Robert Silva Announces Run for Briden's Seat on City Council

By Bob Rodericks

The candidates are starting to line up for the East Providence City Council Ward One seat after current councilman James Briden announced he would not run for re-election. The first publicly announced candidate is Rumford resident Robert Silva. Silva, single, lives on Dewey Avenue. Silva is Vice-President of Silva and Sons Paving and Cement LLC. He lists his political affiliation as Independent. Silva, a 2003 East Providence High School graduate, released a statement announcing his candidacy:

"I am a candidate for City Council, Ward One, in this year’s upcoming election. As a lifelong resident of East Providence I have an unrivaled determination to return the city to an era of growth and prosperity, something that has seemingly eluded the city over the past few decades. When given the opportunity by my parents to attend private school I opted to stay within the school system, a school system where I received exceptional treatment from teachers and staff members alike. I felt our educators could provide for me and prepare me as well as any private institution could and I still hold that belief today. Education is extremely important to me and is something that should be prioritized without second thought. Growing up in East Providence I was afforded the luxury of developing and honing my athletic abilities in stellar youth and scholastic athletic programs that the city is known for across the state. I owe a lot to the city for helping shape me into the individual I am today. The intangibles I received as resident of East Providence are and will never be forgotten. I have spent countless hours assisting my father in developing and maintaining a local business and want to provide others with a haven that allows them to follow their own dreams and aspirations within the city. I know the hard work and sacrifice that goes into operating a small business and can surely empathize with any struggles my constituents face while following such paths.

I earned my B.A. in Political Science from Rhode Island College in 2009 and was very active on the political scene of Rhode Island while doing so. I have experience working for non-profit organizations as well as numerous campaigns over the past decade.

I have chosen to run for city government to assist in bringing prosperity and stability back to our great city. It is no secret that East Providence has suffered turbulent times recently. I feel that my ambition and positive energy will help to elevate our position. I offer transparency, honesty and an emphasis on common will to our city. Any representative, be it at the local, state, or federal level, is only as strong as the people they represent. I know the citizens of East Providence are a strong and resilient people and I’m looking to harness that strength and resilience to bring the city back to where it belongs.

I look forward to introducing myself and speaking with all the residents of my ward personally. I hope that together we can make the necessary changes the city of East Providence so desperately needs," concluded Silva's statement.