Pictured David Cicilline, the mayor of Providence, R.I. Photo by Andrew Davis
David Cicilline, the mayor of Providence, R.I., delivered a short talk at a breakfast hosted by Stonewall Democrats. The event occurred at the law firm of Shefsky & Froelich, 111 E. Wacker, June 13.
Cicilline, the only openly gay mayor of a U.S. capital city, discussed how he has improved Providence during his term. ' [ When I took over ] there was a $60 million budget shortfall in addition to a lack of [ organization ] in the city government,' he said. 'We had to bring in new systems and leaders for every department.' ( For example, Cicilline brought in a new chief of police from Stamford, Conn., and for two consecutive years there has been a double-digit drop in crime. ) In addition, he mentioned an increasing tax base, a burgeoning economy, and a vastly improved educational system.
He also talked about how he won the election and how he has managed to win over people and forge bonds with community leaders despite social and philosophical differences.
Cicilline plans to run again for mayor in 2006.