by Billy Kepner | Jun 7, 2019 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-1, Ward-10, Ward-11, Ward-12, Ward-13, Ward-14, Ward-15, Ward-2, Ward-3, Ward-4, Ward-5, Ward-6, Ward-7, Ward-8, Ward-9
City Council Passes Resolution Welcoming June as Pride Month
At the June 6, 2019 City Council meeting Council President Sabina Matos (Ward 15) and Councilwoman Rachel M. Miller (Ward 13) introduced a resolution welcoming the month of June as PRIDE month in Providence. The resolution was unanimously passed by the full council.
“Providence is a city that welcomes everyone, regardless of their gender, race, orientation, religion or how they identify,” stated City Council President Sabina Matos. “As a Catholic, I was deeply hurt by the remarks of Bishop Tobin regarding the LGBTQIA+ community, and believe that God welcomes all and stand by Mark 12:31, ‘The second {commandment} is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.’”
This year marks the 50th Anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, which many consider being the catalyst that moved the gay liberation movement forward. In the early hours of June 28, 1969 Trans-women and men, gays, lesbians, and their ally’s took to the streets after continued abuse at the hands of the New York City Police in a series of riots that would propel the movement forward to where we are today.
“We can’t forget that Pride’s origin was a broad social movement for equity and inclusion. That’s especially true in today’s political climate while the LGBTQIA community is organizing to stop a national rollback on some hard-won victories,” Councilwoman Rachel M. Miller stated. “As a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, I was angered by Bishop Tobin’s recent comments but I’m proud to create an opportunity for elected officials to be on the side of love and on the side of affirming and supporting our LGBTQIA+ community.”
The first Pride march in Providence took place in 1976 when over 70 brave men and women, marched in Kennedy Plaza, after winning the right to do so after a court battle handled by the ACLU. They were taunted by police and residents alike, yet they were not deterred. Today, known as the “76’ers,” Belle Pelegrino one of the original marchers, told The Providence Journal that, “We totally expected that when we stepped into the plaza, gunfire was going to come. We thought we were going to die.”
As noted by The Washington Post, The New York Times, Time, Rolling Stone, CNN, and countless other news outlets the Trump administration has continually rolled back almost every single LGBTQIA+ protection that were put in place by previous administrations. This is why the City Council believes it is more important than ever to memorialize and codify their support for all members of our community.
Pride is celebrated around the world during the month of June, in recognition of the Stonewall Riots that took place on the morning of June 28, 1969. This year marks the 43rd Anniversary of Providence Pride which has grown from a march of 70 men and women to a weekend celebration that brings 1000’s of people to our city in celebration of equality and love.
In 2018, the City Council officially recognized the month of June as Pride Month in perpetuity and was passed by the full Council. The Providence City Council celebrates and recognizes the contributions, struggles, risks, and many identities of Providence’s LGBQIA+ community and their families and proudly affirms that love is love.
The City Council recognizes and thanks Rhode Island Pride for all they do to for the community not just on Pride weekend, but throughout the year. Pride takes place on Saturday, June 15 with Pridefest taking place along South Main Street (North from Memorial Boulevard and South Water Street to the South ending at Wickenden Street) from 12 pm – 7 pm. It will culminate in New England’s only illuminated night Pride Parade that begins at 8 pm and will travel down Dorrance Street, to Washington Street, to Empire Street and ends on Weybosset Street. This year’s theme is #LiveYourTruth.
For more information on Rhode Island Pride, please visit prideri.org.
by Billy Kepner | May 16, 2019 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-14
Councilman David A. Salvatore Reintroduces Fair Housing Ordinance for Older Adults and Disabled Persons
City Councilman David A. Salvatore (Ward 14) reintroduced an
ordinance at tonight’s Council Meeting that ensures security measures are being implemented in housing developments where older adults and disabled persons reside.
“We cannot neglect our senior citizens who deserve to live in a safe environment, with dignity and respect,” stated Councilman David Salvatore. “Late in 2018, I visited a housing development for low-income persons with disabilities along with Police Chief Hugh Clements. We were both puzzled and deeply concerned by the lack of security on the premises. After our meeting with the residents and after hearing of several incidents of elderly abuse, I researched best practices and came across Boston’s 1989 Senior Security Ordinance that has proved effective at keeping vulnerable residents safe. What I am proposing ensures our seniors and people with disabilities are provided with the protections they deserve.”
“As public safety officials, it is our job to make certain that the citizens of Providence maintain the best possible quality of life,” said Colonel Clements. “This ordinance will assist police in their ongoing efforts to protect these vulnerable members of our community, who do not deserve to live in fear. The Providence Police Department is in full support of this ordinance to ensure the safety and security of our disabled and elderly residents.”
