Cianci foreground. Harris upper right.
Av Harris, the communications director for Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim, must have a unique and perhaps jaundiced view of politicians.
His life and career has placed him in close proximity to a string of questionable characters. We make this observation in relation to the passing of former Providence Mayor Buddy Cianci who died unexpectedly today after being rushed to a hospital with severe stomach pain.
Cianci was the longest serving mayor of Providence and Harris was working in the city as a reporter when the mayor was convicted on corruption charges and sent to prison.
From the Providence Journal:
He was a political saint – a larger-than-life figure who lit up the rooms he walked in, the hearts of followers and the city he loved.
He was a sinner, who liked to intimidate and dominate, who once shut a restaurant for “over-crowding” after a bouncer who didn’t know him stopped him from coming in.
He was a magician, who showed only his charisma to those he needed most – the voters…
Later, Harris came to Connecticut just in time to cover the collapse of former Governor John Rowland.
And now, of course, he is witness to the resurrection of Ganim, who has returned to the mayor’s office after serving time on a corruption conviction.
Who knows what to make of this curious string of events. One is left to wonder; Harris moves to town, politician goes to prison. Just a coincidence?
Harris with the latter day “Prince of Providence.”
