because he believes that what Woonsocket most needs is a plan.

In a message on Friday to city residents, Labrecque explained, "Our problems cannot and will never be solved by raising your taxes. Our problems cannot be solved by incurring more debt and just pushing the limits endlessly to the future in hope that someday, somehow, things will magically get better."

A surgical tech at UMass Memorial Hahnemann Campus, Labrecque was born in Woonsocket in 1952, and has lived here since. He is the son of the Joseph Richard and Francois Labrecque and husband to Gisele (Gigi) Labrecque. The couple has two grown sons and are both active members of the Woonsocket Taxpayer Coalition, where wife Gigi serves as the treasurer and Philip has a spot on the executive board.

Labrecque first announced his candidacy during the Dr. George King Show on WNRI 1380 AM radio. It is his second bid for public office following a 2009 run in which he received 2,289 votes, or 32.52%.

This year, Labrecque sees even greater urgency for action and the need to serve.  "This mayor and council are running the city without a plan," he said. "Borrowing money, spending money, pushing us, the taxpayer, further into debt. Not one questions even the most foolhardy of endeavors, like the ."

Labrecque believes the city should halt all spending, including projects to improve the city's and . 

"I feel this community needs a break from spending," he said. "I feel we must get our house in order, not only to make sure we invest the taxpayers monies well, but that we can afford the project in the first place."

He believes that solutions must first be found for looming problems such Woonsocket's  and the city must be certain it has avoided the possibility of state receivership.

"Bankruptcy should not be an option. If we do not fix our problems, someone on the state level will."

Of the current council, he added, "None of them seem to be afraid of debt. I am terrified."

Those interested in helping his campaign can email Labrecque at philipwoons@aol.com or call him at (401) 447-6557. He also encourages communication from residents who would like to discuss the issues facing Woonsocket. 

"I know this city can have a better future," he said, but his message to voters is that, "what really matters is what you believe."