EAST PROVIDENCE — Candidates in the first elected-mayoral race in East Providence, Roberto DaSilva and James Russo, were recently posed the following questions by The Post's editorial staff. Their answers appear as follows unedited.

Why should voters consider you best qualified to become the city’s first elected mayor?

RD: As a Captain in the Pawtucket Police department, I have worked to serve and protect everyday citizens for the last 25 years. Throughout that time, I worked my way up the ranks by having to make hard choices and follow through with them. I will bring those qualities of determination and leadership to City Hall. I will work with everyone in our community to make East Providence first; first where you want to live, raise your family, educate your children and locate your business.
In 2008, I was elected as a Rhode Island State Representative where I passed legislation protecting victims of domestic violence, fought for all day kindergarten, and fair tax policy. As your Mayor, I will bring that legislative experience to City Hall, where I can collaborate with our City Council to make sure all of our residents have their voices heard.
As the president and co-founder of the East Providence Youth Soccer Association, I know what it is like to bring people together to start a successful non-profit organization right here in East Providence.
These are experiences that are necessary for someone that is going to be taking the reins of city government and overseeing the development of our waterfront.

JR: I grew up in East Providence and have called it home for over 58 years. My professional and community background is highly suited to this particular office. As Chief of Staff for Congressman and Lt. Governor Bob Weygand, I assembled and led staffs similar to ones a mayor will have to lead. I managed office budgets and dealt with federal and state budgets. As an assistant city solicitor, I handled city legal issues and worked with city departments. As legal counsel to the RI House Corporations Committee I dealt with city and town legislation. As Chair of the Charter Review Commission I ensured that we conducted our business in a professional and collegial manner and the results reflect this. As a law clerk for a Chief Justice of the RI Supreme Court I worked in the judicial branch of state government. My 25-year commitment to the youth of East Providence as a coach has brought me in touch with the families of this city and I have learned of both their hopes and struggles. Having coached players from all parts of the city and at both of our middle schools, I understand that our diversity is a strength not a weakness. For these reasons I feel I am the most qualified candidate to set the template for the first mayor’s office and bring about the changes this city so desperately needs.


Where would you prioritize spending? (How would you pay for it? What would you cut?)

RD: Staffing - I would not spend our hard-earned tax dollars to expand our government. The current acting city manager suggested four staff members in the Mayor’s office and my opponent suggested an additional two more for a total of six staff positions. I do not believe we need a bloated Mayor’s office. I would look to reshuffle the deck at city hall and reorganize departments to offer the best services to our residents and maximize use of staffing from within the existing budgeted workforce.
High School- If done properly, this school will not only be an educational upgrade, but an economic one that will attract new families, grow our tax base, and receive a 74% reimbursement rate from the state. We will work to protect taxpayer dollars and get the most for our money.
Water/Sewer Bills- Our high water/sewer bills need to be addressed, and the buck would stop with me. In 2 years, the city’s contract with the Suez Company expires and I will work with the city council to renegotiate a much more favorable deal for the taxpayers or we will take our business elsewhere.

JR: It has often been said that a budget reflects a set of priorities and the first spending priority of the first elected mayor is clear – a new high school. I believe the voters will approve the bond issue and seeing this project through to completion is a must. In addition, we need to make sure our school department is properly funded. Education must be a high priority as it is key to the future for our children and our education system must be seen as first-rate both to our current residents and to anyone contemplating living here. Another priority is road repair work. The work that began this summer and the money slated for its continuation over the next three years is a start. We must get our roads in a condition where we stop playing catch-up on repair and are able to focus on maintenance. We must also determine how we can make the necessary improvements and repair to Pierce Field. We cannot let this jewel of the city continue in the condition it is currently in.  Since we will be entering a new era in our city’s history it is a very appropriate time to conduct a full audit of all departments in regards to staffing levels and operational expenses and with that data determine where resources can best be allocated throughout the entire government.


On taxation, East Providence has high tangible rates and middle-of-the-road property rates, would you attempt to address this disparity?

