by Billy Kepner | Jun 29, 2020 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-10, Ward-11, Ward-4, Ward-6, Ward-9
Providence City Council’s Committee on Urban Redevelopment, Renewal, and Planning Today Voted to Rename the Providence Pedestrian Bridge in Memory of Local Civil Rights Advocate Michael S. Van Leesten
This afternoon Deputy Majority Leader Mary Kay Harris (Ward 11) and Chairwoman of the Council’s Committee on Urban Redevelopment, Renewal, and Planning announced that they have voted to rename the Providence Pedestrian Bridge in memory of Michael S. Van Leesten, who was a long-time resident of Providence and passed away on August 23, 2019, at the age of 80. The Resolution to change the name of the Pedestrian Bridge was sponsored by Council President Sabina Matos, and Co-Sponsored by the Full Council.
“I worked closely with Mr. Van Leesten over the years, and his loss has left a hole in the fabric of our city,” stated Deputy Majority Leader Mary Kay Harris. “I can think of no better way than to honor the memory of a man who built bridges within the community than by renaming the Providence Pedestrian Bridge in memory and in honor of the significant contributions he made to this City and our State.”
Mr. Michael S. Van Leesten was a graduate of Hope High School. After graduation, he served his nation as a communications specialist in the United States Air Force, and upon discharge, he attended Rhode Island College, where he was a star basketball player. After he graduated college in 1965, he became active in the Civil Rights Movement. He participated in the Southern Christian Leadership Conference Summer Conference on Community Organizing and Political Education Project (SCLC SCOPE) in Choctaw County, Alabama.
City Council President Sabina Matos (Ward 15) shared, “Mr. Van Leesten was a giant amongst men, and he did so much for our city, state, and nation. I commend my colleague Chairwoman Harris for pushing this forward. When young and old cross that bridge, may it be a reminder of the good that can be done when you do the work like Mr. Van Leesten did.”
At SCLC SCOPE, he, along with six other college students, worked doing community organizing and voter registration in rural Alabama during the height of the Civil Rights struggle. He spoke of his time in the Movement as a “defining moment in my life.” He believed that singular experience made him a better person, a better husband, a better father, and a better community leader.
“I want to thank Chairwoman Harris for bringing this important matter to the committee,” stated Vice-Chairman Nicholas J. Narducci Jr (Ward 4). “I was proud to be a Co-sponsor, along with all my fellow members on the City Council. His life’s work deserves to be remembered and honored.”
Van Leesten served as the Executive Director of Opportunities Industrialization Center (OIC) of Rhode Island, which he helped found, for more than 15years. He had a successful consulting business, and also served as the Director of Planning and Development for the City of Providence. Additionally, he then went on to be the Director of Public Affairs for the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe from 1994 to 2006, eventually returning to the role at the OIC from 2006 until his passing in August of 2019.
He was a board member of numerous organizations, including the Board of Regents, Peerless Precision, and Fleet Bank. He was also awarded honorary doctorate degrees from Roger Williams College, Rhode Island College, and the University of Rhode Island.
Mr. Van Leesten is survived by his former spouses Natalie E. Brown, Andrea G. Van Leesten, and Paula Van Leesteen, and his loving children Jill, Michael, Ayyub, Andrew, Jordan, and Alexis, and his beloved grandchildren Aliza, Aaron, Az-Zubair, and Huria, and his siblings Rashad Munir, David Van Leesten, Lisa Van Leesten, and Dorothy “Dee Dee” Van Lesten, and was predeceased by his brother Karriem Muhammad (ne Hendrik Van Leesten Jr.) and both his beloved parents.
Michael S. Van Leesten was and will continue to be a beloved and admired member of the community, and his energy and smile have been missed by all that knew him. Upon passage from Committee, it will go before the City Council, where it will be voted on by the Full Council. Then it will be sent to Mayor Elorza for his signature.
by Billy Kepner | Jun 7, 2020 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-15, Ward-6
Council President Sabina Matos (Ward 15) and Council President Pro Tempore Michael Correia (Ward 6) partnered with ONE Neighborhood Builders and their Central Providence Health Equity Zone on Friday, June 5, 2020, to pick up masks to be distributed in the community to neighbors, nursing homes, and other public service organizations.
