June 29, 2014 Ward Letter

This week’s letter discusses the tax shifting ordinance, a “signing party” and upcoming coffee hours to discuss City issues.

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At this past Monday night’s special meeting, the City Council gave final passage to an ordinance to adjust the relative tax rates for rental property owners and homeowners, effectively reducing the former rate by increasing the latter one.  You can read about the measure in my previous letters of June 1, June 8, June 15 and June 22.  The measure went to the Mayor on Tuesday, and he now has 10 days in which either to sign the measure, veto it, or let it become effective without his signature.  I have communicated my opposition to the Mayor’s office, and I encourage those of you who oppose the ordinance to let the Mayor know as well.

This past Monday, I filed my declaration of candidacy to seek re-election to the Providence City Council.  This coming Tuesday (July 1), I will receive nomination papers from the Board of Canvassers.  In order to qualify for the ballot, I have a week in which to collect at least 50 signatures from registered voters in Ward 2.  If you live in Ward 2 (click on Ward 2 map to check if you are not sure), you are invited to come to my house for a “signing party” at 330 Grotto Avenue on Tuesday, July 1 at 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. to sign my nomination papers.  Refreshments will be served.  While you are here, please tell me your priorities for the City and the City Council for the next four years.

Over the next four months, I will be meeting with Ward 2 residents to learn about our neighborhood’s priorities and concerns as part of my campaign for re-election.  (There are no other declared candidates for the position.)  As a result of redistricting, I will be speaking for the first time residents in the neighborhood bounded by Thayer, Power, South Main and Angell Streets, but I hope to canvass opinion throughout the Ward.  With that in mind, I plan to attend as many “coffee hours” as your hospitality (and my kidneys) permit.  If you can assemble a group of 5 people or more to meet on a weeknight, please send me an email and we can arrange a time.  (Lemonade and/or other beverages are fine, too, perhaps even better.)  During my conversations with voters during my last campaign, I learned how upset people were about the “Florida license plate problem” and the “Welcome to Providence tax penalty”, which helped inform my work on the City Council.  I am hopeful your feedback will give me new areas to address should I gain re-election to the City Council.

Thank you for your feedback and for your interest in City issues.

Sincerely,

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