I would like to take this opportunity to wish the residents of Warwick a very Happy New Year.  As we are about to embark on a new year, I am about to start a new term as Mayor and for the very first time in the city’s history it will be a four-year term. As I look back on my administration’s past four years, I am proud of what we have accomplished. When I took office in 2021, Warwick was not in a very good place. We have worked very hard to turn the city around and have been very successful in doing so. 

My goal for the coming year is to stay the course. I have created an economic development department and we have been able to lure well over two hundred new businesses here to Warwick. There are also over a thousand residential units being built in the city over the next year. All of this not only increases our tax base, but it brings in more consumers to support our businesses and enhance our economy.

I attribute this success to taking politics out of our government. Gone are the days of insiders being hired to crucial positions and being appointed to important boards. Now, only the most qualified people are put into these positions. Developers know that there are no tax deals, no “favors”, and no games, everyone is treated fairly and equally, whether it’s a multi-million-dollar project or a pizza parlor.  

I want to continue providing the residents with quality city services while at the same time looking for ways to enhance them. We’re also searching for ways to use technology to make providing the services more economical. We are currently installing GPS units into our sanitation fleet and will use software to make the routes more efficient.

We were very fortunate to have received more than $39 million in American Rescue funds three years ago. We also received well over $25 million in other federal grants. We put all of that money into our infrastructure to not only correct the neglect of the past, but to build for the future. Now it is a matter of maintaining everything that we’ve done. 

In the coming year we’ll continue with the process to rebuild Micky Stevens Sports Complex. The project is currently out to design. We have also started a program to begin restoring our playgrounds, there are monies available that came from impact fees paid by developers. We look forward this year to the opening of the Oakland Beach splash pad, and then in the fall, to the Greenwood Credit Union City Hall Plaza. The Plaza will be a year-round event center featuring everything from ice skating in the winter, to roller skating in the summer, plus outdoor dining, dancing, school concerts, bumper boats, etc. In addition to providing many recreational opportunities to our residents, it is also a catalyst project that will spur long desired economic growth in Apponaug Village.

As I stated, I intend to stay the course. I was re-elected by a resounding mandate, which means that the vast majority of the voters are pleased with what my administration is doing. I will work for the things that enhance the quality of life in our city, and fight against anything that will diminish it.

My goal was, is, and will always be, to make Warwick a place where people enjoy living. A place where they grow up, stay to raise their children, and then spend their retirement.