by Billy Kepner | Jul 16, 2020 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-14
Tonight, I will be introducing a resolution to recognize Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P. for his honorable service as the President of Providence College. Rev. Shanley is the longest-serving president in the 100-year history of Providence College and is also the only Rhode Island native to ever serve as president.
On June 30, 2020, Father Shanley’s tenure as president of Providence College ended following fifteen years of guiding the school through a period of remarkable change and growth.
Under Father Shanley’s presidency, the College built upon its proud heritage as a Catholic, liberal arts institution, sustained its commitment to its ideals, and modified both practices and facilities in ways that have enhanced its national profile. As a result, Providence College created a sustainable platform for long-term success.
Father Shanley has overseen a substantial transformation of the Providence College campus including the additions of the Ruane Center for the Humanities, the Arthur F. and Patricia Ryan Center for Business Studies, and the Ruane Friar Development Center, as well as a completely re-envisioned model for pedestrian and vehicular movement around the campus.
Father Shanley made diversity a high priority of his administration. Establishing the advancement of diversity as one of the core values of both Providence College’s 2011 Strategic Plan and its 2018 successor plan was crucial to growth. The plans resulted in the percentage of undergraduate students from diverse backgrounds almost tripling (to approximately 20 percent of the student body population) since 2005, and the percentage of diverse full-time faculty has risen from eight percent to 17 percent over the same time period.
Providence College is one of the ten largest employers within the City of Providence and a major driver of the local economy. As a result of Father Shanley’s leadership, the College maintained a strong commitment to the City through more than 55,000 hours of student community service assisting over 150 different social service agencies, community groups, public, private and charter schools, and city government offices.
I wish to extend my deepest gratitude and thanks to Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P. for his dedicated service to the residents of the City of Providence through his 15 years serving as the President of Providence College and I wish him well on this next chapter.
David A. Salvatore
Providence City Council
Councilor – Ward 14
by Billy Kepner | Jun 23, 2020 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-14
What occurred at Providence College was disgraceful.
Providence College’s campus provides our community with many benefits including green space and access to community programs; and to see their campus desecrated with symbols of hate is harmful and traumatic.
I am glad the vandal has been apprehended, and it is my sincere hope that he is able to access the help that he needs.
My family and I are wishing the security officer who was assaulted a speedy recovery.
David A. Salvatore
Providence City Council
Councilman – Ward 14
by Abigail Appel | Jun 18, 2020 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-14
At tonight’s City Council meeting, Councilman David A. Salvatore (Ward 14) will put forth two resolutions regarding police reform in light of tragic events that have taken place across the nation.
The first resolution requests that the Providence Retirement Board review the rules and regulations surrounding police officer pensions, and specifically how the City of Providence handles pension benefits for police officers who have been disciplined for the use of excessive force.
“It is not right for any officer who has been disciplined for the use of excessive force to continue receiving compensation or pension benefits,” stated Councilman David Salvatore. “I am asking the Retirement Board to review this process and make recommendations to the City Council, as I believe it is a critical step towards rebuilding trust between residents and their local law enforcement in our City.”
The second resolution urges the Rhode Island General Assembly to enact legislation imposing a duty to intervene on all Rhode Island law enforcement officers who witness misconduct by a fellow officer.
“Three additional police officers watched as George Floyd was killed by another officer. This behavior is unacceptable. In the State of Rhode Island, we must demand that our police officers stand by their oath to serve and protect our citizens, and an important part of this is intervening when a fellow officer is behaving inappropriately. This could have saved the lives of Mr. Floyd and others,” added Councilman Salvatore.
Both of these resolutions have been co-sponsored by Councilman Pedro Espinal (Ward 10), Councilwoman Nirva LaFortune (Ward 3), Councilwoman Helen Anthony (Ward 2) and Councilwoman Rachel Miller (Ward 13). Additionally, the second resolution is also co-sponsored by Councilman John Igliozzi (Ward 7).
by Billy Kepner | Jun 5, 2020 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-14
Today, I am calling on the City of Providence to help our businesses that suffered private property damage under Rhode Island General Law 45-15-13.
