The Ward 14 City Council debate shows clear differences between the candidates

Providence Community Libraries and Wanskuk Library hosted in Providence a Providence City Council Ward 14 debate with the three Democratic candidates in the running, Patrick Griffin, Shelley Petersonand Andrew Poyant.

Acting Member of Ward 14 City Council David Salvatore is temporary and primary progressive state senator Samuel Bell (Democrat, District 5, Providence) for his seat.

Since there are no Republicans or independent candidates in the Ward 14 council election, the next Ward 14 councilman will pretty much be decided by the September 13 primary, as they will run unopposed in November’s general election.

Subsequent to uprising RI format, each question is written as asked by the moderator, followed by a video of each respondent’s answer. There were some issues with the library’s sound system that were edited out.

The first three questions were prepared and presented to the candidates in advance. The remaining questions were asked by the audience.

Each candidate gave an opening speech:

Patrick Griffin:

Shelley Peterson:

Andrew Poyant:

Question 1: Much of Providence’s economic development has been focused on downtown revitalization. What specific measures would you advocate for economic development in the Wanskuk/Elmhurst area?

Patrick Griffin:

Shelley Peterson:

Andrew Poyant:

Shelley Peterson and Patrick Griffin respond to Andrew Poyant by saying they accept campaign donations from real estate developers who benefit from millions of dollars in tax breaks.

Shelley Peterson:

Patrick Griffin:

Question 2: While volunteers, government grants, and private donations are all essential to pay for our Providence Community Libraries, there is no substitute for city dollars, which fund the lion’s share of our budget. Each year, Providence Community Libraries campaign for sufficient funds to maintain our current library programming services. Although we recited a grant to increase staff, program and courses in our three largest libraries, there was not enough money to do the same for our smaller libraries, which included this one, Wanskuk Library. What steps would you support to increase revenue for Providence Community Libraries, particularly the Wanskuk Library?

Shelley Peterson:

Andrew Poyant:

Patrick Griffin:

Question 3: Residents of Wanskuk and Elmhurst have watched Providence College expand into our neighborhood. At the same time a developer [Strive Realty] is buying more and more properties throughout our area, primarily for rentals to short-term renters, including college students. What do you think of these raids on Wanskuk and Elmhurst? Is there anything the city can do to ensure that this expansion doesn’t turn the community of mostly long-term renters and homeowners into a neighborhood dominated by transient renters, many of whom are college students?

Andrew Poyant:

Patrick Griffin:

Shelley Peterson:

Andrew Poyant is responding to Shelley Peterson’s claim that he publicly stated that Providence College’s incursion into the boroughs of Wanskuk and Elmhurst was “irrelevant”.

Andrew Poyant:

Question from a viewer to Shelley Peterson and Patrick Griffin: “Just so I’m clear you two are for Strive, I see that all over the neighborhood and Andrew Poyant doesn’t?”

“I didn’t say that,” Patrick Griffin said.

“I didn’t say that either,” Shelley Peterson said.

“But you’re for the kind of people who come into our communities and buy up our properties? They bought a whole bunch on my street. The people who live there are now paying rent that is higher than my parents’ mortgage,” countered the viewer. “I understand that you want to work with everyone, including Strive. Is that correct?”

Shelley Peterson:

Question 4: Focusing on what you’ve done over the last ten years rather than what you want to do, what have you personally accomplished to help residents of the 14th Precinct?

Patrick Griffin:

Shelley Peterson:

Andrew Poyant:

Question 5: Some residents are concerned that police have unfairly targeted Black and Brown residents, particularly youth and young men, and have called for a reorganization of the police department and an amendment to law enforcement officers’ Bill of Rights (LEOBoR). Others are more concerned about crime in their neighborhoods and are calling for more police officers. What is your opinion?

Shelley Peterson:

Andrew Poyant:

Patrick Griffin:

Question 6: What is being done for the residents of this neighborhood on the Wanskuk side of Admiral Street? Walking through Elmhurst, the streets are cleaner, there are fewer abandoned houses and snow removal is also improved. A proxy is also required on this site. The sidewalks in front of this library are a disgrace, there is rubbish everywhere – the list goes on and on.

Andrew Poyant:

Patrick Griffin:

Shelley Peterson:

Question 7: How do you create a green life for everyone?

Patrick Griffin:

Shelley Peterson:

Andrew Poyant:

Question 8: If elected, would you commit to holding regular community meetings with constituents here at the library?

All candidates answered yes:

Question 9: Which three items would you like to eliminate after receiving the city budget and why?

Andrew Poyant:

Patrick Griffin:

Shelley Peterson:

Question 10: Two years after the state took over Providence Schools, many parents continue to complain that the schools in the city are not working. What, if anything, can you as City Council do to improve the situation?

Patrick Griffin: