Every week for the next few weeks, the East Greenwich Pendulum will be publishing my answers to your questions. A running list of those questions and answers will also be available for you here.


Question 1: What do you see as a top priority for the town council starting in the next term?

The Town Council’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic will be our top priority for the foreseeable future.  The pandemic negatively impacts our town in many ways,  including town finances, school operations, local businesses, and the health and wellbeing of our community.  The state’s budget, which determines crucial funds for East Greenwich,  may not be completed before the end of the year, and will likely contain significant cuts to our state aid.  We will also see losses in local revenue from the decreased meals tax collected from our many restaurants.

We have implemented a very tight budget to allow us the flexibility to respond to revenue shortfalls while preventing teacher layoffs and maintaining high quality municipal services.  This required the town to delay planned capital improvements, and leave some staff positions vacant.

It is difficult to run a municipal government with so much uncertainty.  Our challenge this year will be to continually adapt and adjust town government as new circumstances unfold in the months ahead.

I thank the residents of East Greenwich for your trust and engagement. 


Question 2: What makes you qualified to successfully do the job?

I’ve combined my love for East Greenwich with a commitment to public service, serving on the Town Council, Planning Board, Land Trust, and the Board of Fire Commissioners.

I have gained knowledge and experience in town government, but more importantly I have gotten to know the residents of our town and the people who work here. 

In my work in town government, I am fortunate to be part of a talented and dedicated team.  My colleagues on the Council, the Town Manager and his department directors, and our town employees have accomplished much over the past 2 years including:

  • Recruitment of skilled professionals as town manager, town solicitor, finance director, and fire chief.
  • Completion of  two annual budgets which closed the towns $1M structural deficit, added money for education, and funded bonds to keep our schools strong and our EG Cove clean, with tax increases to our residents of <1%.
  • Delivering high level town services in the face of a ransomware cyberattack, a devastating national recession and a global pandemic.

I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues to provide open and effective government, excellence in education and a strong sense of community to our town. 


Question 3: How do you plan to further involve residents in the decision-making processes in East Greenwich?

East Greenwich residents are deeply invested in their community.  Almost everyone is connected to the town through the schools, recreational and senior programs, or business, social and religious organizations.  They are also interested in local government, and the Town Council has made it a priority to get residents informed and involved.

This Council launched live streaming and archiving of Council meetings.  When the pandemic forced remote town meetings, we enhanced the live stream to allow residents to raise their hands and add their voices to Council discussion.  We hope to continue this interactive live stream format even after the Council is again meeting in person. We have created opportunities for resident involvement at Council meetings by including reserved time for open comment at the beginning and end of meetings.

Participation in town boards and commissions is another way for residents to get involved in local government.  We advertise openings for these volunteer spots several times per year.  We are also continuously improving the town’s social media feeds and website.  These portals provide updates on important town news, meeting dates, and links to meetings and documents.

Your participation enhances local government and I welcome your involvement.

Question 4: What do you believe the school district should do to better ensure that students are afforded opportunities to succeed in higher education, work, and life?

The School Committee has the authority and responsibility to implement educational policy.  In 2015 I was fortunate to participate as the Town Council liaison when the School Committee developed its 5-year Strategic Plan to guide the district forward.

The report “Our Vision 2020” included 5 key goals:

ACCELERATE the…implementation of…an age-appropriate Pre-K through 12 curriculum that is aligned across and between grades… and to national and state standards.

MAXIMIZE learning gains for students by increasing the capacity of teaching staff to meet the needs of all students…

ATTRACT…and support…talented and dedicated administrators, teachers, and staff.

ADVANCE the… implementation of… strategies for…addressing the physical…social and emotional well-being of our students.

MAXIMIZE our resources to provide the highest-quality public education… in a manner that is accountable… to the taxpayers…

After the election, the new School Committee will review the progress in each of these areas, as well as new challenges related to the COVID pandemic.  They will then develop a new strategic plan to continue our goal of ensuring that students are afforded opportunities to succeed in higher education, work, and life.

Question 5: How have you personally made East Greenwich better in the last year?

Almost everyone contributes in some way to our town through the schools, recreational and senior programs, or business, social and religious organizations. I have tried to do my part through involvement in local government. Over the past year, in my role as the Town Council President, I have been privileged to be part of a talented and dedicated team.  Working with my colleagues on the Town Council, the Town Manager and his department directors, our town employees, and our state legislators, we have accomplished much over the past year.

Our goal is to provide our community with open and effective town government, excellence in education and a strong sense of community.  For more information about our accomplishments in each of these areas, please take a look at more of my website content.

Question 6: What can small business owners expect of you and your priorities in the coming term?

It is a priority for our town government to work with our small businesses to help them weather the current pandemic-related recession and to provide an environment where businesses can thrive in the future. 

The Council has taken a number of actions to support this priority, including: 

  • Passed emergency pandemic-related ordinance changes temporarily allowing businesses to expand outdoor dining services, sidewalk dining and grant parking relief.
  • Obtained a $75k grant from the RI Commerce Commission’s “Take it Outside” initiative to provide restaurants with heaters, lighting, signage and traffic bollards.  
  • Worked with the EG Chamber of Commerce and our state legislators to connect local merchants with federal and state paycheck protection and COVID relief grants and loans.
  • Implemented a $2,500 exemption for small businesses from a local business tax (tangible tax).
  • Funded a Waterfront Study (on hold due to pandemic), which includes ways to induce waterfront visitors to take advantage of the nearby Main Street businesses.
  • Implemented a streamlined, online process for merchants to obtain their annual liquor, victualing and entertainment licenses.

I will continue to be an ambassador for East Greenwich small businesses.  By providing efficient government services, we maintain the business-friendly climate that enhances our community. 

Question 7: Why should voters vote for you?

I’ve combined my love for East Greenwich with a commitment to public service. I now serve on the Town Council after prior stints on the Planning Board,  Land Trust, and the Board of Fire Commissioners.  I have gained knowledge and experience in town government, but more importantly, I have gotten to know the residents of our town and the people who work here.

Over the past 2 years, in my role as the Town Council President, I have been privileged to be part of a talented and dedicated team on the Council.  We ran together 2 years ago on a platform of open and effective town government, excellence in education, and a strong sense of community.  Working with my colleagues on the Town Council, the Town Manager and his department directors, our town employees, and our state legislators, we have accomplished much during this term. (For more information about our achievements, please visit the News section of my website.)

The future will be challenging.  The Town Council’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic will be our top priority for the foreseeable future.  The pandemic negatively impacts our town in many ways,  including town finances, school operations, local businesses, and the health and wellbeing of our community. 

I ask you to vote for me, and all the current members of the Town Council on November 3rd.  We will continue to adapt and adjust town government as new circumstances unfold in the months ahead. 

I thank the residents of East Greenwich for your trust and engagement.