In an effort to inform voters for the November General Election, the Cranston Herald asked City Council candidates to partake in a written Q&A composed of four questions. (Two of their responses will be included in print and the rest will be made available via the paper’s website.) Candidates were asked to submit a short biography followed by a maximum 200-word response to each question. This week’s paper will feature Wards 4, Ward 5 and Ward 6 candidates. Last week’s edition highlighted Citywide, Ward 1 and Ward 2 candidates. Cranston’s early voting will take place on weekdays from Oct. 19 through Nov.7 at the Peter T. Pastore Youth Center (155 Gansett Ave.). Election Day will be held on Nov. 8.

Ward 3

Jason Case (Republican)

Jason Case has been a Cranston resident for almost 18 years and is currently a member of the Cranston Housing Commission. He is married to Kim Case, Kindergarten teacher at Arlington Elementary School.  Jason currently works as a VP of Sales, Marketing, and Business Development for Chicago-based Ambir Technology which he’s been at for 18 years.

Cranston’s remaining American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds must be designated by the end of 2024 and dispersed by the end of 2026. Should you be elected, the funds would be designated during your term. What do you advocate spending the funds on? Why?  

I believe any ARPA money that’s spent should be used as an investment in the future, not spent like some on-the-town casino jackpot win. If elected, I would advocate spending the ARPA funds in the following areas:

- Mental Health: The pandemic and isolation was a very traumatic event for everyone, let’s build a structure that provides help today and for tomorrow.

- Water & Sewer: Wards 1, 2 and 3 have some of the oldest homes in the city with many still having lead pipes. Let’s fix this.

- Parks, Plazas and Recreation: Poor health and low Vitamin D were major factors in bad outcomes for those who came down with Covid. Let’s promote healthy living

- Economic Relief: Small businesses employee most Americans and they were crushed by Covid.  This cost jobs and tax revenue for the city, and we need to get them back open and hiring.

What do you see as the best way to address differences of opinion on the council or between the council and the administration? 

Any successful relationship is built on communication and coming to the table with an open mind.  Today’s hyper-partisan environment has sadly damaged the across-the-aisle engagement that has been essential for effective government. As an elected official, our obligation is to try and deliver the best possible outcomes for our constituents and arriving with a pre-bent closed mindset will make that near impossible. If elected, I would listen to all ideas with respect and courtesy and would encourage the administration and council to all do so as well. As I tell my clients and co-workers, we have one mouth and two ears for a reason. Nobody has all the answers and many of the great solutions come from listening to other ideas and opinions and be willing to change. If we allow for a zero-sum environment to exist, officials will score their personal wins, but the community will ultimately suffer.  I feel we are, in many ways, in this position today. From the beginning, my focus has been 100 percent on delivering better outcomes for my Ward 3 community. For the residents, students, families and businesses. That will not happen acting alone, it will only happen working and acting together. 

What grade would you give Mayor Ken Hopkins on his tenure so far? Why?

What are we measuring against? If we are comparing his tenure to other mayors in Rhode Island during this same period, I would give him an “A” as the last few years have been unprecedented and Cranston has weathered the storm very well and avoided the crime and chaos that has hit our neighboring City of Providence. Am I happy about the tax increase to our residents, no. If elected, I will do everything in my power to make tax increases to our residents an absolute last resort. The grade for his performance in Ward 3, which I am running to represent, is more difficult to score. Looking at Ward 3 today, I would give a “C.”  However, every outreach I have made regarding issues residents are dealing with (rats, trash bins, speeding, streetlights) his office has responded immediately and either resolved the issue or provided guidance on the proper channels to work through for resolution. If you represent the ward you need to fight for the ward on essential issues and be proactive at City Hall, and that is currently broken and is the reason why I’m running. Working together, “C” to an “A” is 100 percent possible.

The November ballot has four local bond questions. One is for fire equipment (up to $2 million), one for public buildings (up to $3 million), one for playgrounds and athletic fields (up to $3.5 million) and one for city infrastructure (up to $4 million). Where do you stand on these bonds? 

