Community Leaders at Billy Taylor Park Rally Demand Action
Tuesday, July 22, 2014
GoLocal News Team
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Mt. Hope Neighborhood Association's Ray Watson addresses the crowd at Billy Taylor Park.
Community leaders, supporters, and candidates turned out at the Billy Taylor Park in the Mt. Hope neighborhood of Providence on Monday to address the ongoing violence and lack of opportunity for urban youth, and demanded action from the city's current -- and future -- elected officials.
"We had a good conversation last week, and we wanted to follow up for elected officials to show what their commitment is," said Ray Watson with the Mt. Hope Neighborhood Association. "Wherever they can help right now, that's what I want to see. If you can't do anything for us right now, how do we know you will when you're elected?"
Community activist Leah Williams Metts pointed out that Providence Mayoral candidate Brett Smiley signed up for the five-point plan right away, following the rally at the Garrahy Judicial Complex. "We want to see especially the 15% from the Google settlement money. We programs for kids 13-17 -- there are some basketball programs, but that's a seasonal issue," said Metts.
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Watson noted that Mayoral candidates Michael Solomon and Jorge Elorza both signed up at the event. "I believe it was for supporting the planning summit," said Watson.
Five Point Plan and More
We do our part to make sure violence is quelled in our neighborhoods," said City Councilman Kevin Jackson. "What I would ask, of future leaders, is not only to listen about the five points, bit prior to deciding to run for whatever they run for, what did they do as individual citizens to stop violence in our city?"
"We're going to stay consistent on this," said Watson, who note community leaders planned on going to the Mayor's office on Monday to demand action.
NAACP Providence Branch Five Goals
1. Recommend that the Mayor Taveras convene a "call to action" planning summit of the Providence City Council, public, and private leadership to develop a short and long term strategic plan to address the causes that manifests in the increased violence in our City.
2. Recommend that Governor Chafee direct the Governor's Workforce Board to establish targeted workforce development programs in the neighborhoods of high unemployment in the City of Providence.
3. Recommend that the Mayor and Providence City Council evaluate the Providence Recreation Department to determine its effectiveness in providing recreation and youth development services to increase its relevancy.
4. Request the Attorney General to dedicate 15 percent of the Google settlement funding to support youth development and ex-offender training and employment programming.
5. Request the Public Safety Commission to establish a community liaison to connect the high crime neighborhoods with the police department to help prevent wars and provide mediation support.
Related Slideshow: Providence 2014 Mayoral Candidates’ Top Priorities
See the issues of top concern to Providence Mayoral candidates Lorne Adrain, Jorge Elorza, Dan Harrop, Brett Smiley, and Michael Solomon -- and if elected, what their highest priority would be.
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Adrain - Top Issue
"Everything starts with the economy. Real progress will happen when Providence becomes more economically competitive and jobs are being created so that everyone benefits. Schools, neighborhoods and opportunities for all will be improved when our economy takes off."
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Adrain - Administration
"The top priority in an Adrain Administration would be to create meaningful and long lasting economic change. This is the biggest challenge facing Providence and my experience allows me to help lead Providence's economic recovery."
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Elorza - Top Issue
"Providence must be a city of opportunity where businesses choose to locate, where graduates choose to stay, and where families choose to raise their children."
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Elorza - Administration
"My top priority is to make Providence that city and to create opportunities-- strong schools, good jobs, and safe communities-- that will allow families in every one of our neighborhoods to thrive."
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Harrop - Top Issue
"City finances: $600 million deficit in pension plan, $1billion deficit in benefits plan, reductions -- because of finances -- in police causing public safety concerns (down 75 from several years ago, when the academy graduates at the end of the year, given further retirements, we will really only be back up about 20-25 new officers), reduced ambulance runs, potholes, crumbling schools, etc., etc."
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Harrop - Administration
"Getting the unions into the office and reminding them, again, the city cannot pay the pensions it has promised. Again, the GOP said this 8 years ago, and we were right, the Democrats wrong. We are saying this again (this time, the Dems are silent -- interpret that as you will -- I interpret it that they know we are right, but they have problems admitting their complicity in this problem). We can further negotiate reductions, or move to receivership. Until we acknowledge we cannot pay the pensions, we will be unable to come up with the money for any and all of the spending programs the Democrats are proposing. Further increasing the highest commercial tax rates in the nation is not the answer, and only further depresses the city's economic fortunes."
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Smiley - Top Issue
"The most pressing issue facing Providence is our economic well-being, and that's why I've made job creation and economic development a centerpiece of my campaign. We've certainly made progress over the past few years and I'm grateful for the work Mayor Taveras has done to bring us back from the verge of bankruptcy, but we're not out of the woods yet."
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Smiley - Administration
"With little left to cut and nothing left to tax, my top priority will be to grow the economy and make City Hall a place where anybody, regardless of whether they "know a guy," can easily start or grow a business."
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Solomon - Top Issue
"The most pressing issue is economic development, and there are several components to this: creating jobs, growing our middle class and ensuring that every child has access to a good school. As a small business owner, I understand the challenges of running a business. I want to make it easier to do business in Providence. As City Council President, I've taken on those challenges by supporting a freeze on the commercial tax rate and moving the permitting process online, making it easier for developers to do business. I also want to rebuild our middle class and improve education, goals that can be achieved through my plan - "Rebuilding Providence" - which will invest $250 million to create 2,000 jobs and rebuild our schools."
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Solomon - Administration
"As Mayor, my top priority will be creating a city with opportunity for all. I will work together with everyone in the community to rebuild Providence's middle class, create jobs and strengthen our schools. I believe the people who know best how to improve our neighborhoods are the people in living in them. As Mayor, I won't be stuck behind a desk at City Hall. I'll be a Mayor in the neighborhoods, working hand in hand with the community to rebuild Providence."
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