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
Senate Committee Passes Enabling Legislation
Rhode Island Senate Housing and Municipal Government Committee Passes City Council’s Enabling Legislation to Enact a Homestead Exemption Last night after more than three hours of testimony, the Rhode Island Senate Housing and Municipal Government Committee, Chaired by...
Committee on Ordinances Approves Affordable Housing Trust
Tonight the Council’s Committee on Ordinance voted to recommend for approval an ordinance which would authorize the appropriation of funds to the Providence Housing Trust. The ordinance will be sent to the full Council for vote and passage. “This is an important and...
Committee on Ordinances Passes Legislation Defining Mayoral Appointments
The Committee on Ordinances has voted to send legislation to the full Council that calls for the appointments of the Mayor to not exceed their term, which is presently four years. Upon its passage, this ordinance will apply to all directors not appointed during the...
The Poorest Will Foot the Bill Under the Mayor’s Plan.
It is often said that budgets are about priorities. Judging from Mayor Elorza’s proposed budget, it is clear where his priorities are. For weeks, the Providence City Council’s Committee on Finance has heard from department directors asking to fund new programs and...
Pro Tem Correia Unveils New Radar Guns and Speed Sleds
Council President Pro Tempore Michael Correia (Ward 6), Council President Sabina Matos (Ward 15), and members of the Providence Police Department unveiled the latest equipment to enhance public safety at a press conference yesterday. The department is now equipped...
Bringing Back the Homestead
The City Council Leadership Team Announces Tax Levy to Benefit All Residents In April of this year, Mayor Elorza presented to the City and the Council his 2020 budget which included a $15 Million increase from the last fiscal year. In his proposal and budget address,...
