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GOP Warwick Mayor Avedisian voices support for new Moderate Party

5:08 PM Thu, Sep 18, 2008 | Permalink
By Katherine Gregg

Republican Warwick Mayor Scott Avedisian has agreed to "voice his support'' for the fledgling Moderate Party of Rhode Island at an Oct. 10 fundraiser.

In an interview today, Avedisian confirmed comments attributed to him in a statement issued by Ken Block, the chairman of the newly formed political-action committee that has not yet acquired official political party status.

In it, Avedisian is quoted as saying: "I believe that the Moderate Party is one of the 'agents for change' that will help transform Rhode Island from the polarizing effect of our current political system. And, although I remain a Republican, I believe that the Moderate Party is a partner to all of those who seek fundamental change in our political system."

In a subsequent interview, Avedisian said he has no intention of changing his own party affiliation, but he has been impressed that the group is endorsing candidates of both parties and appears committed to the same kinds of reform issues - such as more "transparency in government'' - that he espouses, as well as elevated political debate that bridges the partisan divide.

Said Block of Avedisian: "Mayor Avedisian's popularity and success at the voting booth are proof that voters will gladly embrace politicians who are willing to forgo the bitter partisan politics of the 'Democrat/Republican' divide. The majority of voters want and need to be governed from the center of the political spectrum."

Block said his group held an earlier fundraiser at one-time Cool Moose Party candidate Bob Healey's Bob Healey's Cheese Plate restaurant in Warren, which drew an estimated 70 people.

Block describes the Moderate Party as a year-old organization that believes "the single party rule that we experience in the General Assembly leads to poor legislating. The fact that so many legislative seats go uncontested leaves many incumbent politicians with no accountability to the voters in that legislator's district.''

"As a PAC, we do not have the ability to make too much of a difference in any one campaign for the 2008 elections. We are taking this opportunity to fine tune our message, raise awareness and begin the process of recruiting candidates for the 2010 electionss,'' he said. "My hope is to have a candidate for every legislative district, although as I am sure you are aware that will be a very tall order.''

He said the party's "overriding goal is to recruit quality, centrist candidates for the legislature'' who "vow to make the three 'E''s their highest legislative priorities: Education, Ethics and Economy...(and) acknowledge that Culture War issues like gay marriage and abortion are divisive issues that must take a legislative back seat while the critical issues which threaten the well being of every resident of our state are addressed.''

Block describes himself as the owner of Simpatico Software Systems, a software engineering company with a dozen employees in Warwick that counts among its customers GTECH Corp, the State of Texas Division of Health and Human Services and HR Technology Solutions in Providence.