Statement from Councilwoman Nirva LaFortune Regarding Recent Gun Violence in Ward 3

Statement from Councilwoman Nirva LaFortune Regarding Recent Gun Violence in Ward 3

“These past few weeks, there have been two shooting incidents, one at Billy Taylor Park, the latest this Saturday afternoon in the heart of our Summit neighborhood. Both struck a personal chord for me,” said Councilwoman for Ward 3, Nirva LaFortune. “My children have played at Billy Taylor Park, and my daughter’s young friend, who has been part of our family with sleepovers and bike rides, reached out to me concerned about the shooting near Camp Street and Dexterdale Road. She lives three houses away, where multiple shell casings were discovered on the ground. This must end. How are these young people getting such easy access to guns? We must step up our efforts to prevent these crimes from happening. We need to pass stronger sense laws, invest in our neighborhoods, implement and execute a public safety plan, and get back to the basics of community policing. I ask anyone with ideas to please come to our community meeting on May 31, 5:30 P.M, at Billy Taylor Park.”

Providence City Councilors Send Open Letter to Governor McKee Regarding COVID-19 Response

City Council Brings Charges Against & Seeks Removal Of City Clerk Shawn Selleck For Creating Toxic Work Environment

This evening, the Providence City Council voted unanimously to approve a Providence Home Rule Charter Section 403 resolution to bring charges against City Clerk Shawn Selleck, and to seek his suspension or removal from office. The resolution charges Mr. Selleck with the following:

· Violations of the City Code of Conduct

· Violations of the City Anti-bullying Policy

· Violations of the City Anti-harassment Policy

· Violations of the City Workplace Violence Policy

· Creation of a Toxic Work Environment

· Inappropriate Management

The charges contained in the resolution are based on an independent investigation conducted by respected employment and labor attorney Carly Iafrate, which determined Mr. Selleck violated the City’s Code of Conduct, Anti-Bullying, Anti-Harassment, and Workforce Violence policies through a pattern of bullying, confrontational, and intimidating behavior that created a toxic work environment within the City Clerk’s office.

Pursuant to Section 403, these charges will be presented in writing to the Mayor and Mr. Selleck, and after a 30-day period, the Council will call a public hearing to weigh the charges and vote on the suspension or removal of the City Clerk (two-thirds vote of the Council required).

Statement from Councilwoman Nirva LaFortune Regarding Recent Gun Violence in Ward 3

Statement from Councilwoman Nirva LaFortune Regarding Violence in Providence Last Night

I am deeply saddened by the numerous violent acts that took place across our city last night, which resulted in multiple injuries and the death of a 20-year old woman.

I have spoken with Mayor Elorza, Police Chief Clements and I am working with the Public Safety Department and the Institute for Non-Violence as our community grapples with these devastating events.

The families of the young woman who tragically died, and all those who were injured last night, remain in my prayers. I have reached out to the young woman’s family to offer my condolences and support.

As elected officials and community leaders, we must work together to keep guns off our streets and create productive and healthy alternatives for youth in our city.

This is not who we are as a city. As we move forward let us remember that violence only brings pain and suffering. I will continue to work with the community and stakeholders in honor of those who have been impacted by the violence in our city.

Nirva LaFortune
Councilwoman, Ward 3
Providence City Council

Providence City Councilors Send Open Letter to Governor McKee Regarding COVID-19 Response

City Councilors Call for Review of Mayor Elorza’s Agreement with Achievement First

At tonight’s City Council meeting, Councilors Helen Anthony (Ward 2), Nirva LaFortune (Ward 3) and John Goncalves (Ward 1) proposed a resolution calling for a review of Mayor Jorge Elorza’s license agreement with the charter school Achievement First, which grants the charter school use of space in a City-owned elementary school. The resolution describes how the execution of license agreement did not follow the required public process outlined in Section 416 (6) of the City Charter which requires a resolution of the City Council to enter into a lease of a City building. This resolution was passed by the full council.

“With the current state of Providence’s school system, City leaders should all be working together to ensure that major decisions such as this license agreement are carefully considered and deliberated. It is customary for the City Council to review any lease of City property, and it is in the best interest of Mayor Elorza, Achievement First and all Providence students for the Council to take the time to properly vet this agreement,” stated Councilwoman Helen Anthony (Ward 2).

According to the City Charter, any lease of City owned property must be authorized by the City Council. Mayor Elorza entered into a license agreement wherein Achievement First will rent a portion of the property located at the Charles M. Fortes Elementary school for the purpose of operating a charter school at this location beginning in September. The City Council was not given the opportunity to review or approve this agreement prior to it being finalized.

“The City Council is the legislative body of the City of Providence. We are here to provide an open, democratic process for the City’s development and initiatives. It is disappointing that the mayoral administration did not initially reach out for Council input on a plan which involves the lease of valuable public property. We are calling on the administration to comply with the City Charter and allow for due process,” added Councilman John Goncalves (Ward 1).

In March of 2015, the City Council reviewed a similar situation, in which The International Charter School was being considered to lease the Windmill Street School building. This request was communicated by the City’s Director of Public Property to the City Council. The Council’s Committee on City Property reviewed the request and reported back to the full Council, which voted to against the lease agreement.

“Moving forward, communication and transparency between our City’s governing bodies should be a priority. As a City Council, we cannot fulfill our duties if we cannot work collaboratively with the Mayor and other City departments. While charter schools remain a contentious issue in our city, this is also a matter of principle and good government. We are committed to adhering to the requirements set forth by the city charter, which provides the foundation of our city government,” added Councilwoman Nirva LaFortune.

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