by Billy Kepner | Dec 21, 2017 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-14
Providence City Councilman David A. Salvatore, Ward 14, was elected City Council President at a special meeting tonight in the City Council Chambers. Salvatore began his first term as the councilman for the fourteenth ward in January 2011.
“I am honored and humbled to have the support of my colleagues on the council to support me to serve as President of the Providence City Council. I am grateful to Council President Pro Tempore Matos for her service as acting Council President. I look forward to working with every member of the council on behalf of all Providence’s residents.” said Salvatore upon his election.
Council President Salvatore’s election comes after the majority of the Democratic members of the City Council held a caucus on Monday, December 18, 2017, to seat new leadership. The positions are as follows:
- John J. Igliozzi – Ward 7, Majority Leader
- Nicholas J. Narducci Jr. – Ward 4, Senior Deputy Majority Leader
- Terrence Hassett – Ward 12, Senior Deputy Majority Leader
- Wilbur Jennings Jr. – Ward 8, Deputy Majority Leader
- Jo-Ann Ryan – Ward 5, Majority Whip
“As Chair of Finance and now in my additional new role as Majority Leader I look forward to working with David as President of the City Council,” stated John. J. Igliozzi – Ward 7. “My colleagues and I will continue to work for the betterment of the people of Providence, and the continued positive forward movement of our city.”
Since taking office in 2011, Salvatore has focused on community building efforts, advocating for fiscal and pension reforms, and growing Providence’s local economy. He was Chairman of the Subcommittee on Pension Sustainability, which issued a report and made recommendations—many of which were adopted—to stabilize the pension system and address the system’s unfunded liability. Salvatore was also Chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means (2012-2014) and Vice Chairman of the Committee on Ordinances (2011-2014).
Salvatore is a lifelong resident of the Elmhurst neighborhood in Providence. Growing up, he and his family were active constituents in Elmhurst, and continue to make contributions to the prosperity of the community. An alumnus of Providence public schools, Salvatore attended Robert F. Kennedy Elementary and Nathanael Greene Middle School and graduated from La Salle Academy High School in 1993. He subsequently attended Rhode Island College and graduated with a degree in Business Management, and recently completed the Masters in Public Administration from Roger Williams University School for Justice Studies.
Salvatore has a diverse background in both the public and private sectors, holding key roles in management, oversight, and policy development. Since 2015, he has served as Director of Government Affairs for the Rhode Island Association of REALTORS®. See his full biography here: http://council.providenceri.com/ward14/david-salvatore
He is married to Angie Sarhan Salvatore, and they reside in the Elmhurst neighborhood in Providence.
by Billy Kepner | Nov 10, 2017 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-14
Providence City Councilman David Salvatore will host a rededication ceremony of Lafazia Square honoring Carlo Lafazia who was killed in combat in World War I. Lafazia Square is located at the intersections of Douglas Avenue and Admiral Street. The ceremony will take place on Saturday, November 11, 2017, from 11:00 am – 12:00 pm. Mayor Jorge Elorza and Lafazia’s nephew, Jeremiah O’Connor, will also attend the ceremony and give remarks.
Lafazia was called an “Emblem of Italian loyalty to the Stars and Stripes,” and was honored by the Providence Board of Alderman on August 3, 1933, when they dedicated the square in his honor.
“Carlo Lafazia was a true American patriot,” stated Councilman David Salvatore, Ward 14. “When I learned that the original plaque had been removed from the square, I immediately knew that we had a responsibility to Mr. Lafazia and his family to replace it. It’s only fitting that we rededicate Carlo Lafazia Square on Veterans Day.”
Carlo Lafazia, a native son of Providence, born in 1897 to Italian immigrants Domenico and Filomena Lafazia, was killed in France during the “Great War.” He was a Private 1st Class in the 16th Infantry Regiment. The 16th was one of the first American battalions to land on French soil in June of 1917. For more than a year Lafazia and his fellow infantrymen fought the Germans who were holding the Argonne Forest along the Western Front.
Known as the Meuse-Argonne Offensive and part of the Hundred Day Offensive, it was one of the final pushes of the Allied forces and was one of the deadliest and biggest offensives in WWI. Nearly 27,000 American soldiers were killed, including Carlo Lafazia on October 11, 1918, just one month before the Armistice of November 11.
