The Independent Townie

NOTE: The Independent Townie will publish any campaign events submitted as part of our events calendar. The publishing of campaign events does not represent the views of The Independent Townie, the editors or author. 

To paraphrase the popular 80's band The Clash, If they go there may be trouble and if they stay it may be double. While the four year terms come closer to being finalized six years after being passed by the voters, the latest furor has been how the likely codification of the four year terms would apply to the current city council. Would the current council stay an additional two years or would the four year terms take effect for the 2018 election? This is of particular interest to those who have announced intentions to seek council seats this year, including Bob Rodericks and Nate Cahoon. Rodericks released a statement to us stating "I appreciate mayoral candidate Chrissy Rossi again bringing up the issue of City Councils ignoring voter results. But I disagree with saying that the solution is to revert the calendar back to seek a remedy. Mistakes were made by prior governmental officials, at the City or State or with both. The answer isn't to say that Bob...

Nicholas Oliver, one of the first to announce to be the first Mayor of East Providence took to social media to announce he was suspending his campaign. Oliver had been the first to kick off his campaign this summer. He is the CEO of the Rhode Island Partnership for Home Care.  In his message, Oliver cited a "personal matter involving my children" as the reason for effectively ending his bid for East Providence' highest office.  Oliver ended his message thanking his friends and supporters "Suzanne and I have been grateful for the amazing and humbling support of our community. I know that this would have resulted in a winning campaign to lead our city toward its much-needed fresh start."  Oliver also asked for privacy at this time.

Former East Providence City Councilwoman and School Committee member Chrissy Rossi announced via Facebook on February 21st that she would be seeking to be East Providence's first elected Mayor. Rossi joins Nicholas Oliver, Roberto Dasilva and James Russo in a so far subdued campaign for the top city office. Rossi started her political career on the East Providence School Committee representing Ward 4 from 2010 to 2012, during her term on the School Committee, she often clashed with the state appointed Budget Commission, particularly its chair Michael O'Keefe. Rossi was a key supporter of middle school sports in both her School Committee role and in the community. In 2012, Rossi sought the Ward 4 City Council seat against incumbent Michael DiGoia. DiGoia dropped out of the race before the election. During her tenure on the City Council Rossi often challenged Acting City Manager Paul Lemont as well as then Ward 1 Councilman and Council President Jim Briden. That tenure ...