Former Providence Mayor Blasts Streetcar Proposal
Kate Nagle
Former Providence Mayor Blasts Streetcar Proposal
"We've already got 'streetcars'," said Paolino. "What they're looking for is $100 million to lay tracks down."
Providence unveiled its latest streetcar proposal this spring after an unsuccessful bid last year to obtain federal TIGER funds to move the project forward.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST"The intention is well-meaning, the idea is well-meaning. It's a nice idea if you want the Feds to pay for 100% of it, but the project calls for over $50 million in city taxpayer dollars," said Paolino. "Tell me the last time a project like that stayed on budget."
Earlier this week, transportation analyst Yonah Freemark looked at recent census data in Atlantic Cities for a piece entitled, "Have U.S. Light Rail Systems Been Worth the Investment?" writing that of the initial five light rail systems established in the 1980s -- Buffalo, Portland, Sacramento, San Diego, and San Jose -- "neither rescued the center cities of their respective regions nor resulted in higher transit use — the dual goals of those first-generation lines."
Paolino: Look to High Speed Rail
The Providence streetcar proposal touts an of economic impact that spark economic development, create 6,000 new jobs over the next 20 years and 250 construction jobs, increase surrounding property values by $1.1 billion, and attract 1500 new city residents over the next 20 years."
Paolino acknowledged the strong Rhode Island rail legacy. "Senator [Claiborned] Pell was the father of the New England corridor,' said Paolino.
However, in 2010, Paolino called the train station at TF Green Airport a "boondoggle" when the project was unveiled, and Amtrak announced it would not be stopping there.
As for the Providence streetcar proposal, Paolino said, "We can just buy some new streetcars, hire some drivers, and have them go around the loop proposed in project. We don't need the actual rail."
Paolino Setting Sights on Providence, Newport
The postmodern 100 Westminster Street building, which opened in 1984, is home to Providence Equity Partners, Hinckley Allen, Nortek, Bank of America, the US Attorney, Wells Fargo and others. With Paolino's purchase, it is now the only locally owned high-rise in Providence.
Recently, Paolino accounced along with investors an agreement to purchase Newport Grand, contingent upon a successful table games referendum this fall.
Providence City Council: Who Will Be the Next President?
Seth Yurdin
Councilman Seth Yurdin was first elected in 2006 to represent Ward One of Providence, and was re-elected in 2010.
Between 2011-2015, his committee appointments include:
- Chairman of the Committee on Ordinances
- Member, Committee on City Property
- Member, Committee on Rules
- Member, Subcommittee on Healthy Communities & Women
- Chairman, Committee on Ward Boundaries
Samuel D. Zurier
Councilman Sam Zurier was elected the Council person for Ward 2 in November 2010, and began his first term in 2011.
He serves on the following committees:
- Committee on Finance
- Committee on Ordinances
- Chair, Special Committee on Education
- Special Committee on Ways and Means
- Special Committee on Women and Healthy Communities
Kevin Jackson
Councilman Kevin E. Jackson joined the Providence City Council in 1995, and was re-elected in 1998, 2002, 2006 and 2010. Councilman Jackson, a Democrat, represents Ward 3, which includes the Hope and Mount Hope neighborhoods.
Committees:
Chairman, Committee on City Property, 2007-2011
Member, Committee on Urban Redevelopment, Renewal, and Planning, 2007-2011
Chairman, Committee on Finance, 1999-2007
Nicholas J. Narducci, Jr.
Councilman Nicholas J. Narducci, Jr. was first elected to the Council in 2006, and re-elected in 2010 to represent the North End of Providence.
His committee assignments include:
• Chairman, Committee on Urban Redevelopment, Renewal and Planning
• Chairman, Committee on Claims and Pending Suits
• Member, Committee on City Property
• Special Committee to Study and Make Amendments to PERA, 2007-2011
Michael A. Solomon
Councilman Michael Solomon was first elected in 2006, and was re-elected in 2010 to represent the Elmhurst and Mount Pleasant neighborhoods.
Councilman Solomon was elected Council President for the 2011-2015 term. He is one of two council members of the Providence Water Supply Board.
