Kelly out, York in, at Prov Zoning Board

Dan Barbarisi has the news today that John Kelly, whose incipient Providence mayoral campaign was first reported by Matt, is being replaced as chair of the Providence Zoning Board of Review by three-time former gubernatorial candidate Myrth York.

Kelly, who in November became the first candidate to file papers to run for mayor, is the CEO of Meeting Street School. He was appointed to the zoning board by Cicilline in 2006 for a term to expire in 2011.

“I want to avoid any appearance of impropriety. Unfortunately, these races become more and more expensive. Any time you start raising money, it raises those issues,” Kelly said.

“I’ve been talking to the mayor about it and I really felt like it’s a good time to get off. We’ve done a lot over there.”

Kelly tells Barbarisi that he will not run against Cicilline, should the incumbent choose not to shoot for a higher office. 

I reported last month on how Providence City Solicitor Joseph M. Fernandez has filed papers to run for AG, so he can also be expected to leave his city post at some point in the future.