I am in favor of the bonds as I feel the City has some infrastructure that needs to be updated. What I would like to see is a more itemized breakout of what our exact needs are and where we see the funds being utilized (what field, what fire station, what street, what school) so we can measure their impact. I feel it’s critical to track our investments so we can go back to our residents and show them exactly where we are making a difference and how their tax dollars are helping to do that. As elected officials, we need to be accountable for what we spend with taxpayer funds.

John Donegan (Democrat)

As a lifelong resident of Cranston, I am honored to be the City Councilperson representing the Stadium, Village, Gladstone and Arlington neighborhoods. I have a degree from Assumption College and a graduate degree from Providence College. I teach high school social studies and am on the leadership initiative team of our OneCranston Health Equity Zone. I live in the Stadium neighborhood with my wife, Laura, who teaches high school biology, and our dog Simon. Since 2019, I have been fighting to prioritize policies that will improve the lives of everyone within our working class community. I am seeking re-election because I know there’s so much more we can do, together! For those interested in learning more, please visit ElectJohnDonegan.com.

Cranston’s remaining American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds must be designated by the end of 2024 and dispersed by the end of 2026. Should you be elected, the funds would be designated during your term. What do you advocate spending the funds on? Why?

Cranston’s remaining ARPA funds represent a once in a lifetime opportunity to invest in our community and create a more equitable, resilient, and healthier City for everyone. If re-elected, I will continue to advocate that these funds be invested back into the community, not used to plug budget holes. Here are some of the items that I will continue to advocate for:

- Housing: Housing is a human right! Every resident of Cranston should have access to a safe and affordable place to live. We should leverage ARPA funds to increase our stock of actual affordable homes/housing, create a home repair fund to provide assistance to bring existing properties up to code and address substandard housing conditions, rental assistance and support for houseless populations, direct utility assistance for low-income residents and grants to replace lead service lines to address lead poisoning.

- Infrastructure: When I step outside, I see WPA emblems embedded in our sidewalks; it is a reminder of the impact our government can have when we make robust investments in our communities. Let’s create streets that are safe and work for everyone, this means implementing complete streets for pedestrians, cyclists, traffic calming measures and increasing access to public transportation, such as a RIPTA route that runs on Park Ave. Covid pulled the mask off our digital divide; we should invest in community broadband to ensure equitable access to high-speed internet for all of our families, especially our students. The effects of climate change are not going anywhere; we should invest in resiliency projects to address issues like flooding, and plant more trees along streets.

- Parks and Community Spaces: Green and community spaces are crucial for public health, enjoyment and community building. We should use funds to repair and revitalize our public parks such as the Budlong Pool.

- Public Health: Address lead poisoning and substandard housing conditions, support local food pantries and farmers to increase access to healthy foods, invest in local organizations to deliver resident-based solutions to health inequities.

What do you see as the best way to address differences of opinion on the council or between the council and the administration?

I think that a lot can be resolved by doing more listening. By listening to one another we can better understand our varying perspectives, opinions, and priorities, and forge meaningful and productive relationships to better serve our City. Having served both terms under a Republican Mayor, and Republican-controlled City Council (until a few months ago), I have had to work across the aisle in a bipartisan manner to get literally anything done, and I believe my track record of results for our community illustrates my ability to do that.

What grade would you give Mayor Ken Hopkins on his tenure so far? Why?

I would give the Mayor a C-. Obviously we have a $12 million plus structural deficit and taxes are going up. The administration’s poor fiscal planning has placed us in a situation where we are likely to see several years of tax increases and could ultimately use up the vast majority of our ARPA funds to plug budget holes. I like the Legion Bowl development, but also see the Trolley Barn as a massive missed opportunity to work with a developer to increase our housing stock and address other community needs. I do appreciate the Mayor’s budget increase for the schools, but was dumbfounded when he issued a press release requesting the City Council to reject a fair contract for our Cranston Teachers.  Additionally, communication between the Administration and the City Council has been troubling. On multiple occasions, members of the City Council were left to find out about important information, such as the City’s Covid vaccine program, from news reports and press releases. Government requires our various branches to work together, and I feel at times that the administration would rather fight with the City Council than work together to address the myriad of issues we face as a community.

