We all know Democrats will go to great lengths to spend taxpayer money. And we know Cranston Democrats, in particular, are very creative in their methods. Take the bizarre budget bonanzas of the former [Mayor John] O’Leary administration, backed by a 9-to-0 Democrat City Council, just as one example.

But the latest (“Mayor’s Office Giving Napolitano Allergic Reaction,” West Bay, Jan. 9) has caught even this die-hard Republican off guard.

Evidently former Mayor Stephen P. Laffey not only surrounded himself with the best and the brightest — but with the healthiest too! I am very fortunate to know everyone who worked in the mayor’s and administration offices in the Laffey administration and I have never heard the slightest complaint about the quality of the work environment. I visited there quite often, and never even got the sniffles. Then again, we Republicans were focused on fixing a city left almost bankrupt; not on redecorating.

Mayor Michael T. Napolitano needs to get focused on some of the promises he has made since being elected and frankly needs to get his priorities straight. I recall seeing a picture in The Providence Journal of Mayor Laffey and his department heads all gathered around a table for a 7 a.m. meeting on one of his first days in office back in 2003. Mayor Napolitano says he’s looking for 5 percent cuts in all departments, yet he hasn’t even met with his department heads. Mayor Napolitano, suck it up and get to work! The citizens of Cranston cannot afford the luxuries you think should come with power.

George Lavoie

Cranston

I recently moved from Cranston to Cary, N.C. I still go online each morning to Projo.com to check on developments in Cranston.

In a Jan. 3 story, Cranston Fire Chief Richard Delgado was quoted as saying, in response to Mayor Michael Napolitano’s possible proposal to cut all departments’ spending by 5 percent, that: “It’d be very difficult. We’re down to bare bones.”

I suggest Chief Delgado contact the Cary, N.C., fire chief for suggested cost-saving measures. Cary has a population of 110,000 compared with Cranston’s 80,000, yet Cary’s fire department budget is 60 percent less, at $15.4 million, compared with Cranston’s $24.6 million.

Of course, the fact that there are no public-sector unions in North Carolina is a major reason Cary’s costs — and taxes — are much lower than Cranston’s. Additionally, however, Cary’s highly regarded fire department gets by with about 25 percent fewer firefighters, even though Cary’s population is a third larger!

I also compared the police budgets. Cranston’s, including the animal control function, is $17.7 million. Cary’s, including the animal control function, is 15 percent less, at $15.4 million. How does Cary do it and still be acclaimed as one of the 10 safest cities in America for six years in a row?

Perhaps Cranston’s police chief should also contact his Cary counterpart. (I’ve found Cary government officials to be very responsive to my numerous inquiries and requests. I’m sure Cranston officials would receive similar courteous and helpful treatment.)

JAMES F. DAVEY

Cary, N.C.

The writer is a former state representative from Cranston.