[In response to The White House Spent Your Tax Dollars Dehumanizing Latinos. In Providence, That’s Unacceptable – and We Should All Say So. published on June 10, 2026]
Thank you to Marcela Betancur for calling out the danger of hiding bigotry under ‘humor’. Prejudice never went away and it’s easily revived. I am especially concerned for children in school, because they don’t have the experience to know when something is malicious, not an innocent joke. It’s essential to get out the vote and elect good leaders locally, where we have more power.
I was at a meeting that the mayor was part of. I asked about a senior center for this area. Prov. is big & divided in two by Rt95/Rt195 & downtown. So there is a center on the north end that would be difficult to go to regularly for us on the south end. Well he said the renovated Rec Ctr will have things for seniors. I don’t believe there will be much or it would serve as a dedicated senior center. I think he’s full of it. This is again going to be mostly for kids. Shame on the capital city for disregarding seniors. If we join the Warwick or Cranston centers, we cannot have certain ‘benefits’ such as the transbus et al because we aren’t residents.
Judie Jamison
South Elmwood
[In response to Providence Can’t Afford to Lose Housing Stock. Here’s the Plan to Keep Aging Units Up to Code. published June 12, 2026]
There are senior citizens, like myself, who live on incredibly low incomes but we manage. Now the city is investing in more inspectors. Fine, but how are very low income seniors to afford ANY kind of financing? For ex: the exterior of my house needs painting. I had an estimate from a capable company whose work I’ve seen…$14,000 NOT including windows (I have 19). That is insane! I have applied for a grant…not happening it seems. The interior of my 1927 bungalow is all up to date, thanks to a loan from the city and other help. So, with the threat of being in violation, this 74 years old woman will no doubt have to get up on a ladder and paint her one story bungalow!! And how in the world can I get on a ladder and paint the dormer??? Violation fines are $50 per day…how can a low income senior afford that? Ridiculous. Low income seniors need assistance. We can buy the paint…we just need painters. Why doesn’t the city have volunteer groups who can assist seniors with this kind of thing? I pay taxes, including for things I do not use, like schools. Surely something can be done for us who have managed to keep their home in good shape but need assistance in something like painting. And yes, I’ve looked into other avenues, organizations. Not available. Very frustrating and stressful.
Michelle
West End
[In response to From A Public Transit Advocate: Ten Reasons the RIPTA Bus Hub Should Remain in Kennedy Plaza. published May 27, 2026]
Great article by Barry Schiller on keeping RIPTA buses centered downtown in Kennedy Plaza! Let’s do it.
Mary shepherd
Providence
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