The November ballot has four local bond questions. One is for fire equipment (up to $2 million), one for public buildings (up to $3 million), one for playgrounds and athletic fields (up to $3.5 million) and one for city infrastructure (up to $4 million).Where do you stand on these bonds?

Yes, I support the bonds. I believe that it is important to have the resources available should the City need them. Approving the bonds doesn’t mean immediately approving those levels of spending, as future bonding would need to be approved by the City Council through the annual budget process.

Ward 4

Richard Campopiano (Republican)

I have been married to my wife, Deb, for 39 years. Our children went to Cranston Public Schools and their children do as well. Being a Cranston business and property owner gives me a unique perspective. I have deep roots in the city as a community leader. I have been a little league coach, President of St. Mary's Feast Society and am currently the President of St. Mary's Holy Name Society. My love for the city of Cranston is unmatched.

Cranston’s remaining American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds must be designated by the end of 2024 and dispersed by the end of 2026. Should you be elected, the funds would be designated during your term. What do you advocate spending the funds on? Why?

The funds that the City of Cranston received from the American Rescue Plan Act are a once in a lifetime opportunity. There were clearly expenses accrued due to the Covid pandemic. Due to this, a portion of these funds had to be spent. As for the remaining funds, first the council voted unanimously on a resolution to use some to fix the Budlong Pool. This is a wise use since the Budlong Pool will serve the city for years to come. The rest should be used on projects that are long lasting and will continue to serve the city. These could include repairs and upgrades to the sewage treatment pumps, sidewalks and infrastructure, as well as expanding sewer service to western Cranston and address learning loss during the pandemic.

What do you see as the best way to address differences of opinion on the council or between the council and the administration?

Working together as a group with either the Council or with the Administration I feel is one of my many strengths. Being a business owner for 38 years I have learned how to manage people and work together. I take pride in seeing things from others' points of view and finding compromises that work for everyone. Over the many years in business I've been the leader in the creation of million dollar projects. I not only have to get my own team on the same page, but also have to work with a customer with a room full of employees all with their own opinion on how a project should be done. It's my job to bring them all together. It's this experience I bring to the City Council to get things done.

What grade would you give Mayor Ken Hopkins on his tenure so far? Why?

Mayor Hopkins took over a city that was still in the midst of a pandemic. He was faced with the challenges of operating a city through these difficult times. There were staffing shortages, hospitalizations and even deaths. There were devastating costs as well as having to manage this through remote meetings. Mayor Hopkins has kept our city safe with his strong support of the Cranston Police Department. He was also faced with running a city with no financial director who retired not long after him taking office. With all these challenges he has managed to keep Cranston one of the best cities in the country. For these reasons, I would give Mayor Hopkins an "A".

The November ballot has four local bond questions. One is for fire equipment (up to $2 million), one for public buildings (up to $3 million), one for playgrounds and athletic fields (up to $3.5 million) and one for city infrastructure (up to $4 million). Where do you stand on these bonds?

If these bonds are not on the ballot or get voted down, the City would not have access to the money vital to fund these projects. With that in mind, the City Council has the last word on how these funds are spent. It's at that time that I will have the opportunity to vote on whether the spending of these funds is in the best interest of the citizens of Cranston. I am in favor of these bonds being on the ballot because bonds are a necessary part of keeping a city running.

Michael Farina (Independent)

Michael Farina is a lifelong resident of Cranston. He is in a leadership position in Strategy, Cost Reduction Management and Negotiations at a Fortune 10 company. He has held elected office in Cranston as a citywide council person for eight years and served as the council president for four years. He graduated from Cranston West and has advanced degrees in Business from several institutions. He resides in Cranston with his wife, Ruthanne, and his two children Michael and Isabella. He is running for ward 4 City Council to continue to give back to the city he loves.

