by Abigail Appel | Jul 6, 2020 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-5
Conley Stadium is returning to its glory days thanks to Majority Leader Jo-Ann Ryan (Ward 5) who secured precious CDBG and CIP Dollars for this project.
“Conley Stadium is a gem in the Mount Pleasant Neighborhood,” stated Majority Leader Jo-Ann Ryan. “We worked very hard to ensure that we could create a premier athletics facility in our City. I am thrilled that this project is almost complete and will be online in the very near future.”
The stadium will once again become an iconic state-wide multi-use athletic location. Because of the number of state-of-the-art fields, Conley Stadium will be able to hold several events happening simultaneously. It is unprecedented in the City of Providence, and the new score board will only enhance the experience for athletes and spectators alike.
They will now be able to host invitational track and field contests, and the facility is second to none. The stadium is right in line with other major athletic centers around the country. They will have the best throwing stadium, a state-of-the-art javelin throw, and with the fields being close yet spread out will make it easier for athletes that compete in multiple events.
Further planned facilities enhancements include a soccer field and tennis courts which will complement the already completed regulation baseball field, walking path and improvements to Mt Pleasant Park.
The Athletics Department is working with the historical society to create a museum underneath the stadium. Highlighting its historical significance and where we can celebrate the Providence Steam Rollers who won the NFL Championship in 1928. The franchise originally started at the Cycledome Stadium, where they played from 1925-1931. They moved to Conley Stadium in 1962 and plaid there until 1964 as part of the Atlantic Coast Football League.
In 1964 Jackie Robinson brought the franchise and renamed themselves the Rhode Island Indians where they played at Conley Stadium for one year until the team was disbanded.
by Abigail Appel | Jul 3, 2020 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-15
At tonight’s City Council Meeting, Council President Sabina Matos (Ward 15) proposed a resolution urging the Rhode Island General Assembly to expand the types of degrees eligible for education reimbursement to law enforcement officers.
In recent weeks the City Council and the Finance Committee have heard resounding calls for police reform with many residents calling on the Finance Committee to provide more social services for residents in crisis.
In an effort to expand social service education and improve educational outcomes for Rhode Island law enforcement, the Council is urging the Rhode Island General Assembly to revisit Rhode Island General Law 42-28.1 et. seq., which establishes an incentive pay program by which municipalities can reimburse officers for obtaining educational credits.
Currently, this program allows for officers to be reimbursed for behavioral science courses only if they are simultaneously enrolled in a program to obtain a degree in law, law enforcement or criminal justice.
“What the Council has heard for our community members is that our public safety institutions need to be educated on comprehensive social and behavioral services. Offering public safety officials a robust range of educational opportunities from social work to psychology or public health will allow law enforcement officers to gain new perspectives on how to respond to crisis situations and engage with their communities,” stated Council President Sabina Matos.
This resolution requests that the Rhode Island General Assembly consider expanding education reimbursement to police officers for courses and degrees in social work, psychology, public health and other social service fields.
“It is clear that our current systems are not working to the best of their ability. Moving forward, the Council will work to support education, reform and equity in law enforcement while keeping community input as a top priority,” added Council President Matos.
Upon passage, this resolution will be sent to the Providence Delegation as well as the Speaker of the House and the Senate President.
by Abigail Appel | Jul 3, 2020 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-5
City Council Majority Leader Jo-Ann Ryan (Ward 5) tonight introduced a resolution requesting continuing education requirements for Providence police officers.
“After a nine-hour public hearing where the Committee on Finance heard from nearly 250 individuals expressing their concerns around police training, tactics, and funding, I felt that one of the actionable items we can implement immediately is continuing education programs for our police officers,” stated Majority Leader Jo-Ann Ryan. “Countless professional fields require annual continuing education, and I don’t think a police department should be any different. Currently, there are no continuing education mandates in the City of Providence for our police officers. Training around cultural competency, mental health, and other technical skill programs would help to keep our officers abreast of the latest industry developments and to higher professional standards.”
Evaluating how our police department can best serve our community is not only being reviewed at the city level, but also at the state level. The Rhode Island General Assembly has tasked Senator Harold Metts of Providence with leading the review of a wide array of policing issues including: relations with racial and ethnic minority communities; police management, discipline procedures; enhanced police training around cultural competency, and diversity of personnel across all law enforcement agencies state-wide. The task force will author a report that can help guide the General Assembly’s policy making in these and other areas.
Majority Leader Ryan continued, “I know Providence has an excellent police department, but our officers’ training shouldn’t end with the Academy graduation. It is important as city leaders that we provide our employees with the tools they need to succeed. Creating continuing education guidelines, programs and standards will help our police officers be better prepared for many of the challenges that they face while at work.”
“I look forward to working with the Committee on Finance to find the resources in our FY ’21 Budget to implement education and training programs so we can better provide our public servants with the skills necessary to be their best.” stated Majority Leader Ryan.
Upon passage of the resolution, it will be sent to Mayor Elorza, Commissioner of Public Safety Paré, and asks them to work with the Fraternal Order of Police to implement an annual continuing education and training certification requirement for all members of the Providence Police Department.
by Abigail Appel | Jul 2, 2020 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-5
At tonight’s City Council meeting Majority Leader Jo-Ann Ryan (Ward 5) will introduce two resolutions calling for the City Council to endorse the Rhode Island Foundation’s Chart a Course Stay the Course Report, and the second calls for the Rhode Island General Assembly to pass both House Bill H-7575 and Senate Bill S-2711. These complimentary bills calls for a state referendum, allowing voters to vote to change the state constitution in order to enshrine public education as a fundamental right.
