by Billy Kepner | Feb 15, 2019 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-10, Ward-11
On Thursday, February 14, 2019 a new exhibit will open to the public on the day of Frederick Douglass’ believed date of birth. The exhibit shares the story of the African American Community in South Providence, commemorating a history full of both triumphs and struggles.
In honor of Black History Month, the Providence City Council and Providence City Archives partnered to create the exhibit “South Side: Where Providence Begins,” which will be showcased throughout the month of February until April 12, 2019. Located on the third floor of City Hall, the display showcases archival documents and historic information including maps, city documents, newspaper articles and biographies.
City Council Deputy Majority Leader Mary Kay Harris (Ward 11), the Chairwoman of the Black History Committee and Councilman Luis Aponte (Ward 10), Co-Chairman will host the official opening ceremony for the exhibit on Friday, February 22, 2019 at 12:00 p.m. “This year we are shinning the spotlight on South Providence as a whole,” stated Deputy Majority Leader Mary Kay Harris. “People of color came to this City with limited resources and transformed South Providence into the vibrant neighborhood that it is today. Through this exhibit we are highlighting this resilient community and how they have shaped the history of Providence.”
“South Side: Where Providence Begins” is an homage to a region, whom many consider, the cultural and ethnic melting pot of Rhode Island. The exhibit is narrated through the social and historical lens of the African American community. From the post-WWII era; through the Civil Rights, education, and the Fair Housing Movement of the 60s, 70s & 80s; to the present, this exhibit explores the diaspora, adversity, growth, and achievement of African Americans – and people of color – who inhabit Wards 9, 10, & 11 of Providence.
Curated tours will be every Thursday starting at noon on the third floor of City Hall. Tours will also be available upon request by calling the Providence City Council Office at (401) 521-7477.
by Billy Kepner | Feb 13, 2019 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-11, Ward-13, Ward-4, Ward-6, Ward-8
Council President Sabina Matos has created a special committee to examine public safety in municipal-owned buildings and has tapped Councilman James Taylor to lead the effort.
“After much discussion with my colleagues I decided to create a special committee to explore public safety in our city-owned facilities,” stated City Council President Sabina Matos. “City Hall and other municipal buildings are used for public meetings, and although we have security protocols in place, there is always more we can do to ensure the safety of all that visit and work in our facilities.”
The Special Committee on Public Safety will include:
- Councilman James E. Taylor, Chair
- Council President Pro Tempore Michael J. Correia, Vice-Chair
- Senior Deputy Majority Leader Nicholas J. Narducci Jr.
- Deputy Majority Leader Mary Kay Harris
- Councilwoman Rachel M. Miller
Councilman James E. Taylor stated, “Public safety is only discussed during the budget season, and we need to be proactive instead of reactive. I believe that this committee can address some of these public safety issues that we face. In addition to looking at the security and safety of public buildings, we will be addressing the current challenges of having our E911 CAD system upgraded to receive ANI (Automatic Number Identification) and ALI (Automatic Location Identifier) to make Police and Fire Dispatch more efficient. The Committee will also address why the Providence Fire Department, the Country’s second oldest paid Fire Department, does not currently have a dedicated Chief and hasn’t for the past four years. We live in turbulent times, and as a life-long public safety officer I believe in preparedness, and that’s my goal for this committee.”
The Special Committee on Public Safety will meet regularly and will work closely with all stakeholders, including public safety officials in the city and the state.
by Billy Kepner | Jan 30, 2019 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-15, Ward-7
$20M of the bond will be for upgrades to schools, and $10M will be to improve neighborhood community centers and monies for City Hall roof and interior renovations.
Tonight the Chairman of the Providence City Council Committee on Finance, Majority Whip John J. Igliozzi of Ward Seven, and his colleagues approved the City to seek a $30M bond for school and other neighborhood infrastructure projects. In addition to schools, the bond includes monies for repairs and renovations to City Hall and neighborhood community centers.
“When the Administration put forth a proposal to take out a $20M bond for school infrastructure, I requested an immediate analysis of the cost of borrowing an additional $10M in an attractive rate environment to support other much-needed upgrades to City-owned properties,” stated Majority Whip and Chairman of the Council’s Committee on Finance John J. Igliozzi. “Working together with the Mayor and his finance team we found that the additional funds were a reasonable investment and that the rates today are better than they were when we first began this discussion. For the past year, I have been advocating to not only fix our schools but to fix our own house – City Hall. The $10M addition to the bond proposal will go towards fixing the roof of City Hall and other much-needed renovations to the historic building.”
Much of the bond is subject to the Rhode Island Department of Education Housing Aid Reimbursement program which will refund the city 82% of up to $16M of the $20M bond that is earmarked for school infrastructure improvements.
“The best investment we can make is in our youth,” said Mayor Jorge Elorza. “I am proud that we will be able to invest critical dollars into our school buildings and continue to improve public properties throughout our capital city with this bond. I thank the council members for their continued commitment to our schools and our city.”
City Council President Sabina Matos stated, “Whip Igliozzi has an understanding of the City’s financial health that is unmatched, and I’m grateful that he was able to see how the time was right for us to take this important step to not only secure our schools but to secure our other city-owned properties.”