Per the state statute, affected businesses are entitled to receive three-fourths of the value of damage resulting from unlawful acts that occurred with six or more people in the municipality where the event took place.
I ask that the City of Providence and the City Council’s Committee on Claims and Pending Suits to expedite and streamline the process while following the guidelines set forth by Rhode Island General Law.
Businesses wishing to take advantage of this state law are required to comply by attesting to the amount of damages they incurred from the incident under oath.
If this is the route that any of our businesses that were affected by Monday’s rioting wish to take, the City needs to ensure that they can expedite the process to help our business community get back on their feet.
David A. Salvatore
Providence City Council
Councilman – Ward 14
by Billy Kepner | Jun 3, 2020 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-14
Last night we bore witness to violent attacks against our beloved Providence and every member of our community. The grief that so many are feeling over the loss of George Floyd is palpable, and many of us around the country find ourselves grasping to make sense of the systemic racism in our culture, and what we as white allies can do to end it.
As Providence, like so many other cities around the world, continues to fight the global COVID-19 pandemic many of our small businesses were just starting to reopen their doors. Some of these businesses employ some of our lowest-wage earners. This night of violence and destruction has caused further harm to those individuals that are most vulnerable amongst us in Providence and Rhode Island.
I believe in raising our voices and calling out injustice. The pain that so many are feeling over yet another black man who senselessly died at the hands of a white man has shaken many to their core. That rage needs to be focused on fighting for change. Violence and destruction only serves to create more pain and sorrow. Sixty-five people were arrested last night. Some may be charged with serious crimes. That just adds further pain and suffering.
This is a time for us to come together and unite because divided we will fall. Our nation cannot afford to fall any further into this cycle of disparity and inequity. Each of us has a vital part to play in the healing of our nation, which is centuries overdue.
I want our community of color to know that I see you, I hear you, and I stand with you. I will advocate with my colleagues to help end the systemic racism that is a plague on our soil. We must do this together. Your voices need to be heard.
by Billy Kepner | May 21, 2020 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-14
Refunds for erroneously charged fines relating
to the late removal of trash bins to be issued within in 45 Days
CouncilmanDavid A. Salvatore (Ward 14) discovered in October of 2019 that a change to the Code of Ordinances from 2011 was never implemented by the Department of Public Works (DPW) regarding the fine amounts for late removal of garbage receptacles. This lapse resulted in residents being incorrectly fined for nearly a decade.
After conducting an audit of fines imposed on homeowners, repeated attempts by the City’s Internal Auditor requesting updates on the reimbursement plan from the City’s Administration for these charges were never answered. As a result, Councilman Salvatore and his Co-sponsors, Councilwoman Helen Anthony (Ward 2), Councilman Pedro Espinal (Ward 10), and Councilwoman Nirva LaFortune (Ward 3), introduced legislation forcing the City to refund residents who were unfairly fined.
“The City Council approved a change to the Code of Ordinances for these fines in 2011, and it was obviously never instituted by the Department of Public Works,” stated Councilman Salvatore. “The Internal Auditor found that nearly 1,000 residents were erroneously fined and in some cases the amounts of the citations were doubled or tripled. During these difficult times, homeowners impacted by the COVID-19 crisis could use these refunds to buy groceries, purchase medicine, and other critical expenditures. I want to thank the Internal Auditor for her diligence and research to ensure homeowners that they receive these refunds.”
According to the audit, 940 violations are eligible for a refund totaling $30,625.00. The report outlines the background and recommendations to the Department of Public Works, as well as their responses.
“It is my hope that our DPW will employ new methods of communication and outreach so that residents have clear and predictable knowledge of their responsibilities,” continued Councilman Salvatore.
Upon passage of the ordinance, the Director of Public Works shall furnish a report to the City Council and Internal Auditor within ten days that identifies all Providence residents who were improperly charged for violations of Section 12-63 of the Code of Ordinances.
Within 45 days from the passage of this ordinance, the City’s Finance Director must begin reimbursing Providence residents identified by the DPW’s report. Further, within 90 days from the date of passage of this ordinance, the Director of Public Works and Finance Director will provide a report to the City Council outlining their progress in reimbursing the residents who were overcharged, and further identify the required steps needed to complete the reimbursement process.
