Dear Friends & Neighbors,
I know that the last two weeks have been challenging for many in our community with changes and pronouncements from the federal government. I want to start by saying that my commitment to support all of our neighbors is unwavering - regardless of gender, race, immigration status, sexual identity, or any other aspects of your identity.
Many community members have reached out with fear and concern for the safety of themselves and of their neighbors and friends. Dorcas International is hosting a training on what we know right now regarding immigration rights on February 6th. I will continue to share resources and trainings that I hear about that might be of interest to the community. And please feel welcome to reach out to me any time.
Changes at the federal level do not change my commitment to fight for you and for the things we care about in our community. If anything - this makes our work at the local and state levels even more important. Below is a link to a speech I gave at the Climate Action RI Rally on Inauguration Day sharing that sentiment as well.

As usual, there's a lot going on in our City, so I'll hop right in. You can find a link to this letter on my website at:
Results: The policies and programs I've worked hard on are showing results!
In fall 2023, championed by Councilwoman Anthony and I, the City Council unanimously passed the Building Energy Reporting Ordinance (BERO). Check out this Providence Journal article on how implementation is going so far. The Sustainability Department will also present on this to my Special Committee on the Environment in the coming weeks.
The North Main Street Task Force that I chair has been hard at work for the last year to make improvements to North Main Street and kick off longer-term efforts for infrastructure improvements. Check out the City Council's latest blog highlighting our work.

Upcoming Meetings & Events:
Monday, February 3rd at 5:30 - Council Chambers: Please join the City Council & the Mayor for the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Hall of Fame Induction and Awards Ceremony and kick off celebration for Black History Month!
Wednesday, Feb 5th - 5:30 - Council Chambers: Public Hearing on my proposed ordinance to phase out gas-powered leaf blowers. You can read the proposed ordinance here. Public comment can be given in person by signing up with the City Sargent in the Council Chambers or by submitting written comments to CityClerk@providenceri.gov. No votes will be taken at the meeting.
Meetings of the Full City Council: Thursday February 6th at 20th at 6pm. Agendas are found on the open meetings portal.
Friends of Lippitt Park meeting: February 10th at 6:30pm - Vincent Brown Rec Center. Email Ethan Gilsdorf to be added to their email list!
Finance Committee: Meets on Tuesdays at 5:30pm at City Hall, Committee Room B. To see agendas or cancellations, please see the Open Meetings Portal.
Feb 12th at 5:30pm, Committee Room B at City Hall: North Main Street Task Force meeting
Feb 24th at 7pm at Vincent Brown Rec Center: Ward 3 Community Meeting (more details to come)
Wednesday Feb 26th at 5:30pm, Council Chambers - Ordinance Committee Public Hearing on the first round of Zoning Ordinance updates after the passage of the Comprehensive Plan. The Planning Department gave a presentation on what is included in this first round of updates, and you can watch that presentation here. You can give public comment in person or by sending an email to CityClerk@providenceri.gov
Feb 27th at 5:30pm: Special Committee on the Environment: will hear a presentation by the Providence Neighborhood Planting Program on their work to develop and implement the PVD Tree Plan.
February 27th at Rhode Island College: As part of Gallery Night at RIC, hear Ulli Ryder speak about the artwork and history of the Bannister Grave in North Burial Ground. Ulli's father Mahler Ryder was the artist who created the artwork honoring Bannister on the grave -- and the copper from this artwork was stolen from North Burial Ground in 2024. To learn more and to donate to their efforts to restore the site, check out this website.

Providence Public Schools - Senator Zurier's Study Commission Report
A big thank you to Senator Sam Zurier for joining me & Councilwoman Anthony for a joint Wards 2 & 3 community meeting to discuss the results of his study commission on the governance of the Providence Public Schools. He was joined by former Superintendent Sue Lusi and former PTU president Steve Smith. And as always, a big thank you to all of the residents who attended and for your thoughtful questions and comments.
If you missed the presentation and want to watch it - they gave a similar presentation to the HOPE Committee in December and you can watch a recording here. You can also see links to their powerpoint presentation and the full report at that link. The report recommends ways to create a collaborative governance model between the school Administration and the teachers and teachers union. Councilwoman Anthony and I also submitted a resolution in support of Sen. Zurier's work, which you can find here.
Creating an actionable and realistic plan for returning the schools to local control that centers our students and their education and emotional well-being is a top priority of mine. I welcome your thoughts and feedback always - not just on the above-referenced report.
Our new school board members will be sworn in on Thursday, and I am looking forward to working closely with both Melissa Hughes and Corey Jones as they move this work forward as well. (Melissa and Corey were both also in attendance at this community meeting).

Additional Things Happening in/around Ward 3:
Welcome new interns! I am working with two interns this semester. Josh is a senior at Roger Williams University who will be working with me for college credit on traffic safety policy (big thank you to Professor Wendy Godek for the connection!). Maisie is a sophomore at the University of Vermont and was connected with me through an organization I belong to called Run on Climate. She will be helping me with policy research and drafting climate-related issues. I love working with students and also bringing additional capacity to my work to represent Ward 3!
Thank you to the parents who reached out about sledding in Billy Taylor Park. In communication with the Parks Department, removing the benches at the bottom of the hill just prior to a snow storm unfortunately could have exposed kids to unsafe conditions (metal parts, concrete, etc that can't be removed in the freezing temperatures). We've flagged this for future conversation as other changes are planned for Billy Taylor Park.
Parking on Woodbine: Neighbors on Woodbine received a notice from the City DPW asking for their thoughts on making Woodbine available only for parking on one side. Many neighbors reached out and expressed their concern about this to me, given the need for on-street parking. It will remain as is with parking on both sides.
Warming Center on North Main Street: In response to the extreme cold weather, a warming center may be opening on North Main Street between Colonial and Dexterdale. Many in our community have asked how they can help, if there are volunteer opportunities, and/or if donations are needed. I will share information as it becomes available to me.
Gratitude:
As always, I am so grateful for the opportunity to serve this community. Now more than ever our work at the local and state levels is increasingly important, and I am continuously so inspired by the generosity and kind spirits of our residents.
My Best,
Sue AnderBois
Deputy Majority Whip, Providence City Council
PS If you are able to support this on-going work with donations to my campaign, I am always grateful for the support. Online donations can be made at this link or checks can be sent to Friends of Sue AnderBois at 166 5th St, Providence RI 02906.
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