by Abigail Appel | Sep 8, 2020 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-15, Ward-4
At tonight’s City Council meeting, Council President Sabina Matos (Ward 15) and Senior Deputy Majority Leader Nicholas J. Narducci Jr. (Ward 4) will introduce a resolution recognizing Officer Jose Deschamps of the Providence Police Department.
On August 13, Officer Jose Deschamps was responding to a motor vehicle incident at the intersection of Narragansett Avenue and New York Avenue. After arriving on the scene, Officer Deschamps was approached by a man seeking assistance with an unresponsive child and provided lifesaving CPR, which helped stabilize the 8-month-old boy.
“As a parent, I can only imagine the distress that family was feeling at that moment,” stated City Council President Sabina Matos. “Officer Deschamps acted swiftly and bravely and gave this 8-month old child a second chance at life.”
In addition to the resolution honoring Officer Deschamps, the City Council will be awarding him the Council’s Municipal Medal for Deeds of Bravery for his exemplary conduct in the line of duty. The ceremony will take place before the next City Council meeting.
Senior Deputy Majority Leader Nicholas J. Narducci Jr. shared, “Our City has one of the best Police Departments in the nation, and this is just another example of the exemplary work that our officers do every day. What Officer Deschamps did for that family is beyond words. He saved their child’s life. As a father and grandfather, I know how grateful the family must be, and we are also grateful. I hope that this recognition will serve as a reminder of how important and vital our men and women of the Providence Police Department are to the fabric of our City.”
by Abigail Appel | Aug 26, 2020 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-1, Ward-10, Ward-11, Ward-12, Ward-14, Ward-15, Ward-2, Ward-3, Ward-4, Ward-5, Ward-6, Ward-7, Ward-8, Ward-9
The Department of Public Works is classified as an essential city department and for good reason. The hard work this department performs everyday to keep our streets and sidewalks in good shape, keep trash off of our streets, and our environment safe is vital to the operation of a healthy and prosperous city.
However, this summer we’ve experienced a rampant decline in the quality and frequency of these services due to DPW workers being put on furlough one and two days a week. This decline is of no fault of our hardworking men and women in the DPW, but of the circumstances we are facing due to the above mentioned furloughs.
While we understand that the city must find cost-saving measures to preserve the short-term financial stability of the city, we do not think those savings should come at the price of allowing our city to decline into a hazardous eyesore. Graffiti, illegal dumping, rat infestations have become a serious threat this summer to our residents’ quality of life.
Not only are these issues dangerous to our individual and collective health, but they also affect the community’s self-esteem and pride in their neighborhoods and invite further vandalism and destruction.
This is why we, the undersigned, are requesting that the administration end furlough days for workers in the City’s Department of Public Workers and that we wrap our arms around these exponentially growing issues before they get too out of control. We ask that you join us in asking the administration to bring back our essential workers in the DPW by signing the below petition so that we can restore these necessary services in our community.
Sabina Matos, City Council President, Ward 15
Michael Correia, City Council President Pro Tempore, Ward 6
Jo-Ann Ryan, Majority Leader, Ward 5
John J. Igliozzi, Esq., Majority Whip, Ward 7
Nicholas J. Narducci Jr., Senior Deputy Majority Leader, Ward 4
Mary Kay Harris, Deputy Majority Leader, Ward 11
Carmen Castillo, Councilwoman, Ward 9
David Salvatore, Councilor, Ward 14
Nirva Lafortune, Councilwoman, Ward 3
Helen Anthony, Esq., Councilwoman, Ward 2
Kat Kerwin, Councilor, Ward 12
James Taylor, Councilman, Ward 8
Pedro Espinal, Councilman, Ward 10
John Goncalves, Councilman, Ward 1
by Abigail Appel | Aug 24, 2020 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-14
I am calling on Mayor Jorge Elorza and the Providence Police Department to take action regarding the illegal and dangerous use of ATVs on our City Streets. Over the past week, I have received numerous phone calls and emails from constituents who are concerned about and troubled by the frequent ATV traffic throughout Ward 14 and the rest of the City.
Not only is the loud noise created at night by ATVs disrespectful to families with children and workers with early morning shifts, but ATVs also pose a serious threat to the safety of Providence residents, including pedestrians, children, and other drivers. Just last week, an eight-year-old boy was injured in an ATV accident.
I understand that we live in a city and what is not tolerated in other municipalities might be given leeway in dense populations, but putting residents in harm’s way when these vehicles are speeding through our streets and on our City sidewalks is unacceptable.
The current ‘no pursuit’ policy is not working. While our police officers have a responsibility to mitigate any potential for traffic accidents, other drivers and pedestrians live in fear of being hurt or worse by an ATV or dirt bike.
For these reasons, I am asking Mayor Elorza and the Providence Police Department to take decisive action against the illegal use of ATVs and to mitigate threats to the quality of life and safety of our neighbors.
David A. Salvatore
Providence City Council
Councilor – Ward 14
by Abigail Appel | Aug 24, 2020 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-6
Fire Engine 15, Located on Mt. Pleasant Avenue, Reopened Saturday
After Months of Renovations
City Council President Pro Tempore Michael Correia announced that the Fire Station located on Mt. Pleasant Avenue, Engine 15, has fully reopened, as of Saturday, August 22, and the men and women stationed there have moved back in.
“The fire station needed several upgrades and renovations and after months of work I happy to announce that the project is complete,” stated City Council President Pro Tempore Michael Correia. “This project was very important to me and my constituents as Engine 15 is our local station. The station was in desperate need of upgrades and I’m glad that our men and women are back home on Mt. Pleasant Avenue.”
Upgrades and renovations to Engine 15 included new doors and new apparatus bays, lounge area for the firefighters, new bathroom, boiler and emergency generator, and upgrades to plumbing and electrical work.
Pro Tempore Correia continued, “I want to thank the men and women of Engine 15 for bearing with us as we underwent the renovations and would like to thank our contractors and crews for working so hard to get this project completed and this station back online.”
Renovations for Engine 15 came from the City’s Capital Improvement Plan that was passed by the City Council in 2019.
by Abigail Appel | Aug 20, 2020 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-1, Ward-10, Ward-14, Ward-3, Ward-6
Several years ago, the City of Providence asked taxpayers to borrow $40 million to repave some of our worst roads. Included in the road improvement program was Admiral Street, which was repaved by the City of Providence. In short order, National Grid completely destroyed the street. I have been asking politely for years that National Grid fix the street that they have torn up repeatedly.
If this were a City issue, I would have had it fixed the day it happened. National Grid has an obligation to fix this street, and after years of me asking and demanding, they must comply.
When the City Council returns in September, I will be introducing a resolution demanding that the City of Providence cease issuing National Grid permits to conduct work on our streets until they repair the damage they have caused.
Per their permit agreement with the City, National Grid is required to return streets that are opened to their original composition. Admiral Street was newly repaved when they first began the work there, and I expect nothing less than a curb to curb complete re-pavement from beginning to end.
David A. Salvatore
Providence City Council
Councilor – Ward 14
