Hello Friends and Neighbors,
Happy Labor Day Weekend! For some, we think of it as the unofficial end of summer. But Labor Day is an important time to pause and both celebrate the gains we have had as a country in worker protections and also recommit to fighting for all people to have jobs with dignity. The U.S. Department of Labor has some excellent resources and info to share -- including this link about how to organize an union. As we celebrate Labor Day, I am especially proud this year of the workers at Seven Stars Bakery who unionized and negotiated their first contract!
As usual - there is a lot going on in Providence, and I want to share it with you below!
Upcoming Dates to Save:
CD1 Election: September 5th:
Don't forget to cast your vote for the Congressional race on September 5th. (I'm sure I'm not the first person reminding you of that this weekend!). Voting locations for the East Side have been consolidated - so please check vote.ri.gov to confirm your voting location! Ward 3 residents are voting at: Martin Luther King School, the Jewish Alliance, and Summit Commons.
If you are still deciding who to vote for - I want to share a letter I co-wrote with Senator Mack and Chairwoman Anthony sharing our reasons for our support for Aaron Regunberg.
Regardless of how you vote, I hope to see you at the polls on Tuesday! Every vote matters!
Sue's Office Hours: Friday, Sept 8th at 4pm - Seven Stars Bakery on Hope Street
I was so excited to talk to so many of you at my August office hours! My next open office hours will be on Friday the 8th at 4pm at Seven Stars. This is an informal time to just come and chat, share your thoughts, or ask questions! There is no formal presentation -- just conversation!
Council Back in Session:
After an August hiatus (the Council does not usually formally meet in August), the City Council and Committees are back in session through the fall. I am excited to hit the ground running with several ordinances and resolutions that I will be introducing in the next few weeks. All meetings are posted on the Open Meetings Portal, but upcoming meetings include:
Finance Committee: Every Tuesday at 5:30pm
Full Council: Thursday the 7th at 6pm
Special Committee on the Environment & Resilience: Wednesday September 13th at 5:30pm
PVD Fest: September 8th - 10th:
PVD Fest Returns to downtown Providence in the 195 District Park on September 8th - 10th! Check out the ful lline up of activities at PVDFest.com. Volunteers are still needed to help make the event a success. If you're interested in volunteering, you can sign up at this link!
​Earth Day is Every Day at North Burial Ground: September 8th:
​​Rescheduled for rain - come start your PVD Fest weekend at North Burial Ground, helping to pick up litter, supporting the pollinator garden, and potentially planting some trees! Will be a lovely early evening!
​​
Other Providence Updates:
Comprehensive Plan Update:
Thank you to the more than 50 neighbors who joined us for our Community Meeting to give input on the City's Comprehensive Plan! If you were unable to attend or want to give additional feedback, there are multiple ways to do it:
1) Ward 3 residents are invited to join Councilwoman Helen Anthony's Ward 2 community meeting on the Comprehensive Plan. It will be in early October* via Zoom -- we will announce the date as soon as it's locked in. (**Please note: it is not on September 18th as was previously advertised - it is being rescheduled).
2) More opportunities to engage are listed at the City's website: https://plan.providenceri.gov/en/
3) I will be submitting comments into the process as well. Please feel welcome and invited to personally email me any of your specific comments so that I can reflect your sentiments in my formal comments.
​Community Electricity Program:
​
For all Providence residents enrolled in the Community Electricity Program, new rates will go into effect on November 1rst. (Electric rates always are updated every 6 months in Rhode Island - this is not unique to the program). We will have the new rates for you to see no later than October 1. Reminder that you can always opt out and opt in -- you are not locked in or out of this program. More information is available at: https://electricity.providenceri.gov/​
Thank you!
​As always, I am so grateful for all of you and your engagement! I am working hard every day to represent you on Council! Please reach out any time if I can be of service to you.
With gratitude, ​
​Sue AnderBois, Ward 3
Comments