by Billy Kepner | Aug 21, 2020 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-15
Our City has suffered five homicides in the last two weeks alone.
In the throes of a global pandemic, as we as a City wrestle with the resulting economic fallout, and as we as a nation confront centuries of systemic racism, we are witnessing widespread frustration manifesting itself in many ways.
Cities all across the country are experiencing a spike in homicides indicative of deeper-rooted issues that have led some to turn to senseless violence.
There isn’t a single agency, organization, elected official, or municipal department that can quell this surge alone.
The remedy will require a community-wide response that holistically addresses the causes and not the symptoms.
We must support our diversion programs and non-violence advocates like our City partners at the Nonviolence Institute. We must continue to work towards increasing the affordable housing stock in our City, so no parent turns to desperation to pay their rent. We must strictly adhere to mask-wearing and social distancing guidelines to help fully reopen our economy as soon as possible and get our community members back to work. We must fully commit to a long-term school turnaround plan if we want to provide our youth with new pathways for success. We must support legislation that reduces the number of firearms that end up on our streets.
We must do everything possible to pull in our most at-risk community members and instill in them a sense of purpose and dignity and not push them away when they need us most.
Violence is the manifestation of lack of resources in our community and a sad reminder that we are all connected and like the virus, requires that all of us take part in the process to eliminate it.
Sabina Matos
President-Providence City Council
Councilwoman-Ward 15
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
by Abigail Appel | Aug 19, 2020 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-4
This morning the ninth homicide in the City of Providence occurred in Ward 4 at a business located on Branch Avenue. This is an alarming trend, and my residents and I are clear that we are not in favor of defunding the police department.
I’m calling on the City to implement a training academy as soon as possible to help get more officers on the streets and in our neighborhoods.
As an elected official, we take an oath to serve our constituents, and by defunding the police, we are breaking that moral pact. Taxpayers expect that their police department will be able to protect them and their properties. When we cut their budgets and ask them to serve the same constituents with fewer officers and less funding, we are making Providence the “wild west.” I won’t stand by and let that happen on my watch.
The constituents that I have spoken to are outraged that there is even a call to defund the police, and I agree. No one is critical of increased training around cultural competency and/or anti-discrimination training – that is not only reasonable but warranted in a multi-cultural city like Providence.
What happened to George Floyd in Minneapolis was deplorable, but we are not Minneapolis. Our police officers put their lives on the line every time they put on their uniform, and if one commits a crime or uses unreasonable force, I trust that our Chief will act accordingly, and he has.
I stand with our men and women in uniform and pledge that I will not vote on any budget that defunds the police.
Nicholas J. Narducci, Jr., Senior Deputy Majority Leader
Providence City Council
Councilman – Ward 4
by Billy Kepner | Aug 17, 2020 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-9
I want to be very clear that as a woman of color, I fully support the Black Lives Matters movement. I also agree that we need to enact reforms and training for our Police Department to ensure cultural competency and to educate our officers on racial biases.
This past weekend, a video was shared that did not show the totality of my statement. After watching the video, I had a conversation with Nika Salazar and asked her to please retract and put out my full statement. She apologized and promised to solve this misunderstanding and put out the full video, which so far has not happened. That’s why I decided to give this statement today.
To be clear, I stated that I could not support defunding the police in the way that I was asked. I do not agree at this time to give the police department more funding for their pensions. We need to look at the police department’s pensions and some of the wage increases they’re asking for and possibly make cuts in those areas. Still, I am not in favor of completely defunding or abolishing the police department.
My neighborhood needs more police officers, not less. I pledge to examine the budget and see areas where we could eliminate unnecessary costs and redirect them to affordable housing and education. Having said that, I sincerely believe that we need to fund our police department so that they can do their job safely. The area south of Providence is diverse and beautiful, but crime and violence remain a problem. As Councilwoman for Ward 9, I am committed to protecting the quality of life of my neighbors, and that means supporting public safety.
As a member of the Committee on Finance, I am in support of Chairman Igliozzi’s desire to create a social services unit that would be devoted to responding to calls that the Providence Police Department doesn’t believe would warrant an armed response. I agree that we need to repeal the Law Enforcement Officers Bill of Rights so that our Chief of Police can readily act when an officer is accused of a crime.
