Issue No. 239  l   May 8, 2008   l   Providence, Rhode Island

 

Mayor Cicilline Unveils Plan to Protect Working Families From Impact of Statewide Budget Crisis
FY09 proposed Budget contains cost-saving measures, difficult cuts, furloughs and first-ever Working Family Property Tax Credit

 

“This is a budget that requires tremendous sacrifice, but it also sends a very important message: Providence will continue to build on our successes,” said Mayor N. Cicilline as he delivered his annual Budget Address to the City Council last Thursday.  He presented a proposed budget that reflects the impact of the state budget crisis, the downturn in the national economy and the foreclosure crisis.

“The challenge of this budget is to balance these forces, to mitigate the short-term damage of the current environment in the most responsible way,” said the Mayor.  “And to do it in a way that guarantees a prosperous and healthy future for Providence families and our city.”

Working Family Property Tax Credit

The current budget climate has created an even greater reliance on property taxes for Rhode Island cities and towns this year.  As a result, most municipalities are raising taxes to the full 5% cap allowed by the state.  The Mayor’s proposed budget includes a 3.75% increase in the tax levy.  Recognizing that difficult economic times are pushing many families to the breaking point, Mayor Cicilline has proposed the first-ever Working Family Property Tax Credit to provide “real assistance” to the families who need it the most.

The Working Family Property Tax Credit would be targeted to single-family, owner-occupied homes valued under $200,000 and multi-family, owner-occupied properties valued under $300,000.  Under the proposal, the City’s finance officials say approximately 6,500 homeowners would see a credit of approximately $250 on their tax bill. 

Cost-Saving Measures

The Mayor also proposed several cost-saving measures in his budget, including the merging of Municipal Court with Housing Court to create a single, more efficient agency.  The move would capture savings by combining administrative functions and support staff.

The Mayor’s proposed budget also recommends transferring the functions of the Police External Review Authority (PERA) to the Human Relations Commission as a cost saving measure.  Although PERA was created in 2002 with the best intentions, said the Mayor, since its creation, it has worked relatively few cases.  At the same time, the Police Department has doubled the staff of the Internal Affairs Division earning the reputation of upholding a strict code of conduct for police officers.
 

“I am confident that Human Relations has the qualifications and capacity to take on the functions of PERA and to effectively respond to the current level of activity,” said the Mayor.

According to the Mayor, the most difficult cuts are to the School Department budget, “because the healthy development and education of our children remain the City’s first priority,” he said.  The Mayor proposed a reduction of $3 million in the operational side of the school budget which would be achieved through cost-saving changes in the crossing guard system, transportation system, or both.  Discussions have begun with officials from Local 1033 to determine the most cost-effective ways to ensure students are transported and guided to school safely.

Other proposed cost-saving measures include:

- Mandatory 4-day furlough for all non-union employees
- 10% across-the-board cut in grants to community agencies that perform important services to residents

- Consolidating the City administration’s Human Resource functions with the School Department along with other finance-related functions
 
The Budget also makes investments in future generations through an initiative designed to increase recycling in Providence.  Providence currently recycles at the lowest level in the state (10.6%).  As part of the next phase in the Big Green Can trash system, beginning in 2009, the City will offer new recycling bins to every household, free-of-charge.  However, any trash generated by residents that exceeds the capacity of their Big Green Cans will result in a small assessment.

“We are gathered at the center of our great and vibrant city tonight with some complicated challenges before us.  We have to absorb our share of the state budget crisis and we have to keep making government work for our residents,” said Mayor Cicilline.  “If we can continue to aspire to our ambitious long-term goals for our city, we will not only get through this, we will emerge stronger than ever before.”

A copy of the Mayor’s Budget Address and more information on the Working Family Property Tax Credit can be obtained on the City’s website, www.providenceri.com.

