Stu on the Issues
Education
Warwick Schools are at a crossroads: We can invest in education, and hope to win back students into seats. Or we can let our schools—not just the buildings, but the communities, erode. If we believe in our teachers, and I do, then we can capitalize on current projects to make our complete K-12 education one that draws parents and students, and teaches the citizens that we will need in a very turbulent future.
I still believe we need better ways to pool resources at the state level. And we need to ask those who can afford it — the top 10% of income earners — to invest in new schools. I am fully committed to education reform, to win a brighter future for our students, teachers, and our state.
The Environment
Rhode Island has 400 miles of coastline; it is vulnerable to climate change, pollution, and other damage to the environment. We must do all we can to preserve the waterways and land of our state. While our activist efforts have produced some results, climate change continues. Rhode Island can be a leader in the fight against climate change. We have the power to preserve the waterways and other ecosystems in our state. We can create jobs while converting to more sustainable energy sources; we can fight for renewable energy and better transit policy. Rhode Island can be nimble, forward-thinking, and sustaining.
LGBTQ+ Rights
As a proud non-binary person, I know the power of self love and living one’s truth. I have many gay friends, family, and neighbors. It’s important that we support and love people regardless of their sexual identity and preferences. This is especially important with LGBTQ youth, who face higher rates of mental illness. Warwick stands with it’s queer youth, and we should have a city council that makes that abundantly clear.
Housing
While many people WANT to live in our community, housing prices have skyrocketed, leaving many working folks left out. We should be working to increase the amount of units available, whether building single or multi-family units. Smart infill development can offer families a way to stay close while maintaining neighborhood dynamics. Warwick has an opportunity to capitalize on statewide transit solutions and walkability to build the neighborhoods of the future while embracing the history of our area. While the recent units near the airport may not be suitable for every neighborhood, they show that it is possible to offer more choices. Every new unit becomes a property tax payer, decreasing the burden on other payers.