A forum for the Ward One Special election candidates with an LGBTQIA focus
All questions and answers in last night’s Providence City Council Ward One Special Election forum were supposed to be about and directed to the LGBTQIA+, and though one or two questions snuck in that didn’t align with this rule, for the most part the candidates were presented with a very different set of questions than they tackled in the last
February 21, 2020, 9:49 am
By Steve Ahlquist
All questions and answers in last night’s Providence City Council Ward One Special Election forum were supposed to be about and directed to the LGBTQIA+, and though one or two questions snuck in that didn’t align with this rule, for the most part the candidates were presented with a very different set of questions than they tackled in the last two forums.
The forum was organized by Rhode Island Pride, Options Magazine and the Alan Shawn Feinstein College of Education and Professional Studies at the University of Rhode Island. Reporters Madeleine List from the Providence Journal and Jordan Mazza from ABC6 moderated the forum.
The three candidates are:
John Goncalves is a 28-year old teacher at the Wheeler School.
Nick Cicchitelli is a 34 year old real estate manager.
Anthony Santurri is a 60-year old nightclub owner.
For the first Ward One Candidate forum, held by the Jewelry District Association, see: Voters meet candidates at Providence City Council Ward 1 special election forum
For the second Ward One Candidate forum, held by the Downtown Neighborhood Association, see: Candidates for Providence City Council Ward One special election meet voters at forum
Below is all the video from the event, broken down by question and candidate.
The forum began with opening statements from each candidate:
Anthony Santurri
Nick Cicchitelli
John Goncalves
How would you improve school safety?
Anthony Santurri
Nick Cicchitelli
John Goncalves
In response to incidents at nightclubs, members of the Providence City Council have proposed having more video surveillance at restaurants, clubs and bars. Some LGBTQIA members of the community are concerned about how this might affect the privacy rights of patrons, especially at places that are meant to be safe spaces. What is your stance on this ordinance?
John Goncalves
Nick Cicchitelli
Anthony Santurri
Homeless youth are disproportionately LGBTQIA. How will you address homelessness in Ward One, which includes Kennedy Plaza?
Nick Cicchitelli
John Goncalves
Anthony Santurri
How do you feel about police officers having a presence during Pride?
Anthony Santurri
John Goncalves
Nick Cicchitelli
The Center for Disease Control says that PrEP can reduce the rate of HIV infection by more than 90 percent, but its usage remains low among those who need it most. How would you increase awareness and access to PrEP?
Nick Cicchitelli
Anthony Santurri
John Goncalves
Last year two members of the LGBTQIA community were assaulted outside The Avery in Ward 13. How would you respond to a hate crime or violence in your Ward?
John Goncalves
Nick CicchitelliN
Anthony Santurri
Audience Questions:
How can we increase the reporting of hate crimes to police?
Nick Cicchitelli
John Goncalves
Anthony Santurri
Does anybody have any ideas on how to address the city’s unfunded pension liability?
John Goncalves
Nick Cicchitelli
Anthony Santurri
How will you address the access issues for people with disabilities in our Ward and in our City?
Anthony Santurri
Nick Cicchitelli
John Goncalves
If you lose, how will you continue to support the LGBTQIA community in the way you’ve outlined here tonight?
Anthony Santurri
John Goncalves
Nick Cicchitelli
How do we broker a relationship between the police and the LGBTQIA community so that incidents of hate and violence can be reported to the Rhode Island Commission on Prejudice and Bias, so that we as a City can know that these things have happened?
John Goncalves
Nick Cicchitelli
Anthony Santurri
Do you think the school committee should be appointed or elected (Currently the Providence School Committee is appointed by the Mayor.)
Nick Cicchitelli
Anthony Santurri
John Goncalves
How will you make the streets of Providence safer for those not in cars?
Nick Cicchitelli
John Goncalves
Anthony Santurri
How would you apply the teachings of the LGBTQIA community to the young people in our schools?
Anthony Santurri
Nick Cicchitelli
John Goncalves
Last Month the Pete Buttigieg campaign cancelled an event at the Dark Lady because of the presence of a dancer pole. How would you have reacted to this as a City Councilor?
Anthony Santurri
Nick Cicchitelli
John Goncalves
Do you support a resolution to remove school resource officers from Providence Schools and add more socio-emotional councilors?
John Goncalves
Nick Cicchitelli
Anthony Santurri
What would you do to address the lack of physical and mental health resources for the LGBTQIA community in Providence?
Anthony Santurri
Nick Cicchitelli
John Goncalves
You are all opposed to the Fane Tower. What could go on that land to serve the LGBTQIA community?
Nick Cicchitelli
John Goncalves
Anthony Santurri
Closing statements:
John Goncalves
Nick Cicchitelli
Anthony Santurri
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