Mayor Bob DaSilva announced on Thursday morning, April 23, that he would be seeking re-election in November to maintain his position as Mayor of East Providence, which would be his third, four-year term in office since being elected as the city’s first mayor in 2018. There are no term limits for mayor under the city's charter.

The announcement took place amidst a gusty, sunny day at the Riverview at East Point housing development, where 392 units of housing are currently in the midst of construction on the banks of the Seekonk River.

It was a strategic placement for the announcement, intended to show the progress the city has made in developing its previously non-utilized waterfront parcels under the tutelage of DaSilva. That was the message delivered by Richard Baccari II, President and CEO of Churchill & Banks, whose subsidiary (Noble Development) is developing the site; a former brownfield where a steel mill used to be located.

“This is all due to the leadership that Mayor Bob has given to the City of East Providence,” Baccari said. “Through the Waterfront Commission and everything they do to make the redevelopment of sites like this possible, it’s unlike any other town in the State of Rhode Island. They give developers and builders tools to make these things possible. And it’s going to create a community that would have never been here but for the efforts of the city.”

The guest list for the announcement included some of Rhode Island’s top politicians and power brokers, including Governor Dan McKee, Senate President (and native Townie) Val Lawson, AFL-CIO President Patrick Crowley, League of Cities and Towns Executive Director Randy Rossi, House Whip (and native Townie) Katherine Kazarian, as well as City Council President Bob Rodericks, Vice President Frank Rego, and the Chair and Vice Chair of the East Providence School Committee, David Luiz and Tony DeSimas. Even Providence Mayor Brett Smiley made the trip over the river to attend.

The event was the first part of a two-event announcement. Later this afternoon, DaSilva will appear at the Plumbers & Pipe-Fitters Union Hall in Riverside to announce his endorsement from what will presumably be the Rhode Island Laborers’ Union.

For the morning event, endorsements among the invited speakers were given out with enthusiasm by DaSilva’s supporters.

“I feel so comfortable having my family right here in this community under Bob’s leadership,” said McKee. “He’s centered in the community, and he carries that into the office. His community service, creating a soccer program in this community, knowing the Townies that live in East Providence. He even has that Facebook Live down pretty well. Bob is able to bring people together, not only at the local level, but on the state level.”

“This is what true growth looks like in a community, and how when you have a supportive community behind you, to be able to get those things done and move a city forward,” said Rossi.

‘Our mission is not complete’

For his part, DaSilva focused on the theme of promises made back when he was first elected, promises kept throughout his tenure, and promises he wants to see come to fruition in the future.

“I made two promises to the people of East Providence [when he got elected]. That we would work to bring to reality, and to future generations of Townies, a new, state-of-the-art high school that rivals any school across the state. And that we would deliver on past promises on building East Providence its first community center,” he said. “And as I stand here today I can proudly say that, working closely with our union building trades, we built a high school on time, under budget, during the pandemic, and currently we are building the city’s first community center.”

DaSilva said the city now also has a new middle school at Martin and a new Pre-K facility to be constructed in the next year. He said millions of dollars have been invested in city infrastructure, including roadways, the sewer system, stormwater improvements, and a new seawall at Crescent Park.

“We have revitalized the beautiful and historic recreation spaces across every corner of our city, from Crescent Park and the Louffe Carousel, to Kent Heights Park and Kimberly Anne Rock Memorial Athletic Complex and countless spaces in between,” he continued. “Never losing sight of what makes East Providence a special place — the people.”

DaSilva said the city has endured plenty of challenges during his first eight years in office, from a global pandemic, to the Washington Bridge closure, the the recent record-breaking blizzard in February.

“Yet through every challenge and tribulation, the city has never faltered,” he said.

DaSilva called East Providence a special place “built on resilience, pride, and a whole lot of heart,” and said his goal if elected to another term would be to continue to make it a place people want to call home.

“In East Providence we believe everyone deserves dignity, everyone deserves opportunity, and everyone deserves to feel respected, safe, and valued,” he said. “Because no matter where you come from, when you call East Providence home, you are one of us. You are family. You are a Townie. And that pride will always run deep. But let me be clear. Our work is not finished.”