Election 2022

School matters were again front and center at the polls in East Providence

Construction bonds pass overwhelmingly once more; Queenan is latest upset winner

By Mike Rego
Posted 11/10/22

EAST PROVIDENCE — As happened in each of the last two election cycles, East Providence schools, their condition and who governs them, were front and center at the polls in 2022.

Like 2018, …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

Register to post events


If you'd like to post an event to our calendar, you can create a free account by clicking here.

Note that free accounts do not have access to our subscriber-only content.

Day pass subscribers

Are you a day pass subscriber who needs to log in? Click here to continue.


Election 2022

School matters were again front and center at the polls in East Providence

Construction bonds pass overwhelmingly once more; Queenan is latest upset winner

Posted

EAST PROVIDENCE — As happened in each of the last two election cycles, East Providence schools, their condition and who governs them, were front and center at the polls in 2022.

Like 2018, residents far and away supported measures requesting the use of nearly $450 million in bonds for structural fixes.

And just as occurred in 2020, constituents opted to change the composition of the School Committee by voting for a neophyte candidate.

Building bonds
In 2018, city voters were asked to support a pair of referenda items pertaining to buildings. A city-wide question seeking $189.5 million for a new high school and a state-wide one seeking $250 million for construction costs each passed with overwhelming majorities.

The new EPHS referendum was approved with 12,373 votes or 77.6%. The question posed allowing the state to bond out a quarter of a billion dollars actually received even greater backing in city percentage-wise with 13,202 votes or 81.1% of the ballots cast than it did around the rest of Rhode Island, 76.7%.

Last week, the question asking locals to back taking $148 million in bonds for major renovations at Martin Middle School and Waddington Elementary past with 11,571 votes or 78.1%. The state question asking to bond out another $250 million passed again received greater support this time around in city (76.4%) than  the rest of the state (73.3%).

“We reached out to as many parents as we could, especially. It feels great that so many once again supported East Providence schools,” former Superintendent of East Providence Schools Kathryn Crowley said of the lobbying effort to support this year's referendums.

“It shows that residents of the city put schools right at the top of list of priorities," she added.

Crowley, who is still contracted to the department until January 2023, stepped away from day-to-day oversight of the district after some seven years at the end of 2021-22 term this past June. She passed the baton to one her top aides, Dr. Sandra Forand.

Crowley, however, did more than just urge residents to back the bonds. She will have spent the last seven months of her deal working with consultants to get plans properly in place to begin work at Martin and Waddington as soon as next summer.

Crowley, Sam Bradner, of the city-based Peregrine Group continuing to as the district’s project manager, and Jim Jordan, an architect with the school-centric firm Ai3, have been corresponding with the Rhode Island Department of Education, which disperses the bond monies, throughout the process.

Crowley said the local team is confident RIDE will sign off on the next phase of East Providence’s submission, Stage 3, in mid-December.

“I think the people of East Providence have shown a true commitment to a better education system,” Crowley continued. “I’m so proud to have been a part of it for the last seven years. I think it’s especially telling that they approved a second bond since the first one was only four years ago and so close to each other.

"I just can’t thank the people of East Providence enough for what they did for me when I was there and for once again supporting this bond referendum.”

Committee upset
In political circles, every election cycle is a referendum on the candidates who run, and residents in the predominantly Rumford-based Ward 1 opted for a rather surprising change in their representation on the School Committee.

Charlie Tsonos, who had served as the Ward 1 rep for 10 of the last 12 years, was defeated by novice Ryan Queenan.

As of late last week, Queenan, city-native and father of three school-aged children, held a 53.9%-44.8% (2,070-1,722 votes) advantage over Tsonos, a former chairman of the body who was first elected to the committee in 2010 and had been a mainstay on it since 2014.

“I must’ve knocked on around 5,500 doors and I only won by 350 votes, so we put as much work and effort into this campaign as we possibly could,” Queenan said last week.

He continued, “For that I have to thank all of the people around me who helped me, especially my wife. She, they were so supportive and allowed me to put the time I needed to be able to do this."

