CCFD Board of Directors Candidate: Ray Angell III

My name is Raymond J. Angell III and I am a candidate for the Central Coventry Fire District Board of Directors. I have been a Coventry resident for more than 22 years and moved to Station Street in part because there was a fire station at the end of the street and that gave my wife and I piece of mind as we sometimes deal with some health issues with our daughter. 

Much has changed in our lives over the years and now we are certainly worried about the health of the Fire District. That is why I decided to get involved in this issue and help correct the mis-steps of the past.

My background is relatively diverse and because of that I know I am well suited to help solve the problems that exist. My public safety experience began with the City of Cranston as a Police Officer and I was privileged to serve in that capacity for 25 years, attaining the rank of Sergeant prior to my leaving law enforcement. During my career I served in several divisions, with most of my experience in the Detective Division. I served on several authentic task forces including the DEA task force and a multi-jurisdictional task force with the Coventry PD, as well as others, where numerous drug arrests were made and the community was made safer.

While a Police Officer I attended RWU School of Law, graduating in 2000 and after successful admission to the RI Bar, my wife and I formed a law practice which we still maintain. 

My legal training and court experience will be tremendously helpful in navigating the many issues facing the District. The rule of law must be followed as we work to fix the issues - ignoring the legal principles involved will only further jeopardize the taxpayers in the District.

Knowing that an important part of our success as a society is educating our future generations, I have worked as an educator for more than 10 years. Most recently I was appointed as Dept. Chair of the NEIT Criminal Justice program. The creation of the CJ program at NEIT has been a great accomplishment for me as it is a unique program that is helping to shape the future of so many young professionals.

My plan for moving the CCFD forward can be summed up in this way: thoughtful analysis, swift and decisive action, and constant oversight.

There is no shortage of candidates that would like to continue to finger point and play the blame game, and ultimately work towards dissolution of the District. I am not one of those candidates and I will not work to dissolve the CCFD unless the result is one unified fire department of some sort. 

We as taxpayers have invested millions in this Fire District and it can be fixed and we can once again control our own destiny and safety. I will continue to go line by line in the budget and come up with ideas to address the items that are substantial in cost to all of us: personnel costs, overtime, staffing levels, post-employment costs, and of course equipment costs to name just a few. 

I will work to negotiate with the Firefighter’s Union to address these issues in a LEGAL and RESPONSIBLE way that will not result in further litigation costs. In my opinion, other “group” candidates have undertaken an agenda that shows little or no willingness to work with the professional firefighters we employ. Contracts that are in place may not be popular, but we are legally obligated to abide by them until they are modified and to ignore that is irresponsible.

I will work with the Special Master to identify our District’s assets and liabilities and prepare a budget that sets a reasonable and fair tax rate that is legal, realistic, and affordable. If we as a District cannot swiftly pass a budget soon after the new Board is elected, we will cease to exist and our safety will be impacted. Anyone that says differently is not being truthful. 

Mistakes and bad decisions were made but now is the time to make good decisions and move forward, not get bogged down in history and finger-pointing.

For instance, there are many that say "return the fire truck-we can't afford it"; however, the same people don't say exactly how they can ensure that the High School and other high hazard locations can effectively be handled in an emergency. The other districts don't have a truck like the one CCFD has and Cranston has informed the District there is not an agreement in place for automatic aid. We can’t rely on West Warwick as they have fiscal issues of their own. 

Before we put lives in jeopardy let’s make cuts in other areas so we can afford the truck. Let's negotiate with the lease holder for different terms if that’s possible. Maybe it ends up going back but we need to balance finances with the safety of our families, I know mine is that important to me!!!!!

Lastly, the new Board must remain vigilant and have constant oversight of the District and the balance sheet. This will take a great deal of dedication and time but I am willing to do it. The Board has certain management rights and if we exercise those rights the result will be a more sound and well run District.

June 29th will be a very important day for the taxpayers of the Central Coventry Fire District and it is my hope and belief that a diverse and cooperative Board will be able to move the CCFD forward. Let’s elect independent thinkers and not a Board that want to tear us apart instead of rebuilding.

Feel free to contact me at my campaign Facebook page (click here to access), or at casselangell@cox.net with any questions or thoughts and I look forward to seeing everyone at Coventry Town Hall when you cast your vote on June 29th. (Voting will take place from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.).