By W. Zachary Malinowski
CENTRAL FALLS, R.I. -- The young upstart clashed several times with the experienced former mayor during two marathon debates on Sunday afternoon at the Forand Manor and Wilfrid Manor on opposite sides of the city.
James A. Diossa, 28, a city councilman, battled with ex-Mayor Thomas Lazieh over the Donald W. Wyatt Detention Facility which has not provided the city with a dime in almost four years.
In the past, the jail used to pay the city as much as $525,000 for allowing it to operate in the city. Lazieh boasted that he was responsible for bringing the facility into the city and creating jobs.
Diossa went right after the former mayor, blaming him for signing off on a deal that required the bondholders to get paid before the city.