by Billy Kepner | Aug 6, 2018 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-6
On Tuesday, August 7, Councilman Michael J. Correia (Ward 6) will host the 35th Annual National Night Out Celebration at George J. West Park. National Night Out is a nationwide event that brings residents together with community leaders and public safety officials to build trusting relationships and bolster neighborhood pride.
”I invite all residents of Providence and the surrounding area to come and support this great cause,” said Councilman Michael Correia. “Getting to know our elected officials and public safety personnel is crucial to improving many of the quality of life issues that affect us daily. I especially encourage parents to bring their children and introduce them to our fire, police and emergency personnel, in case their assistance is ever needed.”
This year’s event also features music, a bounce house, a giant slide, complimentary food provided by Aramark-Sodexo, and more. In addition, Councilman Correia is also pleased to announce a backpack giveaway for the first 120 students who attend. The event is free, family friendly, and open to the public.
by Michael Florio | Jul 23, 2018 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-14, Ward-4, Ward-6, Ward-8
Tonight Council President David A. Salvatore, Senior Deputy Majority Leader Nicholas J. Narducci, Jr., Deputy Majority Leader Wilbur W. Jennings Jr., and Councilman Michael Correia introduced a resolution creating a task force to study the impact of public utility work on Providence’s roads and sidewalks.
“It is the responsibility of the City to ensure the maintenance of safe and aesthetically pleasing roadways and sidewalks,” stated City Council President David A. Salvatore. “Occasionally we hear from constituents that the sidewalks and roadways around their homes have not been properly restored after work done by a public utility. This task force will come together to study, review, and make recommendations for improving the laws, policies, and procedures affecting the impact of public utility work on our roads and sidewalks to ensure that public utilities leave these areas in good order.”
According to the American Society of Civil Engineers’ 2017 Infrastructure Report Card, 54% of Rhode Island’s public roads were rated as in “poor condition,” and Rhode Island’s drivers face costs of more than $800 per year from driving on roads in need of repair. Improved notification, coordination, and oversight procedures for street and sidewalk excavation by public utilities would lead to significant cost savings for taxpayers and utility companies, as well as greater convenience for residents.
“As a long-serving member of the Council I have always been committed to quality of life issues,” stated Senior Deputy Majority Leader Nicholas J. Narducci. “The state of our roadways and walkways can affect our property values and cause harm to both property and pedestrians alike. I’m very proud to support this effort to ensure these issues do not occur or are mitigated quickly.”
The issues surrounding the opening and excavation of streets and sidewalks are governed by both City ordinances and State statutes; are affected by the decisions of both public and private entities; and impact all who live, work, and visit Providence. Because the issue of street and sidewalk safety is of such great importance, the City Council will engage a broad group of stakeholders to adequately address these problems. And, as public servants and elected representatives of the people of Providence, the City Council has an obligation to ensure that roads and sidewalks are maintained in appropriate condition.
Deputy Majority Leader Wilbur J. Jennings shared, “Bringing together the key players will go a long way in achieving the goal set by the Council to ensure that all infrastructure work is completed timely and safely, and that any potential issues are dealt with quickly.”
The Task Force on the Impact of Public Utility Work on Providence’s Roads and Sidewalks will be comprised of:
Michael Borg, Director of the Department of Public Works (or designee)
Kevin Kugel, Director of the Providence Emergency Management Agency (or designee)
Cliff Wood, Executive Director of the Providence Foundation (or designee)
Scott Wolf, Executive Director of Grow Smart RI (or designee)
Two individuals appointed by Providence City Council President David A. Salvatore
Two individuals appointed by the Honorable Jorge Elorza, Mayor of Providence
A representative from National Grid
“The members of this task force will play an important role in helping create future protocols to protect the City and property owners,” stated Councilman Michael Correia. “Working with our utility partners to help form these protocols will ensure that all interests can be addressed. I look forward to seeing the good work this task force will accomplish.”
by Michael Florio | Jun 23, 2018 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-6
An Event to Promote Police-Community Partnerships & Neighborhood Camaraderie
On Tuesday, August 7, Councilman Michael J. Correia (Ward 6) will host the 35thAnnual National Night Out Celebration at George J. West Park located at 1279 Chalkstone Avenue. The event runs from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm and all are invited to attend.
National Night Out is a nationwide event that brings residents together with community leaders and public safety officials to build trusting relationships and bolster neighborhood pride.
”I invite all residents of Providence and the surrounding area to come and support this great cause,” said Councilman Michael Correia. “Getting to know our elected officials and public safety personnel is crucial to improving many of the quality of life issues that affect us daily. I especially encourage parents to bring their children and introduce them to our fire, police and emergency personnel, in case their assistance is ever needed.”