Queenan, who graduated from EPHS in the early 2000s, has spent most of professional career in the education and the non-profit sectors. He will soon become the next executive director of the Bay Side YMCA in Barrington, which also counts as part of its membership a host of East Providence residents from both the Kent Heights and Riverside sections.

Queenan’s win mirrored closely that of the Ward 2 result from 2020 when Max Brandle, who only two years earlier graduated EPHS, defeated four-term incumbent Tony Ferreira by an even tighter margin 50.3%-49% (2,034-1,985).

Coincidentally, Ferreira was returned to body in 2022, defeating another newcomer to electoral politics, Miles Bonalewicz. As of late last week Ferreira held a 54.8%-44.4% (7,477-6,063) advantage for the At-Large committee seat.

2022 Election Results
As of November 10

State Senate
District 14
Valarie J. Lawson (D)
Polling place: 2827
Mail ballots: 521
Early Voting: 1462
4810, 59.8%
David V. O'Connell (R)
Polling place: 1992
Mail ballots: 139
Early Voting: 551
2682, 33.3%
Nicholas Alexander Ferrara (I)
Polling place: 367
Mail ballots: 39
Early Voting: 141
547, 6.8%
Write-in
Polling place: 4
Mail ballots: 1
Early Voting: 2
7, 0.1%

District 18
District-wide
Robert Britto (D) 5214, 65.6%
Anna Maria Peters (R) 2691, 33.9%
Write-in, 42, 0.5%
In-city
Robert Britto (D)
Polling place: 1969
Mail ballots: 353
Early Voting: 843
3165, 67.4%
Anna Maria Peters (R)
Polling place: 1159
Mail ballots: 77
Early Voting: 267
1503, 32.0%
Write-in
Polling place: 18
Mail ballots: 2
Early Voting: 11
31, 0.7%

District 32
District-wide
Pamela J. Lauria (D) 8123, 61.8%
Rhonda Holmes (R) 4983, 37.9%
Write-in, 30, 0.2%
In-city
Pamela J. Lauria (D)
Polling place: 980
Mail ballots: 187
Early Voting: 405
1572, 57.1%
Rhonda Holmes (R)
Polling place: 908
Mail ballots: 73
Early Voting: 196
1177, 42.8%
Write-in
Polling place: 2
Mail ballots: 0
Early Voting: 1
3, 0.1%

State Representative
District 63
District-wide
Katherine S. Kazarian (D) 3610, 70.4%
Anthony Sionni (R) 1503, 29.3%
Write-in, 12, 0.2%
In-city
Katherine S. Kazarian (D)
Polling place: 2091
Mail ballots: 355
Early Voting: 1039
3485, 70.3%
Anthony Sionni (R)
Polling place: 1114
Mail ballots: 73
Early Voting: 270
1457, 29.4%
Write-in
Polling place: 6
Mail ballots: 2
Early Voting: 4
12, 0.2%

District 64
District-wide
Brianna E. Henries (D) 2080, 65.8%
Antonio U. de Simas (I), 1051, 33.3%
Write-in, 28, 0.9%
In-city
Brianna E. Henries (D)
Polling place: 1067
Mail ballots: 185
Early Voting: 556
1808, 65.1%
Antonio U. de Simas (I)
Polling place: 653
Mail ballots: 52
Early Voting: 239
944, 34.0%
Write-in
Polling place: 19
Mail ballots: 1
Early Voting: 5
25, 0.9%

District 65
Matthew S. Dawson (D)
Polling place: 2240
Mail ballots: 394
Early Voting: 944
3578, 66.4%
John R. Peters (R)
Polling place: 1388
Mail ballots: 96
Early Voting: 315
1799, 33.4%
Write-in
Polling place: 5
Mail ballots: 1
Early Voting: 2
8, 0.1%

