Love or hate him, former Providence Mayor Vincent "Buddy" Cianci, shown here in the 2002 Bristol Fourth of July parade, is a polarizing figure.

Former Providence Mayor Vincent "Buddy" Cianci, now a radio talk show host on 63 WPRO AM, fired back at a critic Wednesday who wrote last week that the former federal prisoner and convicted felon shouldn't be allowed to march in the Bristol Fourth of July parade this year.

Mr. Cianci, who will march with officials from the radio station, was responding to a letter in last week's Bristol Phoenix in which High Street resident Roberta Cicilline-DiMezza said his criminal history makes him unworthy of marching.

"I'm sorry she doesn't welcome me to Bristol," he said on the air Wednesday morning. "I always got along with people — most people — in Bristol. I think I have the right to go to a parade. I don't even know this lady; I know she's the Mayor {Providence Mayor David Cicilline}'s sister."

In her letter, Ms. Cicilline-DiMezza wrote that Mr. Cianci shouldn't be allowed to share the stage with veterans, firemen and other public figures. But on Wednesday, Mr. Cianci said he's a veteran who served his country for six years.

"How many years did she serve? How many did her father serve? Her brother?" he asked, challenging Ms. Cicilline-DiMezza to call the radio station to discuss the issue further.

Ms. Cicilline-DiMezza didn't call back, but Mr. Cianci said he hopes to talk to her in the future. As for the parade?

"It's a wonderful thing. I'm looking forward to going this year," he said. "Maybe I'll ride a horse this year too. Who knows?"

— Ted Hayes