Renaissance man

Buddy Cianci has done more than move rivers. Over the last 20 years, he's changed people's perceptions about him -- and, of all things, he's mellowed

by Jody Ericson

Let's face it. You can't talk about the history of Providence without getting into the history of its soon-to-be longest-serving mayor, Buddy Cianci. As if breathing the same breath, the pair's fortunes have risen and fallen in almost complete synchronicity.

Twenty years ago, Cianci had been in office for four years, and he soared through reelection that November in what would become typical Cianci flair. There was talk of Cianci running for governor in 1980, but the mayor instead held on to the seat he had, as if he couldn't bring himself to end what he calls his "love affair with Providence."

In 1990, Cianci once again assumed the helm. He now says he won't leave until the last of the cake is frosted -- which could mean in another 20 years. As usual, he launched into our interview celebrating the Phoenix's 20th anniversary without even being prompted by a question. Here is an excerpt of what he said.

Cianci: I remember when the Phoenix first started. The city was funky then. The Phoenix has served a good purpose for the city. It's given an alternative view to the Providence Journal. I like that.

Q: Do we still serve the same purpose, in your opinion? Have we changed over the years?
A: No, I think that the purpose was an alternative paper for the arts and entertainment world, the gay community. It gets to a whole different element. It's got a niche in the city that other newspapers do not have.

The city, though, has changed dramatically since the Phoenix started. Now, back in the '70s, when you first started, don't forget that Providence had completely lost all our retail. Now we have an eclectic mixture of restaurants. We have a tremendous arts district, with a performing arts center that is probably one of the 20 best in the country. I think the Phoenix had a lot to do with that, always maintaining support for the kinds of things that would make this city grow, make this city understand itself.

You know, a city's gotta smell like the city, feel like the city. It's gotta sing a song of a symphony, sing a song of the city with symphonic proportions. And all of that the Phoenix has helped to promote. That's why I respect it.

Q: Do you think it's fair to say that we can't talk about the history of Providence without talking about your history, because you've been here for so long and you've been such a -- no?
A: If you want to talk about the history of the last 25 years, maybe you should mention who the mayor is (laughs), but I think that . . . if I had any contribution to it, it was with a little bit of vision. But any one man, or woman, who claims credit for the renaissance or revitalization of this wonderful, celebrated city would be smoking opium.

Q: Why do you think that so many people have the perception that you are Providence and that everything good about Providence and beyond is really because of you?
A: I'm the only elected official who's elected citywide, and, therefore, the only one with accountability to everybody. And because of maybe personality and devoting a lifetime to going to meetings and going from funerals to First Communions to very, very controversial meetings over the years and always being . . . the single focal point for the city's revitalization, I guess that's maybe one of the reasons. Let's face it -- I love Barnaby Evans, but do you think Barnaby Evans could have sold WaterFire to the Fire Department (laughs)? To go along on the water with torches burning next to an outboard engine?

Q: Back in '78, you'd been in office for four years. You were up for reelection. Do you remember what your goals were, and have you realized them since then or were they completely different?
A: I really need about two or three more terms in office to finish the goals that I set in '74. I'm 57, so when I'm 65 or 69 or starting to think about retiring, I should be finished. I think that we talked about relocating rivers and waterfronts back in the mid-'70s. A lot of that's happened, but not all.

Now we're talking in terms of three new cities within the city -- the area behind the [site of the Providence Place] mall, where the farmer's market is now, we're gonna make that like . . . a Fanueil Hall. They're talking about . . . taking that whole West End and making it . . . a better livability area. Then, of course, there's the area on the waterfront by where Rhode Island Hospital is -- that's gonna be a new city, too.

You know, years ago I . . . could go anywhere and be a hero. You could go and restore a building and people loved you for it. We started to relocate the railroad tracks and the rivers. Those were all dreams. We stopped PPAC [the Providence Performing Arts Center] from being torn down. We started the arts district. We rebuilt the zoo. The animals, when I first got elected in the '70s, were escaping. Now it's a world-class zoo.

Q: They were escaping?
A: From the zoo. Absolutely. The monkeys on Route 95.

Q: You said that five or 10 years ago you were a hero. Is it not so warm a welcome now?
A: No. Anybody could have been a hero then, because the city was so bad that anybody could have done anything.