District 66
District-wide
Jennifer Smith Boylan (D) 3555, 57.3%
Samuel R. Read (I), 2616, 42.2%
Write-in, 30, 0.5%
In-city
Jennifer Smith Boylan (D)
Polling place: 768
Mail ballots: 145
Early Voting: 318
1231, 56.5%
Samuel R. Read (I)
Polling place: 722
Mail ballots: 72
Early Voting: 140
934, 42.8%
Write-in
Polling place: 10
Mail ballots: 0
Early Voting: 5
15, 0.7%

Mayor
Roberto L. DaSilva
Polling place: 5673
Mail ballots: 867
Early Voting: 2591
9131, 60.2%
John J. Rossi
Polling place: 4211
Mail ballots: 482
Early Voting: 1228
5921, 39.1%
Write-in
Polling place: 83
Mail ballots: 6
Early Voting: 20
109, 0.7%

Council
At-Large
Robert P. Rodericks
Polling place: 4714
Mail ballots: 815
Early Voting: 2103
7632, 56.4%
Brian D. Castro,
Polling place: 4047
Mail ballots: 425
Early Voting: 1282
5754, 42.5%
Write-in
Polling place: 120
Mail ballots: 3
Early Voting: 29
152, 1.1%

Ward 1
Frank J. Rego,
Polling place: 1678
Mail ballots: 270
Early Voting: 803
2751, 70.2%
Edward J. Wencis,
Polling place: 808
Mail ballots: 87
Early Voting: 236
1131, 28.9%
Write-in
Polling place: 21
Mail ballots: 3
Early Voting: 12
36, 0.9%

Ward 2
Anna M. Sousa,
Polling place: 1107
Mail ballots: 137
Early Voting: 527
1771, 75.9%
Dunia Teresa D. Jesus Rego Samayoa,
Polling place: 331
Mail ballots: 54
Early Voting: 151
536, 23.0%
Write-in
Polling place: 21
Mail ballots: 0
Early Voting: 5
26, 1.1%

Ward 3
Francis E. Fogarty,
Polling place: 1200
Mail ballots: 139
Early Voting: 395
1734, 52.0%
Nathan W. Cahoon,
Polling place: 995
Mail ballots: 171
Early Voting: 418
1584, 47.5%
Write-in
Polling place: 11
Mail ballots: 0
Early Voting: 4
15, 0.5%

Ward 4
Richard A. Lawson, Jr.
Polling place: 1611
Mail ballots: 205
Early Voting: 469
2285, 53.3%
Ricardo Dias Mourato
Polling place: 1310
Mail ballots: 200
Early Voting: 461
1971, 45.9%
Write-in
Polling place: 26
Mail ballots: 0
Early Voting: 9
35, 0.8%

School Committee
At-Large
Anthony J. Ferreira
Polling place: 5084
Mail ballots: 623
Early Voting: 1770
7477, 54.8%
Miles F. Bonalewicz
Polling place: 3805
Mail ballots: 614
Early Voting: 1644
6063, 44.4%
Write-in
Polling place: 86
Mail ballots: 4
Early Voting: 22
112, 0.8%

Ward 1
Ryan M. Queenan
Polling place: 1348
Mail ballots: 174
Early Voting: 548
2070, 53.9%
Charles S. Tsonos
Polling place: 1061
Mail ballots: 178
Early Voting: 483
1722, 44.8%
Write-in
Polling place: 35
Mail ballots: 2
Early Voting: 11
48, 1.2%

Ward 2
Max D. Brandle
Polling place: 865
Mail ballots: 126
Early Voting: 466
1457, 62.0%
Carissa C. Moglia
Polling place: 602
Mail ballots: 67
Early Voting: 207
876, 37.3%
Write-in
Polling place: 13
Mail ballots: 0
Early Voting: 3
16, 0.7%

Ward 3
Jenni Azanero
Polling place: 1185
Mail ballots: 222
Early Voting: 478
1885, 57.8%
David P. Luiz
Polling place: 964
Mail ballots: 85
Early Voting: 306
1355, 41.6%
Write-in
Polling place: 17
Mail ballots: 2
Early Voting: 1
20, 0.6%

