OPINION

Volunteers thank Stycos for service

Posted 9/16/20

To the Editor: Shortly after it became clear that City Councilmember Steve Stycos had come up short in his mayoral bid by a mere 170 votes, a long-time supporter lamented on Facebook: "e;I've never known a Cranston without Steve in some role."e; That's true

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OPINION

Volunteers thank Stycos for service

Posted

To the Editor:

Shortly after it became clear that City Councilmember Steve Stycos had come up short in his mayoral bid by a mere 170 votes, a long-time supporter lamented on Facebook: “I’ve never known a Cranston without Steve in some role.”

That’s true for anyone who moved to the city or grew up here over the past 20 years. For the past two decades, Steve has served in city government, starting on the School Committee for 10 years, and then as a City Councilperson, first for Ward 1 and most recently in a citywide seat. Whether you are aware of his contributions to our city or not, it’s likely that your life has been positively affected by Steve Stycos.

From sponsoring the free breakfast program at Cranston schools, to increasing funding for the Head Start program, to expanding Cranston’s tree canopy by starting the city’s tree planting program (which planted its 200th tree this spring), to creating the city’s first (and only!) dog park, to starting community gardens at Edgewood Highlands and Arlington Elementary, to advocating for higher wages for city workers, Steve has had a lasting impact on our city.

Even outside of his work in government, Steve has been making Cranston a better place to live and raise a family. He cut walking trails through the woods on both sides of the city, started the Pawtuxet Village Farmers Market, and stood with neighbors to fight irresponsible development, like the large scale commercial solar installations that have scarred western Cranston. For the past decade, Steve has managed a farm in Warwick that grows vegetables for food banks and pantries in both Warwick and Cranston. Steve’s work is woven into the fabric of our community in ways both seen and unseen.

Steve’s electoral loss on Sept. 8 is a loss for all of us, whether you voted for him or you didn’t. But while Steve’s remarkable tenure in office has come to an end, we’re sure this won’t have been Steve’s final act. What made Steve a great politician was precisely that he wasn’t a politician. Unlike so many who have flowed through City Hall in the past 20 years, Steve was never in it for the politicking or the power. Steve is passionate about Cranston and its people. He is someone who seeks innovative solutions and acts on them, who is willing to fight with and for the community, who does the research and pushes until he gets answers.

Come 2021 Steve’s name won’t be on a placard in the City Council chambers. It won’t be outside a door in City Hall. But he’ll still be there, fighting for Cranston, because that’s who Steve is. We’re lucky to have him.

Stycos for Mayor Campaign Team

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