Ward 2 voters appear to be in for a primary this September that at this point could potentially line up two newcomers to elective office in a contest with incumbent Thomas Chadronet for the …
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Ward 2 voters appear to be in for a primary this September that at this point could potentially line up two newcomers to elective office in a contest with incumbent Thomas Chadronet for the Democratic nomination.
Declarations for office don’t occur until June, but neither Sean Rainey nor Jeremy Rix is waiting to throw their hat in the ring. Both candidates grew up in the ward and at this point have remarkably similar goals to improve schools – although that is not a function of the City Council – as well as constituent communications.
Rainey posted his intentions to run on Facebook recently and officially announced his candidacy at a $25 a ticket fundraiser Tuesday evening at Lemon Grass Restaurant. Rix announced his candidacy Tuesday on Facebook.
Rainey said he is in the race whether Chadronet chooses to run again or not. Rix, who is a member of the Ward 2 Democratic Committee, wasn’t as definitive in a telephone interview Tuesday. He said he has talked with both Rainey and Chadronet and that the incumbent was undecided at that time.
“I sure hope he gives me his support,” Rix said. Asked if he would run if Chadronet were to seek re-election, Rix replied, “Right now I’m focused on getting out the message.”
Rix cited his concern as to what will become of Aldrich Junior High School once it closes and the adjoining Christopher Rhodes School that has been closed for several years. He said he is also troubled that with the closing of Vets High, Pilgrim High School is scheduled to have a larger enrollment than Toll Gate, potentially raising questions about overcrowding.
Rainey, who has been attending council meetings, said his interest in public office stems from his involvement in the community, concerns that people are moving out of the city, and that “schools aren’t what they were.” He feels the city is at a “crucial point” and that the ward needs more vocal and active representation.
“I don’t know Tom [Chadronet] that well. I don’t get return calls from him,” he said. “The taxpayers need a voice. I will work hard to represent Ward 2.”
Rainey, 43, attended St. Timothy School, graduated from Pilgrim, and earned an associate’s degree in law enforcement from CCRI. He had hopes of pursuing a career in law enforcement or the military but found that impossible because of high blood pressure. Divorced with a son aged 13, Rainey works as a technician for Cox Communications. He is involved in the community and served as president of the West Side Little League for two years.
Asked about his campaign organization, Rainey pointed to a group of four people as tables started to fill at his fundraiser. He said he did not invite incumbent council members because Chadronet has not announced his intentions. He did invite Mayor Scott Avedisian, a Republican, as well as the presidents of city unions including the teachers union. He said he talked with Democratic City Committee Chairman Robert Farrell and made his intention to run clear.
“I’m looking to get involved and making the city strong again,” he said.
Rainey expects to start walking the ward soon in an effort to meet voters. Ward 2 residents can also expect to see a lot of Rix in the months to come.
Rix, 30, graduated from Pilgrim, going on to Rhode Island College with the goal of becoming a secondary school history teacher. He got a rude awakening when he looked for a job. Graduating cum laude in 2012, Rix discovered there were only four full-time teaching positions in the state at that time.
“It was a stark wakeup call,” he said.
Rix decided to pursue law, enrolling in Roger Williams Law School, where he graduated among the top 10 in his class. Having been admitted to both the Rhode Island and Massachusetts Bars, he works in the Rhode Island Worker’s Compensation Court as law clerk.
“I’m following in my fiancée’s footsteps,” he says of Jennifer Magaw, an attorney in Massachusetts who he has dated for the past 10 years.
Rix takes pride in his community involvement, pointing out that he was recently named to the leadership committee of the Norwood Neighborhood Association. Rix is a regular at Democratic functions and, as he points out, has been a registered Democrat ever since registering to vote.
Rix expects to walk the ward, and to be effective he believes he will need to raise about $10,000.
It still being early in the election year, more could jump into the race. Chadronet came close to being beaten in a primary in 2014 by Michael Zarum.
Zarum said yesterday he is undecided whether he will run. Chadronet could not be reached for comment.
8 comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here
richardcorrente
Tom Chadronet is a good and honest man. In his many years of service to the City Council of Warwick he has never been anything but well respected. If Tom (TC) decides to run he deserves the position and I will support him completely.
