LETTER: ‘Nothing changes if nothing changes’

My name is Richard Fascia and I am campaigning for the State Rep District 42 Johnston/Cranston seat due to my frustration with our state's stagnation. For more than 80 years, the same political party has been re-elected repeatedly, leading to persistently poor results. Are you tired of this? Our state is currently ranked 40th in education, 39th in business development, and 38th in infrastructure. We are rapidly going nowhere... yet again. All this occurs despite having a $14.1 billion budget, which is funded by the taxpayers, not the state.

My background encompasses 46 years of diverse experience across government and private sectors. I initiated my career in law enforcement as a police officer in Providence, culminating in a sergeant's retirement after two decades. My tenure included roles in the Housing Unit, Patrol Bureau, and Administrative Staff Division. I spearheaded the Hostage Negotiation Team and served as the Director of Records, among various duties. Post-retirement, I dedicated five years to fraud investigation with the Providence Housing Authority, led Jeopardy Management Group for seven years, supported the homeless for a decade, and managed human resources for USENTRA Security Services for eight years.

Notably, I have spent nineteen years on the Johnston Zoning Board of Review and have been appointed to the Johnston Board of Canvassers as a Republican alternate. I also served as Vice-Chairman of the Johnston Redistricting Committee, all under Democratic administrations. My ability to reach across the aisle and work for the common good, from a conservative perspective, is among my key strengths.

I graduated from Roger Williams University and have been a homeowner in Johnston for 26 years. I am an active member of St. Rocco’s Church, the father of two, and a grandfather of four.

As we approach the November elections, I am well-prepared to represent the needs of all residents of Johnston and Cranston—not just with promises, but through my extensive life and professional experiences.

Among the issues I’m ready to tackle:

Of great concern to me is the exodus of retirees and elderly to tax friendly States such as Florida, S. Carolina and New Hampshire. I plan to explore a statutory cap on the revaluation of owner-occupied homes by the elderly. This could help older citizens stay in their homes here in Rhode Island instead of being forced to move elsewhere. It will also bolster our local economy by keeping senior citizen dollars right in their hometowns.

The condition of our roads has been likened to that of a safari. Traveling on any state road, particularly through Johnston and Cranston, one encounters every pothole, frost heave, seam, and imperfection, which is not the case in other states. Yet, we still pay for this privilege. When crossing into Connecticut or Massachusetts, the difference is palpable; the asphalt is smooth as glass. This problem extends into our residential areas too. We pay taxes to maintain all our streets and roads, and we ought to receive what we pay for. I intend to inquire why this is not happening. These are just some of my ideas and concerns.

I am committed to serving the residents of Johnston, Cranston and Rhode Island, representing the constituents, and being accountable to them. Election to the House of Representatives will be the culmination of a lifetime devoted to public service. I’ve been preparing all my life for this job. It is my hope that the people of House District 42, Johnston and Cranston will see that I’m the best person for this very important position. I, Richard Fascia, respectfully request your vote for State Representative of District 42, either during early voting or on Election Day, Tuesday, November 5th. To learn more, please visit https://fasciarep42.com.

Richard Fascia, of Johnston