City Celebrates ‘A Stronger Providence Day’ at Statehouse
Tory Elmore, GoLocalProv News Contributor
City Celebrates ‘A Stronger Providence Day’ at Statehouse
Elected officials, local businesses and organizations and the general public gathered for an afternoon of diverse artistic performances, samples from Providence restaurants, and displays from neighborhood associations and arts and cultural groups.
After a spate of bad news about the fiscal situation in the city, Providence officials yesterday sought to showcase the many positive things going on in the state’ capital.
Restaurants representatives served dishes representative of the city's cultural diversity, ranging from egg rolls and dumplings from Shanghai on College Hill to ceviche from Los Andes downtown.
Student groups from local schools gave short dance performances on the rotunda floor and various organizations — including BetterProvidence and The Providence Foundation — passed out flyers detailing local dining, environmental and health initiatives, and Taveras' proposed budget plans.
Fiscal problems persist
Taveras and several City Council members addressed the diverse audience, calling the gathering an event to celebrate the rich culture of Providence, not to dwell on its recent budget problems.
But the event could not completely escape them. The large crowd that poured into the Statehouse including some protesters who held signs declaring, "Fired" and "Don't Attack Our Schools. "
“Firing every Providence teacher and closing five schools does not equate with the mayor’s aspirations of building a ‘stronger Providence.’ In fact, his message undermines the very foundation of building a stronger Providence. Education is the foundation of building a stronger Providence, and Providence teachers are at the heart of building a stronger Providence,” said Providence Teachers Union President Steve Smith, moments before a teacher rally at the Statehouse.
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