Richard Corrente
Democrat for Mayor
Thursday, March 31, 2016 Report this
Thecaptain
Rick, are you F'ing serious? The man is useless and hasn't spoken 2 sentences in 4 years. He has to be awakened several times each meeting. When will you stop the Democratic felatio on morons like this incompetent dope. Start calling it the way it is. Your council friends are useless, haven't seen 1 success for the taxpayer, and you keep stroking them. The council needs an enema, unfortunately the throne isn't large enough.
Thursday, March 31, 2016 Report this
Raineyforward2
Richard, This is not about Tom this is about trying to make Warwick a great place to live once again and attract young families to this great ward and city. The comment about he deserves the position is puzzling to me. If constituents want to vote someone else in then that is their American right. Nothing in life is given to someone. I will work very hard for the people of my ward either way if i am elected or not. I am a born and bred in Warwick and hopefully will be here for the rest of my life. I would hope that you would support whoever wins the election. We have issues in Warwick that need some taken care of. I am not running on promises that i can not keep, The only promise i will make is i will be accessible and listen to every constituent that calls, emails, or comes to my residence. Trust me i know TC has done some hard work and he deserves credit.
Sincerely,
Sean Rainey
raineyforward2@cox.net
Thursday, March 31, 2016 Report this
Thecaptain
Someone please enlighten me as to the hard work that TC has done? Please list his accomplishments on the council. Please list any and all legislation that he put forward. Please quote on sentence that he uttered other than "present" at roll call. Please list one constituent that he returned a phone call to. Please list one argument that he made in 4 years, pro or con on any issue. He is a waste and disgrace as a council member and exemplifies exactly what is wrong in Warwick and in RI for that fact. You democrats would back another dem even if you watched them rape a baby. For god sakes, tell us something different.
Shawn, give us some insight as to what your plan is. Lets start with your plan to fund the 300 million dollar unfunded health care plan. Or how would you go about insuring proper use of taxpayer dollars? Are you in favor of GPS, finger print time clocks, fleet management, reduction in WFD benefits??
Thursday, March 31, 2016 Report this
Raineyforward2
The captain. Raping a baby? Really? Who are you and why not show your real name. I am running to get new ideas flowing on the council and I will work hard to get things accomplished. Also as it is posted my name is spelled Sean. In time I will have answers to most of your concerns. First I need to know who i am talking to. I believe that the 300 million unfunded health care plan is a serious issue and I will work to help fix. GPS is an idea that i am neither for or against. I would need to get involved with the workers and the constituents and see exactly what the questions are and come up with a plan to fix the thoughts and worries. I think our city employees are the hardest working in state, I have had the pleasure of working with them on projects and they work hard. Finger print time clocks i am not sure on as i do not know how they would operate and what the expense is. Is there really a problem with how workers punch in and out? I am not sure. Do you have some evidence that they are cheating the system? I would like to know. GPS and fleet management would go hand in hand i would think. I think as the company that i work for has plans for vehicle replacement so to should the city. I think the city should be on a certain amount of years and mileage plane to replace vehicles. This will insure we can get some return on the vehicles getting replaced, rather than just junking them. They could go to auction and get a good return on them. Reduction in WFD benefits? I am not sure i can answer this question as i have not looked at what their benefit package includes. I think we need to start concentrating on our younger generation and have programs for them like we use to have in the 90's. Summer camp programs, summer worker program, I was involved in these as a youth and it made a great impression on me as to what goes on in these areas. Thanks for your response. I look forward to hearing as to who i am talking to so i can have a good conversation with you and others.
Saturday, April 2, 2016 Report this
Thecaptain
Sean,
Clearly you have no clue has to how the city operates or as to how efficiency measures impact the taxpayer. If you are running for office you should have some idea as to the current problems whether they be fiscal, or otherwise. A democrat will never use any form of criticism against a union or a member, or against any union operation. More of the same.
Saturday, April 2, 2016 Report this
Raineyforward2
The Captain, I know how the city operates. Lets get together and have a good discussion on these topics. I still do not know who i am talking with. Hope to talk soon. Thanks
Monday, April 4, 2016 Report this
Silvaggio
John Howell,
Thanks for writing the story to keep the Norwood residents in the loop with the latest small talk. I have attended numerous meetings over the years about issues regarding many ordinances. Personal visits to council members residences to open rapport have also been made. I know many city staff workers by name, and, I wish to run under the Republican card. If one could provide similar Media coverage for my endeavors I would be much obliged. I feel my Credentials make me a well rounded candidate for office. Please consider me for your Vote -JPSilvaggio
Sunday, April 24, 2016 Report this