Baldelli-Hunt Seeks Third Consecutive Term as Mayor of Woonsocket

WOONSOCKET, RI: Mayor Lisa Baldelli-Hunt announced today that is she is officially seeking re-election for a third consecutive term as Mayor of the City of Woonsocket. Mayor Baldelli-Hunt was first elected Mayor of the sixth largest city in Rhode Island in 2013 and was re-elected in 2016. Prior to becoming Woonsocket’s Mayor, Baldelli-Hunt represented District 49 in the Rhode Island House of Representatives from 2006 to 2013.

“Today, I announce my official candidacy for re-election for a third consecutive term for the office of Mayor of the City of Woonsocket because I believe that my executive experience, problem solving skills, personal drive and talented administrative team will continue to make good things happen for our City,” said Mayor BaldelliHunt.

“I am humbled that Woonsocket voters entrusted me to be their Mayor during the most difficult period in our great City’s history, and I am pleased to report that during my tenure as Mayor we have stabilized our finances, enhanced our City services, rebuilt our infrastructure, improved our recreational quality of life, strengthened our education and lowered our taxes.” The Mayor added, “I was handed some very difficult circumstances when I became Mayor, but I have always set high goals for my administration, and we have worked very hard to overcome obstacles and move our City forward. I have a vision for Woonsocket’s future success, but more importantly I also have the know-how, dedication and energy to bring that vision to reality. I am honored to place my administration’s accomplishments before Woonsocket’s voters once again, and if reelected, I will continue to bring my tireless efforts and energy to bring a brighter future to all of our City’s
residents.”

“Woonsocket is a city with strong traditions and a proud history, and we are also a city that has a new, vibrant diversity,” stressed Baldelli-Hunt. “Our traditions remind me of what made Woonsocket great and why our City is now exceptional. Woonsocket’s residents are a collage of people from different cultures, backgrounds, beliefs and dreams and I am continually inspired by them to develop new ways of guiding our City to ensure that everyone, not just a chosen few, is represented by City government. I am not burdened by the failed politics of our past, and I will never resort to tired, old, unsuccessful ways of doing things to meet our modern-day challenges. I have enthusiastically tackled Woonsocket’s long list of challenges, and I have a plan to build upon
our past achievements to make Woonsocket greater. I ask Woonsocket voters to give me their vote during the upcoming elections so that I can continue to serve them as their Mayor.”

During her two terms as Mayor, Lisa Baldelli-Hunt has developed budgets and managed operations that have replaced the City’s accumulated financial deficit with an operating surplus. The City’s focus on responsible budgeting and managed spending has allowed it to significantly lower property tax rates for three fiscal years in a row. Mayor Baldelli-Hunt has also orchestrated annual improvements to the City’s bond rating to where it is now seven steps higher than it was at the start of her administration, rising from junk bond status up to an “A” investment grade quality level. Throughout the two Baldelli-Hunt administrations significant investments have been made in infrastructure repair, road resurfacing and reconstructing, city vehicle replacement, and blight
removal – all without incurring any additional, new general obligation debt. Woonsocket has reconstructed over 36 roads since the Baldelli-Hunt administration implemented the only in-house road reconstruction program in the state, and has demolished 24 unsightly properties. The City has also beautified parks and enhanced recreational facilities and activities for residents, seniors and children, as evidenced by the revitalization of World War II Veterans Memorial Park, and the ongoing development of a new athletic/recreational complex at Cass Park.

“Woonsocket is now poised to move forward on a path that is grounded in both fiscal responsibility and an  improved quality of life for its residents, and fueled by new ideas, hard work and common sense leadership,” stated Mayor Baldelli-Hunt. “We are making Woonsocket a more attractive place to live and work, and by doing so we are becoming more tempting for businesses to relocate to.” The Mayor emphasized, “Economic development has always been a cornerstone of my administration, but it is far more critical now that we not only find novel ways to support our existing businesses, but also to give new businesses a great reason to come here. The Diamond Hill Road retail strip is coming back to life, and we are working diligently to achieve similar
successes throughout our City.”

The Baldelli-Hunt administration has also worked with community and state education leaders to build a stronger public school system which started with a large fiscal operating deficit and has been replaced with annual surpluses. Progress has continued with the implementation of full-day kindergarten, building improvements, athletic field enhancements, technology upgrades and unique academic/job-training programming.

“Woonsocket’s public schools are in far better shape now than they were in only a short time ago. Proper budgeting and operations have turned our School Department’s huge financial deficit into a surplus,” said Baldelli-Hunt. The Mayor added, “We have many exciting new things happening with education in our City, such as the P-Tech curriculum that provides a rapid pathway for our high-school students to receive an Associate’s Degree from CCRI, and the recent announcement from the Governor that the state has chosen Woonsocket as the location for the Northern Rhode Island Higher Education Center, a public-private collaboration that will train our residents for good paying careers in our fast paced business world. Improvements to our public schools
have certainly provided better learning opportunities for our students, and will attract more families into Woonsocket.”

Mayor Lisa Baldelli-Hunt is a lifelong Woonsocket resident, and as a current business owner in the City she has made a personal financial investment in the City’s future. She resides here with her husband Edward and her three sons Gary, Victor and Sam.