Ward 15
All Members
Councilman Oscar Vargas
Councilman Oscar O. Vargas was elected to City Council in the summer of 2021. He represents Ward 15, which includes the parts of Silver Lake, Olneyville, Manton, and Valley neighborhoods. Councilman Vargas is the Chairman of the Committee on Public Works and a member of the Committee on Ordinances. He is also a member of the Water Supply Board.
As a resident of Providence for more than 20 years, Councilman Vargas has had the opportunity to experience firsthand the issues Ward 15 faces.
Born in Zacapa, Guatemala, Councilman Vargas immigrated to Providence, Rhode Island, in 1989. He attended Central High School, and after graduation, he worked at the Citizens Bank Corporation Office. Councilman Vargas has also worked as a jeweler; a year later, he opened his jewelry shop. In 2016 he received an auto mechanic certificate from MTTI.
Ward 15: Olneyville, Silver Lake, Valley
Recent News
Statement from Council President Sabina Matos Regarding Reports of Contaminated Soil in Olneyville
I am deeply concerned about the recent allegations of contaminated soil being used in the construction of the 6-10 Connector in Olneyville. This breech of public health and safety puts workers, public safety officials, and residents at risk. As the COVID-19 pandemic...
Councilman Goncalves and Council Colleagues Introduce Several Resolutions Regarding Returning to School in Providence
At the September 3 City Council Meeting, Councilman John Goncalves (Ward 1) introduced several resolutions with City Council colleagues regarding the start of the new school year, school improvements and COVID-19 preparedness within Providence schools. “As we approach...
Council President Sabina Matos and President Pro Tempore Michael Correia to Introduce Resolutions Calling on the City to Address Nuisance Issues
City Council President Sabina Matos (Ward 15) will introduce a resolution at tonight's City Council meeting calling on the City Solicitor’s office to reconvene the Providence Nuisance Task Force. The Task Force was initially established to identify and address...
Council President Sabina Matos and Senior Deputy Majority Leader Nicholas J. Narducci Jr. to Introduce Resolution Honoring Officer Jose Deschamps
At tonight’s City Council meeting, Council President Sabina Matos (Ward 15) and Senior Deputy Majority Leader Nicholas J. Narducci Jr. (Ward 4) will introduce a resolution recognizing Officer Jose Deschamps of the Providence Police Department. On August 13, Officer...
City Council President Sabina Matos and the Members of the City Council Call on the Administration to End Furlough Days for Department of Public Works Employees
The Department of Public Works is classified as an essential city department and for good reason. The hard work this department performs everyday to keep our streets and sidewalks in good shape, keep trash off of our streets, and our environment safe is vital to the...
Statement from City Council President Sabina Matos Regarding the Recent Uptick in Crime in the City Of Providence
Our City has suffered five homicides in the last two weeks alone. In the throes of a global pandemic, as we as a City wrestle with the resulting economic fallout, and as we as a nation confront centuries of systemic racism, we are witnessing widespread frustration...
