Falkowski looks to bring new ideas, perspectives to Ward 3

Posted 9/4/14

Believing that new ideas and different perspectives are beneficial to not only Ward 3, but the city, John M. Falkowski has decided to run for the Ward 3 City Council seat. Falkowski faces Henry T. …

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Falkowski looks to bring new ideas, perspectives to Ward 3

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Believing that new ideas and different perspectives are beneficial to not only Ward 3, but the city, John M. Falkowski has decided to run for the Ward 3 City Council seat. Falkowski faces Henry T. Williams Jr. in a Republican primary election on Sept. 9. A third Republican candidate, Michael Izzo, declared for the seat, but has since dropped out of the race.

Falkowski, 53, has lived in Warwick ever since moving from New Jersey over 40 years ago. Attending St. Kevin School and Bishop Hendricken High School, Falkowski went on to attend the University of Rhode Island before running two local pest control companies, Falcon Pest Services, LLC, which he’s owned for the past eight years, and Block Island Pest Services, which he’s owned for the past six years, both of which are run out of Warwick.

“My pest control companies have a great reputation for quality and prompt service,” Falkowski said. “We can list Rhode Island College, the University of Rhode Island, R.I. Department of Administration, Department of Health, Department of Transportation, DMV, the R.I. State House, the town of Narragansett and many more among our clients.”

Falkowski and his wife Kelly Conroy Falkowski, who have been married for 31 years, have two children, John M. Falkowski II and Ashley E. Falkowski, and one granddaughter, Zayleigh Rose Falkowski, who just turned 3.

“Having a successful family is a great benefit. You have to deal with a vast array of challenges with owning and running a house, enjoying a very happy marriage and raising successful children,” Falkowski said. “My son graduated from Northeastern University with a degree in engineering … My daughter graduated from the Community College of Rhode Island and is working for AMICA Insurance along with my wife, who has been with AMICA for more than 24 years.”

In addition to serving on the Parents Advisory Board while his son attended Northeastern, serving his last year as the elected vice president, Falkowski also is the past commander of the Sons of the American Legion William Shields Post and Detachment of R.I.

“These are just a few of the skills and experiences that will enable me to be a very successful councilperson for Ward 3,” he said. “Problem solving is a major challenge to any councilperson and as a pest control owner, I have that challenge daily.”

Falkowski said he would like to see the city “run as efficiently as possible by using the resources currently available, while avoiding increasing taxes.”

“Increasing city revenue by attracting businesses to open and thrive, getting more people to move into this city to increase the tax base,” he said, “the more successful we are at doing this, the more money the city will have to make sure roads are properly maintained [and] schools receive the funds to enable students the highest quality education to achieve athletic, cultural and personal growth needed to compete in college and life.”

Falkowski said he believes taxpayers have sacrificed enough.

“It’s time for the city to run as efficiently as we run our homes and businesses,” he said. “When elected, I will fight for the citizens of Ward 3 and all Warwick citizens to make Warwick more attractive to businesses and homeowners, having the highest quality school system, a business-friendly environment, quality roads and services, and accomplishing this without increasing taxes.”

Prior to declaring his candidacy, Falkowski said he had a “very warm and cordial” meeting with incumbent Ward 3 Councilwoman Camille Vella-Wilkinson.

“I told Camille that I would not speak poorly of her and of any decisions she has made as our councilperson. I refuse to be a Monday morning quarterback,” Falkowski said. “I prefer to focus on what I can do moving forward and not what was done in the past. I can't change the past but hope to effect positive change in the future.”

Falkowski said the key to his campaign is to let the voters know that he will bring a common sense approach to representing all citizens of Ward 3 by utilizing his skills from years of family and owning several businesses and bringing them to City Hall.

“I am accomplishing this by knocking on doors, passing out palm cards, social media and mailings,” he said. “I will represent all citizens, voters and non-voters, Republican, Democrat, unaffiliated, everyone.”

Falkowski said the response he’s received from people has been very positive.

“I am hearing that voters are looking for change in local, state and federal government. I am giving Ward 3 voters a choice for representation in City Hall,” he said.

Voters and constituents can reach Falkowski at his home phone number at 739-1727, e-mail address john@falconpestservice.com, home address of 38 Everglade Ave., Warwick, RI 02886-3451, and at John M. Falkowski 2014 on Facebook.

Attempts were made to contact Henry T. Williams Jr. for this story but were unsuccessful.

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