“I want to thank President and CEO Neil Steinberg of the Rhode Island Foundation for his efforts on rethinking education in the State of Rhode Island,” stated Majority Leader Jo-Ann Ryan. “Bringing together educators, policymakers, leaders from both the non-profit and private sectors, the Rhode Island Foundation has done a great service for our city and state. They have laid out a plan and path for our state’s students to achieve the public education they need and deserve.”
The Chart a Course Stay the Course report was created by the Rhode Island Foundation’s Long Term Education Planning Committee. In December of 2019, they held a public brainstorming session, and their final report was released in February 2020 and included input from more than 300 parents, students, educators, policymakers, and community leaders.
Majority Leader Ryan continued, “The report sets out a clear plan for how our state can fundamentally change the public education system. It is incumbent on all elected officials within our state to review and commit to the roadmap laid out in the Rhode Island Foundation’s comprehensive report. Our children deserve nothing less.”
The Chart A Course Stay the Course report provides a 10-year plan to increase education outcomes in public schools in Rhode Island.
In addition, Majority Leader Ryan will be introducing a resolution supporting and urging passage of House Bill H-7575 and Senate Bill S-2711. These bills would create a referendum to allow Rhode Islanders to vote on amending the state constitution to establish a fundamental right to adequate and meaningful education for all Rhode Islanders.
“In every city and town across the State of Rhode Island, elected officials are tasked with ensuring that precious tax dollars are being spent in ways that are meaningful and have the most impact on our residents. Quality education is not only promised, but it is the very foundation for each of us to reach our full potentials. I urge the members of the General Assembly to take this bold step to make education a fundamental right for all of us.”
by Abigail Appel | Jul 2, 2020 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-11
Ricky Bernard and Marcia Ricketts, owners of The Island House Restaurant at 242 Broad St have been in the restaurant business for over 15 years. They opened their first restaurant in Pawtucket in 1997. They owned a restaurant on Lonsdale Ave for three years, where they held their now 13 year old son’s baby shower. The couple became full owners of The Island House in 2019 after four years in business.
The Island House feeds the homeless on Broad St from the back of their restaurant, and keeps a swear jar inside to prevent any foul language! Their restaurant is located in close proximity to 3 high schools, so they have are very popular among students. They are proud to share Jamaican and American food with their community.
On Mother’s Day of 2019, a car crashed into the restaurant, forcing Island House to close for two months. After overcoming this struggle, the Island House now faces the same struggle that many local businesses are facing; trying to keep their business going through COVID-19. With schools being closed, Island House has lost many of their student customers.
In an effort to help small businesses like Island House get back on their feet through the COVID-19 Pandemic, the Providence City Council and the Providence Revolving Fund created a Micro-Business Loan Program. This program provides loans to small businesses in Providence’s commercial corridors. Island House, in Ward 11, represented by Deputy Majority Leader Mary Kay Harris was awarded one of these loans. With their loan, Ricky and Marcia plan to get outdoor seating for their restaurant, an app for faster takeout to better cater to their student customers, plexi-glass sheilds and other social distancing measures to keep their employees safe and healthy.
Be sure to stop by The Island House restaurant to try out some great Jamaican and American food and support local business! Congratulations on behalf of Councilwoman Harris and the City Council to Ricky, Marcia and the rest of the Island House staff!
by Billy Kepner | Jul 1, 2020 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-5
Tomorrow, Majority Leader Jo-Ann Ryan (Ward 5) will be introducing two resolutions to rename Obadiah Brown Road and Obadiah Brown Field after former Mayor Patrick J. McCarthy.
“We are living in extraordinary times, young people are calling for change and asking elected leaders to help amplify their voices,” stated Majority Leader Jo-Ann Ryan. “Obadiah Brown was the owner of the first known Providence-based slave ship, and that is not a legacy that I want to see honored in the Mount Pleasant neighborhood. Obadiah Brown Road is home to Pleasant View Elementary School, the Armand E. Batastini Jr. Recreation Center, and Obadiah Brown Field. Our City’s children should not have to go to a school or play on a road or field named after a slave trader. They deserve better. I believe that naming both the road and field after Patrick J. McCarthy, who was the first foreign-born Mayor of Providence, is a better example of who we should honor in our city.”
Patrick J. McCarthy was born in Greevagh Parish, County Sligo, Ireland, on September 12, 1848. His family immigrated to the United States in 1850 to avoid the potato famine. They were quarantined on Deer Island in Boston Harbor, where his parents died, and he and his five brothers were separated after their quarantine. He lived with various family members and in poor houses growing up in Boston. At the age of 20, he moved to Providence in 1868 and graduated from Harvard School of Law in 1876.
McCarthy became a prominent attorney in Providence, he served on the City Council and was a member of the Rhode Island House of Representatives. In 1906 he was elected as the 24th Mayor of the City of Providence. He was a staunch advocate of progressive “good government,” which included supporting an eight-hour workday for the city’s laborers.
Majority Leader Ryan continued, “I believe that changing the name will help to replace a legacy of slave trading with an important historical figure who represents the ideals that make our country great. The idea he was held by authorities on Deer Island as a child and then separated from his family is all too eerily similar to the horror stories we hear happening today at our border with Mexico. Providence needs to celebrate its rich heritage.”
After passage, the resolution renaming of the field will be transmitted to the Board of Park Commissioners. The resolution to rename the road will be transmitted to the United States Postmaster in Providence, the Office of the Secretary of State, the 911 Emergency System, National Grid, Verizon, Providence Water Supply Board, and to all City Departments.
