Coogan describes vision for Fall River

January 5, 2020 9:46 pm

FALL RIVER, R.I. (WLNE) — Paul Coogan officially becomes mayor Monday, but he’s already been getting to know his soon–to–be colleagues.

“I know it sounds funny, but they just want Government Center to be more boring,” he said. “They literally tell me that. They just want things quieter.”

It’s been a tumultuous time in Fall River politics.

Former Mayor Jaisel Correia was arrested on federal charges, then survived a recall election — only to be re–arrested and ultimately lose to Coogan this past fall.

How will the mayor–elect handle those who supported Correia?

“I think that’s waned with time,” Coogan said. “A lot of those people come up to me now and talk to me. We have a large tent, as I say, and everybody fits under it. As long as someone’s goal is to make Fall River a better place to live, they’re welcome under the tent.”

Coogan’s vision for making Fall River better includes a focus on crime.

“I want our policemen out on the streets,” said the Democrat. “We’ve had two meetings about increasing our camera presence in the city.”

And it includes a focus on schools.

“The facilities have been upgraded,” he said. “Our problem with the schools are social and emotional issues and our test scores.”

The recent water main break is a sign there’s work to be done on improving roads…and policies.

“We need a lot more structure,” he said. “We need more policies and procedures.”

And Coogan hopes to regain voters’ trust by listening to their input.

“What we want to do is try to make Fall River accessible, open, and let people know what the direction’s going to be going forward,” he said. “And they’ll all have a part of it. Someone’s got a great idea on how to do something better, we want to hear it.”