Primary Candidates Speak

by The Providence Eye

Next Tuesday, September 10th, there will be three contested elections on Providence voters’ ballots: US Senate, State Representative District 12, and State Representative District 9. We asked all the Democratic candidates to answer the following question: What is your most important legislative goal and how [...]

Ana Vargas, Ward 7 Councilwoman

by Michelle Alas Molina

6 out of 15 City Councilors in Providence are Latino, and The Providence Eye is interviewing them to get to know each one better, as well as better understanding their views on the intersection between identity and governance. “Yo voto por Ana, y tú!” This [...]

Please Vote, and If You Vote in Person, Please Say Thanks To Your Poll Workers      

by Rochelle Lee

Rhode Island has two elections coming up, a Primary (September 10) and the General Election (November 5), and voting in them is the basic right and responsibility of all Rhode Island citizens.  African Americans alive today, however, can remember places in America where guessing correctly [...]

A Conversation with Councilmember Sanchez 

by Michelle Alas Molina

6 out of 15 City Councilors in Providence are Latino, and The Providence Eye is interviewing them to get to know each one better, including understanding their views on the intersection of identity and governance. Providence City Councilmember Miguel Sanchez represents Ward 6, which includes [...]

Civics Education is the Lifeblood of Democracy

by Ruth Marris-Macaulay

Do we believe our votes make any difference? Are those who fought to extend the franchise to the landless, the formerly enslaved, to women, to Native Americans and others, forgotten? My great great Aunt Harriet, in her mid-forties, chained herself to the railings outside the [...]

The Comprehensive Plan: What People Are Saying

by Marisa Angell Brown

On May 30 and June 3, Providence Preservation Society (PPS) hosted community conversations about the city’s emerging Comprehensive Plan in the nonprofit’s second-floor meeting space on College Hill.  In all, about 75 people turned up to hear short reflections on the Plan offered by advocates [...]

What’s Wrong with the Land Use Plan?

by The Providence Sustainability Commission

Editor’s Note: Providence is currently engaged in a once a decade endeavor, writing its Comprehensive Plan, and this Comp Plan will be the foundation for zoning and development decisions throughout the city.  The Providence Eye will be publishing discussions about specific sections now under consideration.  [...]

Proposed ordinance would require Providence City Council approval before removing bike lanes

by Alexander Castro

The Providence City Council is trying to hit the brakes on a mayoral plan to remove the South Water Street bike lane. An ordinance introduced Thursday night by Councilor John Goncalves would require council approval for the removal of any bike lane in the city, [...]

Overview of the Budget Process

by Office of City Councilor Helen Anthony

On Wednesday, April 17, Mayor Brett Smiley will present his proposed city budget.  The City Council then has the opportunity to review and amend it.  The process is explained here, and public input is encouraged. PLEASE NOTE THAT CHANGES, INCLUDING MEETING DATES, MAY CHANGE OVER [...]

At Home with the Providence Housing Authority- the Largest Landlord in the City

by Rick Brooks

Deborah Wray arrived in Rhode Island from California in the midst of the blizzard of ’78.  Like many, she found herself snowbound and unable to travel.  But unlike many, Deb was charmed by the glistening snow, and she decided to stay in the Ocean State.  [...]