Cranston’s remaining American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds must be designated by the end of 2024 and dispersed by the end of 2026. Should you be elected, the funds would be designated during your term. What do you advocate spending the funds on? Why?

Cranston should spend ARPA funds on improving infrastructure and fixing school buildings. Those are big needs for our city. If elected, I would push to use ARPA funds for those opportunities.

What do you see as the best way to address differences of opinion on the council or between the council and the administration?

Collaborating is key, during my prior stint on the council and as its president I presided over a body that was bipartisan and worked together to accomplish the cities business. I would continue to lead in an open and transparent manner if elected.

What grade would you give Mayor Ken Hopkins on his tenure so far? Why?

Mayor Hopkins gets a “C.” Cranston has a $12 million deficit and he needed to raise taxes this past fiscal year. The Council should work with him to solve problems. The Council can not be adversarial or a rubber stamp, and if elected I would use my financial acumen and experience to work with the administration to solve problems.

The November ballot has four local bond questions. One is for fire equipment (up to $2 million), one for public buildings (up to $3 million), one for playgrounds and athletic fields (up to $3.5 million) and one for city infrastructure (up to $4 million). Where do you stand on these bonds?

I support the bonds as bonding is important, but it only provides authority to the council and the administration to borrow funds. I would only support borrowing/spending the funds the bonds allocate if the city can afford the debt service. We face some difficulties ahead and need to be careful with City funds.

Peter Rivelli (Democrat)

My name is Peter Rivelli, and I am running for Cranston City Council Ward 4. My family and I reside at 8 Emerald Drive, Cranston. I have been a resident in Ward 4 since 2006. I moved to Cranston when I was eight years old and completed my education through the Cranston school system. When I was 19 years old, I joined the Air force and trained to become a firefighter. In 1999, I was hired at Otis Air National Guard Base as a firefighter and transferred in 2002 to Naval Station Newport as a firefighter and paramedic until my recent retirement. Since 2020, I have been a member of the Cranston Democrats Ward 4 committee. I am currently enrolled at Southern New Hampshire University and will be graduating in June of 2023 with a degree in business. I have been married to my wife Melissa for 25 years and have five wonderful children, Liana, Isabella, Joseph, Alana and Giana. All of my children have attended the Cranston school system.

Cranston’s remaining American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds must be designated by the end of 2024 and dispersed by the end of 2026. Should you be elected, the funds would be designated during your term. What do you advocate spending the funds on? Why?

The past two years ARPA funds have been used to balance the city’s structural deficit. This was a missed opportunity to use these funds to bring economic growth, and to invest in Cranston. The City should have used this money in many other ways, for example:

- Repave city roads that need to be repaired.

- There are areas in Western Cranston that do not have a water source nearby in case of a fire. We could extend hydrants in these areas. This would bring down insurance cost for our residences and protect property.

- Invest money into our school system. Some schools are in need of repair or replacement.

- Bring tax relief to our senior population.

What do you see as the best way to address differences of opinion on the council or between the council and the administration?

Both parties need to work together to serve the community. If we can’t do this then the population is hurt. As a public servant we owe it to the people to succeed as a council and as a mayor.

What grade would you give Mayor Ken Hopkins on his tenure so far? Why?

I’m not on the council at this moment and I do not believe in giving grades. I believe in working together. If I get in, I need to work with the Mayor even if I’m a democrat. This has to be done for the good of the people.

The November ballot has four local bond questions. One is for fire equipment (up to $2 million), one for public buildings (up to $3 million), one for playgrounds and athletic fields (up to $3.5 million) and one for city infrastructure (up to $4 million). Where do you stand on these bonds?

As a former firefighter/paramedic, I believe that new fire apparatus is key to safety to the public and firefighters. We do not need our apparatus to break down during a fire or responding to an emergency.

