Cranston City Councilor resigns due to ‘power dynamics’

CRANSTON, R.I. (WLNE) — Cranston City Councilor Aniece Germain announced her immediate resignation from the city council Friday.

In her statement announcing her resignation, Germain cites “ongoing power dynamics at play in Cranston politics” as well as challenges at her organization Hope and Change for Haiti.

“I am stepping down not because I want to but because it is in the best interest of my party, my family, and our organization,” she said. “While I want to continue in my role as a direct, elected advocate for meaningful change in Cranston, I must step away to focus on continuing our powerful work helping the Haitian community here and in Haiti.”

Germain said that a “consequential filing error” at the organization has caused challenges for it, and that she shares responsibility for it as a member of the board of directors.

“An administrative error does not devalue the important work that we are doing to help the Haitian community in Rhode Island,” she said.

The resignation announcement also thanked her constituents for their support and said that Germain plans to continue “supporting democratic leadership in the city” as a private citizen.

City Council Majority Leader John Donegan called Germain a “friend, colleague, and dedicated public servant.”

“I am grateful to have served alongside her,” he said. “I wish her and her family nothing but the best, and I look forward to seeing the ways that she will continue to make a positive impact in our communities.”

Minority Leader Nicole Renzulli said she was “saddened and a little troubled” by the resignation.

“Councilwoman Germain’s passion, dignity, and conviction have left an indelible mark on the City of Cranston and on me personally,” she said. “Aniece is a strong woman who will persevere and I look forward to hopefully serving with her in some capacity in the future.”

The full text of the announcement can be read below:

I am regretfully tendering my resignation to the President of Cranston City Council effective immediately. It has become clear that the ongoing power dynamics at play in Cranston politics and recent challenges for our organization Hope and Change for Haiti prevent me from
continuing in my role on the Council. It is important to me that I prioritize the wellbeing of our organization and protect my family from political maneuvering during this difficult period.

I am stepping down not because I want to but because it is in the best interest of my party, my family, and our organization. While I want to continue in my role as a direct, elected advocate for meaningful change in Cranston, I must step away to focus on continuing our powerful work helping the Haitian community here and in Haiti.

Recently, Hope and Change for Haiti has been dealing with some challenges due to a consequential filing error. As one of the Board of Directors of the organization, I share in the responsibility of solving this issue. An administrative error does not devalue the important work that we are doing to help the Haitian community in Rhode Island.

As councilor, it has been my lifetime honor to serve the constituents of Ward 2. I am deeply proud to have represented each and every resident regardless of party affiliation. Thank you for entrusting me with your vote for the past two elections cycles. I am confident that I served you with my head held high, with dignity, and with conviction. I will focus on my family and our organization Hope and Change for Haiti to continue to make a difference in the world.

I remain committed to supporting democratic leadership in the city—including working with the city council—as a community member, to advocate for an end to the overnight parking ban, the reopening of a functional and affordable Budlong pool, and the ordinance to amend the burden on homeowners to repair sidewalks. I regret that I am unable to complete my work as city councilor in seeing these policy changes enacted and I entrust my colleagues on the council to
continue this work for me, for the people of Cranston.

I am immensely grateful for the time that I’ve spent representing my constituents to directly build toward real policy changes that better city residents’ lives. Thank you to the people of Cranston for their support and partnership in working to make this city a city that works for all its residents. I look forward to serving you directly again in the future.