Challenger Joshua Pereira-Incumbent Anna Sousa

EAST PROVIDENCE — Candidates City Council from Ward 2 in the November 6 general election were requested to respond to a profile formatted by The Post, providing readers with biographical information as well as their top priorities should they win office.

Anna Maria Sousa
Previous/current office held: Incumbent City Councilwoman for Ward 2.
Employment (current and past): Professionally, I am a Registered Nurse at Rhode Island Hospital and have been employed there for 18 years, additionally I recently began a healthcare instructor position at the Community College of Rhode Island. I have had the pleasure of working at a local nursing facility here in East Providence called United Methodist also known as Linn Health Care Center along with Providence Center and Home Care Nursing. Prior to nursing I worked as a retail manager at various location for a female clothing store (J Silver) and was a regional trainer when new locations were opening.
Education: My education started at Grove Avenue Elementary School, then Martin Jr. High (now MMS) and graduated from East Providence Senior High School in 1998. I then attended Community College of Rhode Island where I graduated with my Associates in nursing and continued on to Salve Regina University for my Baccalaurean degree. My plans are to continue working on my Master’s degree in a bridging program to ultimately graduate with my Doctoral degree in Nursing. I have achieved various nursing specialty certification that continually maintain on an annual bases through continuing education classes or conferences.
Family: I am the daughter of the late Jose L. Sousa and Maria J. Sousa, immigrants from Ponta Garca and Ribeira Grande, Sao Miguel, Azores. My family has lived in East Providence since the 1950’s when my grandfather (who was born in Brockton, MA) returned to work as the grounds keeper at Agawam Hunt. My father was a Army Vietnam Veteran and both my parents were active members in the Portuguese community here in East Providence. I have two siblings that are lifelong East Providence residences, my brother a small business owner Michael Sousa and wife Diane Sousa have to boys Michael and Aydan, both attending our public schools. My sister Cathy Costa and husband Joseph Costa, have 4 children, Mikayla a senior at EPHS, Arianna, Joey both attend Hennessy Elementary school, and Maria who will be entering Pre-K next year. My sibling are equally active in the community, PTA, Boy and Girl Scouts, and local sports.
Activities (church, civic organizations, volunteer, etc.): I am Roman Catholic and lifelong parishioner at Saint Francis Xavier Church along with my family and have attended Holy Rosary Church in Providence on multiple occasions and was a catechist for a short period. Other community organization that I am currently a member of Holy Ghost Brotherhood Charity and Holy Ghost Beneficial Brotherhood. My community volunteering involves working with Pack 5 Boy Scouts on project like annual Earth Day clean up and Arbor Day were we planted trees in the community. I have actively supported the local schools by hosting and sponsoring yearend ice cream celebrations, as well as being a guest reader during annual reading week celebrations. Other community events include Day of Portugal celebration with a community parade and Christmas tree lighting with Santa and crafts. During the holiday season I initiated a gifting tree at City Hall were I adopted 2 families and a local men’s group home, but was fortunate enough to be able to provide 7 families with a memorable Christmas thanks to city employee participation, local donations and giving hearts.
Top Priorities: Over the course of 2 years I have addressed many of Ward 2 concerns, yet there is still work that needs to be finished. Some of the top priorities include a resolution to the complicated water bill issue. This topic effects residence differently, so reaching a reasonable solution that is fair has taken longer than expected. First and foremost, we must meet our water departments financial needs of operational cost including the sewer plant agreement, then reasonably work on a fixed water rate that is fair throughout the community based on level of usage and fixed or low-income users. All water users should pay a fair amount to meet the financial operating needs of our facility in addition a minimal surplus for unforeseen repairs and expenses. Economic growth is important to attract vibrant businesses and promote tourism which supports the community by adding to the tax roll and strengthens local businesses. Working closely with our State Delegation is vital to obtain Tiger Grant funds so that we can renew a once vibrant Six Corners, downtown area along Taunton Avenue and Waterfront Drive which has promising development the will serve the residence of East Providence in many ways. Funding and maintaining city infrastructures including schools is important as we plan our yearly budgets, so that we maintain safe learning and working environments for our students, residence and staff. Lastly, I would like to address outdated legislation in our city charter that limit economic growth in the community and that place unnecessary restriction on small business, homeowners and residence. I am honored to be representing the residence of Ward 2 as an active voice in our community. I will continue to work hard advocating for the needs of the small businesses and residence in Ward 2 and throughout the city.

Joshua Luis Pereira
Previous/current office held: None
Employment (current and past): Joshua is Executive Pastor at Saving Grace Worship Center. He is also a local business owner having started his first company, Joshua Luis Pereira Enterprises, LLC comprised of two divisions- Out of Eden Landscaping that was founded in 2009 and The Carpenter's Son Painting and Carpentry in 2016. In 2014, he also opened the doors to Scarlet Realty & Property Management. These companies are all based in the city of East Providence. Joshua is also a Computer Operations Specialist for the Pawtucket Police Department.
Education: Joshua attended school in East Providence graduating from the High School in 2006. He went on to Rhode Island College with a dual B.A. in Psychology and Justice Studies. He is currently enrolled in Omega Bible Institute and Seminary to obtain his Masters of Divinity.
Family: Joshua is married to Nancy and together they are the parents of Hailey and Aiden.  
Activities (church, civic organizations, volunteer, etc.): He is currently the President of Whiteknact School PTA (3rd Year). And has devoted his time to raising the funds to build a new playground for the School. Joshua and his team have raised $60K so far to date.
Top Priorities: Like many residents in this city, Joshua feels that we need to control and prioritize spending. By using his experience and background in negotiating contracts to reduce the cost of goods and services, as he has done in his role at the Pawtucket Police Department, Joshua feels it is time to look at what goods and services the city is utilizing and evaluate the various vendor contracts to look at how we can reduce costs. In doing so, reducing costs will lessen the burden on you, the taxpayer.
The city needs to invest wisely in our aging schools. With his experience in the construction trades, Joshua will fight to do so while being fiscally accountable to the residents of East Providence. It is not just about fixing the schools, but also ensure we make it our priority to appropriate the funds to properly maintain them. Joshua believes in preventative, not reactive maintenance. He believes the School Maintenance Department should have the tools and resources they need to both identify and rectify potential issues before they become major dangerous and costly problems. We should never allow our schools to get to the level of disrepair we currently find them in.
We need to create an economic climate that will attract business investments and jobs.  Joshua has been a small business owner in East Providence for close to a decade; he understands first-hand what the struggles are and how to create an inviting business climate.  If we can build our business community in East Providence, we can offset the cost of living to our residents. We should look at how some of our neighboring communities have built their “Golden Miles” and take a page from their playbook. We need to bring a new vibrancy to the East Providence business climate; we have far too many empty buildings with potential for good business tenants. Joshua prides himself with employing fellow Townies and looks forward to building a business climate with incentives for businesses in East Providence to provide employment opportunities for our residents.
Joshua is determined to vigorously fight for the needs of the residents of East Providence and improve the numerous issues that need to be addressed. A few issues that are very basic accommodations that the residents deserve as taxpayers are the need to fix our ailing roads, the drinking water infrastructure, and the reduction of our water and sewage bill. Further, he feels that we need to address issues like the flooding that plagues the State, Abbott and Marsh Street neighborhood. These issues are essential to our residents' well being and the well being of their property. John Locke wrote that we all have the right to life, liberty and property. Thomas Jefferson in the Declaration of Independence modified it to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. In this election, we can elect someone who will fight to deliver both versions of these unalienable Rights.