The city’s infrastructure is an important aspect to bring in business. With Topgolf and Costco joining our city businesses we need to make sure our infrastructure can handle it. Some of our roads also need to be repaired.

Sport facilities for our youth are important. They are needed for the development of our youth and keep them out of trouble. Playgrounds are needed in the community.

We need to fix public buildings now than deferring to later. It will cost more in the long run if we don’t fund this bond.

Ward 5

Chris Paplauskas (Republican)

I am the longest serving member of the City Council and currently serving as City Council President. I reside in the Meshanticut neighborhood of Ward 5 with my wife, Judy, and two children, Aidan and Sophia. I am finishing my fourth term, after being elected in an historic victory in 2014, becoming the first Republican to win the 5th Ward since 1940. I am an assistant scoutmaster for Troop 6 Cranston, a parishioner of St. Mary’s Parish, and an active member of the St. Mary’s Feast Society and the Santa Maria Di Prata Society. I am also a former CLCF softball coach and Cranston East Little League coach.

I started and continue to host Knightsville’s Annual Ward 5 Christmas Tree Lighting which many people in the city enjoy. I also began an annual community Earth Day Clean-up of Meshanticut Lake. I’ve also championed newly renovated playgrounds at Woodridge Elementary School and Sivo Park. I have donated and planted flowers throughout the neighborhoods of the Fifth Ward and was the genesis for the newly started revitalization of Knightsville with the new pocket park currently undergoing construction.

I firmly believe that we can “Make Cranston Better Together.” Whether it is on a simple project as simple as an Earth Day Clean up, or on complicated municipal budgets, working together always yields the best results. And as there is much tough work ahead of us as we emerge from the Covid pandemic, my focus will be on ensuring the citizens feel as little a sting as possible in their tax bills, while maintaining the stellar level of city services, and more importantly the superior quality of life our City enjoys.

Cranston’s remaining American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds must be designated by the end of 2024 and dispersed by the end of 2026. Should you be elected, the funds would be designated during your term. What do you advocate spending the funds on? Why?

As we all know the City, as well as the entire country, is still emerging from under the Covid pandemic, and there are still some significant challenges to navigate. Taking that under consideration, I feel the number one priority is to use the remaining funds for tax stabilization. Tax stabilization is the main reason ARPA funds were given to the cities: to be used as a bridge from difficult times caused by the pandemic, back to “normal” times.

What do you see as the best way to address differences of opinion on the council or between the council and the administration?

I think differences of opinions can be very productive. Oftentimes, they create the best final product for the entire City. My job as council president is to work collaboratively with both sides of the aisle and navigate those differences of opinions to foster an atmosphere which encourages everyone to share their solutions to complex issues and keep the work of the city moving forward. I have always striven to work collaboratively with everyone, Democrats, Republicans, council people, mayors, administration members, and members of the general public over my eight years on the council. The best way to address differences of opinion is to have an open mind and to communicate effectively.

What grade would you give Mayor Ken Hopkins on his tenure so far? Why?

I would give Mayor Hopkins an “A.” We have worked side by side together daily, focusing on issues not only facing the 5th Ward but across the entire City. And even when we disagree, I know his heart and his mind are laser-focused on making the city the best place it can be. He and his Administration are accessible, hard working and focused on making Cranston an even better place to work, live and raise a family.

The November ballot has four local bond questions. One is for fire equipment (up to $2 million), one for public buildings (up to $3 million), one for playgrounds and athletic fields (up to $3.5 million) and one for city infrastructure (up to $4 million). Where do you stand on these bonds?

I will be supporting and personally voting for all of the bond questions at the ballot box. The passing of the bonds gives the City the flexibility to tackle unforeseen challenges that may arise or to start new projects for the residents of Cranston that will improve our already wonderful quality of life.

