Meet First Ward City Council Candidate John Goncalves
GoLocalProv Political Team
Meet First Ward City Council Candidate John Goncalves
The democratic primary is March 3, 2020.
Democrat John Goncalves
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTAge: 28
Profession: Educator, Diversity & Inclusion Coordinator at The Wheeler School, Founder, the Providence Coalition of Neighborhood Associations, 6x Board Member
Place of Birth: Fox Point, Providence, Rhode Island
How long have you lived in the district: Over 25 Years
The most important issue for the City of Providence to address?
I love Ward 1 and I love the city of Providence. However, the elephant in the room and Providence’s biggest challenge is it’s looming pension liability. The precarious financial state of a $1.3 billion unfunded pension liability which has been in critical condition for decades is bleeding into the effectiveness of the city and the effective municipal services the city should deliver. The damage of bankruptcy isn’t an option and the growing payments are hitting the city budget like an iceberg with a chilling domino effect.
The resources put towards the pension fund results in consequential trade-offs. This is impacting everything from our schools, to our taxes, to our public safety. It’s the reason why we can’t take care of the graffiti and the potholes in a more timely and effective manner, it's affecting our ability to fix up our public schools, our ability to maintain city roads, and staff our police force.
We need to ease pressure on the city’s budget and there are several ways to do it. Over 40 percent of the city’s land is off the tax rolls because it’s owned by universities, hospitals, and non-profits. We need to ally with community organizations to determine how large tax-exempt institutions can further forge more Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) agreements and bolster their contributions to the local economy. We also need to address and evaluate the $1 billion OPEB liability, property taxes, economic growth, and TSAs among other things to tackle the city’s financial challenges.
What are your three priorities if elected?
#1: Neighborhood Quality of Life & Environment
As a community leader, my goal is to be a kind, thoughtful, empathetic, inclusive and compassionate leader and ultimately, when it’s all said and done, regardless of race, gender, socio-economic background, we all want the same thing: a good life, great education for our kids, economic security, a clean environment, including clean air, clean water, clean food, and to be healthy and happy.
I’m committed to helping unify our city and helping lead Providence -- working side by side with neighbors, elected officials, and community partners -- to address the challenging issues before us such as the city’s pension liability, our struggling schools, our climate crisis, our structural inequities, our infrastructure, our public safety and our economy.
#2: Property Taxes & Affordable Housing
Property taxes are too high and I have completed an independent 40-page report which proposes alternatives to shifting more property tax burden on hard-working residents in 02903 and 02906. We need to look out for our families, our elderly on a fixed income and say enough is enough to property tax increases. Finally, and most importantly, we need to prioritize the expansion of affordable housing options for the 54% of cost-burdened Providence residents who spend over 30% of their yearly income on housing costs. If elected, I will work with the city council and community groups to pass legislation like linkage fees, inclusionary zoning, source of income ordinance, rent stabilization, etc.
#3: Smart Development
We need to encourage economic development that expands our population and tax base, increases jobs and municipal revenues all while ensuring that development within our communities has the consensus support of neighborhood residents. We need to enforce fair, inclusionary and equitable zoning principles that truly reflect the historic vibrancy and nuances of our Fox Point, Wayland Square, College Hill, Jewelry District, and Downtown neighborhoods.
What is your most important professional accomplishment?
My most important professional accomplishment is how I have been able to teach the next generation of our next brightest minds. Although this sounds cliche, it is the honest truth.
Each and everyday, I wake up at the crack of dawn more enthusiastic than the day before because I know that I have the opportunity to have a positive impact on the lives of children. Being able to do so is my greatest professional accomplishment.
My political accomplishments are also worth noting. I’ve done work for several politicians in Minnesota including roles as Chair of the Minnesota Senate District 60 Committee, Administrative Director, Strategy Director, Policy Aide/Advisor for key council, mayoral, attorney general (Keith Ellison) and senate seats (Presidential Candidate, Amy Klobuchar). It’s why effective leaders that I’ve worked with including Jacob Frey, Mayor of Minneapolis and City Councillor Steve Fletcher have endorsed me in this race.
My understanding of local legislation and how to get things accomplished in a diplomatic and effective way, is testament to my work as founder of the Providence Coalition of Neighborhood Associations, which brought 19 neighborhood associations together towards enhancing neighborhood quality of life. I’ll bring that energy to city hall.
Biggest professional disappointment?
Despite holding two degrees from Brown University, my biggest professional disappointment is having to leave this city due to the lack of economic opportunities in the city of Providence. If I had the option of staying after college, I would have. However, our weak business climate, struggling public schools, rising costs of living, and exorbitant taxes cause talent to flee the city.
As an educator at a private school, and a former alumni of Vartan Gregorian and the Providence Public Schools, I have a strong moral desire to advocate for our families and children in public schools in spite of the recent state takeover.
While I don’t see my decision to teach at a private school as a huge professional disappointment, I am disappointed that I haven’t done more as an educator for the Providence Public Schools, despite my hundreds of hours of volunteering in the Providence Public school system.
However, through my role on the council, I look to change that. We need to advocate for our $453 million public education budget to be used more efficiently. Simultaneously, we need to invest in our teachers and universal, quality education for all students in Providence’s public schools.
The person who has been the biggest influence on your life?
My mother. I was raised in a single-parent household, and my mother worked hard to raise me. As I explain often on the campaign trail as well, being raised in Fox Point meant I was also raised in a village where neighbors, friends, and family looked out for one another and helped us grow into who we are today.
That is what I think separates our campaign from the rest of the pack. Our campaign tagline is “Community First” and my deep love for the Fox Point and Providence community is what inspired me to run.
Favorite restaurant? At the moment: Plant City!
Best thing about the First Ward?
The best thing about Ward 1 is the people and the community. We are a diverse, vibrant place and it’s been a pleasure to call Ward 1 home for over 25 years!
Biggest threat to the First Ward?
The biggest threat to the ward is property taxes, which can be a very divisive issue.
I’m grateful to have been appointed to the property tax commission, especially considering I was in vocal opposition to the two-tiered system and organized thousands of East Siders on last year’s process, which resulted in the bill being killed in the House.
We need to help the most vulnerable among us and help modulate inequities and swings in values without demonizing 02903/02906, who already bear over 40% of the non-owner occupied and owner-occupied burden of property taxes in the city.