What happened in Nashville on Christmas day is a strong reminder that events like that can happen anywhere. We must remain vigilant, and remember if you see something, to say something.
I extend my sympathies to the eight individuals that were harmed in the blast, along with more than 40 businesses that sustained damage from the explosion. I am thankful to the brave men and women of the Nashville Police, Fire, and Emergency Management Departments for how quickly they acted to protect the lives of so many.
Mayor John Cooper, and my counterpart on the Metropolitan Council, Vice Mayor Jim Shulman, thank you for your leadership during this difficult time. Many of us across the country have lost so much due to the ongoing global pandemic, and to have this happen on Christmas day is such a tragedy.
On behalf of my colleagues here in Providence, RI please know that we are thinking and praying for all of Nashville.
The Prince Hall Masonic Temple in South Providence is a landmark institution that has done so much to support our City through the years. Just recently holding food and toy drives for community members in honor of the Christmas season.
I extend my deepest sympathies to the Most Worshipful Grand Master Clarence R. Snead Jr. and the Rhode Island chapters’ members for their devastating loss.
Luckily no lives were lost and I know that the brotherhood will rebuild and continue their great legacy and work.
Sabina Matos, President
Providence City Council
Councilwoman – Ward 15
I was devastated to learn the news that a fire had destroyed the Prince Hall Masonic Temple earlier today. I was just there yesterday supporting their annual Christmas toy giveaway. This is such a loss for my community.
For years, the Masons have been doing important community work in South Providence by hosting food and toy giveaways in our neighborhood.
The membership and leaders have risen to the occasion time and time again to help those in need in our community. Their commitment to philanthropy, community engagement, and education has helped shape our City.
I join the chorus of voices offering my sympathies and will do all I can to help them rebuild so that they can continue in service to each other and the community.
Pedro Espinal
Providence City Council
Councilman – Ward 10
Providence City Council Hires Paul J. Fox III as Chief of Staff
Fox brings more than a decade of experience working with city leaders
Providence City Council President Sabina Matos today announced a new chief of staff to support the work of the 15-member Council. Paul J. Fox, III (P.J.) will begin on Monday, December 21, 2020.
“We are excited to welcome P.J. to our team,” stated Council President Sabina Matos. “His career has been dedicated to serving the residents of Providence and helping make our city a safe and welcoming place for everyone to live and work. I look forward to working together to move the work of the Council and the City of Providence forward. As we begin this new chapter, I would be remiss if I did not thank Doris De Los Santos for serving as the interim chief of staff during this period. This is not an easy role to fill, and she stepped in and handled it with grace, and I am indebted to her for all she has done to keep our office running.”
The Chief of Staff to the Providence City Council is entrusted with the management of the Council Staff, City Clerk’s Office, City Treasurer’s Office, City Archives, and Municipal and Probate Courts. Additionally, their role supports the 15 elected City Councilors and their work. They engage with stakeholders across all sectors and will work to strengthen the City’s COVID-19 response and recovery.
Paul J. Fox III shared, “I am grateful for the opportunity to join the City Council team. I look forward to helping Council members serve the residents of Providence, especially as we continue to navigate these challenging times due to the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Most recently, Fox served as the executive director of the Nonviolence Institute. He also sits on the Board of Directors of Providence Sports and Leadership, a youth leadership development organization. Fox is also the Vice- President of the Providence St. Patrick’s Day Parade and is a member of the Providence Rotary Club. He is a graduate of the University of Rhode Island with a degree in Political Science.
“The Providence City Council and its staff serve the people of Providence and they ask us to do so compassionately, with integrity and respect. In public service, there should be zero tolerance for haphazard comments that divide and hurt.
Furthermore, as elected leaders and de facto supervisors of our hardworking staff, we should exemplify noble service both publicly and privately.
The comments made by Councilman Correia are not only unprofessional, but are extremely harmful to our LGBTQIA+ community and our Council staff who were subjected to them.
As a leader of the Council staff, I take my responsibility very seriously. My goal and commitment has been to ensure that the City Council staff feel supported and valued and that the council office provides a harassment free workplace. This is why when, even prior to learning of the existence of the recordings, when I learned that a Council employee had felt personally affected by Councilman Correia’s comments, I took immediate action. I reached out to him and coordinated several meetings with him imploring him to be mindful of his words and reflect on the impact they may have on staff morale. I was in frequent contact with the Human Resources Director to guarantee that we did all we could to ensure the affected employee feel supported. The Director and I even invited the Councilman for a joint meeting to discuss his behavior, but he did not attend.
Issuing an apology and asking for sensitivity training are first steps-not only have I conducted preliminary discussions with Council Chief of Staff and the Human Resources Director about providing this and other sensitivity training workshops for our City’s elected officials and workforce in the coming year; also, and under my direction, this past December 14, a Leadership training (inclusive of topics of Diversity and Inclusion) was delivered to the Council and the Staff.
However, as community leaders we need to be extremely mindful of our actions and reflect honestly and intensively on our individual and collective prejudices and intolerances and how they affect others. If we don’t, we deservedly risk losing the trust of our colleagues and neighbors and the positions we are privileged to occupied.
As the Council President, I’ve met individually with members of our administrative staff and have reiterated my open door policy on matters negatively affecting their workplace and morale. I remain committed as ever to provide a workplace where our employees feel safe, welcomed, and empowered and to lead a branch of government that embodies and promotes love of community.
Sabina Matos
President-Providence City Council
Councilwoman-Ward 15
