Ian Donnis of The Providence Phoenix captures the mood at mayor-cum-ex-convict Buddy Cianci’s return to the media scene in his “tiny news-rich state.” I covered Cianci’s first come-back in 1990 when he ran for the Providence mayor’s office after being involved in a scandal, the highlight of which was his burning his wife’s boyfriend with cigarettes as his body guard’s held the man down. He is absolutely one of the most colorful political figures I have ever observed in public life. He was also a great mayor.
It was interesting that Cianci chose “The Old Canteen” for his coming out party. While he was mayor he favored the more Euro-friendly Mediterraneo.
Dispatches from Seth Gitell 