Bethany White Seeks Ward 1 City Council Seat

Dear Neighbor,

My name is Bethany White, and I would like to tell you a little about myself and why I am running to represent Ward 1 on our City Council.

Nearly twenty years ago, I moved to Rhode Island for a job at CVS and made Rumford my home. This is where I raised my four children, started a small business, and became part of a community my family is very proud to call home.

Being a mother has shaped how I think about nearly everything.

My four children have different strengths, different needs, and very different paths. Raising them taught me that there is rarely one solution that works for everyone. I have to listen to what is actually being said, help them get what they want, and make changes when circumstances change.

Those lessons apply to city government too.

Professionally, I have managed large businesses, negotiated with national suppliers, and made decisions involving millions of dollars. Today, I own Bountiful Yards, a small gardening business here in East Providence, and for now, I do the work myself.

Owning this small business has given me a very practical understanding of the work I did for CVS. Every dollar matters. Every customer matters. I plan ahead, ask questions, keep my promises, and take responsibility for results on a very personal level. It’s not a large, corporate experience. I know my clients and work hard for them.

For ten years, I also served as Treasurer for Scout Troop 55 Riverside. That was hands-on community work: budgeting carefully, maintaining accurate records, planning for future needs, and making sure resources were available when the troop needed them.  

These experiences are why I approach city government the way I do.

I start with the facts. I listen to the people affected. I look for examples of what has worked elsewhere. I consider the long-term costs and tradeoffs. Then I make a decision and explain it clearly.

Over the past several months, I have attended meetings, reviewed budgets and public records, studied City Council votes, and built tools that allow residents to examine the information for themselves.

I have done this work because residents deserve more than slogans and last-minute decisions. We deserve a city government that plans ahead and gives the public clear, honest information.

I am an independent candidate. I am not running to represent a political party, a particular organization, or to gain favor with any particular group.

I am running to work for the residents and businesses of Ward 1.

That means being responsive when someone needs help. It also means being proactive. I will regularly ask Ward 1 residents what their neighborhoods need, what concerns they see developing, and what else they want. Those answers will help guide the City’s priorities.

I want our spending to focus more clearly on the things our residents experience every day: the schools our children attend, our roads, businesses, city services, and the places that bring people together.

I believe East Providence can continue to support public safety while prioritizing our schools, infrastructure, and the public spaces we all share. We can maintain what we own before repairs become emergencies. We can encourage growth without losing the character of our neighborhoods. We can make decisions based on research and collaboration.

Most importantly, your council representative should work for you. I will answer questions. I will explain my votes. I will continue sharing the research behind my decisions, and when I am wrong or learn something new, I will tell you. I have no agenda other than the success of our city and the happiness of our residents.

East Providence is my home, and I love it dearly. We live on the water, surrounded by history, stunning parks, libraries, rich cultural diversity, and people who care deeply about their community. My children are proud to say they are from East Providence. So am I.

This city has given my family a wonderful place to build our lives, and I am asking for the opportunity to give something back.

I would be honored to earn your trust and your vote for East Providence City Council, Ward 1, on November 3.

With gratitude,
Bethany White
Candidate for East Providence City Council, Ward 1
Good Information. Better Decisions.
white4ward1.com