by Billy Kepner | May 2, 2019 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-15, Ward-6
Providence City Council to Recognize the Week of April 17 as
Cambodian Genocide Remembrance Week
City Council President Sabina Matos (Ward 15) and City Council President Pro Tempore Michael J. Correia (Ward 6) co-sponsored a
resolution which will recognize the week of April 17 as “Cambodian Genocide Remembrance Week” to commemorate the genocide of over two million Cambodians from 1975 to 1979 during the Khmer Rouge Regime.
“Rhode Island is home to nearly 13 thousand Cambodians, and as we just celebrated the Cambodian New Year, it seems fitting that we formally recognize and remember all those who were lost during the Khmer Rouge Regime,” stated Council President Sabina Matos. “As an immigrant, I know how difficult it can be to move to a new country where you don’t speak the language and likely don’t know many people. I can’t imagine what it must have been like for those 140,000 Cambodian refugees that came to the United States in 1979 after losing so many loved ones and leaving everything behind. Recognizing this week every year will be a reminder to take stock of all the sacrifices that were made by so many, and celebrating the contributions that the Cambodian community has made and continues to make to our city and state.”
The resolution calls for the week of April 17 to be recognized as “Cambodian Genocide Remembrance Week” in perpetuity to commemorate the Cambodian genocide that took place between 1975 and 1979, and in honor of this week the Cambodian flag will be flown over Providence City Hall.
by Billy Kepner | May 2, 2019 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-15, Ward-6
City Council to Recognize May 5 – May 11 as Providence Small Business Week
City Council President Sabina Matos (Ward 15) and City Council President Pro Tempore Michael J. Correia (Ward 6) co-sponsored a
resolution recognizing May 5, 2019 through May 11, 2019 as Providence Small Business Week.
“Small local businesses like Olneyville New York System, Adler’s Design Center and Hardware, and all of the other bookstores, bodegas, and coffee shops that pepper our 15 wards are collectively our city’s economic engine,” stated City Council President Sabina Matos. “Small businesses are the fastest growing sector in our economy. And when you support a local business, you are supporting that neighborhood, that businesses’ employees, and their families. I encourage everyone to shop local as often as they can, but especially during this week.”
The United States sets aside a week to honor small business owners, advocates, and workers for their important role in ensuring that the U.S. remains the economic leader of the world. The City Council formally recognizes the week of May 5-11, 2019 as Providence Small Business Week.
by Billy Kepner | May 2, 2019 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-15, Ward-6
Council President Matos and Council President Pro-Tempore Correia Introduce Resolution Requiring Sexual Harassment-Prevention Training for Providence Employees and Officials
City Council President Sabina Matos (Ward 15) and City Council President Pro Tempore Michael J. Correia (Ward 6) co-sponsored a
resolution that requires all city employees and Providence elected officials to participate in Sexual Harassment-Prevention Training.
“Thanks to many brave women, like Tarana Burke who started the #MeToo movement, many workplaces have begun to examine their policies around sexual harassment prevention. As one of the larger employers in our State, I believe we should be doing the same,” stated City Council President Sabina Matos. “The national dialogue that the #MeToo and #TimesUp movements have created is not only overdue but important for us to address here locally. Times are changing, and things that were once the status quo are no more, and we need to train our workforce to recognize what constitutes sexual harassment and the impacts that it has on victims, so we can all work together to create a safe and healthy working environment.”
Sexual harassment is widespread and impacts our community as reflected in the national estimates that show that:
· 77% of women had experienced verbal sexual harassment.
· 51% had been sexually touched without their consent.
· 41% said they had been sexually harassed online.
· 27% said they had survived a sexual assault.
· 38% of women said they had experienced sexual harassment in the workplace.
The resolution requests that the city’s human resources department offer sexual-harassment-prevention training to all employees and Providence elected officials.
by Billy Kepner | Apr 30, 2019 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-15
Over the next several weeks the City Council’s Committee on Finance will be reviewing every aspect of Mayor Elorza’s proposed budget and its potential impacts on our constituents from tax levies to services provided.
I look forward to working with Mayor Elorza and our teams to come up with a budget that addresses the serious issues we face head-on. I hope together we can address the concerns of our constituents, including infrastructure needs, and further economic development across the City; and other quality of life issues that affect every corner of Providence.
I, along with my colleagues on the Council are committed to working with the Mayor and his team in producing a budget that is financially prudent and equitable to the city as a whole.
–Sabina Matos, Providence City Council President
by Billy Kepner | Apr 29, 2019 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-15
City Council President Sabina Matos Welcomes
Rhode Island Education Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green to Providence
(L to R) Rhode Island Education Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green and Providence City Council President Sabina Matos meet at Harry Kizirian Elementary School in Providence on Monday, April 29, 2019.
This morning Providence City Council President Sabina Matos joined Principal Daniel Smith and the students of Harry Kizirian Elementary School, along with Providence Schools Superintendent Christopher Maher, and Providence School Board member Mark Santow in welcoming Rhode Island’s new Education Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green on her first day.
“Commissioner Infante-Green has a remarkable resumé, and her skill set is unmatched,” stated City Council President Sabina Matos. “Rhode Island is a unique state when it comes to the needs of our students, and although our state is small, we have a broad base of students that represent countries from around the world and who speak many different languages. The Commissioner’s work in this space, I believe, will make her an excellent leader in addressing the concerns that many of us have regarding our multi-language learners. With graduation rates in our capital city continuing to be on a dangerous and downward trend for these students, I am glad that the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) has begun to look at education reforms here in Providence and across the state. I look forward to working closely with Commissioner Infante-Green to make not just Providence, but the state, a case study in how we can turn around our schools and support our students.”
Multi-language learners are one of the fastest growing student populations in the United States, and here in Rhode Island. Several studies including the Rhode Island Kids Count Factbook from 2016, and other education advocacy groups, have all acknowledged that RIDE needs to address these issues that come from having such a diverse student body in a meaningful and transformative way.
Council President Matos continued, “The City Council welcome Commissioner Infante-Green, and we look forward to hearing her plans for transforming our states education system.”
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.
