Hello Friends & Neighbors,
I hope that this note finds you well -- and staying cool in this extended heat wave. We have lots of resources available to help you stay cool - check out the Rec Centers with pools and splash pads at this link. This is a great time to check out the new misting station at Lippitt Park! And check in on your friends and neighbors -- avoid spending too much time outdoors to avoid overheating.
The Council is on recess for August -- so there are no formal committees or meetings of the Council at City Hall until September. I'm using the time to work on some ordinances for the fall and address constituent concerns. We also have a lot of community events coming up - check it out!
Property Taxes Due August 16th
Just a reminder - property tax bills are due on August 16th. You can pay online at this link or go to City Hall to pay in person. The Administration did not give Council a heads up that the bills would be going out late - so I apologize that I did not give you a heads up in my July newsletter!
A few folks asked me why the Council passed the budget late, so I wanted to clarify. The Council did not pass the budget late -- the Charter gives us until July 1st to pass the budget, and we did final passage on June 27th, with the Mayor's signature on the 28th. As I have discussed in prior newsletters, as a member of the Finance Committee, I am proud of not only the budget we passed (which included $5.5million in additional funding for the schools!), but also the transparent open process with calendars and hearing dates published well in advance.
Return to Local Control Survey:
The Council & the Mayor's office are working to ensure a smooth transition for the schools back to local control. The Mayor's office has created this survey to hear directly from constituents about it -- please take a moment to fill it out.
**If you were at our July Ward 3 meeting, this is the same survey we shared a link to then.
Mark Your Calendar - Upcoming Events!
Billy Taylor Day - August 24th 12-5pm! Celebrate Billy Taylor Day at Billy Taylor Park on Camp Street! Spend the afternoon in the community with delicious food, great people, and lively music!
Lippitt Park Ribbon Cutting: August 28th at 4:45pm! Come celebrate the improvements we've made at Lippitt Park --- check out the new playground equipment, misters, benches, updated sidewalks and more! A big thank you to the Parks Department for their diligent work to improve such a beloved part of our community!
Ward 3 Community Meeting on the Comprehensive Plan - August 28th at 6-8pm: I've been sharing information about the Comprehensive Plan in several recent newsletters. You can see the draft of the Plan that was shared with Council at this link. I'll be holding a Ward 3 specific meeting on the 28th (location still being determined) - with staff from the Planning Department on hand. There will also be a public hearing at City Council, but I wanted to make sure we had at least one event in Ward 3. You are also more than invited to send me your thoughts and comments via email.
North Main Street Vigil, August 15th at 5pm: The Providence Streets Coalition will be hosting a vigil on North Main Street for the 4 lives that have been taken from us on this street in the past two years. Please join us on the 15th and in our ongoing work to eliminate traffic fatalities in Providence.
September 15th: Hope Street Block Party! This weekend's thunderstorms postponed our beloved Hope Street Block Party -- which will now take place on September 15th!
September 23rd at 7pm: September Ward 3 Community Meeting. Location TBD - but mark your calendars!
September 25th: School Board District 1 debates hosted by the Ward Committees. This November, the City will be voting on 5 non-partisan School Board seats (the other 5 remain appointed by the Mayor and approved by Council). School Board District 1 includes Wards 1-3 (the East Side + Downtown). The Ward Committees will be hosting a forum for you to hear from the three District 1 candidates.
Recent Events & Celebrations!
9th Street Court upgrades with My Home Court & Parks Department: Check out the beautiful mural and court upgrades at the 9th Street Courts (behind the Sandwich Hut) done in partnership between the Parks Department and My Home Court. It is a wonderful project with upgraded tennis, pickleball, and basketball courts that weaves together beautiful arts and outdoor recreation. I also love that the light color of the courts reduces the urban heat island effect -- making the temperature much more pleasant than the surrounding streets! I was pleased to support this effort with funding available through my Neighborhood Improvements Funds. We celebrated with a ribbon cutting with the Mayor, My Home Court, Parks, and the Arts Culture and Tourism Department.
The Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council is an amazing resource in our city. The Council was pleased to include funding for their work in the FY25 budget - and I was so glad to be able to celebrate their great work at their annual event this past week.
At the end of July, I traveled to California to attend the annual Local Progress convening -- a conference for City Councilors and local electeds from across the country. I was joined by Council President Miller, Councilman Sanchez, and three of our fantastic policy staff. It was a great opportunity to dig in and learn from peers across the country - and I'm bringing back lots of ideas on housing, finance, environmental justice, and more.
What I'm Reading: As many of you know, I'm an avid reader -- and I'm spending a lot of time in our recess catching up on my To Read pile! Two books I want to recommend to you all are from two local authors and current/former elected officials.
A Conceivable Future is co-written by state Senator Meghan Kallman (whose district overlaps with Ward 3). I really appreciate the thoughtful examination of the question of whether to have children in the age of climate change and how we can all be nurturers and activists, whether or not we have children of our own.
Transforming Schools is written by former State Rep. and current PPSD teacher Marcia Ranglin-Vassell. Essential reading on trauma informed education for all Providence residents interested in how we support our kids in these tumultuous times.
Gratitude:
As always, thank you all so much. Serving as your City Councilor is an honor, and I work hard every day on your behalf. Please reach out any time via AnderBois.Ward3@gmail.com if you have questions or concerns.
My Best,
Sue AnderBois
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