This Thursday, citizens of Providence will have a unique opportunity: for 90 minutes, candidates for the City’s top job—Mayor—will sit quietly and listen to your ideas. Why? Because they all agree that it’s important to have more citizens involved in the conversation about the future of our city.
So how’s this thing going to go down?
You talk, they listen. The idea is simple: get residents talking more about solutions and new ideas. We asked the participating mayoral candidates to submit a few questions they wanted the citizens of Providence to answer. And on Thursday, we’ll have the chance to do exactly that.
Declared candidates Daniel Harrop, John Lombardi and Angel Taveras have submitted questions, as did Carrie Marsh, who is undeclared but considering a run. [Steven Costantino’s office called today to say that they would send questions by tomorrow. We will post when we have them.]
As of 9pm on 3/29/10 all named above have confirmed that they will participate in the event.
During the program, our moderator Mike Ritz will pose these questions to the audience. We will allow approximately 20 minutes for each topic area (although some may be a little shorter and some longer). Audience participants will have a minute or two to share their answers and ideas.
There is no formal sign up process, but Mike, assisted by second microphone handler Michael Gazdacko, promise to work the room like pros to make sure as many people get a chance to speak as possible. Mike will layout the ground rules at the beginning of the program…but common courtesy will be the order of the day (no bashing, no foul or inflammatory language, etc).
Remember: the idea is to talk solutions, not problems. Let’s show the candidates that we have real ideas, real enthusiasm and a sincere commitment to keep our City moving towards its full potential.
CALL NOW: We will be sharing ideas called or text messaged into the Uncaucus hotline at 401.484.8461. This is our chance to talk to each other about issues that, in many ways, will impact our lives for many years to come. Please call or text if you haven’t already. The call/txt is free and you do not have to share your full name if you are worried about privacy.
We are expecting a full house. Event starts at 6:30. Need venue info, go here. Free Valet Parking Available. Many thanks to Waterplace Café for hosting us.
What Now?
Read the questions below. Pick a few that you want to address and get serious with your answers. This is the time to shine. If you have specific questions, use the comment field on this blog post, or email info@uncaucus.org.
Category 1: Personality / Candidate Qualifications
1. Do you agree that, even in this period of crisis, Providence would be better served by a newcomer, or do you believe that at least some veteran office holders can and will be best able to turn our city around?
2. What is more important to you as a voter, a candidate's stand on issues, or a candidate's likability?
3. What qualities and experience are you looking for in a Mayor?
Category 2: Government Function
1. In order for city government to be effective, it must ensure transparency and accountability at all levels. What is working well and what can be improved to make city hall more transparent?
2. Would you support investing additional city resources into building a state-of-the-art website that is a one-stop dashboard for citizens to engage with their neighbors and their government?
3. What role can technology play in making gov't more customer-friendly, transparent, and efficient? How do you see local technology companies and local "geeks" being engaged in this effort?
4. Given the severe state and federal deficits, and the expectation that the state and federal government will continue to cut aid to cities, how much more are you willing to have your taxes raised to resolve the growing city deficit (now approaching three-quarters of a billion dollars) and institute new program (like the trolley system, etc)?
5. Most families and individuals have had to cut back on expenses during this recession. What programs are you willing to do without or cut back on (like fire protection, arts programs, academic programs, etc.)?
6. Are you in favor of eliminating whole CITY agencies by consolidating them with agencies in neighboring cities/towns, to create METROPOLITAN agencies (ie, eliminate the city fire department, the city school system, etc)?
7. Given that the City Council does not allow public comment on bills during its sessions, and comments are strictly limited during sub-committee hearings, would you be amenable to the appointment of an Ombudsman to collect public comment on ordinances before the Mayor gives her/his assent, thus increasing public debate on city policies?
8. What perceived barriers have kept you from engaging in the political process and City Hall operations to date? How can these barriers be lowered?
9. How do you think Providence could utilize technology to improve communication between the city and its residents?
10. How can we encourage immigrants to participate more in government, in addition to voter registration?
Category 3: Our City’s Strengths and Weaknesses
1. What do you love about the City of Providence? How can the City better support this activity?
2. What does Providence look like to you in the year 2015? How can emerging leaders and neighborhood residents best be engaged to help create this vision?
3. What most frustrates you about the City of Providence? What are your thoughts on how city government can resolve what frustrates you? Do you believe that patronage and corruption still cripple our city government? If so, what actions can be taken to curtail these activities?
4. Recently, Brown released a community impact report stating that there has been an increase in the number of students who stay here after they graduated (since 2005). What can the Mayor/City do to continue this trend in keeping/attracting young, energetic, passionate people from all of our area colleges and universities in our city?
5. How did you come here and why did you stay?
Category 4: Economic Development
1. How can city government better work with entrepreneurs, artists, musicians and small business owners so that Providence can begin to create new jobs - both "new economy" and "blue collar" jobs?
2. What can the city do to make sure that the slogan of "the creative capital" actually takes on a global reputation?
3. Foreclosures have decimated many of our city's finest neighborhoods with forced evictions, lowered property values and increased crime. What can / should the city do to stabilize housing in our neighborhoods?
4. What would you say are Providence's greatest assets that could be used to attract businesses to this city?
5. Give a shout out for your favorite emerging leaders who are building Providence brand? What can the City do to encourage their efforts?
Category 5: Education
1. What role can the city play in better engaging its students and parents in improving education in Providence?
3. How can we mitigate the 50% high school drop out rate in Providence?
4. Given that Providence is the only city or town in the state with an appointed rather than an elected school committee, would you amenable opening the debate on our academic system to the wider public by amending the city charter to make the school committee elective?
5. What could we do as a community to help non-English speaking parents to facilitate their participation in their children's education?
Lastly, if you have no rsvp'd please do so asap by emailing info@uncaucus.org or by visiting the event's Facebook page.