Lafazia’s body was never recovered. His name is engraved on the Tablets of the Missing at the Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery – the final resting place of more than 14,000 Americans who gave their lives in WWI.
The ceremony is open to the public, and parking can be found in the Walgreens parking lot at 354 Admiral Street in Providence.
by Billy Kepner | Nov 1, 2017 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-14
Providence City Councilman David Salvatore, Ward 14 will introduce two resolutions at Thursday’s City Council meeting to address the ongoing complaints from residents about the behavior and actions of college students living off-campus in Providences’ neighborhoods.
The first resolution is to request that the General Assembly increase the penalties for assaulting a police officer, and to clarify the meaning of “dangerous weapon” to include glass bottles. The second is a resolution that will establish a Special Committee on Off-Campus Housing, Safety and Security.
“Since the beginning of the fall semester there have been at least five different incidents involving college students throwing glass bottles at police officers,” stated Councilman David Salvatore, Ward 14. “These brazen attacks show a total disregard for the men and women of the Providence Police Department who work diligently to keep the people of Providence safe. The City Council has a moral obligation to do all in its power to protect its police officers and city residents, and it’s my hope that these resolutions will help in achieving those goals.”
Councilman Salvatore’s resolution(s) will request that the General Assembly enact laws increasing the penalty for assaulting an officer and establishing that a thrown glass bottle constitutes a “dangerous weapon” under the State’s felony assault statute. Currently when assault or batter is committed with a “dangerous weapon,” it rises to the level of felony assault, but the law is ambiguous as to whether a thrown glass bottle qualifies as a “dangerous weapon.” Assault on a police officer engaged in the performance of their duty is already a felony, but the penalties are far less severe than the penalties associated with assault or battery with a “dangerous weapon.” These requested enhanced penalties are necessary to reflect the serious nature of these crimes and to deter future assaults on officers.
The establishment of the Special Committee on Off-Campus Housing, Safety and Security will study, review, and make recommendations regarding the laws, policies, and procedures relating to off-campus student housing, as well as maintain order and ensuring safety in Providence neighborhoods. The committee will be composed of Councilman Salvatore as chair, Councilman Terrence Hassett, Ward 12 as vice-chair, and Councilwoman Nirva LaFortune, Ward 3. The committee will issue a report with findings and recommendations to the full City Council by May 1, 2018.
by Web Master | Aug 24, 2017 | Community Engagement, Ward-14
End of Summer Celebration
Ward 14 Councilman David A. Salvatore hosted an end of summer cookout at General Street Park.
The event featured good eats, art activities, and a magic show for all youth and families to enjoy. Councilman Salvatore thanked everyone for joining him in celebrating the summer weather and the Wanskuck neighborhood.
by Billy Kepner | Jun 30, 2017 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-14
Councilman David Salvatore (Ward 14) today issued the following statement regarding the passage of a bill the Providence City Council requested from state legislators that increases penalties for assaulting delivery drivers. The resolution was introduced by Councilman Salvatore and amended to include taxi drivers at the request of Councilwoman Mary Kay Harris (Ward 11).
“On behalf of the people of Providence, I commend state lawmakers for approving greater protections for delivery drivers, who are vulnerable to violent assault because they travel alone with cash on hand. No employee should face those kinds of risks, and many of these drivers are already struggling to pay their bills, holding second jobs to supplement their pay, and just getting by making make ends meet. I’m thankful to state legislators for supporting our efforts to ensure delivery drivers are more thoroughly protected while they’re on the job.”
by Billy Kepner | Jun 16, 2017 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-14
Councilman David Salvatore (Ward 14) today issued the following statement in response to the proposed reinstatement of the RIPTA bus pass program that has been approved by the House Finance Committee:
“On behalf of my constituents and the people of Providence, I’d like to thank the General Assembly for working to reinstate the no-fare RIPTA bus program that supports our residents in greatest need. For many low-income, disabled, and elderly residents, public transportation is the only way to get to the grocery store, or to work, or to doctor appointments. This measure fills a critical need for many folks in our communities by ensuring continued access to basic services.”
