Mayor Taveras: Please Take Care Of Providence’s Kids
Saturday, July 20, 2013
The quality of life for many kids in Providence is far below the standards that we would like to them to experience.
According to Kids Count, 37% of Providence children live in poverty.
The unemployment rate for teens in Rhode Island is 25% and even higher in the City of Providence, the Department of Labor and Training recently told GoLocalProv.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTAnd, for much of the past few weeks, the daily temperature has been between 90 and100 degrees.
Making Poverty Worse
These are not the best of times for children and young adults in the City of Providence -- and the Taveras Administration seems to be driven to making a bad situation worse.
Since taking office just two-and-a-half years ago, Mayor Taveras has closed two pools in the poorest neighborhoods in the City of Providence. A report written by a Fellow for the Taveras Administration urged that the City’s pools not be closed, but in fact be repaired and their services expanded.
What is most disturbing is the closure of the pool at Davey Lopes this summer may have been motivated by the Taveras Administration as retribution against Councilman Sanchez for voting against his tax increases. The Mayor’s claim that the closure is one of cost seems shallow considering raises have been handed out in the Recreation Department, in the Mayor’s office and the Mayor still enjoys the company of a driver to many events.
Time to Reject Petty Politics
Mayor Taveras has been called out even by his allies. Former State Representative Ray Rickman says the Mayor is punishing the city’s children and limiting their recreation opportunities. According to both Rickman and Councilman Terry Hassett – the pool should be reopened. GoLocalProv – which rarely writes editorials calls on the Mayor to reverse his course from thin-skinned political leader and demonstrate real leadership.
Mayor Taveras, please reject petty politics and do the right thing for the children of Providence – reopen the swimming pools.
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