Q: So can part of you sit back and actually enjoy it, or are you still constantly thinking . . .
A: You know, this is my life. I mean, I've lost family over this job. I've lost a lot of things over this job. I lost a marriage. People say to me, "Why don't you run for governor?" Well, it's very simple. It's from the heart, it's sincere, and it's four words -- I love my job. And I'm not leaving after all these years in it. Now I can see the fruits of the labor, and now it's a matter of decorating the cake here.

Q: But can you enjoy it all, or not?
A: I love my job. I work early in the morning. I have crazy working hours. You might find me having meetings at my house at 1:30 in the morning.

Q: Has it turned into everything, you think?
A: Pardon?

Q: Has the job turned into everything for you?
A: Pretty much. Someday I'll leave, but I'm not ready to yet. We're in the high-speed lane here, making this city happen. I'm at the best peak of my years. Now's the time to make it all happen again.

Q: You talk about being at your peak and in the high-speed lane . . .
A: For the city. I'm not talking me. I'm talking the city.

Q: Well, you are politically, though, as well. You have high approval ratings.
A: Eighty-one.

Q: Eighty-one percent? That's pretty high.
A: Statewide.

Q: It just seems to me that there are similarities between what you have gone through and what Providence has gone through.
A: Oh yes. That's why we're in love.

Q: Are you teasing me?
A: No, it's true.

Q: Is this one of the reasons why you don't want to give up the job because you identify . . .
A: I wouldn't know what to do. I'm not saying I would never seek another office. I mean, I've thought about it. But this is what I'm dedicated to. It's my mistress. It's my wife. It's my children. It's everything.

Q: In both makeovers -- yours and the city's -- did you use the same tactics to change people's perceptions?
A: No. Everybody always loved Providence; they didn't always love me.

Q: Yeah, but everyone didn't always have high expectations for Providence either.
A: That's true. But I guess it took . . . yeah, we were the same. We both had inner strength, we both had tremendous infrastructure. Yeah, I guess I'm indelibly linked with the city.

You know, the city is so warmly received around America. You don't have to take my word for it -- you can call anywhere. And now we're redoing the Civic Center, as you know. We partnered with the city of Florence. You can announce that. That's gonna be our partnership city. I'm gonna go to Florence in November to sign that. We'll have new trolley cars in Providence. We'll ride in the trolley cars. You'll see movie theaters Downcity, movie theaters in the mall. A black repertory theater. You'll be able to see the new sports museum. You'll be able to see leather crafters fashioning leather in one window, glass blowers in another.

Q: I have a feeling this has become almost a mantra for you.
A: It's like church. You have to keep saying it, because church is a funny thing. Many people attempt, but few understand. You see? And that's why church always says the same thing every time you go.

Q: So does the repetition get to you sometimes?
A: I'm like the priest at the altar of Providence.

Q: Doesn't it get tedious, huh?
A: No. I love it. Every one of our projects requires shepherding. Therefore, you have to sometimes keep repeating it to those who haven't heard it.

Q: Where do you see yourself and this city 20 years from now?
A: Right here.

Q: Right here? Twenty years from now you'll be here?
A: I'll only be 77 years old. If the people would have me, I would probably run as long as I could. Why not? What am I gonna do?

Q: Back to radio?
A: (Laughs) I think radio is changing, and I don't think that radio is what it used to be. Who knows? I like to look forward.

For now, what gives me a reason for getting up every morning is the city. What else am I going to do -- go live on an island somewhere and go fishing? That's nice for a week, a year. But what else are you going to do? I don't play golf. I ride a horse once in a while. When I do that, I call the Police Department and go on patrol with them. I like parades.

Q: Do you think you've mellowed?
A: Yeah, oh yeah. You get old and, of course, you mellow. I'm more accepting of other people's views and personalities than I used to be. I mean, I've had a complete turnaround in my life on gays. I've been a big advocate for minorities.

Q: What would you say is your biggest accomplishment, personal or professional?

A: Biggest accomplishment (10-second pause)? Personally?

Q: Personally or professionally.
A: Making the decision not to run for governor this year, 'cause I knew I could have won. I think that was a mature decision when everybody around me was telling me to run for governor, including pollsters and political consultants. I was proud of that. It made me feel proud of what I had done, in my own head anyway.

Q: What do you think the old Buddy would have done? Would he have run for governor?
A: Absolutely (laughs). And I work just as hard, by the way. I campaign. I don't have an opponent, but I campaign. I have bumper stickers, ads, everything. I've got signs. You can see my TV ad. I'll show you my TV ad. It's a celebration of the city ad. (Cianci calls his secretary to get the ad.)