Many thanks to the 150+ people who turned out for the Uncaucus event on Thursday at Waterplace Cafe. It was a great night, complete with a little crowd management drama. All of the mayoral candidates were present and stayed for the entirety of the event (except Chris Young, who was escorted out by police about half way through the program for being disruptive and disrespectful to the audience.)
We audio/video taped the event...transcripts and follow-up will be posted soon. Some great ideas were shared and we are glad we have them on record!
Here are the candidates questions in full (as a reminder, candidates were asked to pose questions to the audience and the audience answered some of these questions on Thursday night). The questions are useful in that they 1) tell you something about the candidate's perspective and 2) offer us direction on problems where the candidates need citizen help in devising a solution.
We made clear to the candidates in the submission process that questions had to be 1) about solutions to city problems and 2) not an attack on other candidates. Many questions were eliminated. Candidates were also given an opportunity to amend their questions and resubmit.
In alphabetical order:
Steven Costantino
1. What would you say are Providence's greatest assets that could be used to attract businesses to this city?
2. How do you think Providence could utilize technology to improve communication between the city and its residents? We all know how to tweet and update our facebook status, but how do we use this or other technology to improve the city's direct communication with residents? We are looking for out of the box ideas!
3. We educate the best and brightest in Providence, what are three things that you would suggest the city improve to encourage these students to stay and build their lives here?
4. What could we do as a community to help non-English speaking parents to facilitate their participation in their children's education?
5. How can we encourage immigrants to participate more in government, in addition to voter registration?
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Daniel Harrop
1. 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, the Citizens of Providence, willing to have your taxes raised to resolve the growing city deficit (now approaching three-quarters of a billion dollars) and institute new program (the trolley system, etc)?
2. Most families and individuals have had to cut back on expenses during this recession. Given the reduced support expected from the state and federal government, what programs are you, the Citizens of Providence, willing to do without or cut back on (like fire protection, arts programs, academic programs, etc.)?
3. Are you, the Citizens of Providence, 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)?
4. Given that the City Council does not allow public comment on bills during its sessions, and comments are strictly limited during the infrequent sub-committee hearings, would you, the Citizens of Providence, be amenable to the appointment of a paid Ombudsman or Hearing Office from the Mayor’s Office to collect public comment on ordinances before the Mayor gives her/his assent, thus increasing public debate on city policies?
5. Given the now long history of failure of various city schools to teach our children (five of the six worst schools in the state being in Providence), and that Providence is the only city or town in the state with an appointed rather than an elected school committee, would you, the Citizens of Providence, be amenable opening the debate on our academic system to the wider public by amending the city charter to make the school committee elective?
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John Lombardi
Mr. Lombardi’s submitted an initial set of questions on March 26. After reviewing, we went back to his office to ask that questions be reframed to follow the format of the event. All questions are below.
Set 1:
1. Years of honorable public service and political experience today are being demonized by candidates who have zero experience and accomplishments in public office. 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. Many political campaigns count for success upon low voter turnout in certain areas. Does this strike you as reliance upon disenfranchisement, and would you support a candidate who would embrace such a strategy?
3. What is more important to you as a voter, a candidate's stand on issues, or a candidate's likeability?
4. In order for city government to be effective, it must ensure transparency and accountability at all levels. How do you rate the city's current 'checks and balance' system ?
5. Do you expect candidates to declare their positions on the most pressing and, in some cases, exigent issues and circumstances impacting Providence on a timely basis, or are you willing to be patient and accept the "I'm thinking about it" rationale -- even in the face of immediate need for comment?
Final Questions:
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. In order for city government to be effective, it must ensure transparency and accountability at all levels. How do you rate the city's current 'checks and balance' system? What is working well and what can be improved to make city hall more transparent?
4. What should candidates running for office do more of on the campaign trail?
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Carrie Marsh:
1. What does Providence look like to you in 2015? And how can emerging creative leaders and neighborhood residents best be engaged to help create this vision?
2. What is an issue in your own neighborhood that you would like the City to help you improve? How would you work together with the City to implement a solution?
3. What is one thing in Providence that you feel passionately about creating, changing or saving? How can the City help you?
4. What perceived barriers have kept you from engaging in the political process, and City Hall operations to date? How can these barriers be lowered?
5. Give a shout out for your favorite civic activist, local artist, entrepreneurial business, etc. Who are the emerging leaders who are building Providence brand? What can the City do to encourage their efforts?
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Angel Taveras
1. What do you love about the City of Providence? What frustrates you about the City of Providence? What are your thoughts on how city government is working to support what you love and resolve what frustrates you?
2. Do you believe that patronage and corruption still cripple our city government? If so, what actions can be taken to curtail these activities?
3. 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?
4. 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 - and the City's slogan of "the creative capital" actually takes on a global reputation?
5. What are the last three points of contact that you had with city government and were any of them online? And, would you support investing additional city resources into building a state-of-the-art MyProvidenceRI.com website so that its a one-stop dashboard for citizens to engage with their neighbors and their government?
