What's Been Going On
Check here for updates on the campaign, why people are supporting Lori, and Lori's thoughts and ideas on what is happening in Pawtucket and Rhode Island.
To the Residents of Pawtucket District 59,
Thank you for changing my life. When I began this journey I sought out to be a voice of change- what I didn’t realize was that with each voice I listened to, I was the one changing. Every single person who lives and works in District 59 is a reason we need to do better and the reason why I care. Pawtucket has so much to offer, from our Summer and Winter Famers’ Markets, to our Autumn Arts Festival, and let’s not forget our beloved Paw Sox. We are a diverse city, with a multitude of cultures and religions. We are home to the very young and the very old, and a whole lot in between. Pawtucket also has opportunities that we cannot let pass by. We are looking at expanding the Pawtucket reach with the new Pawtucket / Central Falls Railroad, offering options to those who commute to Boston daily. Our small businesses, especially our breweries, are up and coming- and we need to keep them coming! With everything we have to offer and the opportunities before us, Pawtucket still has work to be done. I believe that everyone deserves an opportunity to be the best person they can be. I believe that everyone deserves to live on a safe street, where their children can play outside and they know who their neighbor is. I believe we need to be more responsible with our money. I believe we will create a better future by focusing on our children today. Believing is one thing, doing is another. Actions truly speak louder than words. I will do the work. I will work alongside my neighbors and other elected officials to improve our community and revive our state. I will have the difficult conversation in order to make things better. I will be the voice for the many who cannot find theirs. I will be the voice for our youth, our elderly, our disabled, our unemployed and homeless. All of us deserve to be heard, all of Pawtucket matters. The last few days of this election cycle are upon us, and I know that I have done my best to share my vision and listen to yours. I have had many cups of coffee, knocked on many doors, and picked up a lot of trash. I have brought awareness to our needs and a choice to the city. You have made this experience, an incredible one. With your vote next Tuesday I look forward to serving all of you and making government about the people. I truly thank you for your support, and thank you for your enthusiasm. Lori
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I have had the pleasure of knowing Simone and Tony Torres for five years, they are my neighbors and support my run for State Representative for District 59. Our relationship has grown over the years, especially during the many snowy afternoons as we help clear the bottom of each other’s driveways. We spent some time yesterday to sit down and really have a deeper conversation and expanding the friendship too. Simone is a talented artist, finishing up her MFA in Visual Arts. Tony is working both a full time and part time job so Simone can focus on her last semester of school AND make ends meet. In order to pare down expenses, not to mention taxes, they have one car that gets them to and from work and school. Simone shared with me what she has experienced taking a walk every Wednesday, “I’m back and forth, even more so now, with my little cart to go wash at the laundry-mat, and it’s just deplorable the way the neighborhood looks...because it’s really a lack of care.” Visually you can just tell there is no sense of community, there is no pride in the neighborhood. Simone and Tony are like many others in Pawtucket. They feel the sense of community is missing. Just driving through, people can see the trash on the sidewalks and along the curbside of our streets, not a welcoming sight. Not to mention no one comes outside or introduces themselves to folks who’ve just moved in; the neighborhood is a place full of strangers. Simone shared with me of her growing up in a “village” in Ohio. She laughed as she recalled how her mom would already know what she did, good or bad, at one end of the block before she made it back home. I knew that same feeling, on the very street we call home, of my mom and my neighbors sitting outside talking and laughing. At 12 you think your mom is just being nosy, at 42 you realize they were “community watch”. Sitting on the front stoop is not old fashioned, rather it is the first step to community building. Knocking on doors I have personally witnessed the hesitation of folks opening their homes to a stranger; but I have also experienced folks listening to me for a couple minutes and telling me to pull up a chair. Residents of Pawtucket want to know their neighbor, but often times, be it work, or school, or sometimes a language barrier, they don’t know how to. I think Tony summed it up when he said “It’s little acts that build a community.” And he’s right! When I told Tony I was running for State Rep his response was” Really, that’s awesome. Let us know what we can do.” And since that day, they’ve done a lot! Tony and Simone have driven around RI with my flyer in their rear window, they have checked in on my family to make sure all is ok, and Simone helped clean up Barton Street with me. Little acts that have helped build this campaign and the community, little acts that all of us can do. Simone had this final thought as to why she was supporting my campaign and why she was voting for me in November: “In this current, unstable political climate, it is nice to see a fresh clear voice. Someone who is grassroots like Lori. This is how I was raised, to be concerned about my neighbors, my community, and to advocate for change.” Rhode Island neighborhoods can be better, we can build our communities, but we need to want to change. Use your vote to share your voice and vote for change. #TheVoiceofChangeRINeeds #Barden2016 Walking the campaign trail, I have had the pleasure of meeting many people, and befriending quite a few along the way. We usually find commonality when we discuss our children, our concerns for our parents, how long we have lived in Pawtucket, and how frustrated we are with the way things are going. One such conversation grew into an entire family becoming supporters of Team Barden.
