Carol Anne Costa: Rhode Island Has Desperate Need for Change Agents

Carol Anne Costa: Rhode Island Has Desperate Need for Change Agents

Rhode Island and its municipalities are in desperate need of change agents, as our collective future depends on a new wave of politicians and community leaders who are ready to embrace party principles yet declare a level of independence from rote party lines, or simply run as Independents, break with the status quo and move forward with a new passion which puts Rhode Island first. Believe me, every local party chair on both sides of the aisle has scrambled, persuaded and enticed people to run and it is not an easy task, as most will tell you. At the end of the day, party chairs hope against hope that the truly motivated persons reach out and become champions of change, for whatever reason.

It’s Thursday of Declaration week here in Rhode Island, which means yesterday by 4 PM all those folks interested in running for office had to get their declaration of candidacy forms in to clerks’ offices from Westerly to Woonsocket, New Shoreham to North Providence and everywhere in between. While the bustle at the Board of Elections I am certain, was something to behold. Local canvassing clerks and the RI Secretary of State's Office work as a diligent tandem in order to get the info to the voting public in real time via the elections web portal. So the big question remains; will the new and old contenders of every stripe bring about change, foster independence, seize that rebellious Rhode Island gene or sadly give in to the status quo? Only time, campaigning and elections results will be the gauge.

So many local candidates begin political careers as one issue candidates; motivated by a perceived injustice, or the often tin ears of those in power. From my perspective it doesn’t matter how folks get in the ring, it is the gumption to do so that wins the day. Our system of governance is crying loudly for diversity, new insights and particularly new people.  It is screaming for folks who are motivated by a passionate drive to make inroads to solve our frankly huge problems. Will the declarations of candidacy filed yesterday reveal those mavericks?  We can all hope.

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Rhode Island needs new voices

The facts tell a story that on its face seems bleak. A CNBC survey ranked RI the worst place in the country to do business. A Five Thirty Eight headline blares off the screen, Rhode Island Has the Country’s Worst Job Market. Gallup took the temperature of Rhode Islanders in April and only 18% of those polled indicated a love for the ocean state. The malaise settling over little Rhody is palpable. Headlines and sound bites too often documenting our woes abound. The brain drain and our children leaving our shores for greener pastures are permeating the conversations. We are not in a good place and only good politics and solid candidates will help to lift us from these doldrums.  

Change does not happen void of differing voices, varied perspectives and more importantly a loyal opposition. These are ingredients which foster debate and usher in change. I am chagrined as I browse the Secretary of State’s Office database of candidates and as of the penning of this column only 15 GOP and 3 Independent candidates have declared for the RI

General Assembly and on the Senate side 7 Republicans and 6 Independents. Just like voo doo economics, change does not trickle down, it must emanate from the grassroots.

As a local party chair I can tell you first hand the difficulty in recruiting candidates grows more and more arduous each year, at the same time all the more vital for our collective future. It can be disheartening to realize the level of apathy and utter disgust that exists surrounding the political process. If the declarations filed yesterday prove to reignite races, re-engage the electorate and provide a modicum of hope for the taxpayers, perhaps the prospect of a new and positive direction can be attempted. Time will tell if the declarations will bring about independence, rogues, mavericks, change agents or just more of the same. 

Carol Costa is a public relations and community outreach specialist; she has experience in both the public and private sectors. She is the Chairwoman of the Scituate Democratic Town Committee and has extensive community affairs and public relations experience. She previously served in the Rhode Island Judiciary for nearly 17 years. Carol also enjoyed a successful development stint at the Diocese of Providence as Associate Director for Catholic Education and is currently the Executive Director of the Warren Housing Authority. Her work has been published in several local outlets including GoLocal, Valley Breeze, The Rhode Island Catholic, and Currents Magazine.