Helder Cunha Declares Reelection Bid for Ward Two City Council. Unopposed So Far.

Ward 2 incumbent Helder Cunha has declared his intention to keep his seat on the City Council. "I am pleased to announce that I will be seeking re-election for the East Providence City Council Ward 2 seat. From working alongside great organizations such as the K-Rob foundation in providing support for the renovation of Onna Moniz-John Park and Central Avenue Playground, to launching the remaking of Joan’s Pond, I am proud of the great work that has been achieved in a collaborative, thoughtful, and respectful manner – all in the name of bettering our community," said Cunha in an official press release. "We put politics aside, rolled up our sleeves, and got things done. That is what I hope continue to do for the residents of Ward 2 and that is why I’m running.

Our city’s finances remain on a solid path and I am proud of the work the council has achieved. Our city remains in the black, our credit rating has been upgraded. I am confident that this will remain the case for the future," continued Cunha."

The rest of Cunha's statement reads as follows:

"However, I recognize that our city continues to have its share of challenges that must be addressed. My focus remains on making our city a place that’s easier to do business. We need to start putting welcome mats instead of hurdles for businesses looking to set up shop here. Doing so will only broaden our tax base and prevent tax increases. This will also allow more dollars to be invested in improving our schools, as well as making our city a more vibrant place to live.

Along with myself, a team of economic development experts have met with our city manager and several department heads to identify opportunities for enhancing our city’s business climate. My priorities include revitalizing the Taunton Avenue corridor and continuing the development of the waterfront district. Our city’s economy is in better shape than it was several years ago, but it has the potential to be much stronger.

It’s no secret that many of our roads and bridges are in desperate need of repair. Vice President Biden’s reaction to the deplorable condition of the McCormick Quarry Bridge echoes the frustration we as local leaders are faced with in trying to fix state-managed roads such as Pawtucket Avenue. The safety of taxpaying residents is at risk as a result of RIDOT’s slow-moving and unresponsive bureaucracy. We can no longer afford it. It’s time that we turn up the heat and hold them accountable.

Lastly, I remain committed to constituent service. Ward 2 residents should not hesitate to let me know if they are experiencing any issues with city hall. They deserve the most out of their tax dollars.

Quite frankly, during my time in office, it is the residents themselves that I have learn the most from. They have been a tremendous asset in helping me determine what’s going right with our city and what is going wrong with it. I don’t have all the answers and don’t pretend to do so. But I remain committed to serving and working together with the residents of Ward 2 in continuing to make our city a better place to live for them and their families."