I stand in solidarity with those calling for reforms and working towards the goal of ensuring anti-biases within our police ranks.
Carmen Castillo
Providence City Council
Councilwoman – Ward 9
by Billy Kepner | Aug 10, 2020 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-1
Early this morning, the “Like A Buoy, Like A Barrel” art installation located in the Point 225 Plaza in front of CIC Providence at 225 Dyer Street was destroyed by fire. The art installation created by New York-based artist Steven Siegel in 2019 was not only a work of art but a reminder of our dependence on single-use plastics and what they can do to our environment. Furthermore, the heart and soul of this piece was about our rapidly changing climate, and its symbolic call for raising environmental consciousness is something that shouldn’t be lost on any of us.
While this is an active investigation, we don’t yet know the details of the cause of the fire. What I do know is this: our community will not stand for the destruction of public or private property. I am thankful that no one was hurt.
As the Councilman for Ward 1, where this installation is located, The Avenue Concept, Wexford, and myself remain committed to public art in this location and across the city given the power of art to heal and bring people together. I know how much work The Avenue Concept, who, along with the building owners, commissioned this work of art, went through to make this stunning and thought-provoking art piece part of our community and I am deeply disheartened by this fire.
As such, my office has reached out to both the police and fire departments, and as I learn more, I will share it as I am able.
I look forward to seeing what comes next in this great space. If you have photos of the installation, The Avenue Concept is asking that you share on social media with the #AvenuePVD. If you would like to learn more about The Avenue Concept please email hello@theavenueconcept.org. If you wish to make a donation for the rebuilding of this project, you can do so by visiting their website at www.theavenueconcept.org.
If you have any information regarding this incident, you are encouraged to call the non-emergency police line at 401-272-1111.
John Goncalves
Providence City Council
Councilman – Ward 1
“Like A Buoy, Like A Barrel” by Steven Siegel at the Point 225 Plaza in front of the Wexford Building.
by Billy Kepner | Aug 5, 2020 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-5
Today, Council Majority Leader Jo-Ann Ryan Councilwoman Ward 5, along with Mayor Jorge O. Elorza, City Council President Sabina Matos, President Pro Tempore Michael Correia, Rhode Island General Treasurer Seth Magaziner, Representative Daniel McKiernan, Representative Raymond Hull, former City Council President Michael Solomon, Tony Simon of the Friends of Mt. Pleasant Park, Superintendent of the Providence Public Schools Harrison Peters, retired New England Patriots Andre Tippett and Pete Brock, and former Providence Steam Roller Emo DiNito, the Providence Parks Department, and the Conley Family joined to rededicate Conley Stadium in the loving memory of World War II veteran and war hero, Joseph V. “Bucky” Conley.
Majority Leader Jo-Ann Ryan, Councilwoman for Ward 5, stated, “After years of working with stakeholders, we can now celebrate all that hard work and dedication that went into making this project possible. Conley Stadium is poised to become the most prestigious multi-use athletic complex in the state. It’s an honor to be able to stand with Joseph “Bucky” Conley’s family to rededicate this fantastic space in his honor. I can think of no better way to honor the legacy of a man that was so dedicated to community and athletics in our City. I want to thank everyone who worked so hard to reimagine this wonderful stadium and that worked to make it the crown jewel of Ward 5.”
Mr. Conley sustained a life-crippling wound in the invasion of Iwo Jima, and upon his return from WW II, he worked for the City of Providence. In 1962 he became the U.S. Marshal for Rhode Island and was known as the unofficial “Mayor of South Providence,” where his family lived for over 50-years.
“Our parks are some of our most precious assets and have served as community centers and shared spaces,” said Mayor Jorge O. Elorza. “This project represents one of several greenspaces across the city that has seen dramatic improvements, in some cases for the first time in nearly 40 years. Through our recently passed Capital Improvement Plan, this project, and others like it, are supporting connectivity between neighbors, improving the local quality of life, and remembering a great leader, Joseph Conley, who has forever shaped our community.”
His family has a long history of dedication to sport and the City of Providence. He was married to the late Serena (McLaughlin) and was the loving father of Serena, Joseph, Kathleen, and James. His family has a long history of being active in the community and community sports. His son, Joseph, was a Pioneer Women’s basketball coach, and he is a member of the Rhode Island Interscholastic League Hall of Fame. His cousin, Dr. Pat Conley, was a several time New England Master’s Champion in the Javelin event.
