Submitted by the Candidates
Melillo makes pitch for City Wide School Committee Rep
Anthony Melillo, a long-time resident of Cranston and current Ward 6 School Committee Member, has announced his candidacy for the City Wide Representative to the Cranston School Committee.
Anthony, who lives in the Garden City neighborhood with his wife Elena, aims to continue his dedication to the city’s educational system.
Over the past two years, Anthony has collaborated closely with his fellow committee members and the school administration to enhance school security, improve school facilities, and maintain high educational standards for all Cranston students.
His active participation in PTO meetings, sporting events, recitals, award ceremonies, and fundraising events highlights his commitment to the community.
“During the last two years we built and opened brand new Garden City School; made Improvements to Eden Park School; and we are building a new Gladstone School,” Melillo said. “Proud to say, Woodridge School was named a blue ribbon school. Was also a huge supporter of all schools in community including recent passage of $40 million bond issue that will help throughout the city of Cranston, including finishing the final phase of improvements to Eden Park School.”
Anthony plans to succeed former Mayor Michael Traficante, who has served on the school committee for 20 years and is now term-limited.
“I know I have some big shoes to fill, but I have learned a great deal from Chairman Michael Traficante, my mentor and friend,” Melillo said. “I am sure when I need his help, he will be right there with me. We need to keep our momentum going.”
With a degree in Culinary Arts from the Rhode Island School of Design, Anthony has enjoyed a successful 30+ year career in the foodservice industry. Seventeen of those years were spent as the Food Service Director for the Cranston Department of Senior Services, where he developed intergenerational programs and managed department budgets. He currently serves as the Director of Sales for a local food service distributor.
“We have some of the best schools in the state,” Melillo concluded. “We need to keep it that way. The children and residents of Cranston deserve to have the best available education, and it will be my focus to bring that to them. Though the students of the Cranston Public Schools may only represent 11% of our population, they are 100% of our future.”
Vargas announces bid for District 28 Senate seat
Cranston City Council Vice President Lammis J. Vargas today announced her intent to run for Rhode Island State Senate in District 28. The seat, covering parts of Cranston and Providence, is currently held by Sen. Joshua Miller, who has decided not to run for re-election.
“I am a lifelong Rhode Islander and dedicated public servant who is committed to delivering a high quality of life for the people I represent,” said Vargas. “District 28 deserves a senator who will build on Sen. Miller’s strong record of advocating for the health, safety, environment, and education of his constituents. I believe that, with my experience and leadership, I can continue that advocacy in the State House.”
In her time on the Cranston City Council, Vargas has been a key voice for progressive issues at City Hall, while also taking initiative to work with anyone who shares her passion for improving the lives of the residents of Cranston’s Ward-1. In addition to securing funding for accessible playground improvements in Cranston’s city parks and bike racks for Pawtuxet Village, Vargas championed safety in the neighborhood by adding solar powered radar speed signs to discourage dangerous vehicles. Her advocacy has also included revamping the Nuisance Task Force, promoting strong public schools, the need for more housing, supporting local businesses and advocating to tighten the requirements for perpetual care of privately owned cemeteries.
Vargas continues to be a powerful voice in support of racial equity and inclusivity in Cranston. As the first woman of color on the city council, she championed city ordinances aimed at increasing diversity on city boards and commissions. An ordinance authored by Vargas brought Cranston’s Women and Minority Business Enterprises (WMBE) policies in line with state standards. Vargas nominated the first person of color to become a municipal judge in the city’s history. She also began the annual tradition of raising the LGBTQ+ pride flag at city hall in June.
Her commitment to the local environment is evident in her work to better regulate private trash hauling services, reduce plastic waste, and support local clean up initiatives in the city to continue protecting our rivers and Narragansett Bay.
As a senator, Vargas will employ her skills and experience to ensure the people of Cranston and Providence have their voices heard in the highest corridors of power in our state. She expects to roll out a robust and energized campaign over the coming weeks.
Over the course of her career, Vargas has served as Senior Policy Advisor to Rhode Island General Treasurer James A. Diossa, as Deputy Secretary of State and Director of Administration for former RI Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea and as Deputy State Treasurer and Director of Unclaimed Property under former Treasurer Seth Magaziner. She currently works as the Chief Administrative Officer for the City of Somerville, Massachusetts. Vargas is a cancer survivor, daughter of immigrant parents from Colombia, a mother of two, married to a police officer/war veteran, and a Rhode Island College graduate.
Crowley’s running for Ward 6 School Committee seat
Greetings to Cranston Ward 6 voters!
Having retired recently, I, Kathryn M. Crowley, am finding I have plenty of time and energy to devote to the important role as a Cranston School Committee member. This message is an announcement of my intention to run for that office. In terms of credentials qualifying me for serving in this vital role, I provide the following.
As to education, my undergraduate degree is in science and my masters is from Providence College in education administration. I have completed all of the coursework for a doctorate in education administration. In my education career, I have been a science and math teacher, high school assistant principal and principal at the high school and middle school levels.
I have served as an assistant superintendent of schools and served over 12 years as a superintendent of schools most recently in East Providence where I was able to spearhead the construction of a brand new, $189,500,00 high school.
While in East Providence, I was honored by being named RI Superintendent of the Year.
I have chaired the RI School Superintendents Association and served as chair of the RI Interscholastic League. I have served as an adjunct professor at Providence College teaching education administration.
