Political Profile: Corey Jones, Candidate for Providence City Council, Third Ward

Political Profile: Corey Jones, Candidate for Providence City Council, Third Ward

Corey Jones is a Democratic candidate for Providence City Council in the Third Ward. Here is what he has to say.

 

1. What do you think is the biggest political issue this campaign season in Providence?

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The big political issue of this campaign season is a city government that no longer hears the people they serve. Neighbors across the ward have seen decisions made or not made in their neighborhood without their input or feedback. Ward 3 wants a responsive councilor that'll practice active listening and create community-centered plans based on that feedback. We need to take things a step further, so no matter who serves, community-centered decision-making around zoning and planning is in our regulations.

 

2. What do we need to do to improve Providence's economy?

The state of Rhode Island has record low unemployment, and some businesses suffer from worker shortages. We need to take advantage of this situation, work with our most marginalized communities, and create pipelines to these jobs, which will also spur the economy. Formerly incarcerated folks and individuals suspected of being on the pathway of incarceration need to be offered opportunities like supportive services, mentoring, coaching, and jobs. This can not only help create more contributing members of society and reduce crime, but it'll also help struggling businesses.  

 

3. What is the greatest challenge facing Providence as a city?

Bread butter issues like taxes, infrastructure, waste removal, snow plowing, lead pipes, and public safety that's effective but also held accountable. The reality is property taxes will rise if we don't hold these large non-profits responsible for paying their fair share. City services are becoming increasingly underfunded as Brown, and other non-profits keep expanding. Our sidewalks have become hazardous, and neighbors have become injured from leaving and returning to their homes. We have put the responsibility of removing lead pipes on private residential properties on our neighbors as if clean water is optional based on socio-economic status. Our public safety system is a system of catching, incarcerating, and releasing with little to no effort to rehabilitate offenders and reduce recidivism. We need to hold the large non-profits accountable, increase city services, increase our pension contribution, and work with our state partners to maximize support and repair our broken infrastructure. We need to offer people pathways to become contributing members of society before they become incarcerated.

 

4. Why are you running for office? What makes you uniquely qualified? 

I'm running because I've lost eight friends and family members to gun violence, and I know those deaths were preventable. During the Black Lives Matter movement, a group of us protestors decided we wanted to turn the protest into systemic change, and we founded the first state and regional Black Lives Matter PAC. I later became the Executive Director, and we helped elected black and brown candidates up and down the ballot. I have professional experience working in Governor McKee's administration as a policy advisor championing:

Crisis intervention teams for all 39 cities and towns.
Working to legalize cannabis.
Our mental health courts pilot program.

Efforts that could have saved George Floyd's life. I also have the lived experience of being a survivor of gun violence. I have a unique perspective on community violence, and I have a plan to end it. 

 

5. Who is your inspiration? 

Senator Tiara Mack defeated a powerful 30-year incumbent that was anti-LGBT and anti-Choice. Representative David Morales got elected at 22 and has had one of the most successful freshman years in Rhode Island. Councilman John Goncalves is the city's most responsive and engaged councilor.

My father, who was incarcerated, and once he got a job and supportive services, became a contributing member of society. My mother lost her mother at a young age and survived as a single mother with three kids while her spouse was incarcerated. These are the people who made me think I can do it too. Offer authentic leadership from a perspective that currently doesn't exist. 

Bio:

Corey Jones is a candidate for Providence City Council Ward 3. Corey is Chief of Program Development on the executive team at The Department of Labor and Training and a former policy advisor for Governor McKee. Corey is also the former Executive Director and Political Director of Black Lives Matter RI PAC. During Corey’s time in government he’s focused on policies that reduce community violence and gun violence.
Website: www.coreyjonespvd.com
www.Facebook.com/coreyjonespvd3