“ONE Neighborhood Builders has time after time stepped up to the plate to help our neighbors during times of need,” stated Council President Sabina Matos. “Their leadership in acquiring and donating these 50,000 masks speaks volumes to their commitment to public service. I want to thank their team for their generosity and for their dedication to the residents of Providence.”
Council President Pro Tempore Michael Correia and City Council staff were on hand Friday to pick up 50,000 masks on behalf of the City Council. These masks will be distributed to constituents, local businesses, organizations, and nursing homes to help meet the high demand for face coverings.
“The City of Providence is beginning to re-open again, and now more than ever, it is crucial that masks are made available to businesses and organizations to prevent further spread of the COVID-19 virus. I’m thankful to our partners at ONE Neighborhood Builders who continually work to ensure that our community’s needs are met,” added Council President Pro Tempore Michael Correia.
ONE Neighborhood Builders convenes the Central Providence Health Equity Zone (HEZ). HEZs are collaboratives of residents, community organizations, health professionals, and others who come together to address the root causes of health disparities. This work requires eliminating racism and discrimination and removing barriers to good jobs with fair pay, quality education, affordable housing, and safe environments.
HEZs works to improve health outcomes in targeted areas of Rhode Island. The 02909 Zip Code, where ONE Neighborhood Builders is located and the area represented by the Central Providence HEZ, has been one of the hardest hit by the COVID-19 virus.
Allegra Scharff, Health Equity Project Manager, shared, “The 02909 area has been disproportionally impacted by COVID-19; our HEZ works to end these health disparities. Being able to distribute free masks may be a small contribution, but it is vital to help our neighbors stay safe. We are so grateful to the City Council and all of the other amazing organizations who partnered with us to get these masks out into the community.”
Several community organizations took part, picking up large amounts of masks to distribute throughout the community. Other participants in this mask drive included SVDP Rhode Island, Family Services of Rhode Island, and the Rhode Island Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Nearly 100,000 masks were picked up in total to be distributed to constituents and business owners.
Council President Matos continued, “On behalf of the residents of Providence, we owe a debt of gratitude to ONENeighborhood Builders, Central Providence HEZ, the Rhode Island Department of Health, and our City Council staff that helped facilitate Friday’s distribution program.”
For more information on the Central Providence Health Equity Zone, visit them online here:
HEZ
From Right to Left: City Council President Pro Tempore Michael Correia, Marylee Dixon, City Council Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations and Doris De Los Santos, City Council Liaison loading up 50,000 face masks to be distributed throughout the greater Providence community.
by Billy Kepner | Jun 2, 2020 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-6
I want to thank our brave men and women of the Providence Police Department, the Rhode Island State Police, the Massachusetts State Police, and the police departments of neighboring cities and towns that helped assist in last night’s violence that unfolded in our City.
During these difficult times, the grief and sadness that our men and women of color are feeling is justifiable, but what unfolded last night was not a representation of that grief. The violence that occurred was calculated and planned and was not part of any kind of peaceful protest.
The events of last night showed that our Police Department handled themselves with dignity and professionalism while they were facing extreme danger. I will be working with our Finance team to ensure that our public safety officers have the necessary equipment to protect themselves in future events that might occur.
I ask that everyone join together and admonish the violence that occurred, and focus our energies on creating a place for peaceful dialogue and creating meaningful change in our City.
by Billy Kepner | May 21, 2020 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-13, Ward-14, Ward-15, Ward-2, Ward-6
Council President Sabina Matos (Ward 15) will introduce a resolution at tonight’s City Council meeting endorsing and urging the United States Senate to pass H.R. 6800, the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act also known as the HEROES Act. The resolution is co-sponsored by Council President Pro Tempore Michael Correia (Ward 6), Councilwoman Helen Anthony (Ward 2), Councilor Rachel Miller (Ward 13), and Councilman David Salvatore (Ward 14).