Education is pretty much the family’s business. My husband, Joe, has been an educator for over 50 years. Our daughter is department chair of a high school special education department and our daughter-in-law is guidance counselor at the Cranston Apprenticeship Exploration Academy. One granddaughter is becoming certified as an occupational therapist and hopes to work with Down syndrome children.
Throughout my years in education, I have gained vast experience in school budgets, curriculum, contract negotiations, grievance resolution, human resources as well as professional development and school maintenance and construction. I am keenly aware of the needs of students and of the teachers who are here to support them. Having served a number of years as a superintendent of schools, I understand the role of a school committee member and the need for developing a cooperative and positive working relationship with the superintendent of schools in order to move a district forward for the benefit of students.
In the age of artificial intelligence, education is moving forward at a dizzying pace. The students we prepare today will be entering a world far different from any world we ourselves were prepared for. Keeping our teachers, technology and facilities up-to-date will be a herculean task requiring the support of the entire Cranston community.
For many, many years, schools have survived due to the intergenerational compact. Under that compact, the adults see to the development of the young. The compact provides benefits both ways. Our children become productive, self supporting citizens and contributors to society. As our adult population moves on, there is comfort in knowing there is a well educated, well qualified next generation able to relieve them from the responsibilities they have been carrying.
My primary goal as a School Committee member would be to bring Cranston students to the top of the State in terms of learning. For this I seek your support on Election Day. I look forward to representing the citizens of Ward 6. Thank you.
LaMountain announces District 31 re-election bid
Sen. Matthew L. LaMountain today announced his intention to seek re-election to a second term in the Rhode Island State Senate. He is Democrat representing District 31, which includes portions of Warwick and Cranston.
“I was deeply honored by the trust the residents of District 31 placed in me in 2022, and each day worked to the best of my ability to fight for their needs at the State House. Working collaboratively with my colleagues during my first term, I believe that we accomplished a lot that will have a tangible benefit for our community,” he said. “We worked to provide relief to residents and small businesses struggling with rising prices, suspending the gross receipts tax on electricity and natural gas, expanding the portion of retirement income exempt from taxation, and ending the burdensome tangible tax for small businesses. We increased education aid by more than $70 million this year alone, and made critical investments in early childhood education as well. I was proud to sponsor bills to prohibit charging seniors a fee for receiving paper copies of their bills, better regulate short-term rentals such as AirBNBs, and improve the rights of crime victims.
“Rhode Island, like much of the nation, also faces crises in climate change preparedness and affordable housing, and I was proud to sponsor successful legislation to address these challenges, including a new law to expand renewable energy and a new law to cut the red tape developers face so that housing is easier to build.”
“My first focus, though, was always assisting the residents of Warwick and Cranston in any way that I could and serving as a strong voice for them in the Rhode Island Senate. It was an honor to represent them, and I humbly ask for their support once again.”
The son of a retired Providence schoolteacher and a retired UPS worker, LaMountain is an attorney and small business owner who runs a private practice in Warwick. He and his wife, Cassandra, have lived in Warwick for more than 12 years. They have two children, Desmond and Nora, and two dogs, Maddie and Daisy.
Graziano launches campaign for District 16 State Rep.
Cranston resident Joe Graziano officially announces his campaign for the District 16 (Cranston) seat in the Rhode Island House of Representatives.
“After speaking with neighbors and friends about the work going on at the Rhode Island State House, the need for a new voice for District 16 became a common theme. It is in those conversations where I felt the call to service and the desire to take on a more active role in my community,” Graziano said.
Graziano’s campaign kickoff will take place on Thursday, July 11, at PJ’s Pub, 1139 Pontiac Ave., Cranston.
“Coming from the second largest city in the state, Cranston needs powerful voices in the General Assembly in order to take on the issues important to them,” Graziano said. “Voices that can work with other elected officials, state agencies, and city officials to support Cranston residents and improve the lives of all Rhode Islanders.”
Graziano, currently works as a Sr. Public Information Specialist for the Department of State. A Cranston native for over 38 years, he lives on Blackamore Avenue with his three daughters Nina, Maya, and Lily.
Ward 6 Councilman Dan Wall running for re-election
Ward 6 City Councilman Daniel Wall has announced his intention to run for reelection. Wall was elected to the Cranston City Council in last year’s special election facilitated by the resignation of Matt Reilly.
Wall is a lifelong Rhode Islander and has been a Cranston resident and homeowner for over 22 years. The Wall family lives in Dean Estates.
Wall holds a bachelor’s degree from Providence College and a master’s degree from Brown University. He has served as a Teacher and Department Chair in the Providence School Department for over 26 years. Wall stated that “an education is one of the most important services that a city provides to its citizens.”
In 2014, he was elected to the Cranston School Committee, serving Ward 6 for eight years and two terms as the Committee Chairperson. Wall stated that “the experience he gained on the school committee has been invaluable to my service on the City Council. Especially in the budgeting process, where we worked tirelessly to provide excellent services while watching out for the taxpayers.”
When asked about his priorities going into his second term Wall said that “his priorities remain consistent. I am committed to providing strong and ethical leadership, to remaining accessible the people I represent and to being responsive to their concerns and priorities.”
As a Councilman, Wall serves on all 5 of the Council subcommittee and is current Chair of the Claims Committee. “Serving on all the committees has helped me gain a thorough understanding of our city government in a relatively short amount of time.”
Throughout the winter and spring Wall has been out in the ward listening to people’s thoughts and concerns.
“Public service is about listening to people, their issues are my issues,” Wall said.
In the coming weeks, as the campaign formally begins, Wall says he’ll out in the neighborhoods again, “doing more listening than talking.”