Incumbent Democrat Richard Delfino III believes his experience and dedication to his constituents during the last two years as councilman for District 1 provides a solid foundation in his bid for re-election.

A fourth-generation and lifelong resident of the Simmonsville area in Johnston, the 29-year-old graduated from Providence College in 2009 with a bachelor of arts degree and is now employed by the state of Rhode Island in the Department of Administration.

He says he’s been involved in the community all of his life, as a member of little league, in Johnston youth sports, and as a volunteer coach and sponsor. Married with an 11-month-old son, he said politics runs in his family.

“My family has been very involved and has been for many years. This is a district that I’ve grown up and lived in all my life, one I want to raise a family in, and it deserves the best representation, and deserves improvements across the board,” said DelFino, who has the Johnston Democratic Town Committee’s endorsement.

He continued: “I know that I provide the best leadership and vision for the future of our district. The most important thing is being able to, in District 1, be a place people are proud to raise their families in, mine included. I want to see our neighborhoods prosper and over the past few years I feel as if I’ve been successful in that, the job is not done, but I want to continue that.”

DelFino believes that he’s worked well and closely with the administration, council, and School Committee to present a unified on most issues. He also hopes to continue to work cooperatively with his colleagues in government at the state, federal, and local levels to “provide the best representation in government.”

“We have a chronic issue in our district of businesses operating without licenses. I’ve come in and tackled these issues because I get the phone calls from people, and these are quality of life issues, people have to live with this everyday,” DelFino said. “I fight hard for the people that I represent, working to undo some of those things that have been done in the past.”

DelFino touts that he has pursued action against 37 violators of ordinances in the district which are currently under investigation or pending before the courts. He said he’s been an advocate for a strong police presence, highlighting the recently established community policing program at Simmons Village. He’s also quick to defend recent stances taken on contentious issues in town.

“The Citizens Bank deal, from my perspective, is a huge, huge win for our town. I think the [tax agreement] was fair,” he said. “To get a company like Citizens to bring a corporate campus to our town is great. I’m completely on board. I’ve supported it from the beginning. I’m happy to have Citizens come.”

DelFino also said he’s worked with the mayor’s office to pave more than 20 roads in the district, and has made strides toward in improving infrastructure. He also believes that the rate of commercial development in town has been increasing.

“We want to support businesses coming here. I think we’ve had a good balance of maintaining our developments and open space,” he said.

Citing the recently constructed indoor sports complex is a major accomplishment in town, and with the town’s schools being level funded for several years, DelFino said he’s worked closely on issues with the District 1 representative on the school committee, Robert LaFazia, as well as with the other members of the school committee.

Added DelFino: “They have a challenge in the schools and I think my colleagues on the school committee do an excellent job. I know they are interested as we are in making improvements in certain areas, and I’m certainly a major supporter of Thornton school and making improvements there as well as the middle and high schools.”

Focusing on the more than 400 constituent requests he’s received in the last two years, he says he’s “responded to every one of those requests within 24 hours and I’m proud of that.” He also points to his 100-percent attendance rate at council meetings.

“None of my constituents are on a time limit when they pick up the phone and call me, or when they stop at my home. You have that open dialogue with me anytime. You don’t have to come to a council meeting to say [something] because I’ve addressed the issues leading up to it,” he said.

DelFino said the town has the finest fire department in the state and an excellent police force, and hopes to work to address unfunded pension liability concerns for retirees in the future. He also looks to improve sound barriers between industrial and residential zones in the area.

“I think the number one priority is to work cooperatively with the administration and my colleagues in government so that our constituents in District 1 receive the most affordable and efficient town services,” he said. “I’m their strongest advocate, I’m confident in that.”