Ward 15
All Members
Councilman Oscar Vargas
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. 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.
He currently serves as the Chairman of the Committee on City Public Works and a member of the Committee on Ordinances. He is also a member of the Water Supply Board.
Ward 15: Olneyville, Silver Lake, Valley
Recent News
Providence City Council to Host its Sixth Black History Month Celebration by Honoring the Life and Legacy of Michael S. Van Leesten
Deputy Majority Leader Mary Kay Harris (Ward 11) and the Providence City Council has teamed up with the Providence City Archives to create a Black History Month Online Exhibit and online panel discussion to honor the life and legacy of Michael S. Van Leesten entitled...
City Councilors Call on Residents to Vote “Yes” on Questions Two, Three, and Five in Upcoming Special Election
At last week's City Council meeting, Councilors put forth several resolutions urging Providence voters to vote “Yes” on ballot referendum questions two, three, and five in the special election taking place on March 2, 2021. In December 2020, Governor Raimondo signed a...
Providence City Council Ordinance Banning Housing Discrimination Has First Passage
At tonight’s City Council meeting, an ordinance which would ban housing discrimination for prospective renters who rely on alternative source of income such as a Federal Housing Choice Voucher, child support, Social Security, Supplemental Security Income (SSI),...
Statement from Council President Sabina Matos
Today our City lost a great community advocate in John “Johnnie” Britto. For over 60 years, Mr. Britto served the community as a mentor and friend to countless young people that came into the Fox Point Boys and Girls Club. I extend my sympathies to his wife Eufemia...
Providence City Council Endorses Creation of An Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Policy
At last week’s City Council Meeting, the Providence City Council passed a resolution requesting the Office of Sustainability collaborate with the Purchasing Department, the Healthy Communities Office, the Providence Public School Department, and the school district's...
Statement from Council President Sabina Matos Regarding this Weekend’s Homicide
As many have learned, the first homicide in RI of 2021 occurred in Providence this past weekend. It is a painful reminder that we, as a City, need to continue to work together to address the systemic issues that lead to these crimes. We know families thrive when...
