Mayor Fung responds to City Council’s ‘no confidence’ vote

By: Rebecca Turco

Email: rturco@abc6.com

CRANSTON – Mayor Allan Fung spoke to media Tuesday, after the majority of the City Council voted “no confidence” in him.

The council’s five-to four-vote mostly followed party lines. Only one democrat voted against it. The symbolic resolution comes weeks after that scathing state police report that showed the mayor interfered with the city’s police business after the parking ticket scandal.

Fung called the vote “nothing more than political theatre.” He said the resolution won’t affect his relationship with the council. “I can put this resolution aside – [the] resolution that said nothing, that asked for nothing.

Council President John Lanni, Jr. spoke with ABC6 News following Monday night’s vote. He said the mayor should consider other options. "If I was in his shoes, I would resign," Lanni said.

Fung isn’t planning on it. “I could care less about what the council president said about that last night because where I want to have the confidence is in the residents of the city of Cranston,” he said.

Fung would not say if he plans on seeking re-election. “I’ll take it day-by-day, continuing to work hard to get [the residents’] confidence back for those that have any concerns,” he said. Fung’s term ends in January 2017.

As for any recall effort, Fung does not think that is likely. “All I’ve been hearing is a lot of positives about the faith and confidence that many of the residents have in me,” he said.

Lanni told ABC6 News that Monday night’s move sends a message, more than anything. He is looking into whether to take further action, like launching another investigation.

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