by Council Staff | Jun 7, 2023 | Add Council Logo, Press Release, Uncategorized
I want to address the findings of an audit conducted by the Rhode Island Board of Elections on my campaign account and take full responsibility for the errors identified in my campaign finance reports. I deeply regret any inconvenience or disappointment caused to my constituents due to the incomplete record-keeping. I want you to know I’m committed to fixing these mistakes and ensuring compliance. I have actively collaborated with the Board of Elections and have fully cooperated by providing all necessary documents to the best of my ability.
I have agreed to pay the fines imposed by the Board of Elections, and today, I have paid $1,500 toward the penalty. My campaign finance reporting is complete and accurate through the first quarter of 2023. I understand the importance of maintaining proper records and acknowledging the sources of campaign funds. To prevent such issues in the future, I will appoint a campaign treasurer and hire the expertise of a certified public accountant to ensure my campaign reporting is accurate, compliant, and transparent.
I deeply regret these errors, and I assure you that I have learned from this experience. From now on, I will make every effort to make sure that my campaign finances are handled with the utmost integrity and compliance. I am dedicated to serving my constituents by being transparent and accountable. Thank you for your understanding and ongoing support.
Declaración del Concejal Juan M. Pichardo Sobre una Auditoría de Financiamiento de Campaña
Quiero abordar los hallazgos de una auditoría realizada por la Junta Electoral de Rhode Island en mi cuenta de campaña y asumir toda la responsabilidad por los errores identificados en mis informes financieros de campaña. Lamento profundamente cualquier inconveniente o decepción causado a mis electores debido al mantenimiento incompleto de registros. Quiero que sepa que estoy comprometido a corregir estos errores y garantizar el cumplimiento. He colaborado activamente con la Junta Electoral y he cooperado plenamente proporcionando todos los documentos necesarios en la medida de mis posibilidades.
He accedido a pagar las multas impuestas por la Junta Electoral y hoy he pagado $1,500 de la sanción. Los informes financieros de mi campaña están completos y son precisos hasta el primer trimestre de 2023. Entiendo la importancia de mantener registros adecuados y reconocer las fuentes de los fondos de la campaña. Para evitar tales problemas en el futuro, nombraré un tesorero de campaña y contrataré la experiencia de un contador público certificado para garantizar que los informes de mi campaña sean precisos, conformes y transparentes.
Lamento profundamente estos errores, y les aseguro que he aprendido de esta experiencia. De ahora en adelante, haré todo lo posible para asegurarme de que las finanzas de mi campaña se manejen con la mayor integridad y cumplimiento. Estoy dedicado a servir a mis electores siendo transparente y responsable. Gracias por su comprensión y apoyo continuo.
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by Billy Kepner | Aug 19, 2020 | Uncategorized
On Wednesday, August 12, Councilman John Goncalves (Ward 1) joined with the Fox Point Cape Verdean Heritage Place to recognize and honor elders in the Cape Verdean community with City Council Proclamations. Councilman Goncalves is the first Cape Verdean to be elected in Ward 1.
As the city of Providence and the State of Rhode Island commit to lead the nation in presenting a truthful and inclusive history of its residents, a significant thread currently absent from State historical narratives of Rhode Island’s rich history: the Cape Verdean experience, an archipelago of ten islands off the West Coast of Africa and the first sub-Saharan African people to immigrate to Providence, Rhode Island, voluntarily.
“I stand on the shoulders of giants, and I am honored that I could help celebrate my Cape Verdean heritage and the elders in our community,” stated Councilman John Goncalves. “The Cape Verdean community is one that plays an important and integral role in the modern economic history of our City. If you visit India Point Park today, you can still see the logs in which the longshoremen would move goods from incoming ships, many of those longshoremen were Cape Verdean. I was honored to visit with our elders and present them with a City Council Proclamations for their dedication to the community.”
The new immigrants sailed and arrived in 1892 on the packet ship Nellie May captained by Antonio Coelho. The community settled and continued to grow in the historic Fox Point area including Tockwotton and Sparrow Parks near the waterfront and the Port of Providence from the late 19th through the mid-20th century. The close-knit Cape Verdean neighborhood of tenement homes and businesses stretched contiguously through Tockwotton, then along South Main, Pike, Brook, Traverse, and Wickenden Streets all of which are located in the City’s First Ward.
