by Billy Kepner | Nov 7, 2019 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-8
There has been much discussion about the fate of the statue of Christopher Columbus that resides in the Elmwood neighborhood of Providence. Tonight I will be introducing a resolution requesting that no decision be made regarding the statue without a robust and full engagement with the residents of the Elmwood neighborhood.
The statue is significant to the history of the community, not because of who the statue honors, but for the reason where it stands. It was created by master sculptor Frederic Auguste Bartholdi, the sculptor who designed the Statue of Liberty and was made specifically for Providence’s Gorham Manufacturing Company. It was originally cast in silver as a way to highlight the company’s expertise and was presented for display at the 1892 Columbian Exposition in Chicago.
The bronze-cast replica was created in 1893 and dedicated in November of the same year. It was a gift to the City of Providence from the Elmwood Association, a civic group comprised of residents of the neighborhood near the Gorham Plant. The statue is located in Columbus Square which is located in the heart of Elmwood and is a steadfast reminder of Elmwood’s past and prosperity. Columbus Square has also been listed on the National Register of Historic Places for nearly two decades.
The resolution that I will be introducing is only to ensure that any discussion that may or may not occur around – the location or proposed relocation – of this statue includes the Elmwood Community and its residents.
James E. Taylor
Providence City Council
Councilman – Ward 8
by Billy Kepner | Nov 7, 2019 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-15, Ward-6
Tonight Council President Sabina Matos (Ward 15) will be introducing an amendment to the Code of Ordinances that would set-up a fund specifically for the support of Providence non-profit youth sports programs. The amendment is being co-sponsored by Council President Pro-Tempore Michael Correia.
The fund is being set-up as a way to deter panhandling or soliciting by these organizations. The fund will require that any youth sports group which receives funding from the program will be prohibited from panhandling or soliciting on or around any roadway or where traffic is present.
“As I travel around the City I often see young athletes ‘canning’ at some of our City’s busiest intersections,” stated Council President Sabina Matos. “As a mother that gives me great concern that these young people are risking their personal safety to get the funds they need to support their programs, and I asked my team to look at how we can mitigate ‘canning’ and help provide the support that these groups might need.”
The Youth Sports Fund & Grant Program will be held in a separate permanent fund of the city and will be held in trust by the City Treasurer. The fund will be administered by the City’s Recreational Advisory Board who will grant funding to Providence-based local non-profit youth sports organizations. The fund will be seeded with $40K annually through an appropriation from the City’s budget. The fund will support funding for equipment, costs associated with travel to compete, and to participate in sports-related activities.
City Council President Pro Tempore Michael Correia added, “I am thrilled that we have found a way to support our local non-profit youth sports programs that do so much for our community and our young people. This fund will provide access to those groups that need it, and is set-up to ensure that we are supporting as many of our youth sports organizations as we possibly can.
Once the amendment is passed and the fund is created the City Treasurer will work with the Recreational Advisory Board to help implement a grant submission application.
by Billy Kepner | Nov 6, 2019 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-15
Dear Neighbors,
RIDE has announced that they are seeking nominations for their Community Design Teams to help create a brighter vision and future for the students of Providence. If you would like to nominate yourself or have someone you would like to nominate you can do so below.
Sincerely,
Sabina Matos, President
Providence City Council
Councilwoman – Ward 15
The Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) is Looking for Nominations for Their Community Design Team
From RIDE:
Thank you for contributing to our work in Providence by nominating someone to serve on a Community Design Team. Please fill out the information below so that our review team can fully evaluate all nominees.
As a reminder, the Community Design Teams (CDTs) will focus their work on the three priorities Commissioner Infante-Green identified in her Vision for Education in Rhode Island, “Reimagining Education: From Hope to Results.” These priorities are World-Class Talent, Excellence in Learning, and Engaged Communities. Once selected, the three CDTs will work intensively over 100 days to develop initiatives that will be integrated into the State Turnaround Plan for the Providence Public School District (PPSD).
Any inquiries about the Community Design Teams should be directed to designteam@ride.ri.gov.
To make a nomination you can do so by visiting their online nomination portal: NOMINATE
Queridos Vecinos,
RIDE ha anunciado que están buscando nominaciones para sus Equipos de Diseño Comunitario para ayudar a crear una visión más brillante y futuro para los estudiantes de Providence. Si desea nominarse a sí mismo, o tener a alguien que le gustaría nominar puede hacerlo a continuación.
Sinceramente,
Sabina Matos, Presidenta
Consejo Municipal de Providence
Concejal -Distrito 15
El Departamento de Educación de Rhode Island (RIDE) esta Buscando Nominaciones para su Equipo de Diseño Comunitario
De parte de RIDE:
Gracias por contribuir a nuestro trabajo en Providence al nombrar a alguien para servir en un equipo de diseño comunitario. Por favor llene la información abajo para que nuestro equipo de revisión pueda evaluar completamente a todos los nominados.
Como recordatorio, los Equipos de Diseño Comunitario (CDT) centrarán su trabajo en las tres prioridades identificadas por la Comisaria Infante-Green en su Visión para la Educación en Rhode Island, “Reinventando la Educación: De Esperanza a Resultados.” Estas prioridades son Talento de Clase Mundial, Excelencia en el Aprendizaje y Comunidades Comprometidas. Una vez seleccionados, los tres CDT trabajarán intensamente durante 100 días para desarrollar iniciativas que se integrarán en el Plan Estatal de Respuesta para el Distrito Escolar Público de Providence (PPSD).
