Mayor Donald R. Grebien Announces Reelection Campaign
PAWTUCKET – Yesterday, March 11, 2024, Pawtucket Mayor Donald R. Grebien announced his Reelection Campaign. The speaking program included remarks from Pawtucket City Council President Terrence Mercer, Governor Dan McKee, RIFC Head Coach Khano Smith, Director of Project Health Cape Verde Elizabeth Moreira, and former and current Tolman High School students, Fatmata “Binta” Barrie and Justin DaCosta.
I want to thank my greatest support system especially; my family
I have been blessed to spend my entire life in Pawtucket. I was baptized at St. Teresa’s Church, played on the fields at Vet’s Park in Fairlawn, spent my school years in Pawtucket public schools, and later, the city provided me with an excellent education at Davies High School.
As a young kid, I worked at small businesses including Eddie’s Ice Cream and the Fairlawn Theater. The bulk of my adult working career was on Pawtucket’s own Central Avenue at American Insulated Wire.
And most of all – You – all hold a special place in my heart. Many of you were there with me – when we had to make tough decisions to save our city from bankruptcy.
You sacrificed to keep our city afloat. And you did it with can-do attitudes – that are the very hallmark of our community today.
We got through those difficult times together – and now – together – we have grown – and watched our city recover from those very dark days. And how our fortunes have brightened:
Our old and dated schools needed an overhaul – and with your help – we are accomplishing true reform. Our last new School built was by Curtis in 1957.
We started at the elementary level, with the Potter Burns and Nat. Greene Elementary Schools then tackled Winters, and now, Baldwin. When we complete the overhaul -we will have revamped our elementary schools.
But our grandest educational vision, as outlined by Binta and Justin, is our new High School. This facility will not only improve the educational outcomes for our students – add multiple CTE programs – it will instill a sense of pride in our schools – a pride that has not been seen in almost a half-century.
Through the good work of our police officers and firefighters, our crime rate is down, and our community is safer – than it has been in decades.
Our streets have undergone significant improvements, with over 80% of our roads re-paved since I took office. Our public parks and spaces are second to none. This is through the hard work of our city employees who hold themselves to a higher standard.
Our work with our seniors, our children’s recreation programs, and our Pawtucket Housing Authority are all among the elite in our State.
And our downtown and waterfront is seeing a revival. Working with the Pawtucket Foundation we have our new train station, and our new professional soccer stadium is under construction.
Through the hard work with the City Council, the School Committee, and our administration we not only have Pawtucket back on track – but we are rapidly moving forward.
But there is much more to be done:
- We will build RI’s BEST High School
- We will complete RI’s only professional sports facility – and we will fill it up.
- We will complete over $200 million of new development around that new ‘gleaming’ stadium.
- We will forge new links between the north and south ends of our downtown – through new economic development initiatives.
- We will put the valuable Apex site back to work for the taxpayers.
- We will build a world-class public safety center.
- And we will never forget to keep doing the ‘nuts and bolts’ of providing excellent public safety, safer roads, and clean – vibrant park spaces.
There is a lot to do, indeed, but with your help, it is a very achievable agenda for tomorrow’s success.
And it is with that thought – ‘agenda for tomorrow’s success’ – that I stand before you tonight to announce that I WILL be a candidate for Mayor in this year’s election.
On behalf of Laureen, Alexa, and Connor, I sincerely thank you from the bottom of my heart for your long support and for coming out tonight.
With your efforts, we turned our city around. I am grateful for your help on my behalf and what you have done to keep our great city moving forward.
And with that, I guess it’s time to roll up our sleeves and get to work. Thanks again. “