     
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Mayor Invites Local Residents to Help Shape Future of Fox Point/College Hill/Wayland

Final Presentation of May 5-8 Providence Tomorrow neighborhood charrette to Take Place Tonight at The Lincoln School

Mayor David N. Cicilline invited residents of Fox Point/ College Hill/ Wayland to the 5th Providence Tomorrow neighborhood planning charrette, which began Monday, May 5th and concludes today, May 8th.  The workshops – which included day and evening sessions – were free and open to the public.  The charrette has been running from 9 am until 8 pm daily.

Daytime programs were held at the First Unitarian Church, 1 Benovolent Street on College Hill; evening sessions are hosted by The Lincoln School, 301 Butler Avenue, in its cafeteria.  During the Monday and Tuesday evening workshops, residents discussed the overall vision of the neighborhood.

Today, a final presentation of the results of the 4-day series of planning workshops will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Ideas generated during the Providence Tomorrow workshops will help guide city and neighborhood growth, and identify possible changes to city regulations and recommendations for community-based projects.
 

For more information, please contact the Department of Planning & Development at 401. 351.4300 extension 522.
 

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Pedal Your Way to Bike to Work Day on May 16!

 

Across the United States cities are gearing up for the 52nd Annual National Bike to Work Day on Friday, May 16, 2008.  Providence will be hosting its own press conference and festivities for Bike to Work Day.  Taking place at Bank of America City Center in downtown Providence, bicyclists will convene at the skating rink entrance at 7:00am for refreshments and kick-off press conference at 7:30am.  
Providence Mayor David Cicilline, Richard Godfrey, Director of Rhode Island Housing and Chair of The Providence Foundation Bike to Work and College Committee, and Mike Lewis, Director of the RI Department of Transportation, will lead the way to the event as they cycle into downtown for the press event.  Joining Mayor Cicilline at the podium will be Richard Godfrey, Mike Lewis, Chris Wilhite of the Sierra Club (RI Chapter), and Providence City Council member John Lombardi.
   

Breakfast and refreshments will be served to cyclists from 7:00am until 10:00am. At 3:00pm the skating rink comes alive with bicycle-related vendors providing safety tips and demonstrations, local environmental organizations, information about upcoming bicycle signage and lane striping, Rack n’ Ride demonstrations by RIPTA, refreshments, a bike raffle and entertainment.

Promoting a healthy ride for energy independence, Bike to Work Day seeks to raise awareness about bicycling as a healthy and viable transportation alternative.  Among the goals of Bike to Work Day are to help reduce traffic congestion, reduce the demand for parking, reduce air pollution and make Providence a better place to live and work.  The American Automobile Association cites that the estimated cost to own and operate a vehicle in 2008 is $8,121 – a $298 increase from last year.  While the costs for automobile maintenance, insurance and depreciation have actually decreased from 2007, higher prices at the fuel pump have more than offset these savings and pushed the overall costs of vehicle ownership and operation higher.

“Riding a bicycle or RIPTA bus to work everyday represents one of the strongest actions a commuter can take to reduce global warming pollution and our dependence on oil,” said Chris Wilhite , Sierra Club Rhode Island Chapter Director. “By making it safer and easier for cyclists to commute to work, Cool Cities like Providence can be significant leaders in ensuring that Narragansett Bay stays cool enough for its fisheries and wildlife.”

To help promote and support bicycle commuting in Providence, The Providence Foundation and the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) have invested in the installation of over 100 bicycle hitches throughout downtown Providence including locations at the Amtrak Station, Bank of America City Center and Exchange Terrace.   The City of Providence Department of Planning and Development has completed plans for the signing of bicycle routes along many of Providence’s thoroughfares.  It is expected that this project will be completed this fall.  Bike lanes will be striped on Blackstone Boulevard and Broadway in addition to bike route signage on the following streets: Elmwood Avenue, Broadway, Smith Street, Charles Street, and Hope Street.

