To the editor:

Since roughly 2009, it has been a challenge being a taxpayer and employee of the City of East Providence. We witnessed a state appointed budget commission, a former school committee with an agenda, neglected public buildings and roads, and most troubling, the lowest morale of our residents in my lifetime. Thankfully, over the last few years a resurgence of Townie Pride has been more prevalent.

Further proof of our recovery was on display three weeks ago at the East Providence High School Softball Field. After Providence College donated more than one hundred thousand dollars in sports lighting last summer, the challenge of erecting and trenching the wiring for the lights with barely more than a non-existent budget, lingered. Impressively, through the collaborative efforts of the city, school department, and private businesses with the direction of our own miracle worker, John Carnevale, the lights are standing and ready to be powered. The teamwork between all entities involved cannot be understated. In an age of petty politics and gridlock in just about every facet of government and public service, this venture was an inspiring show of unity. One I hope that will become a recurring trend giving further promise to our once proud city.

Once again, the impetus behind another major revitalization effort was John Carnevale. As John’s baseball coach at Martin Jr. High back in the mid-nineties, I could not have been more impressed and proud of how he facilitated this massive undertaking. When mistakes or complications occurred, instead of placing blame, there was further collaboration. When obstacles and impediments arose (which there were many), other avenues were investigated. When the project seemed dead in the water due to a lack of money, resources or means, new solutions were explored and reached. In fact, amazingly John brokered a deal with Island Lighting and Power out of Norfolk, MA. Their owners James and Jarrod O’Neil, big proponents of community service, donated two days of labor and equipment (a $30,000 job) to bury the 7,500 pound-10-foot-tall concrete bases for free! This was undoubtedly the biggest hurdle in moving the project forward. After the installation of the bases, Rob Walker, Chris Dicecco, Carl Torres, Kevin Croke, Jim Miller and the rest of the crew from the Highway Department as well as Peter Barilla, Tom Heatherton and Paul Santos from the School Department saw to it that the project come to fruition.

I feel the result of this endeavor goes even further than improving a softball field. Witnessing such a collaborative effort provides hope to a city ready to rebound. After years of neglect and in-fighting, I am happy to feel optimistic that our city has the capability to undergo a bit of a renaissance. Therefore, on behalf of the East Providence High School Girls Softball Team, I would like to publicly thank the following people and companies for their contributions. Since there were so many contributors, if I have inadvertently omitted anyone, I sincerely apologize.

Many thanks to: John Carnevale, Jarrod O’Neill of Island Lighting and Power, City Manager Richard Kirby, City Engineer Erik Skadberg, Peter Barilla, Rob Walker, Chris Dicecco, Carl Torres, Kevin Croke, Gregg Amore, Bob Duarte, Jim Miller, Tony Vieira, John Mark Andrade, Tony Feola, Tom Heatherton, Joe Vargas, Paul Soares, Steve Basil, David Laughlin, Lou Couto, Jay Arrighi, Alex Araujo, Pare Corporation, Consolidated Concrete, Durastone Corporation, Dexter Sign Company….

Rob Traverse

East Providence High School

Guidance Counselor and Softball Coach