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
Statement from Council President Sabina Matos
“The Providence City Council and its staff serve the people of Providence and they ask us to do so compassionately, with integrity and respect. In public service, there should be zero tolerance for haphazard comments that divide and hurt. Furthermore, as elected...
Statement from Council President Sabina Matos
Today, Councilman Correia announced that he would be resigning from the leadership of the City Council. The Clerk’s Office is in receipt of his resignation letter, and I will accept it. I am glad that the Councilman realized that apologies are only as good as the...
City Council Approves the Refunding of Bonds Giving a $1.3 Million Boost to the City’s Pension System
Tonight, the City Council voted to approve the refunding of the City's bond portfolio. The refunding of bonds is much like the refinancing of homes, providing efficiency and better interest rates, which yield savings. "I want to thank the Committee on Finance, our...
Statement from Council President Sabina Matos Regarding Today’s Shooting in Olneyville
As many have learned, there was a deadly shooting in the Olneyville neighborhood late this morning. I am saddened and disturbed by the senseless act of violence. This is the second fatal shooting in our City this week, which is two too many. It seems that although...
City Councilors Ask for Federal and State Help to Fight Hunger
Tonight, Council President Sabina Matos (Ward 15), Majority Leader Jo-Ann Ryan (Ward 5), Deputy Majority Leader Mary Kay Harris (Ward 11), and Councilman John Goncalves (Ward 1) were lead sponsors of a resolution addressing the Rhode Island Community Food Banks’...
City Council President Sabina Matos, Chief Judge Frank Caprio, and Mayor Jorge O. Elorza Announce Amnesty Program for Non-Moving and Environmental Violations in the City of Providence
Today, City Council President Sabina Matos, Chief Judge Frank Caprio of the Providence Municipal Court, and Mayor Jorge O. Elorza announced an amnesty program of all non-moving and environmental violations in the City of Providence until January 31, 2021. “Due to the...