Cualquier consulta sobre los Equipos de Diseño Comunitario debe dirigirse a designteam@ride.ri.gov.
Para hacer una nominación puede hacerlo visitando su portal de nominaciones en línea: NOMINATE
by Billy Kepner | Nov 6, 2019 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-7
At tomorrow’s City Council meeting Councilman John J. Igliozzi, Esq. (Ward 7) will be introducing a resolution in support of the Pro-Democratic protests in Hong Kong and will be asking the City of Providence to avoid buying items for city use from China – whenever possible.
Since March of 2019 the City-State of Hong Kong has been embroiled in mass protests surrounding the Anti-Extradition Law Amendment Bill known as the Anti-ELAB movement. The law would allow local authorities to detain and extradite criminal fugitives who are wanted in territories with which Hong Kong does not have extradition agreements, including Taiwan and mainland China. The law has been of concern for many pro-democratic residents of Hong Kong because they believe the law would subject residents and visitors to mainland China jurisdiction, undermining the autonomy of the region and its civil liberties.
“President John F. Kennedy once said that, ‘Democracy is the superior form of government, because it is based on a respect for man as a reasonable being,’” stated Councilman John J. Igliozzi, Esq. “China has been known to have incurred, and continues to incur, many human rights violations over the decades, and the pro-democratic residents of Hong Kong are rightly concerned that this is another step towards a lack of government transparency and a violation of their basic civil rights. As an elected official I feel it’s my responsibility to call out injustice when I see it – not just at home, but abroad as well. If there is something we can to show support for the residents of Hong Kong I believe it is our moral obligation and duty to do so.”
The pro-democratic protesters in Hong Kong have laid out five key demands, which include the investigation into the alleged police misconduct and resumption of democratic reforms, which are promised in the Basic Law but have stagnated since the Umbrella Revolution of 2014.
Since June, protesters have been holding some of the City-States’ largest protests on record. Including the protest on August 18, 2019 where an estimated 1.7 million people attended a rally condemning police brutality – inspired by the Baltic Way – protesters created a human chain of 50 kilometers long to create the Hong Kong Way.
Councilman Igliozzi continued, “As the riots continue, as recently as this past Sunday, it is clear that the residents of Hong Kong are being ignored, and it seems to be at the hands of the Chinese government. As a City Councilor, I believe that we can help show support for this pro-democracy movement by working to eliminate our dependence on products made in China as best as possible. I realize that’s a tall order, but we have to start somewhere to help amplify the voices of those fighting for democracy.”
The protests are nearing the six-month mark because of their distrust of the mainland Chinese government, and their belief that the counter-attacks on protesters have been orchestrated by the Chinese government. The City Council of the City of Providence stands with the residents of Hong Kong who are resolute in their desire for a pro-democratic government.
by Billy Kepner | Nov 5, 2019 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-4
Senior Deputy Majority Leader Nicholas J. Narducci Jr. (Ward 4) today learned that the contractor awarded the job to repair the Hawkins Street Bridge will begin to load in their work materials and this will potentially cause delays and will close off part of the area to pedestrians for safety.
“Today, I learned that the contractor awarded the job to rebuild the Hawkins Street Bridge will begin to load in their equipment in the next several days,” stated Senior Deputy Majority Leader Nicholas J. Narducci Jr. “This process is going to take time, but it’s great to see momentum. I want to thank the City and the Rhode Island Department of Transportation for keeping this project moving. Please be advised that this area will be an active construction site and as such some areas will be cordoned off for the safety of pedestrians and residents.”
Hawkins Street Bridge was closed to traffic in October of 2017 after the Rhode Island Department of Transportation found significant deterioration on several of the support beams. Narducci continued, “Today marks another step closer to restoring this bridge so that the community is no longer divided.”
As work progresses Senior Deputy Majority Leader Narducci will provide updates on the status of the project.
by Billy Kepner | Nov 4, 2019 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-4
City Council Senior Deputy Majority Leader Nicholas J. Narducci Jr. Joined His Colleagues in State Government
at the Chad Brown Recreation Center for the Signing of Legislation to Protect Workers
Providence City Council Senior Deputy Majority Leader Nicholas J. Narducci Jr. (Ward 4) last week joined Governor Gina Raimondo, Senator Maryellen Goodwin, Representative Christopher Blazejewski and other members of the Rhode Island General Assembly for the signing of legislation that bans non-compete agreements for low-wage workers, nonexempt employees, undergraduate and graduate students, and employees age 18-years or younger.
“We are a working-class city, and we need to support our laborers and workforce at all cost,” stated Senior Deputy Majority Leader Nicholas J. Narducci Jr. “This legislation will ensure that our workforce has the ability to move up within their chosen careers without fear of violating non-compete agreements that they were forced to sign in previous positions. The law goes into effect in January of 2020 and will protect the diverse workforce and economy of our great city and state.”
Rhode Island House Bill 6019, which updated the General Laws in Title 28 “Labor and Labor Relations” by adding Chapter 28-58 “Rhode Island Noncompetition Agreement Act.” The law does not affect a business’ ability to enter into noncompetition agreements with properly classified independent contractors or place limits on the use of non-solicitation provisions, forfeiture agreements or nondisclosure or confidentiality agreements.
Senior Deputy Majority Leader Narducci Jr. continued, “I was honored to be included in the signing ceremony of this important protection for workers in Rhode Island. I thank the lead sponsor Representative Christopher Blazejewski for pushing this forward.”
Narducci will be introducing a resolution at the November 7, 2019 meeting of the City Council in support of the newly enacted Rhode Island Noncompetition Agreement Act.