Bike to Work Day is funded by the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) through a grant from the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Program (CMAQ) of the US Department of Transportation (USDOT).  Administrative and organizational support is provided by The Providence Foundation.  The Providence Bicycle Coalition, an advocacy group of citizen-cyclists who work to promote and enable bicycling as a healthy, enjoyable, efficient and environmentally friendly mode of transportation in and around Providence, is organizing this year’s Bike to Work Day event with the US Open Cycling Foundation.

For more information on Providence’s Bike to Work Day and for information on RIDOT’s Bike RI program visit www.dot.state.ri.us/bikeri/. For information on what The Providence Bicycle Coalition is doing to support bicycling in Providence visit www.bikeprovidence.org.  And, for more information about the efforts of the RI Chapter of the Sierra Club to support and promote clean, affordable transportation alternatives, please visit www.rhodeisland.sierraclub.org.

 
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Feature: My City

A Hidden Sweet SPOT: Tennis at Roger Williams Park
  

Across the country, tennis players and fans alike are heading out to the courts to celebrate their beloved sport. One of the sweet spots for local players is a hidden gem in the heart of Roger Williams Park: The Todd Morsilli Clay Court Tennis Center. It draws in hundreds of tennis-loving neighbors for a swing at this game of “love.” 

The tennis facility itself is owned by the City of Providence and is one of the rare public clay courts in New England.  In 2005, the management of the center went out to bid and into the caring hands of husband-and-wife team, Larry Sack and Marisa Salvadore.  Together they formed SPOT, an acronym for Serving Providence Organized Tennis.
 

Their 7-month season is jam-packed with programs for players of all shapes, sizes, and ages. With players ranging from 2 ½ to 99 years old, almost anyone is welcome to pick up a racket and swing.   And if you don’t have a racket, not a problem, they’ll lend you one.  City News puts the SPOT –light on them.

For those of us who might not be familiar with tennis, what makes a clay court different from a grass or concrete court?
Larry: Tennis was originally started on soft surface, generally grass and clay courts, but it’s very rare to have public clay courts. In the Northeast, we use green clay because it absorbs water better.  In Europe, you tend to find the red clay, which you see on TV during the French Open.

Marisa: Yes, clay courts are something you usually find in private country clubs.  In the past, decades ago there were more public clay courts.  That Providence decided to keep these courts clay -- it’s a great thing for the City in the long term to have this huge asset around. 

L: The nice part for those of us over 21, the soft surfaces, like clay, are much more forgiving.  It’s easier on the joints.

How long have you been playing and teaching tennis?
L: I’ve been playing for about 28 years.  I started as a junior, played in 12 different countries, 32 different states.  I worked for the United States Tennis Association, which is the governing body of the sport.  I’ve been a college coach at Bryant University.  I’ve worked as the director of tennis at a country club.  But my favorite place to play tennis is tennis at the park here at the Todd Morsilli Tennis Center.
 

How long have you been playing here at the TMTC?
L:  I’ve been playing here for 12 years but my wife and I have a partnership with the City of Providence, through our business entity, SPOT, Serving Providence Organized Tennis. This is our fourth year and we’re very proud to be in partnership with the Providence Parks Department.  Bob McMahon and his staff are great.  Last year, we got voted Best Tennis Courts from RI Monthly’s Best of Rhode Island.
 

We try to connect resources into the neighborhood.  Some of my former college players come back and teach for us.  And we have junior players as young as 2 ½ years old up to seniors like my wife’s grandmother who’s 99 years old.

When you took over the management what were some of the improvements you made?
L: Prior to our arrival, the city tennis courts had lost money for I think about 33 years in a row.  We stopped that in year number one. 

There were very few women and children participating and there are now more women and children here, as well as men.  We have programs for seniors.  You can have your racket re-strung here. 

Our website is expansive, thanks to my wife.  We’ve upgraded the resurfacing of the courts, so there’s a regular maintenance project that goes in here now.  There’s now a basketball hoop here too where the kids can play.