The resolution will be sent to the full City Council for a vote and passage at their regularly scheduled February 7, 2019 meeting.
by Billy Kepner | Jan 24, 2019 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-15
Providence City Council President Sabina Matos, Ward 15, today awarded the Downtown Providence Parks Conservancy $50K to help in the restoration of Rhode Island’s Soldiers and Sailors Monument located in Kennedy Plaza. The funding for these restoration projects were set aside by the Council during last year’s budget negotiations to address the continued maintenance of several of Providence’s historical monuments.
“The restoration and care of our City’s monuments and landmarks is an important endeavor,” stated Council President Sabina Matos. “The Soldiers and Sailors Monument is an iconic symbol of our downtown neighborhood. This funding will help the Downtown Providence Parks Conservancy to begin the much-needed work to restore this Civil War monument that stands as an honor to the ‘memory of those who died so that the Country might live.’ And I am very happy to see this work begin.”
Nearly 2,000 Rhode Islander died during the Civil War, and the Soldiers and Sailors Monument was designed by American artist Randolph Rogers to honor their sacrifice. When it was first dedicated in 1871 it was a place for the fallen soldier’s families to gather and to remember the unimaginable loss that our state’s residents suffered.
Executive Director of the Downtown Providence Parks Conservancy Cliff Wood stated, “This support from the Providence City Council comes at a critical time in the fundraising for the Soldiers & Sailors Restoration Project. The Downtown Providence Parks Conservancy thanks them for their commitment to improving and maintaining our shared public spaces and for understanding the important story told by this nationally recognized monument. A monument which lists the names of all the Rhode Islanders who fell protecting the future of our national union.”
The funding comes from the Providence City Archives who during last year’s budgeting process was awarded these funds to support the City’s landmarks including funds towards the restoration of Federal Hill’s DePasquale Plaza fountain.
From Left to Right: City Council Acting Chief of Staff James Lombardi III, Esq., City Council President Sabina Matos, City Council President Pro Tempore Michael Correia, Providence City Archivist Caleb Horton, City Council Deputy Majority Leader Mary Kay Harris, Downtown Providence Parks Conservancy Project Manager Kat Boots, and Downtown Providence Parks Conservancy and the Providence Foundation Executive Director Cliff Wood.
by Billy Kepner | Jan 16, 2019 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-6
City Council Pro Tempore Michael Correia of Ward Six extends his gratitude to the first responders who acted quickly and diligently to put out last night’s fire at the Hasbro Children’s Hospital.
“The men and women who serve as first responders in the City of Providence are the best in the nation,” stated City Council Pro Tempore Michael Correia. “The fire at the Hasbro Children’s Hospital could have been catastrophic, but because a young visitor to the hospital noticed the flames, our city’s firefighters were able to act and put it out quickly. As always, I’m grateful for the work of all our first responders.”
The fire at Hasbro Children’s Hospital was a 2 alarm fire and did not impede the work of the hospital’s staff.
by Billy Kepner | Jan 7, 2019 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-5
Providence City Councilwoman Jo-Ann Ryan, Ward Five, was elected by her peers as Majority Leader for the 2019-2023 term.
Majority Leader Ryan was first elected to represent the fifth ward in 2014. During her time on the Council, she has served as the Council’s first Majority Whip and served on the Committee on Finance; Committee on Ordinances; Committee on Public Works; Committee on Public Property; Committee on Urban Redevelopment, Renewal, and Planning; the Special Committee on Women and Healthy Communities; Special Committee on State Legislative Affairs; and is the Chairwoman of the Special Committee on Municipal Operations and Oversight.
“I am humbled to have been chosen by my colleagues to serve in this important role,” stated City Council Majority Leader Jo-Ann Ryan. “I plan to work earnestly with every Council member so that we can serve every neighborhood of Providence. There is much to be done to get our economy on track and to move Providence forward, and I have every confidence in my colleagues that we will meet this endeavor head on.”
Ryan continued, “As a senior manager in the financial industry for over 30-years, I have a unique appreciation and understanding of the financial challenges facing the City. During my tenure on the Council, I have taken on many difficult issues: I have worked to reform the Board of Licenses, I have crafted legislation that addressed student housing, illegal ATVs, and worked tirelessly to encourage new business development.”
As a member of the Committee on Finance Ryan worked to hold the line on borrowing, streamlined operations and delivered a balanced budget which resulted in the City re-establishing its rainy-day fund for the first time in almost a decade. During her tenure on the Council, she has also secured more than $6 million in investments to improve Ward Five neighborhood schools, parks, library and opened the Armand E. Batastini Jr. Recreation Center, the first in Ward Five.
Council Majority Leader Ryan grew up the Elmhurst neighborhood of Providence where she still lives today with her husband, Attorney Thomas Ryan. They have two adult children, Attorney Brendan Ryan, and Megan R. Lynch, MBA, TCRG, both of Providence.
Ryan represents the Elmhurst, Mt. Pleasant, and Manton neighborhoods of Providence.