Larry Warner (Democrat)

Dr. Larry Warner is the Democratic candidate for Cranston City Council Ward 5. Dr. Warner works as the Chief Impact and Equity Officer for United Way of Rhode Island. Prior to United Way, Dr. Warner worked at the Rhode Island Foundation where he led the organization’s health grant making. He previously also served on the Providence Fire Department for 15 years where he held several roles, including that of Firefighter/EMT and Training Officer.

The first in his family to attend college, Larry earned a Doctor of Public Health degree from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, and a Master of Public Health and Bachelor of Arts degree from Brown University.

Dr. Warner is proud of his current volunteer roles as a member of the Cranston Public Library board of trustees, the Rhode Island Public Health Association board of directors, and the Planning Committee at Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island. Larry is an alum of the Ten Men initiative of the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence, an initiative which educates and mobilizes men to help end domestic violence. He is also a volunteer with Pilots N Paws, a network of volunteers that help rescued animals become adopted.

Larry and his wife, Dr. Tammy Vargas Warner, live in the Stone Hill neighborhood of Cranston. They have three sons, one of whom is a graduate of Cranston High School West. The other two currently attend Cranston Public Schools.

Cranston’s remaining American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds must be designated by the end of 2024 and dispersed by the end of 2026. Should you be elected, the funds would be designated during your term. What do you advocate spending the funds on? Why?

The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds are a once-in-a-generation, if not once-in-a-lifetime, opportunity to both address the social and economic impact that Covid has had on our communities, but also to be forward thinking about the investments to set Cranston up for a stronger future. In addition to recovering making up for decreased revenue experienced at the city level, we need to invest in infrastructure improvements and programs that will stimulate and expand the local economy, support local households, secure the future of our youth, and keep Cranston an affordable and safe place to live.  Unfortunately, the City’s intended use of the ARPA funds have focused on short term budgetary needs and have not demonstrated the longer-term vision and innovative thinking that is expected of Rhode Island’s second largest city.

What do you see as the best way to address differences of opinion on the council or between the council and the administration?

Differences of opinion are part of the checks and balances that are built into our political system. They are healthy and part of what makes us strong. Elected officials and candidates have a duty to think critically for their constituents, regardless of where their conclusions fall on the political spectrum. It’s about meeting people where they are, with respect, and finding genuine common ground. That’s the difference between politicians and leaders. Politicians want to win an argument. Leaders want to get things done. I want to be a leader in my community, not a rubber stamp for an agenda and administration that does not serve the people of Ward 5.

What grade would you give Mayor Ken Hopkins on his tenure so far? Why?

I would give Mayor Hopkins a grade of C+. The city is not in unrecoverable financial distress, but with his most recent budget which includes a 2.85 percent tax increase and a $12 million structural deficit, we are not in good shape. Council President, Chris Paplauskas, my opponent in Ward 5, voted for this unsustainable budget and now we are facing difficult days ahead. We’ve seen a combination of tax increases and layoffs in the same fiscal year that make no sense. The Republican-led City Council and Administration claim fiscal responsibility, but the first two years of the Hopkins administration will take Cranston multiple years to recover from.

The November ballot has four local bond questions. One is for fire equipment (up to $2 million), one for public buildings (up to $3 million), one for playgrounds and athletic fields (up to $3.5 million) and one for city infrastructure (up to $4 million). Where do you stand on these bonds?

I support the passage of all four of these bonds. As a retired firefighter, I know the importance of having up-to-date, reliable fire equipment and apparatus. Lives depend on it every day. Playgrounds and athletic fields are important open spaces for our residents of all ages and contribute to healthy and thriving communities. City infrastructure is important to invest in. As Rhode Island’s second largest city, there are a number of places where buildings, roads, etc., need to be upgraded or at least kept serviceable, and passing these bonds will provide Cranston the ability to go through the contracting and purchasing process for these investments as needed.

