Happy New Year!
I hope that this note finds you well - staying safe and healthy - and that you were able to find or make some time for rest and relaxation during the holiday season. My husband Scott & I stayed home, but we continued our annual tradition of getting our Christmas tree from Confreda Farm. We also often gift each other fun ornaments - two of my recent favorites are the Benny’s ornament he gave me a few years ago and this year’s Senator Elizabeth Warren ornament from Frog & Toad. (see below for pictures!).
As we enter 2022, I am so excited that this is the year that I hopefully become your next City Councilor! I’m looking forward to the thousands of conversations with neighbors and new friends across Ward 3 over the next 8 months.
I wanted to share a few updates about both the campaign & things happening across Providence! As always, please reach out any time. I appreciate your support!
My Best Always,
Sue AnderBois
Endorsement Alert!
I am so excited to announce my first official endorsement! Run for Something endorses and supports candidates who are young, progressive, and involved in their communities, but new to politics - just like me! I’m grateful to Run for Something and excited to learn from them and the other members of my cohort.
Updated Platform on Website!
Check out my website to see my updated policy platform section! I have added sections outlining thoughts on issues such as Climate Justice, Housing, Public Schools, Small Business and Economic Development, and more.
I want to be upfront with you and others about my priorities and how I will represent you on City Council. Please reach out any time if you have questions or feedback. I also am responsive to your priorities and views - reach out to me directly any time with thoughts, articles, books to read, webinars you watched, and more at AnderBois.Ward3@gmail.com.
Sue on the Campaign Trail:
I’ve really enjoyed meeting with individual neighbors and in small, COVID-safe groups to hear directly from Ward 3 residents about the things that are most important to them and share my vision for the Council and City. Even as I ramp up COVID-safe door-knocking, I would still love any 1:1 or small group conversations (in person or Zoom). If you are interested in scheduling a time to meet with me or would be interested in hosting a COVID-safe gathering (in person or via zoom), please email me at AnderBois.Ward3@gmail.com. I look forward to meeting you!
I am also looking forward to hosting an official launch event in the coming months! I am carefully monitoring COVID numbers and official guidance on gatherings – my top priority is your safety and the safety of other Providence residents. More to come!
COVID Safety Updates:
As you know, COVID continues to surge across Rhode Island, and testing capacity is not meeting the demand. For those who are able to, please stay home and take precautions when you need to leave your home – wear high quality masks, stay outside when possible, and keep physical distance between you and others. For official updates on COVID numbers and protocols, you can check out the Dept of Health’s guidance. The Boston Globe also recently posted ahelpful piece on what to do if someone in your household tests positive that I’m keeping handy just in case.
ARPA Spending:
Mayor Elorza released a proposal on how to spend the City’s remaining ARPA funds. The recommendations are built around the City’s ARPA Task Force’s recommendations. The Mayor introduced it as an ordinance, which will now be vetted by the City Council - starting with the Finance Committee.
There are several of the programs that I am personally excited about. There is $12 million set aside for “sustainability” - which includes some necessary resilience infrastructure investments as well as $3 million set aside specifically for investments in frontline communities. The $28 million proposed for housing not only includes $17 million for affordable housing, but also $3 million for the home repair program - which can help residents stay in their homes and afford much-needed safety and remediation repairs. This was a priority raised by Local Return for ARPA funds, and as one of their founding board members, I attended the Task Force meeting where our priorities were shared.
Overall, the proposal includes an array of important investments. While hundreds of residents have already weighed in, there should be additional opportunities to do so throughout the budget process - I know I will be carefully following its progress and will post about it on social media.
Support the Campaign!
Thank you to all who have donated and/or signed on to volunteer on the campaign! I am so grateful. I am so thrilled to have so many people excited by this campaign and what we can accomplish together!
*If you would like to sign up to volunteer, please click here.
*If you would like to donate, please click here. (Or send a check to: Friends of AnderBois, 166 5th St, Providence, RI 02906)
With Gratitude,
Sue AnderBois
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