RD: Waterfront development must continue, but it must also reflect the best interests of East Providence. The waterfront can be one of the premier tourism destinations in our state with venues like bold point park, and new restaurants and hotels, but it must also offer affordable housing to residents. I do not want to see a glorified gated community for those well off enough to join the club.
Protecting Taxpayer - In 2009 I introduced legislation to stabilize property tax of elderly residents who have been living in their homes for a long time. I would look to establish a similar measure here in East Providence. I would create growth districts and expand grant and loan opportunities to encourage small business start-ups to open businesses in underutilized areas of the city such as Taunton Ave and Riverside Square. We can revive areas of our city that have been neglected and create a more prosperous climate for people to move to, to start a business, or start a family.
Paying for it all- There are no quick fixes to big problems, but that does not mean that there must be a heavy impact on the taxpayer. By finding savings within the budget, reshuffling the deck at city hall to offer the most cost-effective services, working to attract new investment in our community, and increasing our tax base, we will lessen the impact on taxpayers. Under a DaSilva administration, efficiency will be the focus of city hall.

JR: We need to examine all of our tax rates in the context of several factors. The first is to determine how much debt the city will incur each year to finance the new high school. Currently we do not know if the city or state bond issues will pass or what the reimbursement rate from the state will be if one or both do. The second is developing a long-term plan for the city so all tax rates can be addressed in a comprehensive fashion and not as stand-alone items. We must address this without affecting services to our residents. A lowering of the tangible rate possibly incrementally, indeed controlling all rates, is also contingent on expanding our tax base which we have an opportunity to accomplish with acres of undeveloped waterfront.

What specifically are the qualifications you would seek in a potential chief of staff?

RD: The role of a Chief of Staff is to act as the intermediary between the mayor and the various departments of city hall. It is an important position and the person that staffs it must have the experience and charisma to work with the various departments of city hall. However, the mayor’s office should not be another layer of bureaucracy. Constituents should have easy access to the mayor. The mayor works for the people, not the other way around. As someone that is fluent in English, Portuguese, and Spanish, I want everyone to feel comfortable coming to city hall, regardless of their language proficiency.


JR: Having been a chief of staff for a US Congressman and a RI Lt. Governor, I know full well that the relationship between an officeholder and his or her chief of staff is crucial to the success of an administration. The chief of staff must share the Mayor’s vision as to where the city is headed because he or she is the chief implementer of this vision. He or she must make sure all departments are pulling the boat in the same direction so to speak and must be someone who can get things done in a timely fashion. He or she must possess the knowledge of how city government works at all levels and how it interacts with the state and federal governments. He or she must also be a leader who is able to work with department heads and elected officials. He or she will also be the representative of the Mayor at times and therefore must be able to communicate effectively with both the public and various groups and organizations. He or she must also know how to build a governmental team and manage it. This person will be screening applicants for key positions in the mayor’s office and others in city government and must be committed to recommending high-quality individuals to the Mayor for hiring. The day-to-day operation of the Mayor’s office is also his or her responsibility so he or she must be a good organizer and able to juggle many balls on once.

What is your vision for the city in your first term…potentially future terms?

RD: East Providence is in a unique position during this election. Along with a new form of government, East Providence will have a potential new high school and a rapidly developing waterfront. During my first term, I would lay the groundwork for this change and make sure that residents are not hurt by the changes.
East Providence was once rated an “All-American City,” and there is no reason it cannot be again. I envision a city with a thriving community of new residents that move into our city to buy homes and start families. I envision a strong and growing economy that is based around a state of the art high school that will be the envy of Rhode Island. I envision an economy that is formed around a vibrant waterfront that features hotels, new restaurants, and entertainment events for both our residents and outside tourists to enjoy. I envision a resurgent Taunton Avenue and Riverside Square with small coffee shops, book stores, and family owned businesses that reflect the East Providence that we love.
I see a city where no problem is too hard or too big for a mayor to sit down with constituents and fix it. It’s time to get to work. With that, I am Bob DaSilva and I humbly ask for your vote on election day.

JR: My vision for the city starts with ensuring that the new form of government be set up properly and in a way that provides the best chance of success. This form of government is not just substituting an elected official for an appointed official in the chief executive’s office. It is an entirely new way of doing things. The legislative branch will no longer hire the head of the executive branch. As a result, how they interact will be different. How the executive branch interacts with the public will be different. It is imperative we get it right from the start and that will happen with effective communication and a clear agenda. All departments of the city must be on the same page and our city government must operate as a team to serve our residents. Once this is done my vision is to make East Providence a modern, exciting city while still retaining the aspects of a small town our residents appreciate. One that features a high-quality education system, nice neighborhoods to live in, a dynamic waterfront, and thriving arts, entertainment, and recreational opportunities. One that does not fear the future but embraces it while still recognizing our past. One that people want to live in and visit. One capable of hosting statewide and regional events. One which will make our residents pleased they voted for the change in the form of government and proud to live in East Providence.