CENTRAL FALLS, R.I. -- Bad blood between the majority of the City Council and state-appointed receiver boiled over on Monday night at a regularly-scheduled City Council session in City Hall.
Two of the feuding councilors -- President William Benson Jr. and Pat. J. Szlastha -- shot down suggestions from a former city finance director and state legislator that they try to iron out their problems and end the receivership.
So far, the receivership and bankruptcy has cost the city at least $3.8 million. The bankruptcy ended last fall, but the receivership has yet to cut ties with the city. The councilors, through their lawyer, have gone to state court seeking a ruling to end the state oversight. Last week, a judge assigned the matter to a mediator.