by Billy Kepner | Apr 16, 2020 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-5
Majority Leader Jo-Ann Ryan (Ward 5) will introduce a resolution to honor the life and legacy of Armand E. Batastini, Jr. at tonight’s City Council meeting.
Mr. Batastini was a lifelong resident of Providence, he was a baseball and basketball coach, and an active community member of Ward Five, and he sadly passed away on April 11, 2020 at the age of 89.
“The passing of Armand Batastini is heartbreaking to all who knew him,” stated Majority Leader Jo-Ann Ryan. “He was a mentor and friend who shared freely with me his breadth of experience. I will miss him dearly.”
Mr. Batastini is a true son of Providence. He attended La Salle Academy, Brown University, and later graduated from Providence College as a member of the class of 1955 with a Bachelor of Arts in Education. After he graduated college, he dutifully served his Country as a member of the United States Navy. Following his tour, he earned his Masters of Education in Physical Education, Health, and Recreation from Boston University, but he returned home to his beloved Mt. Pleasant Neighborhood.
He served as the Rhode Island State Representative for District 8, which includes the Elmhurst and Mt. Pleasant neighborhoods of Providence, from 1977 to 1992. During his tenure, he served as the Chairperson of the Joint Committee on Accounts and Claims and the Vice-Chairperson on the Health, Education, and Welfare Committee.
His love of politics and public service did not end nor begin at the State House. Throughout his life, he was very involved in all aspects of his community. Mainly through sports, where he was the founder and later acted as a board member for the Elmhurst Little League for 41 years, and he was a coach of the St. Pius CYO basketball team for 61 years. He touched the lives of thousands of young people who looked up to him not only as their Coach but as a mentor through his dedication to sports and the community that he built.
He worked as the Supervisor of the Johnson & Wales University Recreation Center. He spent the majority of his career as a student support specialist for the Providence School Department for 36 years. Also, he worked as a Supervisor and Director for the Kennedy Recreation Center at the Providence Recreation Department for 25 years.
Majority Leader Ryan continued, “As the Councilwoman for Ward 5, I was lucky enough to work hand in glove with him on behalf of our residents. Not only was he the Chairperson for the Fifth Ward Democratic Committee, but he was also the Vice-Chairperson for the Providence Democratic City Committee and a State Democratic Committee Member for the Fifth Representative District. He lived his life in service to others, and that is why one of the greatest honors of my life was being able to rename the Pleasant View Recreational Center to the ‘Armand E. Batastini, Jr. Recreational Center’ in recognition of his many years of dedicated public service.”
Above all else, Coach Batastini was a devout family man, and he is survived by his loving wife, Mary E. Batastini, their four children, Armando, Maria, Laurie, and Christina, and his five grandchildren, Olivia, Paul, Emilia, Ryanne, and Lucien. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked for donations to be made to the Providence Recreation Support Fund. Checks should be made out to Providence Recreation Support Fund – Armand E. Batastini Jr. Recreation Center and mailed to 11 West Drive, Providence, RI 02904.
At the request of Majority Leader Ryan, the City’s Flag above City Hall will be flown at half-staff on Saturday, April 18, in honor of Mr. Batastini’s service to the City he so dearly loved.
by Billy Kepner | Apr 10, 2020 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-5, Ward-7, Ward-8
Last night, the City Council’s Committee on Finance approved an additional $5 Million for new fire apparatus through the City’s Master Lease Agreement.
“I would like to thank Chairman John J. Igliozzi (Ward 7) for his leadership of the Council’s Committee on Finance, and my fellow members of the Committee for acting swiftly after we heard from Derek Silva, President of the Providence Firefighters Union for the need to replace much of their aging fleet,” stated Councilman James E. Taylor (Ward 8). ” The Committee quickly brought back the City’s Master Lease Agreement and tonight approved the necessary funds for these vital pieces of equipment.”
The additional funds will go towards the purchase of potentially four ladder trucks, two fire engines, and one rescue apparatus.
Chairman on the Committee of Finance, John J. Igliozzi, Esq. stated, “This is an important investment in our City’s Fire Department. Our current fleet is aging-out and it was imperative that the Council ensure that the men and women of our Fire Department have the equipment they need to do their job safely, and with the knowledge that the equipment is in working order.”
Derek Silva, the President of the Local Fire Fighters Union, shared his concern regarding the aging fleet with the Council earlier this year. It was at his urging that the Committee revisited the needs of the Fire Department’s fleet.
“The Council’s top priority is the safety of our residents,” stated Majority Leader and Vice-Chairwoman of the Committee on Finance Jo-Ann Ryan (Ward 5). “We are in the midst of a world-wide pandemic and our Fire Department is often the first on the scene at any emergency. They are charged with ensuring the safety of our resident and their property, and without adequate equipment, it puts all of us in jeopardy. Our City’s economic outlook is precarious due to COVID-19, but the use of our precious tax dollars on this investment is not only prudent but necessary.”
The amendment to the Master Lease Agreement will go to the full Council for vote and passage at the next regularly scheduled meeting.
by Billy Kepner | Apr 4, 2020 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-5
I applaud the decision of the Rhode Island State Board of Elections who voted unanimously Friday to move the City of Providence Ward 1 Special Election to June 2, 2020 the same day set for the state-wide Presidential Preference Primary.
