Narragansett Election Profile: Ewa Dzwierzynski

NARRAGANSETT, RI — Ewa M. Dzwierzynski is running for a seat on the Narragansett Town Council. The 47-year-old Democrat is a newcomer to elected office.

Dzwierzynski has been a pharmacist for the past 25 years and holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Rhode Island and a doctorate from Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. Her husband, Thomas A. Mann, Jr., is a former Air Force officer.

Campaign website: Vote4Ewa.com

Why are you seeking elective office?

I want to restore civility and transparency to the town council. I want to resolve the library issue and build the library in the Belmont building. I want to ensure we maintain and strengthen healthy vibrant neighborhoods for our year-round residents and businesses.

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

This pandemic is unprecedented and information is constantly changing. I believe we should continue to implement guidelines published by the CDC and DOH, maintain social distancing, and increase access of testing of asymptomatic individuals. I also sympathize with the economic impacts this virus has caused on local businesses in the area. We need to advocate for the small business community to ensure small business owners receive the federal funds that were allotted to small businesses and ensure that money is not used to offset the budget shortfall in our state budget.

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?

Yes, systematic racism has led to housing discrimination, employment discrimination, and a disproportionate share of Black Americans being incarcerated. I think there are 3 things that we can do to combat systematic racism: 1. Better educate ourselves on the history of racism and its ongoing impacts; 2. Implement better training to tackle implicit or unconscious bias; 3. Become anti-racist allies.

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?

My leadership and life experiences set me apart from other candidates. I am a first generation Polish American and worked hard for everything I have in life. I traveled the world and volunteered on humanitarian missions. I became interested in politics when working towards getting legislation passed that would improve patient outcomes and reduce healthcare costs which was successfully passed and signed into law in RI. I fell in love with this town growing up and more so when I went to college at URI as a student when I rented a house in Narragansett—there is no place I would rather live than the beautiful town of Narragansett.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)

I am running for town council so that I can be a voice for the people. The need to bring back civility and transparency are key elements in why I decided to run.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

I want to restore civility and transparency and stop fighting about the library and move forward with a new library--too many resources and time have been squandered on this issue. If elected, I would like to lead a committee to fight for our share of state aid to our town that has dwindled over the years.

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

While serving on national councils for my professional organization, I spent 3 years lobbying for healthcare legislation that improves patient outcomes and reduces healthcare costs at the statehouse that was passed into law in 2018. I am a uniter — oftentimes, I broker compromises by finding common ground or meeting in the middle to move forward on issues. As a pharmacist and scientist, I look at problems objectively and base decisions on data, not emotions. I have great people skills and treat everyone with respect. I am an authentic leader and I confident in my skills to be a successful public servant.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

“Listening does not mean waiting for your turn to speak next.” I really want my decisions to represent the will of the people and listening is a very important aspect of understanding what our taxpayers want.

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

One of my strengths is my ability to collaborate and I pledge to really listen to stakeholders and put due diligence into all my decisions that will come before the town council. It’s not always about having the right answer in your head — sometimes you have to listen and work hard to find the right decision. I pledge to work hard as a collaborator and put forth good due diligence of all matters that come before me as a town councilor.