[Summit] Fw: Ward 1 candidates' forum next Tues., Feb 18th, Ward 3 Community Meeting Weds, Feb 19th & 3rd Ward newsletter [weekend batch no. 3}

Fri Feb 14 20:11:01 UTC 2020

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| Meet the three candidates running for Ward 1.  |

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Special Election: Ward 1 Providence CIty Council

On January 2, 2020, Seth Yurdin announced that he was resigning from his position as City Council after 13 years of service to our city. Learn more here. As a result, a Special Primary Election for the 1st Ward Council seat has been scheduled for  March 3, 2020. 

To help you make an informed decision, please join us on Tuesday, February 18th from 6:30–8:00 PM at The Pavilion at Grace Church (300 Westminster Street) for a forum featuring the three candidates running in this special election.
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| Learn More About The Meeting |

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| Three Democratic candidates, Anthony Santurri, John Goncalves, and Nick Cicchitelli will share their campaign platforms and answer questions from Ward 1 residents and business owners. Moderating this discussion is Boston Globe political reporter Dan McGowan.  |

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| Submit a Question for the Candidates  |

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| Upcoming Community Dates:

Note: Based on the results of a recent DNA needs assessment, we are now hosting bi-monthly meetings in 2020.   
   - Ward 1 Special Election Forum - Tuesday, February 18, 6:30 PM, The Grace Pavilion
   - DNA Bi-Monthly Meeting - Tuesday, March 10, 6:30 PM, The Grace Pavilion
   - DNA Bi-Monthly Meeting - Tuesday, May 12, 6:30 PM, The Grace Pavilion
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   ----- Forwarded Message ----- From: Providence Ward3 <pvdward3dems at gmail.com>To: Sent: Sunday, February 2, 2020, 08:45:18 PM ESTSubject: Ward 3 Community Meeting Feb 19th 6pm Hope High
   Come learn about the state of Public Education in the Ward  
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Welcome to Our Ward 3 Newsletter

This is the first issue of the newsletter put out by the Ward 3 Democratic Committee. It’s our aim to bring you up to date on political events and issues in the ward, as well as important work being carried out by community groups in our neighborhoods, and social activities open to everyone. We want to report what’s already happened and what’s coming up. Our Councilmember, Nirva LaFortune, will provide regular updates on issues before the City Council.

What is the Ward 3 Democratic Committee?  We are 9 volunteers who are part of the Providence City Democratic Committee elected in 2018; we represent Ward 3 on a City level in the Democratic Party.

It’s our job to assist the Democratic candidates running for City Council. That means we need to reach out to everyone throughout the ward, because our political representatives can only be effective if they hear from voters about their concerns, and if the residents of the ward know what’s going on.

So in addition to regular reports from the City Council, we will feature your activities and concerns, and the things you think we need to know. We have quarterly neighborhood meetings to which all are invited.

Our first meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, February 19 at 6PM at Hope High School. We plan to publish this again newsletter in April.

Visit our webpage at https://www.pvdward3dems.org. Through our site, you can contact the mayor’s office to report an issue, register to vote or update your registration, or review the city budget and budget proposals. There are profiles and contact information for our City Councilmember, Nirva LaFortune, State Senators Harold Metts and Gayle Goldin, Rep. Rebecca Kislak, and Mayor Jorge Elorza.
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Let us know your thoughts and keep in touch. You can reach us at pvdward3dems at gmail.com.

Mike Czaplicki       Patricia Kammerer    Ruth Breindel   
Chair                     Treasurer                   Secretary
Committee Members:  Pamela Hughes, Thomas Spann, Marissa Lopes, Lee Clasper-Torch, Don Baier, Sara Dorsch
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|  COMMUNIITY MEETING
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19
6PM HOPE HIGH SCHOOL

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|  Mark your calendar for future dates!
May 13 6pm Location TBA
Sept 15 6pm Location TBA
Nov 10th 6pm Location TBA
If you have something you would like to discuss, please let us know so we can try to work it into the agenda.  |

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News from City Councilmember Nirva LaFortune

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Ordinances Relating to Night Life 

A series of new ordinance amendments have been proposed relating to the city’s nightlife economy. Although this is a legitimate attempt to increase nightlife safety it may; however, hurt our city’s small establishments. I have heard from owners of various venues including Ward 3’s  Parlour and these new changes will jeopardize the sustainability of their businesses. Small community-oriented establishments like the Parlor are an asset to our neighborhoods, so it is important to hear their concerns before making a final decision. Many business owners attended the hearing held on Wednesday, January 29. If you did not have a chance to attend the hearing but are interested in discussing your concerns with me please feel free to email nirvaward3 at gmail.com. 

Hotel Hive Tax Stabilization Agreement (TSA)

On December 10th, City Council voted to approve a  Tax Stabilization Agreement (TSA) for the Hotel Hive development project located at 203 Westminster Street. The historical site built in 1906, once housed the Providence Journal. The property remained vacant for years until 2018, when Jim Abdo, a Washington D.C. developer, purchased both historical buildings for approximately $4.3 million. The estimated cost for renovation is $39 million. The developer was awarded  $6 million in Tax Increment Financing (TIF) from the Rhode Island Commerce Department and $4.5 million in federal Historic Tax Credits. A 20-year Tax Stabilization Agreement was requested from the City in which the developer will make tax payments over a 20-year period totaling approximately $6 million dollars, resulting in a $2.6 million savings. In contrast, the developer of the Fane Tower Project has not yet finalized the purchase of the land, has only made a $1000 deposit, sought spot zoning and with the 195 TSA and Rebuild RI tax credit will save over $81 million on a $300 million project.

I voted in favor of this TSA proposal. Although I have concerns about the TSA structure and the need to reform the city’s TSA structure, I do recognize it is a tool for the city to attract development, increase economic opportunities and build the city’s commercial tax base. This project will not only bring additional jobs, but it will also generate various streams of tax revenue. While it is important to attract investment in our city, it is important for developers to make a good faith effort to the TSA requirements. The city must ensure that the developer abides by the provisions outlined in the TSA ordinance. 

Blackstone Blvd Safety Project:

A new safety traffic concept was developed by the city traffic engineer to improve pedestrian safety at  Hope/Chace Street and Blackstone Boulevard. The current concept in place (barricades, stop signs, left turn lane) is a field study. The plastic barricades that blocked the original entrance to the boulevard were moved on a number of occasions.  The traffic engineer has since installed white flex posts that are drilled into the pavement to block the entrance. The “stop” signs will be relocated to improve visibility and “STOP” pavement markings will be added for enforcement. Hopefully, this will prevent motorists from running through the “Stop.”  I did invite the traffic engineer to the February 19th meeting to provide an update.

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 Our mailing address is: 
 Providence Ward 3 Dems29 Brenton AveProvidence, RI 02906-2414
Add us to your address book 

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