Cranston Election Profile: Steven Stycos

CRANSTON, RI — Steven Stycos is running for mayor in Cranston. The 66-year-old Democrat served on the city's school committee from 2000 to 2010, and has been a town councilor since 2011.

Stycos has a degree from Bates College, where he graduated cum laude. He has been the manager of West Bay Farm for 10 years. He and his wife, Christine, have two children, Mary and Patrick.

Campaign website

Why are you seeking elective office?

I’m running for Mayor of Cranston because I think I am the most qualified candidate for the position. I served over 10 years on the School Committee, and I am in my fifth term on the City Council. I am the only candidate to work through 10 school budgets and 10 city council budgets. I want to improve our city, making it more just and equitable, and the Mayor’s office offers the best opportunity to continue pushing the progressive policies I have advocated. We need to keep our schools well-funded and high performing. We need an open city government that welcomes residents’ ideas and opinions. We need to make city buildings more energy efficient to fight climate change and save money. We need to protect and improve our neighborhoods and natural areas. We need to diversify our workforce so that it reflects our diverse population.

What do you believe should be done to contain the coronavirus pandemic, and what would you do to lessen its economic impacts?

The coronavirus pandemic is completely unknown to our world, and is wrecking unprecedented havoc on our economy, communities, and families. To slow the spread of the virus, we all need to continue taking the necessary individual precautions such as social distancing, mask wearing, and hand washing, while remaining calm and making space to take care of our mental health. We need to listen to the advice from those best equipped, medical experts and public health officials, who in turn need to speak up, dispelling misinformation and providing guidance and recommendations to not only contain the virus but to prevent panic or premature senses of security. Local leaders, community leaders, business owners and managers, and others in positions of authority need to heed and act on their advice in a timely fashion. Above all we must be flexible, recognizing that this pandemic is unlike anything we have seen before, and controlling it may involve temporary and uncomfortable changes in our lifestyles in order to prevent further infection and mortality.

The economic impacts have already shown themselves to be catastrophic. Realistically our local communities will need assistance from the federal government. However, as citizens we can do our part locally. The pandemic has caused our local businesses to suffer, and we need to do our part to support them as essential parts of our neighborhoods. They provide employment, bring growth and innovation, and create community. We need to support local restaurants, agriculture, shops, and services.

Do you believe systemic racism is a problem in America generally and Rhode Island specifically, and if so, what would you do to combat it?

Systemic racism is a problem that needs to be addressed at both the national and local level. As Mayor of Cranston, I will listen to my community in order to address issues of systemic racism. I will invite underrepresented groups to share their experiences as residents in the city and the concerns they have. Their concerns and suggestions will drive the policies I support to target inequality and systemic racism.

In both my 10-year tenure as a Cranston School Committee Member and 10-year tenure as a City Councilperson, I have consistently made Cranston’s public education system a priority. When the federal government cut funds for Head Start in Cranston in 2015, as chair of the Finance Committee I led the Council to contribute $50,000/year to the program in order to help low-income children, particularly children of color, start school well-prepared. I have also worked to find more money in the city budget for our public schools. As Mayor, I will continue to push for equitable educational policies and increased spending on our schools in order to provide equal opportunities for students of color.

Children in quality after-school programs are more likely to have consistent school attendance and to be higher performing. Providing people of color with access to quality and affordable opportunities for their children is another step towards combating centuries of systemic racism. As Mayor, I will work to increase access to after school activities.

As a member of the Cranston City Council I doubled funding for the emergency Rental Assistance Program, which helps provide emergency housing funds for people at risk of homelessness. This source of housing assistance is particularly important for people of color, who in Rhode Island are more likely to face barriers to safe and secure housing. I will also work to attract developers to increase the number of affordable housing units in Cranston.

We need to invest in underserved neighborhoods. I support policies that provide reliable and accessible public transportation, create and improve green spaces, fix sidewalks, and calm traffic. I started two community gardens at Arlington and Edgewood Highland elementary schools, Cranston’s 2 poorest neighborhoods. As Mayor, I will continue to fight for policies that improve infrastructure and environmental quality for at-risk neighborhoods.

We must increase diversity, civic participation and remove barriers to participation in local government. In Cranston, twenty-eight percent of our residents are Black, Hispanic, Asian, or Native American, but only three percent of our full-time workforce are members of those groups. City Hall needs to be welcoming for all citizens. I will push for policies that increase both access and diversity. People of color need to be a vital part of Cranston’s decision-making processes.

Should the words "Providence Plantations" be removed from the state's name?

Yes

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I have 20 years in public service, with experience in both the school system and municipal government. I am the only candidate who has worked on all parts of the city budget. I have spent my time on the Cranston School Committee and City Council solving problems and getting results for the citizens of Cranston.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

1. Public schools: I am committed to improving public education for Cranston’s schools. I have worked to expand the Head Start program, support a ban on guns in schools, increase diversity in hiring for teachers, improve cafeteria nutrition, and expand after school activities. As Mayor I will oppose the expansion of charter schools, which drain resources from public schools without being held accountable to residents and elected officials.

2. Climate change and the environment: I started the Cranston Neighborhood Tree Planting Program that planted its 200th tree this year. I also fought large-scale solar facilities that destroy farmland and clear cut forests. I opposed a cell tower project that would have bulldozed old growth forest near Meshanticut State Park. I introduced a $5 million bond issue to cut energy use in city buildings and to start transitioning the city’s cars and trucks to electric vehicles. I also helped create the city’s only dog park, and I designed and built with volunteers a walking trail on city conservation land in Western Cranston. But more needs to be done. I will promote recycling, protect open space, and improve city parks, especially in dense urban areas.

3. Increasing diversity and holding city employees to a high ethical standard: As mentioned, the current city workforce does not represent the diversity of our city’s population, nor do we have staff available to provide Spanish translation. Additionally, women are dramatically under-represented in the fire, police, and public works departments. The next mayor must change that.

In 2017, I stood with Councilperson John Lanni to oppose the Republican nominee to a municipal judgeship who was recently arrested for assaulting his girlfriend. As Mayor, I will hold city government to high ethical standards.

Note: As Mayor, I will inevitably face the repercussions and challenges resulting from the coronavirus pandemic. My top priority will be to lead the city through this challenging time safely, while managing the loss of federal aid and unprecedented economic hardship.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

As mentioned, in 2014 when the federal government cut funds for Cranston’s Head Start program, I convinced the Council to spend $50,000 to preserve it. The program has since been included in every budget.

I discovered police misconduct in Cranston and confronted the issue, calling for an investigation. Known as the “Ticketgate” scandal, the investigation uncovered corruption, misconduct, and the squandering of millions of dollars of taxpayer money. Ultimately, Cranston’s police chief, his second in command, and the union president were replaced, and new leadership restored professionalism to the department. As Mayor, I promise to investigate and attack problems until corrected.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

For the last 11 years I’ve worked as a farmer, managing West Bay Farm. Using organic methods, we grow 20,000 pounds of fruits and vegetables a year for food pantries in Cranston and Warwick.

I started the Pawtuxet Village Farmers Market.