Donovan looks to make Ward 7 comeback

By John Howell
Posted 5/17/16

Charles “CJ” Donovan Jr. would like to return to the Ward 7 seat he held on the City Council for 14 years, but the race for the Democratic nomination could put him in a four-way contest. That’s …

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Donovan looks to make Ward 7 comeback

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Charles “CJ” Donovan Jr. would like to return to the Ward 7 seat he held on the City Council for 14 years, but the race for the Democratic nomination could put him in a four-way contest. That’s not going to stop him.

“A lot has changed,” Donovan said since he lost the party’s nomination in a primary two years ago to Kathleen Usler.

Usler won a tight primary race but was unchallenged in the general election. Citing responsibilities of her young children, she announced earlier this year she would not seek re-election.

Donovan didn’t list all the changes of the past two years, but added, “One thing that hasn’t changed is my love for public service.”

He said the issues he looks forward to “getting back into“ include the Apponaug Circulator and the impact of the extension of Green Airport’s main runway. With the circulator comes the opportunity for the redevelopment of the village. He sees the role of the councilperson as working closely with the city and the state to minimize disruption during construction.

“There’s a whole new area of people being affected,” Donovan said of the runway extension that is to be completed by late 2017. He feels the ward should have “a seat at the table” concerning airport developments and there “should be dialogue.”

Although in Ward 8, Donovan also points to proposed developments at the Crowne Plaza, and how the 100-room hotel addition, medical facility and two office buildings will have an impact on Greenwood that is across Greenwich Avenue from the Crowne. The Continental Little League is also a part of the larger Crowne Plaza property and, he points out, “they should have a voice, too.”

The son of former Mayor Charles Donovan, Donovan is married and has two children in Warwick schools. The youngest, his son, Matthew, is at the Drum Rock Early Childhood Center and will be attending Greenwood School kindergarten in the fall. His daughter, Shaelin, is a fifth-grader at the school. His wife, Julie, is health office clerk at Toll Gate High School.

Donovan said he’s heard a lot of concern over Warwick schools.

“No one wins with ill feelings,” he said of the discord surrounding the consolidation of secondary schools and lack of a teacher contract. He feels “too much is going on at once” and that the process needs to be done more deliberatively to ensure that it is done properly.

Asked if the council should have a more direct role in schools with an appointed School Committee, an issue raised by the council charter review commission, Donovan said, “I have no problem with an elected school committee.” Donovan likewise favors keeping a two-year term for council members without term limits. Setting four-year terms with a limit of two terms has been discussed by the charter commission.

Donovan said he’s heard a lot from neighbors and friends about the condition of the city’s recreational facilities.

“Mickey Stevens needs a fresh coat of paint. It looks worn down,” he said of the tennis courts and the fields. He feels improved upkeep and capital investment are needed at the sports complex as well as neighborhood playgrounds throughout the city.

Donovan faces a primary for the Democratic nomination, with the only question being how many will be in the contest. Steve McAllister has announced he is running for the seat and will hold the first fundraiser of his campaign tomorrow at Dave’s Bar & Grill. Robert Germani has been mentioned as a candidate, and Jack Kirby, who has run on different occasions as an independent and Democrat for mayor, confirmed yesterday he is a candidate.

Donovan is planning a fundraiser and formal announcement sometime in June at the Greenwood Inn. He said he has some resources to put into the campaign, which he estimated could cost between $3,000 and $8,000. He expects to be walking the ward and meeting people.

“The hardest part is asking people for money,” he said.

Donovan, 46, is an oversight-policy analyst for the House Corporations Committee and Veterans Affairs. Donovan first ran for the Ward 7 seat in 1998 and was beaten by Joseph Harrington. He ran again in 2000 and held the seat until 2014.

“I love every aspect of city government,” he said.

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