Political Profile: Bradly J. VanDerStad—Providence City Council Candidate, Ward 3
Monday, August 15, 2022
Bradly VanDerStad is running in the Democratic primary for Providence City Council in Ward 3 -- here is why he is seeking the office.
1. What do you think is the biggest political issue this campaign season in Providence?
If I’d been asked this before I started campaigning, I’d say it was education, education, education. And as I’ve started talking with folks on their doorsteps, I hear that- but more largely, the people of Providence are tired of unkept promises. They are tired of crummy sidewalks and potholes, tired of a broken system of education that feeds the school-to-prison pipeline, and tired of a government that talks big on the environment but consistently falls short. The City of Providence and the State of Rhode Island need to look at their failures and see how they can get to delivering top-notch services that residents depend on.
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Improving our city’s economy comes from investing in its workforce. We need schools that are not only going to prepare our next generation of talent but attract families from other states as well. We need programs that remove barriers from participating in the workforce, like universal childcare, better fare-free public transit options, and public health initiatives that keep Providence residents and their children on their feet.
We also need a better way and better reasons for small businesses to interface with the government. Through my many conversations, I’ve learned small business owners feel disconnected from the city beyond paying taxes and fees- that needs to change. Providence needs to support its small business community better.
3. What is the greatest challenge facing Providence as a city?
As a city, our biggest challenge is a deficit of democracy, and missed opportunities to empower citizens to be the change they wish to see in their community.
Through my hundreds of conversations with voters, I’ve learned that people care about this city. They care about Providence Public Schools, they care about making the neighborhood safer, they care about going green, and they care about their local parks, community gardens, and public spaces.
As a leader of the City of Providence, it will be my mission to activate the folks who are passionate about local issues, and empower them into community leadership. The city sorely needs more regular resident input into its processes, so that speed bumps don’t need to be installed, removed, and re-installed, as they have on Chace Avenue. My plan to make this tangible is to appoint more citizen oversight boards for various city departments and find any way I can to empower community voices to make our city more representative and run more efficiently.
4. Why are you running for office? What makes you uniquely qualified?
I’m running for office because Providence desperately needs authentic community leadership. I’m the Vice President of the Summit Neighborhood Association, and from that position, I’ve demonstrated that I can collaborate with a variety of stakeholders to get results for my community. As a result of our support, the Rochambeau Library will be developing an outdoor reading terrace in the coming weeks. We collaborated with Mount Hope Leadership from the onset of the pandemic through now to address food insecurity in our neighborhood, and we are rallying to support a bright future for North Main Street. Every winter, we organize a volunteer force of shovelers called the snow brigade to help elderly neighbors clear their sidewalks.
This on-the-ground authentic experience makes me uniquely qualified to be in this contest. When given the opportunity to fight inequality in education, I joined Teach for America, becoming a 7th-grade math teacher in one of the most underserved middle schools in the country. When COVID-19 hit our communities, I joined the RI National Guard, so I could be part of the solution the next time our state is faced with such an emergency. When undocumented immigrants were being held at the Wyatt Detention Center, I stood in solidarity and was arrested for my role in peaceful protest. I always live my values to the fullest, and this is what makes me the best candidate for the job.
5. Who is your inspiration?
I’m inspired by anyone who answers the call to serve their community. Whether it’s serving on a volunteer board like the Summit Neighborhood Association, joining your local Rotary club, volunteering with education, youth sports, arts, theatre- whatever your passion is- I am inspired by people who are passionate about their communities and give of their time and resources to make it better.
For more info on VanDerStad's campaign, go here.
