“We’re still trying to update 30 years of abandoned infrastructure””

Howe

The two candidates running for the Ward 3 seat on City Council, each hope to address the ward’s infrastructure, economy and schools in different ways.

Incumbent Democrat Timothy Howe is seeking his third term on the council. Howe is a mathematics teacher at William E. Tolman High School in Pawtucket, and defeated independent Kenneth Nelson for the seat in 2016.  He ran unopposed in 2018.

“I decided to run because there are still things I’ve accomplished and still things that need to be done,” Howe said. “I want to see a lot of projects go through and build on the projects we already started. I don’t think this should be a career, I don’t believe doing this should be a life thing; I have no interest in seeking another office. I chose this because I wanted to serve, and I have a lot more to give and address.”

A small business owner, Republican John Falkowski owns Falcon Pest Services. He previously ran for the Ward 3 in 2016, and also ran for state representative in 2012 District 23, but lost both times.

“I don’t like the direction that the city has been moving for a while now,” Falkowski said. “The infrastructure of the city is just falling apart, our roads and our sidewalks are deplorable. Even worse is our school system. We used to be the shining star of Rhode Island, but now we are crumbling.”

As a teacher himself, Howe believes that the continued level funding of the school department needs to end, especially as, according to him, Warwick’s school district’s reputation declines. 

But Howe blames the funding formula from the state as for why Warwick has not increased the school budget.

“Being in education I’ve had my frustrations, but also I wanted to learn more about this funding,” Howe said. “We got a city council and a mayor and school committee where we are all communicating about this. We’ve been talking to state officials, begging them to look at the funding formula. A lot of our money is coming out of the city and not coming back. We’re asking them to look at how we are funded and show we need more.”

Falkowski agreed that the state should contribute more to Warwick schools, but he also believes that looking through the budget on the municipal level, the city can reallocate “wasted” funds to where they are needed most.

“We’ve got to make sure the funds go where they need to be,” Falkowski said. “We have to go through the schools and have an exact plan moving forward on not only how to fix deficiencies and make sure that money is in the budget each year. Schools are one of the most important things towns are supposed to offer.”

Falkowski also said school buildings need to be redone, and said that renovations are at least 30 years overdue.

Beyond school buildings, Falkowski argued that much of the city’s general infrastructure, including roads and sidewalks, are falling apart. He said that the city can improve its economy amid the COVID-19 pandemic by making the city look presentable, which would create jobs and draw businesses into the area.

“If you’re coming into Warwick as a business, and you’re driving down the roads and the sidewalks aren’t in walking condition, and people who are handicapped have a hard time moving on our streets, no one’s going to want to come,” Falkowski said. “We have to make ourselves look pretty and actually be functional.”

Howe argued that the $10 million bond for road paving approved this year, $7 million in sewer maintenance bonds and a $3.1 million bond for LED streetlights, all passed by the City Council this summer, were examples of the council taking initiative to address infrastructure problems. He also said he would continue to support similar projects if he is reelected. Howe also said that the new Mickey Stevens Sports Complex set to be built in Ward 3 could create a tourism investment, and also could be used for schools, saving them money in the long-run.

He also explained that the City Council passed legislation that would allow Warwick businesses that bid on city work be automatically considered if their bid comes within 7 percent of the lowest bidder, which he believes will help the local economy.

“We’re still trying to update 30 years of abandoned infrastructure,” Howe said. The roads weren’t paved and the parks were a mess. We still have a way to go with that, but we got the ball rolling now.”

Yet Falkowski had concerns regarding these investments. In a press release sent to the Warwick Beacon, he is worried funds earmarked for these projects may not be properly spent.

“Warwick must have someone on the City Council that will ensure the funds go to the intended projects,” Falkowski said in the press release. “There have been times when these funds were, let’s say, misdirected and never reached the intended project.”

According to Howe, an issue unique to residents of Ward 3 is noise pollution from T.F. Green Airport. Howe explained he would like noise barriers similar to those on I-90, as well as more greenery in the area.

“We understand the airport wants more construction,” Howe said. “I want more planting trees, more sustainability before they try to develop anymore outside of airport property. But I do want them to finish what they’ve started before the pandemic.”

Falkowski said the airport is an excellent economic generator, but he would like to see the airport paying city taxes.

“Expansions have been great, the updates have all helped, but we also need to make sure the airport is paying its proper share of taxes for the City of Warwick and Ward 3,” Falkowski said. “Because Ward 3 is taking a hit on taxes due to expansion of the airport, we need to know we are getting the very best we can from our neighbor the airport.”

While the candidates can agree they would like Warwick to get more out of the airport, they differ on who would make the best mayor.

“When I think about who I want to be mayor, we already have the popular person, someone who I even supported for a long time,” Howe said. “I realized that the popularity was just that, the popularity. When [Solomon] was my council president, he would sit down, talk and listen because we had four new members on the council that year. He gave us the time to learn, to understand.”

Falkowski argued that the mayor’s office needs a change alongside the City Council.

“I will be voting for Mr. [Frank] Picozzi,” Falkowski said. “Mayor Solomon has been in Warwick government for a long time, he was the council president and he is now mayor. I feel that his leadership is lacking and as a result we have suffered. I think Warwick needs a totally different change. It was nice to see someone who is unaffiliated decide to take on the challenge. I think if given the opportunity, Mr. Picozzi is going to inspire a lot of people.”