According to the proposed ordinance, every landlord that holds title to any elderly/disabled multi-family housing development will be required to provide a safety officer or submit for approval a security plan that meets the security needs of residents. All tenants will be notified and allowed input during the approval process of the plan. Seniors who reside in multi-family housing developments will also be protected from rent increases as a result of landlords complying with the new security requirements outlined in the ordinance. To obtain a copy of the proposed ordinance, please visit the
Open Meetings Portal.
by Billy Kepner | Apr 11, 2019 | Community Engagement, Council News, Press Release, Ward-1, Ward-10, Ward-11, Ward-12, Ward-13, Ward-14, Ward-15, Ward-2, Ward-3, Ward-4, Ward-5, Ward-6, Ward-7, Ward-8, Ward-9
What You Need to Know
The City of Providence announced on March 29, 2019 that the state-mandated full real estate property revaluation is complete and real estate property value assessment notices will be mailed on April 15, 2019. At this time, the following 2018 real estate revaluation procedures have been executed: Data Collection of Building Data, Building Permit Inspections, Review Analysis of Sales, Cost and Land Analysis, Income & Expense Review, Commercial Market Rate Analysis, and Table Calculations.
Providence property owners will soon receive a notice (after April 15) advising them of the new appraised value of their real estate property prior to when the new value will officially be added to the tax roll.
What You Will Receive
How To Request A Review
The notice that contains the new appraised value will also explain how to arrange for a personal informal hearing to review the proposed assessment if they so choose. Recipients are asked to follow the instructions on your notice to book an appointment with Vision Government Solutions, Inc. for a hearing on any parcel. Please bring any information to support your request for a change; hearings are by appointment only. You can make an appointment online at www.vgsi.com/schedules or by phone by calling Vision Government Solutions at 1-888-844-4300.
Hearings will begin on April 23, 2019 and end on May 17, 2019 and will be held at either the Fox Point Boys and Girls Club located at 90 Ives Street or the Neutaconkanut Recreation Center located at 675 Plainfield Street.
The Hearing Schedule is as follows:
- Monday-Thursday from 10 AM to 6 PM
- Friday from 10 AM to 4:30 PM
- Saturday, April 27 and May 11 from 10 AM to 4 PM
The notices providing the results of the informal hearing will be mailed no later than May 31, 2019 with final values delivered on June 3, 2019.
Per RI General Law 44-5-11.6, cities and towns are required to perform a statistical update every third and sixth year and a full property revaluation every nine years. Vision Government Solutions uses recent sales and market data to inform their findings.
Property owners should not use the current tax rates when estimating their 2019 tax bill. Once the notices have been mailed, property owners may view their 2018 Data on the Vision Government Solutions website.
Learn more by visiting the City of Providence Tax Assessors website.
by Billy Kepner | Mar 6, 2019 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-14
Ordinance Will Raise Purchasing Limits for Providence Schools
With the recent resignation of Providence Superintendent of Schools Christopher Maher, Councilman David A. Salvatore has filed an ordinance to reduce red tape surrounding purchasing by City departments.
Currently, all city expenditures of $5,000 or more must be approved by the City Council. Councilman Salvatore’s ordinance would raise the threshold for sole source School Department contracts from $5,000 to $25,000.
“We cannot continue to stand by and watch as Providence Schools are crippled by overly laborious purchasing rules,” said Councilman Salvatore. “It is imperative that we maintain oversight and a system of checks and balances, but we must ensure that our schools and educators can operate efficiently and effectively. With our Superintendent of Schools announcing his resignation, we need to re-examine how we, as a city, have inadvertently created obstacles to success.”
A February 26, 2019 Providence Journal article noted that Rhode Island “state education Commissioner Ken Wagner said that what really drives away superintendents are the layers of bureaucracy that keep them from doing their jobs.” The article also included an observation from Hillary Salmons, executive director of the Providence After School Alliance that “When the City Council controls any [expenditures] over $5,000, how can anyone manage his resources? It’s going to be hard to attract leadership with a district hamstrung by these structural impediments.”
The ordinance will be introduced at the March 7, 2019 regularly scheduled meeting of the Providence City Council.
by Billy Kepner | Dec 12, 2018 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-14
Today marks the conclusion of a sad chapter in Providence’s history. For far too long, city government in our capital city has been under a cloud of suspicion and shame as a litany of elected officials were charged with felonies. As the judicial process winds down on this and other pending matters, I hope our city can move forward.
I am glad that former Councilman Jackson has accepted responsibility for his actions by pleading no contest to the charges against him, and that he has agreed to repay funds he embezzled from a youth organization. I hope this serves as a lesson to any elected official who thinks they can use their position for personal game. It is a new day in Providence and in Rhode Island, and the backroom dealings and shady politics of yesterday will no longer be tolerated.
—
David A. Salvatore, President, Providence City Council
