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
Providence City Council Finance Committee Approves 5 Year Capital Improvement Plan
The Providence City Council’s Finance Committee tonight recommended passage of the City’s Capital Improvement Plan, a 5 year infrastructure investment schedule designed to address the needs of city streets, sidewalks, public buildings, parks and recreation centers. ...
Matos Calls for Independent Investigation Regarding School’s Failure to Report Molestation Allegations
Acting Council President Sabina Matos (Ward 15) is calling for an independent investigation of Harry Kizirian Elementary School officials’ failure to report molestation allegations to the Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF). Rhode Island...
Providence City Council Approves First Passage of Fiscal Year 2018 Budget
Fiscally responsible budget streamlines spending, reforms tax penalties, improves quality of life in every Providence neighborhood The Providence City Council tonight approved first passage of the $737M city budget for the 2018 fiscal year. The budget is the result of...
Council Overrides Veto of ‘No Smoking’ Ordinance
The Providence City Council tonight voted to override Mayor Elorza’s veto of an ordinance that aims to protect the public from secondhand smoke in a dense area of public spaces that comprise Providence’s downtown core. The ordinance was approved by the Council on May...
Council to Consider $45M Bond Issuance
Highly Detailed Public Infrastructure Plan Reaches Every City Neighborhood Finance Committee Chairman John Igliozzi (Ward 7) tonight introduced a resolution that seeks to authorize the issuance of a $45M bond from the Providence Public Buildings Authority (PPBA) to...
Councilors Call on Administration to Halt Controversial Traffic Plan at Roger Williams Park
Following public concerns raised among hundreds of constituents in Providence and Cranston, three members of the Providence City Council tonight introduced a measure to halt Mayor Elorza’s controversial traffic pattern plan for Roger Williams Park. The resolution,...
