by Billy Kepner | Aug 9, 2019 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-14
On behalf of myself and the residents of Ward 14, I want to thank the Providence Police Department for their quick work in minimizing the situation on Douglas Avenue earlier today. The safety of our City’s residents is paramount, and we are thankful that this situation was able to be resolved quickly.
Although there were shots fired, the suspect has been apprehended along with his weapon. The suspect was known to police and is now off our streets. An officer was shot, but thankfully his protective gear kept him out of harm’s way.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the injured officer, and thank all the first responders involved.
As we learn more information, we will share it with the community as quickly as possible.
by Billy Kepner | Aug 8, 2019 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-15
Today Commissioner Infante-Green issued her reconstitution order of the Providence Public Schools. I believe that this is a necessary step, and although I have concerns that the state is taking control of more than half of the City’s budget, I remain committed and supportive of this process.
This process was never going to be easy, but I hope this will be an opportunity to transform our school system and serves all of our students. It is essential that all stakeholders, including the City Council, have a seat at the table as we navigate these changes.
The Commissioner has proposed a bold plan, and I look forward to working with her to make sure that Providence City Schools are no longer at the bottom, but that we fix the systemic issues that have plagued our schools for generations, and rise to the top. It’s what our children deserve.
by Billy Kepner | Aug 5, 2019 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-15
Providence City Council President Sabina Matos (Ward 15) announced today that she is convening the City Council for a meeting to discuss the status of the Providence City Schools this coming Wednesday at 5:00 PM.
“We all must play our part to rebuild our school system,” stated City Council President Sabina Matos. “The Council must augment the voice of the families who demand accountability. In partnership with the State and the administration, we must ensure that our schools are safe and clean on day one for our students.”
The Council has invited Providence City School’s Interim Superintendent Francis Gallo, Chief of Administration Joseph DiPina; Providence City School Board President Nicholas Hemond, Esq., Providence City School Board Members; and Providence’s Director of Public Property Michael Borg to attend and and provide an update on the condition of our school buildings, and to discuss the comprehensive education report conducted by Johns Hopkins University.
Council President Matos continued, “I attended all but one of the community meetings held by Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green, and I was deeply moved by the passion and the resilience that our community voiced. Over the past two months, I have met with stakeholders at all levels and have expressed that the Council will do whatever it takes to improve the quality of education for our students. Our community is not only resilient, but we have proved time and time again that anything is possible with hard work. But first, we need to ensure that the basics are met – that our schools are clean, that our infrastructure projects are completed, that students, staff, and faculty have what they need to achieve success.”
City Council as a Whole meeting occurs when the Council wants to convene all its members to discuss a specific issue or topic.
by Billy Kepner | Aug 1, 2019 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-4
New sidewalks from Nick’s Auto Body to Chelo’s on Silver Spring Street courtesy of Senior Deputy Majority Leader Nicholas J. Narducci Jr. Many thanks to the DPW, and their partners for helping make this area shine!
by Billy Kepner | Aug 1, 2019 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-13
Statement from Councilwoman Rachel Miller regarding yesterday’s DBR ruling to reopen Club Seven:
I’m deeply concerned by yesterday’s DBR ruling which allows for Club Seven to reopen, even with restrictions. The residents of Federal Hill deserve better. The countless visitors to Federal Hill deserve better. Providence deserves better.
Public safety is not a term that we throw around, it’s a real thing – and the residents and other business owners don’t feel safe with Club Seven in operation. I have spoken to so many members of the community who were relieved when the City’s Board of Licenses revoked their license. Today, those same residents and business owners will now have to live in fear again.
I ask the DBR how many people have to die before we can revoke a liquor license? What’s the number? It never should have come to this. There have been brawls, two separate shootings, and now a fatal stabbing.
We must ensure the safety of our residents, and the safety of one of the most visited neighborhoods in the city. The time to act is now. I plan to work with the community to appeal yesterday’s decision – because we deserve better.
Rachel Miller
Providence City Council
Councilwoman – Ward 13
Declaración de la Concejal Rachel Miller sobre la decisión de ayer del Departamento de Regulación de Negocios de reabrir el Club Seven:
Estoy profundamente preocupada por la decisión del Departamento de Regulación de Negocios que ayer permite que el Club Seven se reabra, incluso con restricciones. Los residentes de Federal Hill merecen algo mejor. Los innumerables visitantes de Federal Hill merecen algo mejor. Providence merece algo mejor.
La seguridad pública no es un término que tiramos en conversación casualmente, es una cosa real – y los residentes y otros propietarios de negocios no se sienten seguros con el Club Seven en funcionamiento. He hablado con tantos miembros de la comunidad que se sintieron aliviados cuando la Junta de Licencias de la ciudad revocó su licencia. Hoy, esos mismos residentes y dueños de negocios tendrán que vivir con miedo nuevamente.
Pregunto al Departamento de Regulación de Negocios, ¿cuántas personas tienen que morir antes de que podamos revocar una licencia de licor? ¿Cuál es la cifra? Nunca debería haber llegado a esto. Ha habido peleas, dos tiroteos separados, y ahora un apuñalamiento fatal.
Debemos garantizar la seguridad de nuestros residentes y la seguridad de uno de los barrios más visitados de la ciudad. El momento de actuar es ahora. Planeo trabajar con la comunidad para apelar la decisión de ayer, porque merecemos algo mejor.
Rachel Miller
El Consejo Municipal de Providence
Concejal – Distrito 15
by Billy Kepner | Jul 30, 2019 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-6
City Council President Pro Tempore Michael Correia (Ward Six) has called on the companies behind JUMP Bikes, Bird Scooters, and Lime Scooters to remove them from Manton and Mount Pleasant neighborhoods until a community meeting can be scheduled in September.
“I have received numerous daily complaints about these bikes and scooters being left on sidewalks, blocking walkways and driveways, and being a hazard for those with mobility issues,” stated Council President Pro Tempore Michael Correia. “I have even had complaints of bikes being vandalized by young people. I believe that we need to provide alternate and economical forms of transportation across the city, but I’m concerned that a safety plan or retrieval plan are not in place. I will be inviting representatives from these companies, and the City departments that oversee these partnerships to join me for a meeting in September to hear from the community directly.”
JUMP Bikes, an affiliate of UBER, began to appear in cities around the world in 2013, followed by Bird and Lime E-Scooters which popped up in the San Francisco area in 2017 before going global. They first appeared in Providence in 2018.
President Pro Tempore Correia is a co-sponsor, along with lead sponsor Majority Leader Jo-Ann Ryan, and other co-sponsors Council President Sabina Matos, Senior Deputy Majority Leader Nicholas J. Narducci Jr, and Deputy Majority Leader Mary Kay Harris, of a resolution that was passed on July 18, 2019 that calls upon the City to conduct a formal and thorough analysis of the JUMP Bikes, Bird and Lime e-Scooters programs and prepare a formal report to be submitted to the Council for review within 30-days.
