The state Office of Economic Recovery and Reinvestment is looking into North Providence's use of federal stimulus funds to meet payroll.   Mayor Charles Lombardi initially said he used "questionable" tactics to find the money, but refused to disclose where the money came from.  Later in the day, he admitted that the money was taken from federal stimulus funds.

     This fact-finding mission is going to have to run its course, but as a casual observer, I find it hard to believe there is nothing wrong with his actions.  The money was earmarked for schools, yet was used to meet normal payroll for municipal employees.  It was my understanding that the stimulus money was supposed to be used for additional spending to stimulate the economy and create jobs.  It was not supposed to be used to meet the payrolls of towns run by incompetent officials