Sanchez Asks for Greater Transparency in Providence Government
GoLocalProv News Team
Sanchez Asks for Greater Transparency in Providence Government
Transparency
“Ensuring that our local government operates in an open and transparent manner is one of my top priorities,” said Councilman Sanchez. “While the City has made great strides in recent years, more can still be done to improve public access to information.” Sanchez pointed to the new Open Meetings Portal and the work of the Open Providence Commission as examples of recent successes making the City more transparent.
The ordinance would require a wide range of public information to be posted on the City’s website. “Some of this information is has already been added to the City website through the Open Meetings Portal,” explained Sanchez, “but I still believe it is necessary to codify in law that this information must be available online and must be kept up to date.”
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTThe ordinance was referred to the Committee on Ordinances for further study. “I look forward to discussing this issue with the Committee and working with stakeholders to improve this ordinance and strengthen the City’s transparency’s efforts.” Sanchez also stated that he has already begun consulting with local organizations, such as the Black Contractors Association, to ensure that the ordinance addresses their concerns.
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)
