by Billy Kepner | Jan 4, 2020 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-6
Today, I read on social media that on Thursday, January 2, a school bus carrying approximately 50 students were bystanders to an incident involving two vehicles that allegedly traded between 1 and 5 gunshots. Thankfully these young students were unharmed, and the driver instructed them to get down. However, it has been reported on social media that once it was dispatched to the First Student Dispatch Center it was allegedly not reported to the Providence Police Department. It is my sincere hope that the Providence School Department is offering counseling services to the young children onboard the bus at the time of the incident, and that First Student is taking responsibility for allegedly failing to notify the police immediately.
As a Councilman, my first priority is to the residents of Providence, and as the Vice-Chair of the Council’s Committee on Public Safety, I take these incidents very seriously and will be calling for an investigation into this matter.
A member of the Providence Police Department has confirmed this incident, but that there was no evidence of gunshots, and they only have witness statements. If you know anything about this incident I urge you to call the Providence Police Department at 401-272-1111.
Michael Correia, President Pro Tempore
Providence City Council
Councilman – Ward 6
by Billy Kepner | Jan 2, 2020 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-14
T.F. Green Airports has been nominated Best Small Airport by USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards
USA Today 10Best Reader’s Choice Awards has nominated Rhode Island’s T.F. Green Airport for “Best Small Airport.” T.F. Green has reclaimed first place, and Councilman David Salvatore (Ward 14) would like to keep our state’s airport there.
“I’ve always loved flying out of our T.F. Green Airport, and apparently many others agree,” stated Councilman David Salvatore. “Having an airport that provides 22 direct flights to destinations across the country is imperative for our state and demonstrates to potential businesses that Rhode Island and Providence is just a short flight away. So, let’s show some love to the best airport in America by casting your vote today!”
To vote for T.F. Green Airport, participants should visit 10Best.com or follow this direct link to T.F. Green Airport’s page: http://bit.ly/votetfgreen. Votes can be cast daily until the contest concludes on January 13, 2020.
by Billy Kepner | Jan 2, 2020 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-15
I want to take this opportunity to wish you and your families the very best in the New Year.
Our neighbors are the pinnacle of hard work, compassion, and goodwill. My City Council colleagues and I are grateful and honored to serve you every single day.
As we gather with our families and friends to usher in this new decade, let us also come together as a community. We’ve grown a lot these past 10 years, but there’s still work to be done.
We are entering 2020 with some familiar challenges- lack of affordable housing, our struggling school system, episodic violence- but also with new opportunities to make real progress in these areas.
I am confident that with your continued diligence and passion, we will confront these challenges head-on and make the progress needed to move our city ahead.
I look forward to the opportunities that lay ahead of us in 2020.
Happy New Year!
Sabina Matos, President
Providence City Council
Councilwoman – Ward 15
Quiero aprovechar esta oportunidad para desearles a ustedes y a sus familias lo mejor en el Año Nuevo.
Nuestros vecinos son el pináculo del trabajo duro, la compasión y la buena voluntad. Mis colegas del Consejo Municipal y yo estamos agradecidos y honrados de servirle todos los días.
Al reunirnos con nuestras familias y amigos para inaugurar esta nueva década, vamos a unirnos también como comunidad. Hemos crecido mucho estos últimos 10 años, pero aún hay trabajo por hacer.
Estamos entrando en 2020 con algunos retos familiares: falta de vivienda asequible, nuestro sistema escolar en dificultades, violencia episódica, pero también con nuevas oportunidades para hacer progresos reales en estas áreas.
Estoy segura de que, con su constante diligencia y pasión, nos enfrentaremos a estos desafíos de frente y hacer el progreso necesario para hacer avanzar nuestra ciudad.
Espero con interés las oportunidades que nos esperan en 2020.
¡Feliz Año Nuevo!
Sabina Matos, Presidenta
Cosenjo Municipal de Providence
Concejal – Distrito 15
by Billy Kepner | Dec 22, 2019 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-6
The Providence Police Department has announced that they have arrested a serial vandal who has defaced multiple pieces of public property in the Manton and Atwells Avenue areas. I would like to extend my thanks and congratulations to Detective Mitchell Guerra for a job well done, and for his outstanding work in making this arrest. Vandalism will not be tolerated in Ward Six, or anywhere in Providence. I am a fan of “Street Art” when it has been commissioned or the artist has received permission to create art on a specific site. But, there is a difference between that work and vandalism, and we must remember that.
Michael Correia, President Pro Tempore
Providence City Council
Councilman – Ward 6
by Billy Kepner | Dec 13, 2019 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-15
Statement from Council President Sabina Matos Regarding RIDE’s Summary Financial Analysis of the Providence Public Schools:
In July I sponsored a resolution asking for a Financial Audit of the Providence Public School Department. Although this is not a full audit but an analysis, I commend Commissioner Infante-Green and RIDE for also making this a priority. Financially, the future of our schools isn’t as grim as some of us had thought. While the report identifies inefficiencies and inadequacies in how we use our tax dollars, it also presents an opportunity to make changes; especially for our EL and Special Education students. I look forward to collaborating with the Commissioner and RIDE on the hard work that lays ahead.
Sabina Matos, President
Providence City Council
Councilwoman – Ward 15
by Billy Kepner | Dec 10, 2019 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-15
Two weeks ago I pulled together a coalition of my colleagues to discharge an item from the Council’s Committee on Finance pertaining to a Tax Stabilization Agreement for the property located at 203 Westminster Street, which would become the Hive Hotel. This building, located directly across the street from City Hall, sticks out as a sore reminder that opportunities to redevelop our most endangered buildings don’t come around often. We have an opportunity today to save these storied buildings, while creating much-needed access to jobs, and funding for our parks and affordable housing initiatives.
I want to thank my colleagues who joined me in supporting this important redevelopment proposal in the core of our City center, because jobs, historic preservation, and inviting economic opportunities for our residents and our city, is one of the Council’s top priorities.
Throughout this process we have heard from community groups regarding workers’ rights and benefits, and I want you to know that I heard you. As we move forward with our TSA program we are looking at ways to incorporate those voices into future language to ensure that workers’ rights are better represented. I thank all those that came to our meetings and spoke out on the project.
Sabina Matos, President
Providence City Council
Councilwoman – Ward 15
