Each morning, I ride down Harris Ave in Providence on my way to work, and each morning I see approximately 25 trailers loaded with steel lining almost the entire street.  The trailers are owned by Capco Steel, which is located on Acorn St.  Recently, ABC 6 did a story on the 25 or so trailers lining the street, and they were moved soon after.  This made me think.  Why did it take a complaint to a TV station to get something done?  If people complained to ABC 6, then they probably also called the Providence Police to complain.  If this did happen, why wasn't anything done?  Didn't police on routine patrols see the trailers on the street each night?

     I decided to do a little searching on the issue.  I found out that the CEO of Capco Steel is Michael Caparco, and the President is Patricia Caparco.  Since the trailers were owned by Capco Steel, I decided to look at their history of campaign contributions.  Here is a list of their contributions to Providence Mayor David Cicilline:


Michael J. Caparco

08/17/2007    $1000      David Cicilline
06/09/2009    $1000      David Cicilline
02/12/2008    $1000      David Cicilline


Patricia G. Caparco

12/18/2003    $1000      David Cicilline
09/12/2005    $1000      David Cicilline
06/30/2007   ($1000)    David Cicilline (refund of contribution)
06/27/2006    $1000      David Cicilline
06/09/2007    $1000      David Cicilline
03/03/2009    $1000      David Cicilline
02/20/2007    $1000      David Cicilline
02/01/2008    $1000      David Cicilline


     As you can see, Michael J. Caparco and Patricia G. Caparco contributed a combined $9,000 to the Cicilline campaign.  Each contribution was the maximum amount allowed by law, and Ms. Caparco actually attempted to make two $1,000 contributions within 4 months of each other, which is a violation of state law.  The Cicilline campaign returned the second $1,000 contribution.

     So, what do we have here?  The truth is, nothing really.  There is absolutely no evidence of a quid pro quo, or of any laws being broken.  The contributions and their acceptance by the Cicilline campaign are 100% legal.  What this does illustrate is an uncomfortable coincidence.  Residents park their car over night and receive a parking ticket.  A large corporation, which has two officers who are major contributors to the Mayor, permanently parks 25 large trailers loaded with steel, seemingly without punishment.  There is absolutely no evidence of wrong doing, but it certainly isn't the type of revelation that instills confidence in your government.