Warwick residents react to Avedisian stepping down

By John Krinjak

Email: jkrinjak@abc6.com

Twitter: @johnkrinjakABC6

WARWICK, R.I. (WLNE) — Warwick City Hall is set to see its biggest change in nearly 20 years, after the RIPTA board unanimously chose Mayor Scott Avedisian as the agency’s next CEO. 

"He was a good mayor and we’ll miss him," said Kristen Meizoso of Warwick. 

Avedisian said Wednesday afternoon he’ll take the job, but got nostalgic about his nearly 30 years at City Hall.  

"For more than half my life I’ve been connected to this building," said Avedisian.

He says now that the five major projects he originally campaigned on are done–the most recent being the Apponaug road project–it was time to move on.

"We have incredible employees here in the city, and when you look at the work that they’ve done and you look at the commitment that they’ve made, it’s great to be part of that team, so I’m hoping to create that same team effect," said Avedisian.

"I was kind of upset because he’s been with us for so long and who knows what’s going to happen to the city of Warwick now," said Elaine Mersereau of Warwick.

Council president Joe Solomon–who will step in as acting mayor when Avedisian officially leaves in May–wasted no time in announcing he’ll run for mayor in November. 

"I plan on not only serving the next 6 months for the citizens of Warwick, and showing them what I’m about, but I would hope, and I’m announcing today that I will be running for mayor," said Solomon. 

Residents I spoke to say they’re not too familiar with Solomon.

"I don’t. I don’t know anything," said Meizoso.

"I don’t know. I like Scott. I’ve always favored Scott," said Mersereau.

Avedisian did previously serve as chairman of RIPTA, so he says in a sense this new job will bring him back to his roots.

By sticking around as mayor for now, that will avoid a potentially costly special election.

© WLNE-TV / ABC6 2018