Narragansett Election Profile: Susan Cicilline Buonanno

NARRAGANSETT, RI — Susan Cicilline Buonanno is running for Narragansett Town Council. Sister of Rhode Island Congressman David Cicilline, the 58-year-old Democrat has a decade of experience on both the Town Council and School Committee in Narragansett.

Buonnano holds a bachelor's degree in elementary education and master’s degrees in special education and administration. She and her husband have two children, Douglas and Emily. She currently serves as an elementary school principal.

Are you running for office in Narragansett? Contact Rachel Nunes at rachel.nunes@patch.com for information on being featured in a candidate profile and submitting campaign announcements to Narragansett-South Kingstown Patch.

Why are you seeking elective office?

To continue a 12-year town project voted on by the residents of Narragansett to build a library in the Pier at the Belmont Building/ to restore democracy and civility in our local government/ continue to work on the bike path, advocating for additional services for our seniors, supporting are excellent schools, preserving open space and maintaining the quality of life issues that are important to the Narragansett residents.

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

Continue to follow the guidelines that the Governor and her staff has developed for all Rhode Islanders. Form a local CVD19 Task Force to review and make recommendations to the town.

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 I think we have more work to do in this area. I would offer all town departments future trainings around equity issues. Additional I would like have some town workshops to allow the public to engage and gather information. I would like to create an Ad Hoc Committee called Residents Against Racism. This group could promote positive change within the community . The Ad Hoc committee could review policies and procedures to ensure fairness for all.

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 am a person that works very hard and can work well with people to get issues resolved, I have lived in the town for Narragansett for 48 years, so I know the town very well. I think the one thing that separates me from the other candidates is that I have long established 20 year record of getting work done as an elected official for the town of Narragansett serving on the School Committee and the Town Council.

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

The present TC has spent the entire 2-year term fighting to stop the library project that the residents voted for in 2016.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

Continuous review of town finances, maintaining strong infrastructures in the town, quality of life Issues, maintaining excellent schools, advocating for additional opportunities for seniors, preserving and protecting open space, finishing the bike path, reviewing town meetings and procedures and any other issues that are important to the Narragansett residents.

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

The accomplishments that I am most proud of are my work in establishing Historic Districts in Narragansett, under my leadership we purchased the Belmont building for the new Narragansett library, established a Narragansett South Kingstown Senior Advisory Committee. I initiated and sponsored the cleanup at Sprague Bridge, sponsored the Green Economy Bond at the local level to support the bike path and protect open space.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Be a voice of reason and keep an open mind while doing the town business.

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

I would like the residents to know if they elected me that I will work very hard and will always make the best decisions for the residents and the town. I love this community and feel so grateful to have lived here for almost 50 years. The opportunity to serve my community is a small way for me to give back. I will always keep an open mind and treat all people with respect.