By JON BAKER

CENTRAL FALLS — Richard G. Aubin Jr. didn't have an opponent for the Ward 2 City Council seat during the 2007 general election, but he will this time around, the battle coming in the form of Edna Poulin, a lifelong city resident who never before has attempted such a thing.

“Everyone has the right to run for public office, especially if he or she believes they can do a better job than the incumbent,” he said. “I feel I'm the better candidate because of my experience, but I'm really looking forward to my campaign against Miss Poulin.
“I believe my record will show the voters that not only have I worked diligently to address the issues of Ward 2, but also have worked closely with the mayor (Charles D. Moreau) and the council to make this a better city for our residents and businesses,” he added.
It would come as a mammoth surprise to Aubin, 46, if he didn't know someone in his ward, for one simple reason: For the last quarter-century, he and his dad, Richard Sr., have been the mainstays of Quality Auto Repair, located at 503 Dexter St.
On this drizzly afternoon, the shop's general manager/technician sits in his mechanic's togs in the front entryway and explains why he believes residents will, in fact, re-elect him.
“Like I said, I have a lot of experience, and I've got a long list of accomplishments as a councilman,” he offered.
 “There's easy access to me here at the shop, and the fact I work here in the city, I see people all the time. They know where I am, so they come to me with problems or issues they have with what's going on in the city.
“If anyone wants to address a problem concerning anything or anybody, they know they can come to 503 Dexter St. and ask me,” he added. “In fact, if they're not in my ward, I'll point them in the right direction, to the proper council member.”
So, who is Rick Aubin? He's a proud husband to Pauline, and father of three, including Cassandra (23), Jaymes (18) and Rebekah (15), residents at 127 Chestnut St. for over 13 years.
A native Pawtucketer, he graduated from Shea High in 1981, then spent four years in the U.S. Marine Corps. He worked the final two at the Marine Corps Logistics Base in Albany, Ga., earning a high rank of lance corporal.
While laboring at the garage, he revived the St. Matthew's Pack 2 Cub Scouts, serving as cubmaster between 1998-2003 (winning the Valley's “Cubmaster of the Year” award his final year); administering as a committee member and assistant scoutmaster for the troop from 2003-09, as well as the Central Falls Little League's Board of Directors for seven years and coach for nine; and working as an assistant coach for Catholic Athletic Basketball League between 2002-06.
It doesn't stop there.
He currently is aiding the local Special Olympics Committee in gleaning new team uniforms and marching banners.
Aubin stated he needed less than three weeks as a councilor to create an ordinance forcing all establishments serving alcohol to keep all doors closed during operating hours “so as not to disturb neighboring property owners or passers-by,” he said. “I was sworn in on Feb. 23, 2006 (after defeating Robert Ferri and replacing Jay Leger), and that ordinance was introduced on March 12, with final passage May 16.
“I feel pretty good about that,” he continued. “I saw the need for such a thing because I received numerous complaints, especially from female pedestrians who heard some nefarious comments made to them.”
With current Council President William Benson Jr. (and help from then-Animal Control Officer Joe Bolvin), he co-introduced the pit bull ordinance, which prevented new residents from bringing those dogs into the city, on March 10, 2008. (Of course, pit bull owners already living here could keep theirs, courtesy of a grandfather clause).
Aubin worked with State Rep. Kenneth Vaudreuil and State Sen. Betty Crowley to help provide residents of the Blackstone Valley senior citizens apartment complex with cable TV, if they chose to purchase it, in November 2008. And, because of complaints from his constituents about traffic at the Broad and High streets intersection, he helped (with the highway department) to garner a traffic light sensor and “No Right Turn On Red” signs at the same local.
He also aided in getting “heftier” speed bumps built near the Blackstone Falls complex, and worked with Police Chief Col. Joseph Moran to alleviate traffic/parking concerns on Blackstone Street near Macomber Stadium.
“There's now no parking on the Wyatt Detention Center's side of the roadway,” he said. “I will continue to take part in ride-alongs with Col. Moran to identify problem areas in the ward. And, when we passed the budget – of approximately $17 million – in late June, property taxes went up only two percent while we increased the amount of our Homestead Exemption, which actually lowered the property taxes fro owner-occupied residences.
Aubin stated he supported the council's effort to reduce the budget by over $1 million to deal with Gov. Donald Carcieri's slice in aid to cities and towns; and also worked with Mayor Moreau's administration on the sale of water pipes, which saved the city $10 million in mandated upgrades. In addition, he helped negotiate with the Pawtucket Water Supply Board to repave streets after replacement of such pipes.
That means newly-paved streets in his ward.
His platform for this campaign includes keeping a cap on unnecessary spending; to find more cost-efficient ways to operate; and to continue attract new owners for boarded-up houses.
“That would thereby increase the amount of taxes we will receive from those new owners or renters,” he explained. “If you have an abandoned three-story (house), there's a possibility of three to five cars being (parked) there. That being the case, we'll gain revenue via the car excise tax.
“I also want to communicate with the council and mayor on attracting more businesses,” he added. “Drive up and down Broad and Dexter streets, and you'll notice very few vacant stores and buildings. We're trying to make the city more inviting by working with the new owners and making the process of operating easier – without bypassing any ordinances or resolutions.
“We'll do that by getting more support for them from police, fire departments, rescue and the administration.”
He claimed he will continue to use his catch phrase, “Moving Forward,” the same one he had when he began running for council member in 2006.
His election foe, Poulin, claimed she has told Ward 2 residents while knocking on doors she believes Aubin to be “in the mayor's pocket.” The current councilor responded this way:
“I'm not in his pocket, by no means,” he said. “I'll always support Mayor Moreau if I think he's right. If I have questions about anything, then I'll sit down with him and he'll explain why he's chosen that direction and what benefits could come from it. From there, I'll gain more information, and vote the way I believe I should for the ward.”