On Tuesday January 5, 2010, the Executive Committee of the Rhode Island Republican Party met to request a meeting of the Rhode Island Republican State Central Committee in order to present, discuss and consider a proposed change in the party by-laws pertaining to primary elections. The Executive Committee by an overwhelming vote of 26-10 (with 2 abstentions) expressed its will to hold a special meeting on January 19, 2010.
In addition, an ad-hoc meeting of the city and town Republican Chairs voted 32 to 0 to support holding the meeting and the by-laws change. The result was that State Republican Party Chairman Giovanni Cicione refused to abide by the majority vote. Since that time he has made several public statements that he would not hold the requested meeting and in addition threatened to cancel the already scheduled meeting on February 9, 2010. This action by the State GOP Chairman would render the change ineffective based on the deadlines imposed by Rhode Island election law Section 17-12-2.1. Cicione has clearly stated in several public interviews that he would do anything in his power to obstruct the proposed by-laws change.
Michael Napolitano, chairman of the Lincoln Republican Town Committee and spokesperson for the GOP city and town chairs stated, “Effectively, Chairman Cicione, is casting a one person vote to block the will of the party with no democrative process. “Democracy delayed is democracy denied.” Chairman Cicione is in defiance of the Executive Committee, the city and town chairs, National Committee Woman Carol Mumford, First Vice-Chair Nancy Richmond, Second Vice-Chair Lester Olson, Treasurer Barbara Holmes, and Parliamentarian John Clarke.
Said Napolitano, “Acting on behalf of these individuals I hereby state we have no confidence in Giovanni Cicione’s ablility to lead this party effectively and demand his immediate resignation.”
Contact:
For Immediate Release
Michael V. Napolitano, Chairman, Lincoln Republican Town Committee
(401) 487-9301
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