Annie Araujo-Rodrigues and her family have deep ties to Pawtucket and in the Cape Verde community. The first time I met Annie she was bringing her father back from an appointment and he sat on his side porch and smiled at us. You could see the pride in his eyes when Annie shared their story. “My parents came to the United Sates in 1976, they came from Brava and Fogo two of Cape Verde’s islands, and they made their home in Pawtucket. They worked in the factory and raised 4 children. It wasn’t always easy but they made it work.” Annie proceeded to tell me they left Pawtucket when she was eight and moved to East Providence, but they never let go of their Pawtucket roots and their extended Cape Verde family. These roots provoked her and her husband, Juan a member of the Providence Police department and a proud US Marine, to purchase their multi-family home on East Avenue in 2008. Annie and her husband believe in hard work and effort, nothing comes from sitting down and waiting for it. They grew up seeing people work to get what they have, from owning homes to serving their country. Along with her husband’s USMC service Annie has many military ties, her oldest brother found a calling with the Air Force and her father in law served in the Navy. Annie’s work ethic, her determination and education, allowed for her to become a nurse. An RN at Pawtucket Memorial, she cares for her patients and their families, something she says she has in common with me. “You (Lori) aren’t running for the higher ups at the state house. You’re running because you really care about your kids- about OUR kids, and our parents. You want to see them live better lives.” Annie’s kids range in age from toddler to college, proudly boasting about her daughter, a Junior at URI. “I am so proud of her accomplishments. She graduated with honors from Blackstone Academy and was inducted into The Pawtucket Hall of Fame for her community service. She’s a good kid…” The product of traditional public schools in East Providence, Annie feels the state can do better. She values her right to choose to send her two school aged daughters to ICS on Pleasant Street and knows many others do too. I asked Annie what her biggest ask is of elected officials and she told me communication. “I want to know that my phone call will be returned. I called at a very dark time in our community and never heard back from our then councilman, and as a representative I still don’t hear from him unless it’s voting time. If you want my vote, be a part of my community. I like that you (Lori) got a bunch of people together to clean up Pawtucket. You did that because you can. I like that you returned my call, responded to my text, and met me at my parents’ home. You’re busy, but busy doing. I will be voting for you because you have shown you care about Pawtucket.” I can appreciate another busy mom recognizing what I am getting done. I value her opinion, and I am extremely grateful for her support. I first met Sarah at my youngest son's favorite restaurant, she was our server and in quick conversation we found our boys were the same age and that we both lived in Pawtucket. Sarah and I both laughed at our "mom moments" and spoke highly of the support our families gave us.
Sarah is full of life, she's juggling work, school (going back for nursing), and a seven-year-old little boy who loves Legos and TMNT. She is also involved in her son’s education, and she is concerned about his future. She loves her son’s school, and his teachers, but does not know what his middle school life will be like. Improving her education will offer better paying opportunities, and if his education seems in question, it may also offer an alternative address and then an alternative school. Pawtucket can’t afford more homes for sale, or vacant apartments, because of our schools. Our schools need to become a draw to our community. This means never settling and providing families with information and skills to help them support the work being done in the classroom. This means meeting families in their homes, bridging gaps, and celebrating success. This means collaborating with systems of education that are doing what many said can’t be done, even if it makes the adults involved feel a bit uncomfortable. Sarah had this to say, “"When I became a parent I wished for nothing more than the best for Damian. Then I realized you have to do more than wish. You have to work for it every day. I know Lori will work at making Pawtucket better. I see her as the involved mom that she is, and I know that she will work for better tomorrows for my son and hers. She's the real deal, she's not afraid to do what's right and that's why she has my vote on November 8th." On November 8th will you vote for change or the status quo? This is an astounding moment, to have an endorsement as an independent candidate. When I spoke with Mr. Rasso I told him I was running because I wanted to make a change and a difference. I want people to vote for me based on my character and work ethic- not a political category. I will do everything in my power to put Pawtucket on the state's radar when it comes to employment and job opportunities. I will get the job done, and do the job for my constituents- not the leadership. I sincerely thank Mr. Rasso and the members of the Bricklayers & Allied Craftsmen Union Local 3 Rhode Island for their support.
On September 2, 2016, Andrew Maguire contacted me to inform me of his intention of withdrawing from the House District 59 race and supporting my campaign. In previous conversations, Andrew and I discussed concerns for the district and RI as a whole.
Here is Andrew's announcement via Facebook: Andrew Maguire shared a page. 21 hrs · Hello friends, I'd like to take a moment to discuss my campaign for State Rep in District 59. I ran to help the people of Pawtucket, and to continue the Political Revolution. A few weeks ago I spoke with Lori Barden the other Independent in the Race. Lori is passionate about helping the community she has been a part of for so long. She is no Armchair Activist. She has spoken up for her beliefs and policies for years. After speaking with her, it was abundantly clear that our views were nearly identical on many policies. If my goal truly is to help the people of Pawtucket and continue the Revolution, I can think of no better way than to step aside and Support Lori. She has the momentum, she has the voice, and she has the courage to fight for the people. In short, Lori Barden is #NoStrangerToRevolution and without doubt is #TheChangeWeNeedinRI |
AuthorLori is an Independent Candidate for State Representative, RI District 59 (Pawtucket) ArchivesCategories |