This year’s event also features music, a bounce house, a giant slide, complimentary food provided by Aramark-Sodexo, and more. In addition, Councilman Correia is also pleased to announce a backpack giveaway for the first 120 students who attend. The event is free, family friendly, and open to the public.
by Michael Florio | Apr 18, 2018 | Community Engagement, Council News, Press Release, Ward-10, Ward-11, Ward-6
The Providence City Council helped secure a location in South Providence for a carnival for children and families of that neighborhood and beyond. Family-owned Rockwell Amusements’ midway will be located between Point and Eddy Streets from April 27 to May 6.
City Councilors Michael Correia, Mary Kay Harris, and Luis A. Aponte worked with Lifespan and Rhode Island Hospital to secure a location for the carnival on a piece of hospital property located across the street from Lifespan’s Coro Center.
“As City Councilors, we know that events like carnivals are not always something that our community members can access,” stated Councilman Michael Correia (Ward 6). “We’re thrilled to be able to help find a location for this event with support from our community partner Rhode Island Hospital.”
“Rhode Island Hospital is happy to work with the Providence City Council to secure a location for the carnival in the neighborhood we share with so many residents and businesses of South Providence. My hope is that the children and families in our surrounding communities have a safe and enjoyable time,” said Margaret M. Van Bree, MHA, DrPH, president of Rhode Island Hospital.
Lifespan will also provide free parking to carnival patrons at the Coro Center garage, and a surface lot at 139 Point St. Street parking will also be available on one side of Hospital and Globe streets.
Councilwoman Mary Kay Harris (Ward 11) shared that “we’re grateful to Lifespan for their commitment to community and for providing a location for the carnival and also offering free parking during the event.”
City councilors will be distributing bracelets to community groups in South Providence for free carnival rides.
“I want to thank our partners at Lifespan for their willingness to work with us and Rockwell Amusements in order to make this festival possible on the Southside of the city,” said Councilman Luis A. Aponte (Ward 10). “The festival will bring together families from around our community and city, and I’m grateful to Rockwell for providing free admission for many of our young people who would not otherwise be able to attend.”
Carnival hours will be from 5-10 p.m. Monday through Friday and 1-10 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
by Michael Florio | Feb 15, 2018 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-6
Councilman Michael Correia (Ward 6) has formally requested a meeting with members of Mayor Jorge O. Elorza’s administration to review current safety protocols and procedures in the wake of yesterday’s tragic shooting in South Florida.
As this is the 18th school shooting in the first 45 days of 2018, Councilman Correia believes that we must come together to ensure the safety of our students, teachers, and staff at every Providence school.
“All too often we see events like the one that happened yesterday in Parkland, Florida, and we tell ourselves that it can’t happen here,” stated Councilman Michael Correia. “I’m guessing that the families, the administrators, and the elected officials in Parkland had thought the same thing. I’m asking my colleagues on the City Council, Mayor Elorza, Superintendent Maher, Commissioner Pare, and Chief Clements to come together to review what we are doing in regards to school safety, look for and fill gaps, and ensure that we are doing everything possible to keep the students, teachers, and staff in our care safe.”
The Councilman will be asking for an increased presence of uniformed Providence Police Officers at and around our city schools, a complete review of all policies and procedures in place regarding active shooter scenarios, and increased safety training for all members of the Providence School community.
by Billy Kepner | Nov 21, 2017 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-15, Ward-6
Acting City Council President Sabina Matos and Councilman Michael Correia will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new computer lab recently installed at Joslin Recreation Center on Wednesday, November 22 at 4:00 pm.
Through a grant from IGT, the city council was able to secure $15,000.00 in funds to create a computer lab at the Joslin Recreation Center. The lab will give children access to digital learning that was not previously available.
“Not every child has access to a home computer,” stated Acting City Council President Sabina Matos, Ward 15. “It’s our hope that by ensuring that students have access to computers at the Joslin Recreation Center this will help bridge that gap.”
Councilman Michael Correia of Ward 6, whose constituents are also served by Joslin said, “I’m very happy that IGT was able to provide this much-needed support to our neighborhood recreation center. Providing students with the tools they need to succeed in school is something that the City Council takes very seriously, and we’re grateful to all who made this possible.”
“Learning doesn’t end when our students leave school,” said Mayor Jorge Elorza. “Our youth deserve the highest quality access to technology and I thank the City Council and IGT for their commitment to making sure our kids have the tools they need to succeed.”
The Joslin Recreation Center located at 17 Hyatt Street in Providence is open Monday through Friday from 3:00 pm – 9:00 pm, and on Saturdays from 9:00 am until 2:00 pm.