Ward 6

portraits by little fox school photographers

Matthew Reilly (Republican)

First and foremost, I am the father of two amazing daughters who have the privilege to attend Cranston Public Schools. I am a graduate of Cranston West and the George Washington University. We live in Garden City, where I also was raised. Now, I am an attorney with a practice in Cranston focusing on family law. As your councilman, I have prided myself on being available and responsive to my neighbors, and providing top notch, fundamental city services while ensuring proper financial management of the peoples’ tax dollars.

Cranston’s remaining ARPA funds must be designated by the end of 2024 and dispersed by the end of 2026. Should you be elected, the funds would be designated during your term. What do you advocate spending the funds on? Why?

Of the $42.3 million in total ARPA funds received, we have spent approximately $22.9 million leaving approximately $19.4 million remaining to be used.

The intended purpose of the ARPA funds is to provide financial relief to cities and towns that have lost significant revenue, essentially making them whole. In the past two years we have used $22.9 million of ARPA funds to not only offset losses incurred from the pandemic but also now to combat the out-of-control inflation, energy costs and supply chain issues that we are facing nationally.

Like the majority of municipalities across the nation, the remaining funds will likely be used to provide relief directly to the taxpayers as we have done over the last two years to lessen the tax burden on the residents of Cranston.

Given the financial strength and high bond rating of the city, if national policy is corrected to curb inflation and lower energy prices, and the State restores its funding to the City of Cranston then we would be able to allocate ARPA funds to fully redevelop the Budlong Pool, enclose the gun range, upgrade technology in the city, or pay down municipal debt.

What do you see as the best way to address differences of opinion on the council or between the council and the administration?

Communication and honesty. When a council member and I, or the Mayor and I, disagree on an issue, we discuss it. There are very rarely genuine disagreements that come to the floor of the Council. The problem lies in the political games and political agendas. Certain people benefit if they can highlight, mischaracterize, and/or embellish problems in the city, even when they are a contributing factor to that problem. It is difficult to solve problems when not everyone wants them solved. However, as long as all parties involved are acting honestly, not playing political games, and communicate their positions openly, then there is no issue that the council and mayor cannot resolve. That is how it should be. At the city level, we need to focus on providing top notch, fundamental city services while ensuring proper financial management of the peoples’ tax dollars.

What grade would you give Mayor Hopkins on his tenure so far? Why?

Mayor Hopkins deserves an “A.”

He took office during the height of a global pandemic. Before his chair was even warm he spearheaded the most efficient and organized municipal vaccine rollout in the state. When delay and mismanagement could have cost lives, Mayor Hopkins and his team were masterful in their rollout of the Covid vaccine.

Mayor Hopkins also faced the financial consequences of the pandemic. Since taking office in 2020, there was tens of millions in pandemic-related lost revenue; the cost to manage a city has skyrocketed as a result of out-of-control inflation and energy costs nationally; and the State has drastically reduced the funding Cranston receives annually. Despite this, Mayor Hopkins has provided two balanced budgets while only raising taxes minimally, and maintained an “AA+” bond rating while continuing to provide superior city services.

Finally, a mayor is more than a manager. A good mayor can keep a city running efficiently. A great mayor makes people proud of their community. Mayor Hopkins has brought parades and other community events to Cranston. He is at all the high school and youth sporting events cheering the kids on. Mayor Hopkins creates that sense of pride in the community.

The November ballot had four local bond questions. One is for fire equipment (up to $2 million), one for public buildings (up to $3 million), one for playgrounds and athletic fields (up to $3.5 million) and one for city infrastructure (up to $4 million). Where do you stand on these bonds?

I fully support and will be voting to approve all four of the bond questions. We cannot kick the can down the road when it comes to providing funding to these sources. It is imperative that we provide our fire department with proper fire equipment, and not defer maintenance and upgrades to our public buildings, playgrounds, athletic fields, and infrastructure that are all in need of maintenance, repair and in some cases replacement.

