Providence Mayor-Elect David N. Cicilline is off to an impressive start in his effort to revolutionize the way that city government operates.
His transition team is a strong one, led by Merrill Sherman, of Bank Rhode Island, Angel Tavares Esq., of Brown Rudnick and Robert Walsh, of the National Education Association.
Joining those three co-chairs are more than 40 individuals, all of whom bring a wealth of experience and energy to city government. They are from backgrounds that include community service, law, banking and finance, health care, education, construction and arts and entertainment.
These are individuals with strong ties to the city. All of them share something vitally important. They have a desire to make the city a better place.
Cicilline should be commended for making them a part of the process. He is no fool. By listening to their opinions and ideas and allowing them to solicit ideas and opinions from an even wider circle of individuals, Cicilline is setting himself up to succeed.
During his campaign, Cicilline promised to reach out to various communities and tap a wide range of individuals for their expertise. His transition team is evidence that he is making good on that promise.
It is even more promising that the organizational skills and drive that Cicilline displayed during his campaign for mayor are now being put to use in building the foundation of his administration.
Cicilline the candidate displayed a dogged determination. He was tireless. That hard work translated into overwhelming victories, first in a four-way primary that was expected to be close, and then in the general election.
That drive and energy is infectious. This “inclusive” approach leaves us confident that the lofty goals Cicilline has set will be attained. This is a style of government that will ultimately work.
It is going to take Cicilline and his administration time. There is a city budget to tackle, a police chief to hire, a school system to improve. There are also the important details of running a city. Like making sure streets are plowed during a snowstorm and garbage is picked up on time. Ignore those and the big picture becomes fuzzy.
There will be some who have become so accustomed to doing things the old way. They will be waiting – hoping — for the new mayor to fail.
But by tapping into the talent that is available to him, Cicilline is ensuring that those who are not signing on with this new way of doing things will wait in vain for a return to the past. Once groups of talented professionals begin to understand that their talents are not only welcome, but also strongly encouraged, Providence will begin building the momentum it needs to restart a renaissance.
Cicilline is indeed off to a good start.
Just last week, he unveiled an ambitious plan for the formal transition phase of his administration. Over the next few weeks, Cicilline will hold a series of public forums. They will explore issues of great importance to the city: public safety; education; housing; jobs and the Providence economy.
We hope that people with ideas to share attend these forums. This mayor-elect is willing to listen.
