NEW: Cranston City Council President Farina Announces Campaign for Mayor
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NEW: Cranston City Council President Farina Announces Campaign for Mayor
“Cranston is my home and when elected Mayor I promise to protect and to serve every Cranston resident regardless of your political affiliation or which part of the City you may reside in. Cranston has now proudly grown and become the second largest City in the State. To ensure harmony in this ever-growing and prospering City, I pledge to work with all constituencies throughout the City to ensure that no neighborhood is left behind,” said Farina.
Farina also discussed his goals as Mayor.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST"My goals as Mayor would be to work to continue to build on the strong foundation of our city. To spend your money in the most effective way possible eliminating spending where possible while partnering with our school department to upgrade facilities. Working to improve the city’s infrastructure by paving more roads and fixing more sidewalks. To upgrade facilities like our municipal hockey rink, continue to seek out public/private partnerships that benefit Cranston so we can work to reduce the burden to the taxpayer. Cranston is my home and when elected Mayor I promise to protect and to serve every Cranston resident regardless of your political affiliation or which part of the City you may reside in," said Farina
Farina made the announcement on Tuesday at Twin Oaks Restaurant.
Read His Full Remarks Below
About Farina
Farina was born in Providence on July 11, 1978, and has resided in Cranston his entire life.
He attended the Cranston Public School System graduating from Cranston West with honors in 1996.
Farina chose to get involved in his community and in 2012, ran for and won a citywide seat on the City Council, winning re-election in 2014, 2016 and 2018.
For the 2014 term, Farina served as the Council Vice President and for the 2016 and 2018 terms, he was elected by his peers to be the Cranston City Council President and preside over the leadership of the council.
In 2013 Farina was appointed to a leadership position on the Board of Directors for CODAC, a Cranston nonprofit focused on Behavioral Health and Addiction.
Read Farina’s Full Remarks Below
Good Evening everyone.
It is my honor and privilege to welcome you all to Twin Oaks, perhaps our Cities’ most celebrated and iconic restaurants.
To my beautiful, supportive, patient and understanding wife; to my fantastic, forgiving and loving children Michael and Isabella, I could not do any of what I do without the sacrifices you make everyday. You allow me to follow my dreams Thank you for your love and support.
Almost one year ago I began to seek your support for the next level of my public service to the City of Cranston. Your overwhelming positive and bi-partisan response, has been inspirational and truly humbling. Thank you for being with me on this journey.
As most of you know, I am a life-long resident Cranston. Attending Cranston public schools from kindergarten through graduation of Cranston High School West, in 1996.
I met my wife in Spanish class, and to be honest only remember a little Spanish, so obviously she left a large impression on me. Our time together has resulted in wonderful union of a lifelong Cranston couple. Ruthanne and I consciously chose to live, raise and educate our children in Cranston. Like their parents, they will continue to be productive and involved students of Cranston Public schools.
We truly love our City and we are invested in its great potential to thrive for future generations. We believe in Cranston and its continued ability to provide all children with a first-class education.
Preparing them for the challenges of the 21st century. In fact, one of the hallmarks of my tenure on the City Council and as City Council President has been my unwavering support of public education in our city.
The City of Cranston is and always will be my passion and its continued success is my focus. My zeal and enthusiasm for the City of Cranston is what motivated me to run for City Wide Council in 2012 and has guided me on my journey and brought me before you tonight.
Since my initial election to the City Council, it has been my honor and privilege to be re-elected to that office four times by the residents of our City. Since 2017, I have been humbled to be elected by my Council peers to serve as Council President.
During my time in public service, my intentions have been and will continue to be, focusing on how to better the lives of Cranston’s residents and most importantly limit the burdens on its hardworking taxpayers. Cranston’s attraction and charm lies in the strength of its diverse and proud neighborhoods. Although Cranston’s businesses, shopping centers, and restaurants are second to none it is our people and the families that make our city the jewel of Rhode Island. We as Cranstonian’s must share the same duty, a collective responsibility to make sure that each neighborhood has a quality of life that we all can be proud of.
As a leader, it is imperative to be able to recognize a good idea. It simply does not matter if it originated as a Republican or Democrat idea. Experience has taught me there is no partisan monopoly on good ideas and regardless of where an idea originated, if it is fiscally responsible and benefits the residents of Cranston, then it is deserving and will receive my full support.
As Council President, I have strived to work in a bi-partisan and transparent manner for the benefit of the City and its residents. For me it is not about the press release, not about the headlines and not about the Facebook post; it does not and will not matter to me who gets the credit as long as Cranston benefits by my actions.
Under my leadership, the City Council has maintained a fiscally prudent and hardline stance against regressive and onerous property tax increases. I have steadfastly supported our representatives and senators in their efforts to reduce and ultimately eliminate the unfair State car tax.
We have partnered with our state officials and our school committee to provide our public schools with increased financial support. We have worked to acquire the correct tools our teachers need to educate our children. We labored to reduce the tax burden on our small businesses making it easier to grow a business in Cranston brining in Jobs and much-needed tax revenue. We have worked to build great public/private partnerships to drive Cranston forward. Worked to find grants to drive increases in funding for afterschool programs, playgrounds, rec programs, and racial equity training.
We have worked to add more Public safety equipment and partnered with our Unions to pass contracts that are transparent and benefit all parties. The updated sports complex at Cranston West is something I am extremely proud of, not just as a Falcon Alum, but as a resident of Cranston.
My goal has always been to operate in the best interests of Cranston and its residents and to that end, to all present tonight, please know that you have my solemn promise to work relentlessly, day in and day out, on behalf of Cranston and all its residents. I will listen first to what the residents, business owners and taxpayers of Cranston have to say regarding our City and its future and develop policies based on those needs.
I stand before you tonight honored and truly humbled to formally announce my candidacy to be the next Mayor of Cranston.
My goals as Mayor would be to work to continue to build on the strong foundation of our city. To spend your money in the most effective way possible eliminating spending where possible while partnering with our school department to upgrade facilities. Working to improve the city’s infrastructure by paving more roads and fixing more sidewalks. To upgrade facilities like our municipal hockey rink, continue to seek out public/private partnerships that benefit Cranston so we can work to reduce the burden to the taxpayer. Cranston is my home and when elected Mayor I promise to protect and to serve every Cranston resident regardless of your political affiliation or which part of the City you may reside in.
Cranston has now proudly grown and become the second largest City in the State. To ensure harmony in this ever-growing and prospering City, I pledge to work with all constituencies throughout the City to ensure that no neighborhood is left behind.
As a long-serving member of the Council, I have realized that a short temper and grudge-holding do not move Cranston forward. I have learned that being flexible, open-minded and willing to listen to everyone is what Cranston needs, and I promise to act in the most professional manner as your Mayor.
I thank you for coming out tonight. I thank you for your continued support and I humbly ask you for your vote. We will be ready to lead day one, Vote Farina for Mayor this coming November. God bless the City of Cranston and all of its residents. Thank You.