Ward 4
Jessica Beauchaine
Polling place: 1763
Mail ballots: 275
Early Voting: 570
2608, 60.5%
Jessica L. Medeiros
Polling place: 1204
Mail ballots: 119
Early Voting: 354
1677, 38.9%
Write-in
Polling place: 25
Mail ballots: 1
Early Voting: 3
29, 0.7%

Charter Commission
At-Large
Bruce W. Rogers
Polling place: 7206
Mail ballots: 1020
Early Voting: 2749
10975, 95.5%
Write-in
Polling place: 382
Mail ballots: 36
Early Voting: 102
520, 4.5%

Ward 1
Manuel F. Vinhateiro, Jr.
Polling place: 2012
Mail ballots: 296
Early Voting: 883
3191, 96.5%
Write-in
Polling place: 89
Mail ballots: 10
Early Voting: 18
117, 3.5%

Ward 2
Julie A. Silva
Polling place: 1225
Mail ballots: 168
Early Voting: 596
1989, 96.4%
Write-in
Polling place: 51
Mail ballots: 5
Early Voting: 18
74, 3.6%

Ward 3
Marc E. Furtado
Polling place: 1760
Mail ballots: 272
Early Voting: 671
2703, 97.0%
Write-in
Polling place: 67
Mail ballots: 4
Early Voting: 12
83, 3.0%

Ward 4
Michael A. Sullo
Polling place: 1402
Mail ballots: 194
Early Voting: 443
2039, 55.0%
Scott S. Scienzo
Polling place: 1144
Mail ballots: 136
Early Voting: 321
1601, 43.2%
Write-in
Polling place: 47
Mail ballots: 4
Early Voting: 14
65, 1.8%

Referendums
State-wide
1. URI NARRAGANSETT BAY CAMPUS - $100,000,000
Approve
Polling place: 5543
Mail ballots: 915
Early Voting: 2375
8833, 59.1%
Reject
Polling place: 4285
Mail ballots: 429
Early Voting: 1394
6108, 40.9%

2. RHODE ISLAND SCHOOL BUILDINGS - $250,000,000
State-wide
Approve
251589 73.3%
Reject
91742 26.7%
In-city
Approve
Polling place: 7422
Mail ballots: 1114
Early Voting: 2955
11491, 76.4%
Reject
Polling place: 2459
Mail ballots: 244
Early Voting: 848
3551, 23.6%

3. GREEN ECONOMY BONDS - $50,000,000
Approve
Polling place: 6802
Mail ballots: 1060
Early Voting: 2769
10631, 71.3%
Reject
Polling place: 2994
Mail ballots: 282
Early Voting: 999
4275, 28.7%

In-city
4. MARTIN SCHOOL & WADDINGTON SCHOOL $148,000,000
Approve
Polling place: 7475
Mail ballots: 1100
Early Voting: 2996
11571, 78.1%
Reject
Polling place: 2261
Mail ballots: 237
Early Voting: 740
3238, 21.9%

5. RHODE ISLAND CANNABIS ACT - LOCAL LICENSING
Approve
Polling place: 6255
Mail ballots: 749
Early Voting: 2229
9233, 62.1%
Reject
Polling place: 3545
Mail ballots: 595
Early Voting: 1484
5624

2024 by East Bay Media Group

Barrington · Bristol · East Providence · Little Compton · Portsmouth · Tiverton · Warren · Westport
Meet our staff
Jim McGaw

A lifelong Portsmouth resident, Jim graduated from Portsmouth High School in 1982 and earned a journalism degree from the University of Rhode Island in 1986. He's worked two different stints at East Bay Newspapers, for a total of 18 years with the company so far. When not running all over town bringing you the news from Portsmouth, Jim listens to lots and lots and lots of music, watches obscure silent films from the '20s and usually has three books going at once. He also loves to cook crazy New Orleans dishes for his wife of 25 years, Michelle, and their two sons, Jake and Max.