Dan Wall (Democrat)

Dan Wall and his family live at 27 Sagamore Road. The Wall family has resided in Cranston for 21 years. He is the father of two daughters, both of whom attended Cranston Public Schools. Dan earned a Bachelor’s degree from Providence College and a Master’s degree from Brown University. Dan has served as an educator and department head in Providence Schools for the past 25 years. Elected to the School Committee in 2014, Dan has served four terms representing Ward 6 and two terms as the Committee’s Chairperson.

Cranston’s remaining American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds must be designated by the end of 2024 and dispersed by the end of 2026. Should you be elected, the funds would be designated during your term. What do you advocate spending the funds on? Why?

Last February the City put out a survey to determine how the public wanted the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to be spent. As a public servant, I think it’s important to consider these results and listen to what Cranstonians are saying. The survey revealed interest in a few key areas. Infrastructure, recreational facilities and tax relief generated the most interest. As I walk around Ward 6 and speak with people, this is exactly what I’m hearing. People are concerned with the state of our roads and buildings, they are concerned with the condition of our fields, parks and especially the closed Budlong Pool and they feel overtaxed.

Cranston’s American Rescue Plan Act money is a once in a lifetime opportunity for the city to invest in our future. We should be spending this money as it was intended by the federal government:

- Rebuild Cranston’s infrastructure and recreational facilities like Budlong Pool.

- Invest in new public safety equipment and vehicles for the Fire and Police Departments.

- Offset inflationary pressures – everything is more expensive: groceries, childcare, taxes, gas, utilities and rents. The city should give some of this money back to the hardworking taxpayers of Cranston.

What do you see as the best way to address differences of opinion on the council or between the council and the administration?

With nine elected City Council members from across the city and a mayor, differences of opinion are not only inevitable, but were intended by design. Democracy is meant to prevent a one-sided approach to governing. As a member of the School Committee for the last eight years, and the current Chairman, I have experience working with people from around the city with many different ideas about what is best to do. Discussion, debate and deliberation can happen in a professional and respectful way. This is the approach I’ve always taken and would bring to the City Council. The city has a $12 million structural deficit, a tax increase, city employee layoffs and a closed Budlong Pool during one of the hottest summers in recent history. This is a time when Cranston’s elected officials in the Mayor’s office and on the City Council need to work together to solve the issues confronting our city. Unfortunately, what we’re getting is partisan finger pointing and political rhetoric. On the School Committee, I have demonstrated an ability to work with people on both sides of the political aisle to find solutions to difficult problems and issues.

What grade would you give Mayor Ken Hopkins on his tenure so far? Why?

I’m not comfortable giving the mayor a letter grade and pointing fingers is not my style. As Chairman of the Cranston School Committee, I have enjoyed and continue to enjoy a good working relationship with Mayor Hopkins. However, I think we all can acknowledge that Cranston has some important issues to address. As previously mentioned, a structural deficit, a tax increase, city employee layoffs and neglected city facilities. These problems won’t be fixed by assigning blame. Our elected leaders need to come together in a bipartisan manner and find solutions. During my time on the School Committee, I have demonstrated that I have that ability.

The November ballot has four local bond questions. One is for fire equipment (up to $2 million), one for public buildings (up to $3 million), one for playgrounds and athletic fields (up to $3.5 million) and one for city infrastructure (up to $4 million). Where do you stand on these bonds?

Cranston’s infrastructure and equipment needs have been neglected for a long time. I’m supportive of the ballot questions and would like to see a greater focus on the important infrastructure that makes Cranston a great place to live. Safety and recreational assets are critically important. We need to continue investing in these areas and cut spending in other, non-essential areas to ensure that Cranston continues to improve.

As a voter and Council candidate, I support these bonds and hope they pass. Ultimately, if they do pass, it is incumbent upon the Mayor and Finance Director to ensure that the city can afford to issue the debt. As a council member, I would work with them to make sure that this analysis is undertaken and we have a funding plan to service the debt. Investing in Cranston’s future is vitally important, and with the fiscal challenges the city is facing today, it is even more critical that our elected leaders have proven track records of fiscal responsibility like I have.