Michael J. Correia
Councilman Michael Correia began his term representing the people of Ward Six in January 2011 after being elected to the Providence City Council in November 2010.
As President of the Providence Crime Watch Association, he has organized residents to combat crime throughout the city. Since 2005, he has led the Annual National Night Out Against Crime, a rally against violence and crime, as it passed through his community. He also is a member of the Sixth Ward Working Committee, a neighborhood group that has worked closely with the Police Department to reduce graffiti, vandalism, and other forms of crime. He has supported the Stranger Danger Program for children and the SAFE Program, which teaches practical self-defense to the elderly.
John J. Igliozzi
Councilman John J. Igliozz has served Ward 7 since 1997
He serves on the following committees:
- Chairman of the Committee on Finance in 2007 and 2011
- Chairman of the Committee on City Property
- Member of the Committee on Public Works
- Serves on the Board of Park Commissioners and the Providence Housing Authority
Wilbur W. Jennings, Jr.
Councilman Wilbur Jennings was first elected the councilman for the eighth ward in November 2010, and began his term in January 2011. He worked for the City of Providence in varying capacities for 28 years, eventually attaining the position of Deputy Superintendent and Superintendent of several divisions of the Department of Public Works.
He also serves on the Providence Community Action Program’s (ProCAP) Board of Director.
Carmen Castillo
Carmen Castillo was elected Councilwoman for Ward 9 in a special election in November 2011, and began her first term in January 2012. Currently, she is a union steward, and also a member of the Executive Board for UNITE HERE Local 217.
Luis A. Aponte
Councilman Luis Aponte was first elected to the Providence City Council in 1998, representing the Tenth Ward neighborhoods of Lower South Providence and Washington Park. He was re-elected in 2002, 2006 and 2010.
In addition to having served as the Council Majority Leader (2003-2007), Councilman Aponte has served on various committees, including the Committee on Finance, the Special Commission on State Legislation, the City Council Rules Committee, and the Committee on Ward Boundaries, which proposed the new ward map to the City Council in February 2002. In addition, Councilman Aponte is one of two council representatives on the Providence Redevelopment Agency.
Davian Sanchez
Councilman Sanchez is currently enrolled at Johnson & Wales University (JWU), and is pursuing a bachelor’s in Financial Service Management.
Councilman Sanchez has the distinction of being the youngest Dominican-American elected official in the United States, as well as the youngest member elected to the Providence City Council.
Terrence M. Hassett
Councilman Terrence M. Hassett was first elected to the City Council to represent Ward 12 in Providence in 1997 in a special election. He was re-elected in 1998, 2002, 2006 and 2010.
Hassett was elected Council President Pro Tempore for the 2011-2015 term, and currently serves on the following committees:
- Chairman of Committee on Public Works
- Member of Committee on Finance
- Member of Committee on Ordinances
- Member of Committee on Urban Renewal, Redevelopment & Planning
Bryan Principe
Bryan Principe is a newly elected member of the City Council, his term commencing in January 2011. Though new to elective office, he has been actively engaged in the community for years. Bryan has participated in community cleanups, tree plantings and neighborhood festivals.
He serves on the following committees:
- City Plan Commission
- West Broadway Neighborhood Association
- Ward 13 Democratic committee
David A. Salvatore
David A. Salvatore began his first term as the councilman for the fourteenth ward in January 2011. Since taking office, his primary focus has been financial and pension reform in the city. He was Chairman of the Subcommittee on Pension Sustainability, which issued a report and made recommendations—many of which were adopted—to stabilize the pension system and reduce the system’s unfunded liability.
David’s current committee assignments are:
- Chairman, Special Committee on Ways and Means
- Vice-Chairman, Committee on Ordinances
- Member, Special Committee on Education
Sabina Matos
Councilwoman Sabina Matos was elected or Ward 15 in November 2010, and began her first term in January 2011.
She has served on the following commitees and initiatives:
- Board of Directors of the Olneyville Housing Corporation
- Associate Director of New Roots Providence
- Graduate of the Rhode Island Latino Civic Fund’s Latina Leadership Institute and President since 2007
- President of the Board of Directors of the Education Center for the Arts & Sciences Theater (Teatro ECAS)
