Chrissy Rossi Announces for Mayor; Nick Oliver Suspends Campaign

Former East Providence School Committee and City Council member Chrissy Rossi has announced her bid to be East Providence's first-ever Mayor. In her statement Rossi said, "I have lived in East Providence since I was five years old. I love this city, care deeply for the residents who choose to make this community their home, and recognize the great potential of its people and location within the State of Rhode Island. Long a community activist, I am asking for your support as I declare myself a candidate for Mayor."

Rossi served two years as an East Providence School Committee member from 2010 to 2012 and two years on the City Council from 2012 to 2014. "I spent five years on the East Providence School Department’s Facilities Subcommittee and was elected both vice-president and president of Whiteknact Elementary and Riverside Middle school’s PTA. I also founded and serve as chair of EP Kids, a 501C3 non-profit organization focused on the children of our city. My commitment to the youngest members of our community is profound. The future of our children depends on what we as adults do to support, create and condone today," said Rossi.

Rossi has also been a volunteer for the Looff Carousel Preservation and Restoration. "My background is diverse. I am a proud product of the East Providence Public School System, studied Information Technology at New England Institute of Technology and received a Certificate in Business Management from Bryant University. I have eight years of experience in cost accounting in the construction industry and for four years, I provided computer tutoring as well as corporate and private computer training."

"Besides working as a licensed and insured realtor, I have a fifteen year collective history working in the construction industry as a cost accountant and project manager. My background, education and career choices provide both the knowledge and experience to qualify me as a candidate for the position of Mayor.

"My goals are simple: encourage and support public safety efforts, enhance public education, guarantee a business-friendly environment that fosters job creation, achieves fiscal stability and affordable living, and improve access to culture and quality of life. We need to combat apathy among our neighbors and elevate the self-esteem of our community to extraordinary levels."

"While small businesses define Rhode Island, we need to create a business-friendly environment to attract larger employers who employ many. We must review the tangible tax structure and begin to roll back the costs, thereby encouraging new businesses to relocate here and current business to thrive and reinvest in our community. Economic development is paramount; no one wants to move to a dirty city with too many vacant store fronts. It is vital that we address our crumbling infrastructure and civic blight," continued Rossi.

Rossi joins Roberto "Bob" DaSilva and James Russo as announced candidates.

Oliver Suspends Candidacy

Also on the Mayoral news front, previously announced candidate Nicholas Oliver has announced a suspension of his candidacy. In a social media post, Oliver stated, "It is with a heavy heart that I am announcing the suspension of my campaign for Mayor of East Providence effective immediately. Over the past several weeks, my family and I have been dealing with a personal matter impacting my children. My role as their father has always been and will continue to be my top priority. At this time, they require all of my attention without the momentum of an active political campaign. We are requesting privacy during this very difficult time. Suzanne and I have been grateful for the amazing and humbling support of our community. I know that this would have resulted in a winning campaign to lead our city toward its much-needed fresh start," said Oliver.