Thursday night, the City Council, at the request of the City Solicitor, voted to postpone the Ward 1 special election to May 5th, or the earliest date possible all while keeping with Governor Raimondo’s Emergency Public Health Executive Orders.
The Council did not make this decision lightly. Our goal has always been to fill the vacancy as soon as possible, but in the face of this global pandemic, we cannot ignore the seriousness of our current public safety crisis.
Governor Raimondo has been quite clear in her message, the better we adhere to the advice of the medical community today, the sooner we get back to work.
I wish to thank the Board of Elections for taking a wise and well-measured approach. The Board of Elections rightly expressed in its decision that the Council attempted to strike a balance between representation and risk to public health.
We all share the concerns and understand the frustration that many members of the Ward 1 community expressed, nonetheless we had to make public health the priority.
Jo-Ann Ryan, Majority Leader
Providence City Council
Councilwoman – Ward 5
by Billy Kepner | Mar 28, 2020 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-5
The novel COVID-19 pandemic is impacting every aspect of our lives. To protect ourselves and our families it is important that we follow the guidance of our Governor Gina Raimondo and our public health officials. Stay home, practice social and physical distancing, wash your hands and regularly clean surfaces. With all of us being diligent in maintaining these best practices, Rhode Island will help flatten the curve.
Governor Raimondo and the Rhode Island Health Department announced today that approximately 50 State public health officials and Rhode Island Army National Guard members will be on-site at Rhode Island College conducting drive-thru COVID-19 testing.
Testing will take place between the hours of 9 AM and 3 PM every day until further notice. Testing will be available by appointment only, and only after a referral from a physician. The testing will be done with the individual remaining in their vehicle. If you do not have an appointment, you will not receive a test.
Once an appointment is confirmed through the Rhode Island Department of Health, individuals will be directed to the swabbing site. The National Guard, the Rhode Island Department of Health, and the Rhode Island Emergency Agency do not anticipate any noticeable increase in neighborhood traffic, nor do they anticipate any long lines. They are instructing individuals to use main roads only, and individuals are instructed to not leave their vehicles.
You can find details and more information from Rhode Island College President Frank D. Sánchez here: COVID-19 Testing Site
I have full faith in our National Guard, and the Rhode Island Department of Health to perform this important function in our neighborhood all while maintaining strict adherence to public safety. The more testing we do, the more we know about the virus, and how to stop it.
In this time of fear and uncertainty, we are all reminded of the fragility of life. And, we are newly aware of how much we need each other just as we are being warned to distance ourselves.
I want to extend my sincere thanks to Governor Raimondo for her extraordinary leadership during these unprecedented times.
Let’s stay strong. Stay at home. For important updates follow the City Council COVID-19 web page. I am here if you need anything.
We will get through this together.
Jo-Ann Ryan, Majority Leader
Providence City Council
Councilwoman – Ward 5
by Billy Kepner | Mar 25, 2020 | Ward-5
Dear Neighbors,
We are living in uncertain times, and the spread of COVID-19 has many of us worried. It’s been especially troubling for our younger residents who might not quite understand why their world changed so quickly.
As a parent, I can understand how stressful this all might be. I wanted you to know that I’m thinking of you and that my office is working and fully operational, and able to assist you with any needs.
You can call the Council Office at 401-521-7477 or via email at council@providenceri.gov.
Please visit the City Council’s COVID-19 Resource Guide below. The site provides the latest updates, meal sites, and other important information.
Please stay safe, take care of one another, and remember to check in on our neighbors who may need help.
Sincerely,
Jo-Ann Ryan, Majority Leader
by Billy Kepner | Mar 19, 2020 | Council News, COVID-19, 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
Participants Can Call Into the Meeting With Their Phones
Providence will be the first Council Body to use this Teleconferencing Technology
In light of the worldwide COVID-19 outbreak which has affected many of us here in Rhode Island, the Governor issued an executive order earlier this week lifting the Open Meetings Act (OMA) restrictions for public meetings.
The order allows for adequate alternative means of public access such as over phone, internet, and audio or videoconferencing when it comes to public body meetings.
“Our goal as a City Council is to be as transparent as possible,” stated City Council President Sabina Matos (Ward 15). “We have decided to move from livestreaming to teleconferencing due to the rapid spread of the virus here in Rhode Island. In the last 48 hours, we have seen an increase of 21 positive infections, totaling 44 positive infections here in Rhode Island as of 1:30 PM today. It’s with that in mind that we have made the difficult decision to host our meeting using a teleconference line, a widely used and implemented practice. This will allow for residents to hear the discussions as it happens by our body in real-time.”
In light of this executive order, in addition to the prior executive order limiting gatherings of more than 25 people, and to protect the health of our Councilors, staff, and our residents Council President Sabina Matos has decided to seek alternative public access mediums for tonight’s Council meeting. The City Council will be using a teleconferencing platform for tonight’s meeting.
Call-In Information is Below:
Please dial: 1-646-558-8656
Pin: 692739810#
Press # again to enter the conference waiting room.
This tough decision is premised on an urgency to preserve public health while also maintaining the spirit of an open and transparent governmental process.
