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Buddy had 'em take the Bishop home
All this stuff about priests in the newspapers the past few months reminds me of the days when Buddy laughed about having the Providence police patrol specific haunts looking for Bishop Gelineau in drag. Buddy claimed the police would find the Bishop in a car beneath some Route 195 viaduct, dressed like a woman, and necking with some young man. Buddy had the police take the Bishop home more than once. Buddy was certain the Catholic Church in Rhode Island would never have any complaints about his own city administration. He had sewn their mouth shut.
No Key for Carol Channing
My favorite Buddy story has to do with Carol Channing. Several years ago she was here in a revival of Hello Dolly at PPAC Buddy was going to award her the key to the city or some such recognition in a public ceremony. Prior to this happening, Buddy and his driver/bodyguard had a little intercourse (the verbal kind) with one of the people who worked for the show-- I actually believe it was the stage manager. Now Mr. Cianci, who we all know is very gay friendly and doesnt't have a prejudiced bone in his body, was backstage and smoking. When told by the stage manager that he couldn't smoke there, Buddy acknowledged him, as only Buddy can, with a couple of expletives that were demeaning and hateful to gays. When Miss Channing found out, she cancelled the ceremony and refused to receive the key from a mayor who was so intolerant. But of course we all know Buddy is not intolerant of gays-- especially as their numbers grew in his fair city.
parade
A friend used to be on the Bristol 4th of July parade committee. Buddy was a candidate for governor against Joe Garrahy. The state officers (Governor, Lt. Governor etc..) and the US Senators and Congressmen were at the front of the parade and Buddy wanted to march in that group. The organizers told him he wasn't able to be in that group and Buddy came up with the idea that he would ride a Police horse with the Providence Police Department. When he informed the committee of his plan an older member of the committee stood up and told his honor that this was not permitted in the town of Bristol. When asked why by his honor "Buddy", the older gentlemen told the group that in Bristol "only 1 ass WAS ALLOWED PER HORSE".
line up
After the mayor's first conviction and his reelection in 1991, the mayor came to the Little League opening day ceremony. After saying some words to the kids and parents he would take a picture with each team. The mayor's advance person (aide) was yelling to all the kids to hurry and "line up" for the picture process. One of the coaches turned to the mayor after hearing the aide's request and stated "Mr. Mayor, you must be very familiar with a line up" No comment from his honor the mayor.
"coloured girl" comment
Went to the terrific Trinity Play "Thunder Knocking at the Door" which starred actress Lesley Uggums, among other acting talents. At the conclusion, Mayor Cianci appeared on the scene to give out his sauce. Before making his way up front to speechify, he strolled over to my friend who used to work at the state Human Rights Commission and asked, "What television program was that coloured girl (Lesley) on...you know, back in the 60's???
TRAPPER JOHN'S
I HAVE KNOWN BUDDY SINCE 1974....IN THE 1980'S WHEN HE OPENED TRAPPER JOHN'S RESTAURANT MY WIFE AND I WERE THERE AT LEAST 2 NIGHTS A WEEK AFTER WORK....BUDDY WAS ALSO THERE ALMOST EVERY NIGHT....NEVER EVEN SENT A DRINK OVER....ALL WE GOT WAS HIM COMING OVER TO SIT DOWN WITH US FOR A COUPLE OF MINUTES....WHO NEEDED THAT..... DOUG WHITE WAS ALSO THERE ALMOST EVERY NIGHT AFTER THE 6PM BROADCAST.
I got to see Buddy !!!
I got to see Buddy last night at the opening of a restaurant on Federal Hill. He looked to be a mess!!! He walked right through traffic to greet people at Eclectic Grille. Then he came back over to Josephine's. I find it amazing that all of these people clap and cheer for him everywhere. It's so fake, anyone in their right mind knows he's a crook. He's more like a novelty item. It was really funny when he finished his speech, he jumped into the Lincoln immediately and took off.
tape recorded proof
Ran into the Mayor at a Federal Reserve fundraiser and asked for a "private audience." The problem related to Ramzi Loqa' code enforcement department. Hundreds of three family houses were being told by code enforcement that their third floor apartment was illegal. Occupancy permits with repair permits were being withheld. Neighorhoods were spiraling downward. I owned one of those houses. Many owners were rolling over or paying off officials to escape. I opted to try reason. City planning had told me the zoning was intentionally incorrect to appease a neighborhood activist who wanted to control parking. I was taking tape recorded proof to the Mayor that this same activist was sending owners into great expense by putting these houses into Superior Court. I thought the Mayor would be interested in helping the neighborhoods come back. The Mayor, Ramzi, Peter Carnavale and myself ended up in the Mayor's inner santum at City Hall. I had the tape player with several documents in a large manilla envelope. When I opened the envelope to retrieve a document, one man warned, "A tape recorder." Every man, including the Mayor, rushed for the exits. Plunder Dome went public a few months later.
