Schneck Says He Will Not Seek Re-election

City Council veteran William Schneck announced that he will not be seeking re-election this year after nearly a decade of representing Woonsocket through some major challenges and changes. 

Schneck delivered the news during his Good and Welfare at Tuesday night's City Council meeting, saying that he wants to dedicate more time to his family.

"My daughters were four and eight when I first ran. Now they're 16 and 20. If I have any regrets, its not being there to tuck them in at night," he later told Patch.

The Republican councilman had his first bid for office 1999, but did not win a seat. He first served on the council in 2001 and was re-elected in 2003.

In 2005, he came in 8th place for the seven member board - just behind current council president John Ward - but ran in a Special Election in 2006 after the passing of then council member Eugene Cloutier.

"It came down to me and Bob Phillips. I had the full support of Gene's family and ending up winning in a Valentine's Day election," Schneck said. (Phillips now represents Woonsocket in the Rhode Island General Assembly.) 

Schneck has served continuously since that Special Election, winning bids in 2007 and 2009. "My record is 5 wins, 2 losses," he joked Tuesday night.

His long list of highlights during his time on the council includes creation the new middle schools and the Korean War monument, along with the building of Woonsocket's portion of the Blackstone River Bikeway and .

Schneck said his most difficult decision as a member of the council was his vote for establishment of Municipal Economic Development (MED) Zone near Park Square. The plan would have exempted all business built within a specified 30 acre zone from the state's 7 percent sales tax for 10 years, and established in its place a 3.5 percent sales tax that would be given directly to the city.

"We calculated that it would have brought in $30 million over three years, enough to build the middle school," Schneck said. The idea was opposed, however, by many family businesses that could have been put at a competitive disadvantage. The zone project was unanimously passed by the council in 2005 but was ultimately blocked by the state.

"That was, by far, the toughest decision I ever had to make," he said.

Schneck said the job has changed during his decade on the council, particularly through the increased use of technology.

"I used to get angry phone calls and I could ask people where they got their information. By the end of an actual conversation, you could work things out. It was a friendly process," he said. "Now I get angry, anonymous emails with no way to contact people or clear things up."

Schneck also serves on the Autumnfest Steering Committee, a duty he says he intends to continue. He is looking forward to being involved in city politics as a supporter instead of a candidate.

"I want to help out with campaigns and finally have the opportunity to thank all the people that elected me," he said.

"I've always treated this seat with respect and acted professionally," Schneck added. "I'm proud of my time on the council."