We’re also part of the the Arthur Ashe program for inner city youth.  Basically, you can come here after school and participate in a tennis program. The ideals of Arthur Ashe and sportsmanship are just as important as the physical activities, and the program focuses on tennis and education. 

M: Prior to us managing the Center, very people knew about its existence – especially considering how many people who go to the Zoo, which is our next door neighbor.  But the word is starting to get out. 

L: We’ve both played in a lot of places.  This facility is as nice as any facility as far as I’m concerned.  This is our dream job and we love it here!

How many people do you estimate participate in your programs yearly?
L: We’re easily in the 500 range now. 

To come in and play is $5/hour per person and if you don’t have a racket or balls, we’ll lend them to you.  Our hours now are Mondays through Fridays from 2:30 to 8:00 pm.  Saturdays and Sundays from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Starting Memorial Day, we’ll be here Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. to dark and the weekends 9:00 to 4:00.  

All of our programs for seniors are discounted, and seniors with an unlimited pass can play here everyday for the season for $170.  We have after school programs Monday through Thursday.  There’s a junior development program.  We do quick-start programs for kids to play instantly between 5 to 10 years old.  We have cardio tennis programs.  Fun.  Fitness.  And Friendships!

What does having a facility like this in a city like Providence mean for the community and the neighborhoods?
L: We’re affecting the community’s health and I think it’s therapeutic to hit something that doesn’t tell on you! There are a lot of people that are running around and laughing.

M:  Other sports, the grandparent might watch them play soccer but they won’t actually go out and join them in the sport.  But in tennis here, kids can hit balls with their parents, grandparents, and so forth.  Tennis is also something that men and women can play together, as mixed doubles or against each other. 

I don’t think it’s a surprise that in the sport of tennis, “Love” is a part of the scoring process, and a game is called a “Match.”  So many people come here and make friends instantly, and for some – relationships have sparked!

L: We haven’t actually officially added our matchmaking/dating program to our list, but it could actually be an offshoot business! What do you think?

Did you meet each other on the courts?
L: We did not, but it was one of our first three dates. 

So are those the ideas that you value most about the sport?
M: Any sport you play, you’re going to get health benefits from.  Tennis is great for cardiovascular activity, strength training, resistance of hitting balls helps your bone density – so it’s good for you.  Mentally, it’s a very challenging sport.  And socially, you can’t beat it.  There’s a lot of laughter out in the courts. 

L: Yeah, we’ve both played with our kids, our parents, and grandparents.  It doesn’t happen in very many sports. 

M: I’ve coached other sports like basketball, but there’s a different challenge to playing tennis. If you lose in basketball, you have your team to fall back on and receive support from.  In tennis, you learn to deal with your own individual success and loss.  And if you’re young, it’s a really good lesson to learn.  It’s a great character-boosting sport.

Now that you’ve made so many positive improvements to the tennis center, what are your goals for the future of tennis here at the TMTC?

L: Simply put, we’re asking the public to come and play tennis here.  When they do, they will see how beautiful this facility is, how special and unique it is.  There’s enough of the community that comes to play here now, and they know what an asset this facility is.  And so before we came, the facility was only open 4 months, it’s now open 7, we’d like to go 12. 

As part of the nationwide celebration of National Tennis Month in May, SPOT will host an annual Block Party on Saturday, May 24 (rain date May 25), starting at 2pm at the Todd Marsilli Clay Court Tennis Center at Roger Williams Park.  Court rental fees are waived during the block party.   Complimentary classes will be offered to people who pre-register online at www.SPOTRI.com.  People can go to the calendar page and click on May 24, then select the class they wish to participate in for free.  There will be a cardio tennis fitness class from 2:30 – 3:30; an introduction to tennis – Tennis 101 class from 2:30 - 3:30; a Welcome Back to Tennis class from 3:30  - 4:30.   There will be pizza for participants.  Round Robin play for players who drop in.  For more information on these and other programs, go to www.SPOTRI.com.

Photos of tennis players provided by Marisa Salvadore.

  

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