To Start ...
Before the 2024 election, this subject started to be discussed. In calls that were discussed with me, I provided an objective, factual narrative about the past history on this subject. Now on to the objective discussion.
A Decade Retrospective
This subject began with discussions from March 2015. See compilation of minutes document for additional details.
Various Discussions and Activity in 2015
Various discussions were discussed with legal, operational and fiscal matters. Reviewing the conversation from March 2025 -- April 2015, many of the strategies, planning and operational details still remain.
Financial Review Commission Report and Presentation
The Financial Review Commission (FRC) compiled an analysis and final report to present to the Council. On November 11, Mr. Joseph Passaretti (Vice-Chairman) presented the recommendations and analysis. In summary:
- Facts obtained from the RI Traffic Tribunal Chief Magistrate
- Accounting and Controls
- Security Matters
- Interpreter
- Various other matters
- Summary
- FRC Recommendations
See the BFRB memo for details.
Move the Calendar to 2025
In February, the Council discussed passes (for the Recreation Department fields). The Council discussed that these "tickets could be handled via municipal court" which handles limited tickets (not traffic tickets). The Council further discussed to "see to the BFRB take care of this point." To date (to my knowledge), the BFRB has not reviewed this request.
May 2025
Review the minutes for the May 20 Town Council meeting from the recap. The key points from the minutes reflect:
- The Council thinks that this should be referred to the BFRB at the appropriate time.
- What the numbers look like today.
- Legislation is needed to enact this court.
- There is data regarding the Town of Smithfield specifically.
Again, there has not been any official analysis by the BFRB on this subject. Or if the Town has reviewed/read the 2015 report from the FRC. There are many facets details that any new initiative must be compiled, reviewed and considered.
Recent experience has shown that objective data is not respected as the foundation of any sound business business. Government is a business. The precursor of any significant initiative must be analyzed using all the data, information and goals compiled by leadership. A research document was compiled with several topics.
Consider the following quotes I use a lot in my lectures and consulting are:
A goal without a plan is a dream.
Before you jump into a pool, make sure there is water.
It takes as much energy to wish as it does to plan. (Eleanor Roosevelt)
The essence of strategy is choosing what not to do. (Michael Porter, famous educator strategist)
Hope is not a strategy (Vince Lombardi)
In Summary
Before executing an athletic "game plan" the team's leadership must have a strategy while gathering full intelligence and knowledge. Businesses, governments and education must do the same. The precursor of any significant initiative must be analyzed using all the data, information and goals compiled by leadership.
The process cannot be guided by a ... "Let's try it and if it does not work, we will stop the initiative."
The data, strategy, knowledge and the "plan" must guide the process to an informed decision.
