by Abigail Appel | Aug 4, 2021 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-14
I was horrified to hear reports that at 6 A.M. this morning, a woman was pulled from her car and beaten by ATV riders while her eight-month-old child was in the car with her. As a husband, father and resident of Providence, this news is disturbing and deeply unsettling.
Firstly, the victim and her family are in my prayers. I have been in contact with Commander Verdi and he assures me the Police Department is working swiftly to apprehend the individuals who committed this heinous act of violence.
I am calling on my council colleagues to suspend our August recess to convene an emergency City Council as a Whole meeting. I am calling on Mayor Elorza, Commissioner Pare and the Providence Police Department to join us to discuss their plan to address the violence in our city, which has become an out of control, almost daily threat to the safety of our residents.
As local leaders, we owe it to our community to create systems which ensure that our city is a safe place to live and work. A woman driving in her car with her infant child should not have to fear being a victim of brutal physical violence.
The gun violence, the physical attacks and reckless behavior of individuals in our city have resulted in grief, loss, and fear in our community. It is time for the city to take decisive action to put a stop to this senseless violence and better serve the people trying to make a home in the city of Providence.
David Salvatore
Councilman, Ward 14
Providence City Council
by Abigail Appel | Aug 1, 2021 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-3
I am deeply saddened by the numerous violent acts that took place across our city last night, which resulted in multiple injuries and the death of a 20-year old woman.
I have spoken with Mayor Elorza, Police Chief Clements and I am working with the Public Safety Department and the Institute for Non-Violence as our community grapples with these devastating events.
The families of the young woman who tragically died, and all those who were injured last night, remain in my prayers. I have reached out to the young woman’s family to offer my condolences and support.
As elected officials and community leaders, we must work together to keep guns off our streets and create productive and healthy alternatives for youth in our city.
This is not who we are as a city. As we move forward let us remember that violence only brings pain and suffering. I will continue to work with the community and stakeholders in honor of those who have been impacted by the violence in our city.
Nirva LaFortune
Councilwoman, Ward 3
Providence City Council
by Abigail Appel | Jul 29, 2021 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-4
I was embarrassed to watch as the Mayor of our city provoked an inappropriate altercation between himself and Governor McKee.
As an elected official, I hold my government colleagues to a high standard of professionalism, especially at community events that are meant to be joyful and positive.
While I understand that many of us often feel passionately about the issues we advocate for, raised voices and aggressive behavior will never result in productive change.
I was extremely disappointed in Mayor Elorza’s behavior last night, and moving forward I hope that all elected leaders in our city will remember that we have been elected by Providence residents to care for our great city, and this behavior is a disservice to those we represent.
Nicholas J. Narducci Jr.
Councilman, Ward 4
Senior Deputy Majority Leader, Providence City Council
by Abigail Appel | Jul 28, 2021 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-10
Last night, I was glad to join community members at the Coastal Resource Management Council (CRMC) meeting, to welcome the decision the CRMC made to protect public shoreline access on Public Street in Providence.
Shoreline access is a legally protected right in Rhode Island. All residents living in the Ocean State should be able to access our beautiful shorelines, including here in Providence.
I would like to thank the office of Attorney General Peter Neronha, the CRMC, the City of Providence, and the many community activists who advocated to protect this right of way.
Moving forward, I hope we can continue this momentum, working to expand environmental equity in the south side of Providence and throughout the city.
Pedro Espinal
President Pro Tempore-Providence City Council
Councilman-Ward 10
by Abigail Appel | Jul 26, 2021 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-10
Council President Pro Tempore Pedro Espinal is calling on the Costal Resources Management Committee (CRMC) to designate a public right of way to the shoreline located on a portion of Public Street in Providence. At the July 15th City Council meeting, Pro Tempore Espinal introduced a resolution urging the CRMC to protect this shoreline access point. The CRMC will be meeting on Tuesday July 27th to vote on the matter.
“Access to the shoreline is a historically important and legally protected right for all Rhode Islanders. Here in the Ocean State, it is imperative that state and local governments continue to enforce the public’s right to access our shorelines,” stated Council President Pro Tempore Espinal.
Recently, a section of Public Street has come into question as to whether or not the area is designated as a right of way for purposes of shoreline access. The CRMC is now in the process of considering a formal designation of Public Street as an official right of way. Pro Tempore Espinal’s resolution supports and endorses this designation to further codify public shoreline access.
“One of the best things about living in Rhode Island is the proximity to our beautiful shorelines. Every Rhode Islander has a right to access the water, for productive and recreational purposes. In urban areas, public access to the coast is often limited by development or environmental hazards. I call on the Coastal Resource Management Council to protect this right on Public Street and throughout the state,” added Council President Pro Tempore Espinal.
by Abigail Appel | Jul 22, 2021 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-10
In recent weeks, I have heard resounding concerns from members of my community regarding the Emergency COVID Housing Opportunity (ECHO) Village proposal that may be located at 545 Prairie Avenue in South Providence.
While the House of Hope Community Development Center’s efforts to build a homeless shelter is noble and necessary, I share my neighbors’ deep concern that this location is not appropriate for this development.
This homeless shelter is yet another matter which disproportionally affects the residents of South Providence. This neighborhood is constantly facing new threats to public health and safety. From the proposed garbage transfer station in 2020, to the more recent proposal to expand storage of liquid propane gas in the Port of Providence, why must South Providence continue fighting these battles?
While I believe that homeless shelters are needed in our city, I do not believe that building a shelter in close proximity to several schools, in a neighborhood with a number of other serious quality of life issues, is appropriate.
I sent the attached letter to House of Hope, further outlining my thoughts on this matter. This evening, I will be attending a community meeting along with other elected officials and community members to further discuss the ECHO Village proposal with House of Hope.
To read the letter, click here: Echo Village Letter