“Our father would be so proud to have his name attached to this iconic stadium, which has been transformed for the students of Providence,” stated Serena Conley. “For generations to come, the student-athletes of Providence Public High Schools and the thousands of student-athletes that will compete here will have an amazing facility to hone their athletic skills and learn the value of hard work and discipline that comes from sports. We look forward to cheering on our home town teams in the years to come. We wish to thank the City, Mayor Elorza, and Majority Leader Ryan for working so hard to ensure the long legacy of Conley Stadium.”
Conley Stadium was first dedicated in Conley’s honor on May 9, 1966. The original resolution naming the stadium after Conley was passed unanimously by the Providence School Committee and was done so because of Conley’s courage as a United States Marine in the Pacific corridor during WW II, and for his compassion for his fellow citizens and love for children, and his love for athletic competition.
Superintendent Harrison Peters said, “Our students and our community deserve recreational spaces that truly meet their needs. Conley Stadium is a tremendous asset, and I am so grateful to the community leaders who have realized this dream for Providence.”
Conley Stadium has been transformed over the past several years into a multi-use state-of-the-art athletic facility with football, soccer, baseball, and track and field facilities all in one location. The master plan for these upgrades and improvements were done through a collaborative effort led by Majority Leader Jo-Ann Ryan which included community stakeholders, the Parks Department, and the Providence Public Schools Athletics Department. With these upgrades, Conley Stadium will be able to hold several events happening simultaneously. It is unprecedented in the City of Providence, and the new scoreboard will only enhance the experience for athletes and spectators alike.
Providence will now be able to host invitational track and field contests as well as other sporting competitions in the upgraded facility. Conley Stadium is second to none and is in line with other major athletic centers around the country. It has the best throwing stadium in the state and has a state-of-the-art javelin throw, and the reconfiguration will allow for athletes that compete in multiple events, without having to go very far.
“From design to construction, the Parks Department worked with the school department and the community to bring this bold vision to life for the neighborhood and regional athletics and in honor of the Conley family,” said Providence Parks Superintendent Wendy Nilsson. “We are excited to finally unveil this project after years of hard work, and encourage residents to use the facility while following all the latest health and safety guidelines.”
Facilities enhancements include a state-of-the art artificial turf football field, regulation soccer and baseball fields, track and field components, the extension of the Evelyn Fargnoli Walking Path, improvements to the Mt. Pleasant Little League Fields, and to Mt. Pleasant Park.
Conley Stadium has a long history as a central location for sporting in the City of Providence. It was the final home of the Providence Steam Rollers, who won the National Football League (NFL) Championship in 1928. The franchise initially started at the Cycledome Stadium, where they played from 1925-1931. In 1933 the franchise was given back to the NFL at the onset of the Great Depression.
Nearly thirty years after the Steam Rollers rolled to an NFL championship, Providence fielded another football team that made Conley Stadium home in 1962. They played there until 1964 as part of the Atlantic Coast Football League. In 1964, Jackie Robinson bought the franchise and renamed the team the Rhode Island Indians, where they played at Conley Stadium for one year until the team was disbanded.
This project came to fruition because of the hard work and dedication of Mayor Jorge O. Elorza, City Council Majority Leader and Councilwoman Jo-Ann Ryan, Providence Public Schools, Providence Public Schools Director of Operations and Chief Athletics Director Jason Menard, Mt. Pleasant High School Athletics Director Paul Rao, Mt. Pleasant High School Principal Chris Coleman, the athletics department at Mt. Pleasant High School, Classical High School Athletics Director Robert Palazzo, Providence’s Superintendent of Parks Wendy Nilsson, Deputy Superintendent of Parks Brian Byrnes who created the Master Plan, the Friends of Mount Pleasant Park, Aramark Resident District Manager Rupert Burtan, Aramark Grounds Manager Joe Conti, Sodexo District Manager Mark Jeffery, and the countless dedicated community members of the Mt. Pleasant neighborhood who worked to reimagine Conley Stadium into one of the regions preeminent multi-use athletic facilities.