“It is vital that the HEROES Act passes the Senate. Rhode Island’s federal delegation has worked extremely hard to bring economic relief to our state. Yet, not everyone who pays their fair share in taxes is receiving the help they need under the CARES Act.”
The proposed bill, known as the HEROES Act, would protect undocumented workers employed in essential fields from deportation for up to 90 days after the duration of the crisis and extends eligibility for federal stimulus dollars to taxpayers who have an IRS Tax Identification Number but not a social security number.
Council President Matos continued, “There are numerous families in Providence who are working day and night in response to the COVID-19 pandemic but are still struggling to make ends meet. Even more, are dealing with the economic distress of being out of work or taking on unexpected expenses. Everybody, regardless of immigration status, needs help right now, and I urge the Senate to pass the HEROES Act so that the hard-working men and women in our City and around the Country can get the relief that they need and earned.”
Upon passage, copies of the resolution will be sent to Rhode Island’s federal delegation.
by Billy Kepner | May 13, 2020 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-6
After hearing from several constituents with concerns regarding their inability to pay their property taxes due to the closure of City Hall, my staff reached out to the Administration to pause Thursday’s previously scheduled tax sale.
During these difficult times, it seems prudent that we allow our constituents extra time to make payments that they may have otherwise made had City Hall been open. This does not mean that residents should not be paying their property taxes in a timely fashion, but in the absence of being able to make payments in person, I felt that we should delay Thursday’s proceedings.
I am glad to share that the Administration agreed and has postponed the tax sale for three additional months – allowing property owners extra time to pay their back taxes and to keep their homes.
I want to thank the Administration for hearing my concerns and acting so quickly to protect the residents of our great city.
Michael Correia, President Pro Tempore
Providence City Council
Councilman – Ward 6
by Billy Kepner | May 13, 2020 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-10, Ward-11, Ward-4, Ward-6
Tonight, the City Council’s Committee on Urban Redevelopment, Renewal, and Planning (URRP) passed a second round of Community Block Development Grant (CDBG) Funding to help local agencies in the fight against COVID-19.
“This evening the URRP Committee ensured that 33 Providence-based social service agencies shared in the allocation of over nearly $3 Million in funding to assist in the fight against COVID-19,” stated Chairwoman of the Council’s Committee on Urban Redevelopment, Renewal, and Planning Mary Kay Harris (Ward 11). “The CARES Act which was passed by both the United States House of Representatives and the Senate, and championed by our own federal delegation, allocated nearly $3 Billion in funds for local municipalities across the Country in the fight against the COVID-19 crisis. I am so grateful that we could help use these funds to support organizations like Meals on Wheels, DORCAS International, and Federal Hill House to name just a few. Each of these 33 organizations are doing critical work in every one of our City’s neighborhoods, and I am so proud of the work my Committee has done.”
In addition to the $3 Million in additional CDBG funding, the Committee had recently approved the allocation of more than $5 Million in CDBG funding for organizations that provide essential services in our community.
Vice-Chairman of the Committee on Redevelopment, Renewal, and Planning Nicholas J. Narducci Jr. stated, “It has been a difficult process to allocate this important funding to our neighborhood agencies. Each and every applicant was deserving, but with only limited resources, I believe we were able to make the most impact in our City. I thank each and every organization for their dedicated work to the residents of our City.”
Chairwoman Harris continued, “I want to thank the work of the Committee, City Council Chief of Staff Erlin Rogel, and Director of Community Development Emily Freedman of the Department of Planning and Development for their dedication and hard work in ensuring that we were able to maximize the allocation of funding for the residents of our City.”
The two CDBG budget allocations will go to the full Council for vote and passage.
For a complete list of awardees please visit the Open Meetings Portal at: https://bit.ly/URRPCommittee