Glynis Ramos-Mitchell, President, Fox Point Cape Verdean Heritage Place, Inc. stated, “This recognition serves inclusively to validate, educate, and bring an awareness of the heritage, legacy, and contribution of Providence, Rhode Island’s first Cape Verdean immigrant community in Fox Point. We are proud to memorialize this historic Fox Point immigrant neighborhood by recognizing six elder former residents: John “Johnnie” Britto, Deacon Charles “Charlie” Andrade, Patricia “Pat” (Oliviera) Andrade, Cecelia “Dottie” (Alves) Ramos, Alice (Alves) Andrade, and Domingos “Mingo” Lopes.”
Councilman Goncalves was joined by Fox Point Cape Verdean Heritage Place, Inc.’s Vice President and Project Director, Claire Andrade-Watkins, PhD., and Director of Publicity and Community Engagement, Michelle Cruz to hand-deliver City Council Proclamations to each of the recipients. (They ensured social distancing and safe delivery between the elders and the group.)
“I was born in Fox Point, and I’m Cape Verdean…It gave me the sense of who I was and where I was from. South Main Street has many many memories for me. South Main Street had a lot of pride in the fact that we were a neighborhood that loved each other. It was also a time where you walked to school or wherever you went, you were proud to say, ‘I’m a Fox Pointer,'” stated Domingo “Mingo” Lopes, Retiree, Local 1329, International Longshoremen’s Association (I.L.A.).
For more information on the Fox Point Cape Verdean Heritage Place, visit them on the web at http://fpcapeverdeanhp.org/
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Domingo “Mingo” Lopes and Councilman Goncalves
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John “Johnnie” Britto with “Straight Outta Fox Point” shirt on
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Christine Andrade, Charlene Andrade, grandson, Melanie Andrade, Patricia “Pat” (Oliviera) Andrade, and Deacon Charles “Charlie” Andrade with Councilman Goncalves
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John “Johnnie” Britto (in doorway) with his family and Councilman Goncalves
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Kim Pie Ramos and Cecelia “Dottie” (Alves) Ramos with Councilman Goncalves
by Billy Kepner | Jun 15, 2020 | Uncategorized
The City Council Committee of Finance will be holding a Public Hearing on the City’s proposed 2021 FY Budget on June 22, 2020 at 5:00 pm in City Hall (located at 25 Dorrance Street).
In order to protect participants and listeners from hate speech, those interested in offering public comment must do so in person. Any individual who would like to provide public comment MUST register to do so on the City Clerk’s Website by 3:00 pm on June 22, 2020 or by calling the Clerk’s office at 401-680-5248.
Anyone who would like to submit written testimony can do so by sending their written testimony to the City Clerk via email: sselleck@providenceri.gov
Anyone who would simply like to view the public hearing can do so by visiting the City Council’s YouTube Channel. Please note that you may need to refresh the setting several times until the meeting begins streaming.
by Billy Kepner | May 15, 2020 | Council News, Press Release, Uncategorized, Ward-4
When you started your college experience, I can’t imagine that you would have thought that it would have drawn to an end like this -classes ending abruptly, you finishing your final semester via Zoom, and having to say goodbye to the memories and friends you made over your college experience in just a few days. This is the reality that will bind each of you for years to come.
I realize that the pomp and circumstance that you have come to associate as the reward for working hard to earn your degree won’t happen this year, but that doesn’t make your accomplishments any less meaningful.
To all our residents who are graduating from college this month, I wish you well in your future endeavors. I would also remind you to look back on this time for what it was and realize that you were taught a very valuable life lesson – that sometimes life doesn’t go as planned, and we need to adjust to change quickly and adapt, and I know you did so very well!
Nicholas J. Narducci Jr., Senior Deputy Majority Leader
Providence City Council
Councilman – Ward 4
by Billy Kepner | Apr 1, 2020 | Uncategorized
If you are a business owner you have likely heard about the Small Business Paycheck Protection Program. Here you will find an overview of the program, a fact sheet about the program, and the application of the program provided to the City Council by Bank Newport. They will be able to answer any questions you may have.