"study this book"
In 1981 or 1982 I was in Cianci's den at his house on Blackstone Blvd. I was looking at his book collection and couldn't help but notice one book prominently displayed on a middle shelf all by itself. He observed me looking at it, put his hand on my shoulder and said "son if you do nothing else, study this book". The book that his then wife Sheila later told me he had read at least a dozen times was Mein Kampf..
How's Fatso doing?
Went to a fundraiser at the Roger Williams Casino when Buddy was Mayor his first round. Buddy and his policeman driver came in to do his handshakes and smiles. The policeman driver sat near me and an older woman friend who happened to know the driver's mother. When Buddy got ready to leave, the older woman asked the driver,"Where you off to now?" Found out from statewide news later in the week that Buddy had left the pleasantries of Rober Williams Casino for "log duty." He left the Roger Williams Casino with his official smile and headed off to aim a fireplace log at his then wife's boyfriend. Buddy can really act, can't he?? By the way,former wife, Sheila, was traveling Southern California with the same boyfriend, (Ray DeLeo???) several years ago and inquiring of a Rhode Island visitor at a party, "How's Fatso doing?".
Horsey Buddy
Once upon a time in Providence, I was waiting to meet a friend in the lounge of the Brown Faculty Club. Iwas seated in a club chair in front of one of the floor to ceiling windows. I felt eyes on my back and turning around, whom did I spy but Buddy mounted on one of the Providence Police horses. Both he and his pal were staring through the glass. I think Buddy waved and the horse winked. Now just two questions - who paid for Buddy's riding lessons and was he attracted to being part of a club other than the University one?
Buddy on His Boat
Buddy brought his boat down to Wickford Harbor a few years back and a passel of young fillies piled on board and headed out to party. He knows how to show a good time with all that Providence taxpayer money.
While Leaving Federal Courthouse...
Yesterday I was at the trial with my friend and we were leaving at recess. As we walked out of the Federal Courthouse, we saw Buddy and Autiello's lawyer Bicki on the steps chilling before the trial resumed. We asked Hizzoner for a picture and he graciously agreed. As the photographer snapped the picture, Bicki says, "Now, if you kids stay in Providence, you know who you gotta vote for." Thought: Isn't that the kind of thing that got them into this mess? Nevertheless, Viva Vincenzo ;-) And look at the alternatives~! Cicilline???? FAHGET ABOUT IT!
In 1973...
When Buddy won the election back in 1973, Doorley's city solictor was an attorney named Lou Marcia,a powerful, but somewhat self-effacing man under Doorley. Lou was divorced and raising his three kids with his mother's help. Lou liked to hang out at the Ming Garden on Westminster Street, a political hang-out then.. after Lou left work in city hall. When Cianci took over city hall his first week, he ordered some Providence policemen to snag and arrest Lou Marcia, their former boss, when Lou was driving to his home near Providence College after leaving the Ming. Cianci said to hit him with a DWI charge to embarrass him and to get a couple IOU's over Lou. But one or two of Lou's police friends called Lou to warn him about the ambush, so Lou avoided the Ming and his usual pathway back home until things got safe. That was Cianci from the start of becoming mayor... a mean kid who never played fair..
Something in the water?
This is going back when Mr. Cianci was running for mayor against Mr. Lippet and another younger man who came in to the race a bit later. I was living in Providence and received a call from RI Survey to join in a political focus group. When I arrived there were about 20 of us who sat and watched some tapes for TV ads for each of the canidates and then joined in a lively discussion of all three canidates. The majority of the people there said they would vote for Mr. Cianci knowing he had pleaded no contest to charges of assaulting ( or ordering someone to assault) a man who was dating his ex-wife. The reasoning was they knew he was bad... but they were not sure of the other two running for the same office. When the group had finished ( we never knew which politition was funding this group) a young man came out from the viewing room and in a very excited loud voice said he could not believe what the majority had said, that they knew Mr. Cianci was a criminal but they would vote for him regardless, and that he pitied the city if Mr Cianci was elected. ........ but that never changed the mind of that focus group and as it seems the majority of the voters in the city. I moved out of the city, after not voting for Mr.Cianci but think the people of Providence know him, understand him and do not care whether these charges are true or false. Perhaps there is something in the water?

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