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March 7, 2008

Alert: Woonsocket Mayor Menard will step down in June

Mayor Susan Menard, who announced today that she is stepping down as Woonsocket mayor in June, is seen earlier this week with State Police Supt. Brendan Doherty. Menard and Doherty appeared together at a news conference at which Lt. Eric L. Croce, of the Rhode Island State Police, was named to lead the troubled Woonsocket Police Department.
The Providence Journal / Bob Thayer photo

Woonsocket Mayor Susan D. Menard will step down June 15, City Councilman Roger Jalette said today.

Jalette said that Menard, who began her seventh term in November, called him this morning to tell him of her decision and "she was crying."

She did not give Jalette a reason but he said her administration had seen an exodus of several department heads over the past two years and the new controversy in the Police Department, which led to retirement of the chief and the deputy chief, could not have helped.

"She's human," he said, "that's it."

Menard, who took office as mayor in early 1996, was first elected to the School Committee in 1981 and later served for 10 years on the City Council, including time as council president.

In November, Menard, a Democrat described in past news accounts as having an at-times aggressive style, won a seventh term by defeating challenger Todd R. Brien by more than 900 votes. Menard spoke at the time of there being much to be done: two new middle schools to be built and a nine-year property revaluation.

“I really felt an obligation to see that through, “ she said in November.

On Wednesday, Menard and state police Supt. Brendan P. Doherty announced that the state police have assumed temporary management of the Woonsocket Police Department until a new police chief is hired. The move was announced after Chief Michael L.A. Houle and Deputy Chief Richard A. Dubois retired, which came after the chief’s ex-wife made allegations that they had changed police exam scores to get her on the force.

The Journal reported in November 2005 that during Menard's 10-year tenure, the city's deficit became a $4.6-million surplus, the city's bond rating improved, and infrastructure was rebuilt. Nearly a dozen old mills were slated to be turned into luxury condominiums for young professionals, with some fully occupied -- development that added to tax rolls while having little effect on Woonsocket's schools.

-- Journal staff writer John Hill, with Journal archival reports

Posted by Mike McKinney at 7:10 PM | Permalink

Comments

THERE IS A GOD AFTER ALL! BON VOYAGE SUSAN...A NO SHOW AT COUNCIL MEETINGS!

STEVE | March 7, 2008 6:25 PM link

I pitty the poor person who has to try to clean up the mess she is going to leave behind

David | March 7, 2008 6:33 PM link

THE THREE STOOGES WON'T BE MISSED! THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON TOO LONG,IT WAS TIME FOR A CHANGE.

BOB | March 7, 2008 7:13 PM link

I wonder what she is running from.

Lee | March 7, 2008 7:16 PM link

It looks like the "FBI Operation Dollar Bill" has arrived in Woonsocket.
Three to one, she gets 5 to 7!

bob north smithfield | March 7, 2008 7:38 PM link

As Nelson on "The Simpsons" would say: Ha, Ha!

June | March 7, 2008 7:38 PM link

I'm surprised it has taken this long! Menard should have been replaced a long time ago, Sure the city was cleaned up a little but for the wealthier side of society and only the better side of town seemed to be getting their roads done more often than not, And we're sick of seeing all these condominiums going up and barely being rented out.. our education department and housing has issues not put more flowers and condos up..... Thank God and have fun wherever you move , you're no longer welcomed around here.

Mark | March 7, 2008 7:45 PM link

Once she was a person that had good ideas & goals for the city. I witnessed her become arrogant & power hungry over the years. She, unfortunately, became a cancer to the city she had sworn to improve. She micromanaged departments she had no expertise in & caused people do behave & conduct business in a way they never would have. She ruined some good people along the way. The situation became a sad state of affairs.

Rich | March 7, 2008 8:10 PM link

How the elevator operator was well taken care of by supplying the mayor with daily trips to the variety store.The change in leadership will help a great deal

governor | March 7, 2008 9:41 PM link

That person charged with cleaning this mess would be City Council President Leo Fontaine, who by the city charter would assume the position of mayor. He's a good man who should be able to right the ship and get the good people of Woonsocket through this.

Scott | March 7, 2008 10:10 PM link

I do'nt know her reason at this time to leave. But the people of RI need to consider new blood to change things in this state and get out the social club thats in there now.

Tom Geving | March 7, 2008 10:40 PM link

This is long coming. It has caught up with her finally. Thats all we will say.

Pauline | March 7, 2008 11:22 PM link

First it was the fall of Uday Houle and Qusay Dubois and now Ladies and Gentlemen, We got her! I have a message for the Citizens of Woonsocket: You will not have to fear the rule of Susan Menard ever again.

Dubya | March 8, 2008 12:03 AM link

"this is a day of independence for all the Munchkins and their descendants"

Me | March 8, 2008 5:53 AM link

GOOD BYE: DON'T CRY. Time for the city to better it's image.

mike | March 9, 2008 5:55 PM link

It's too bad that the voters of Woonsocket weren't smart enough to simply vote her out in November.

Greg | March 10, 2008 9:38 AM link

It is about time this has all caught up to them. Woonsocket did not want to open there eyes to the things that were being told to them. You had 2 chances to make a change and the citizens of Woonsocket did not want to listen. Who better would know what really is going on in the city then the straight, standup, honest law enforcement that was running these two other times. Brien would have been the better choice.

b | March 10, 2008 2:29 PM link

I've tried posting on this for three days but I guess I am making vicious remarks about this woman. I guess the scandelous "rumors" about her aren't true. All I have to say is - why would you let cancer fester for so long when you could have cut out the tumor years ago?

m | March 11, 2008 11:53 AM link

alas, Now we see Woonsocket and it's top brass are "on the move". Where to next? A.B.'s health won't be his only problem. Jeff P.,next stop, grey bar hotel-Cranston.
Pete

Pete | March 11, 2008 12:04 PM link

March 7, 2008

Alert: Woonsocket Mayor Menard will step down in June

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