To the Editor:

Investing in our infrastructure needs to become a top priority for our city. Over the past several months, I've fielded concerns from residents over the conditions of our schools, city buildings, roads, sewers, and neighborhoods. In just the last few weeks, the lack of upkeep on our buildings and assets has had serious consequences. The city's top stated reason for planning to close the Buttonwoods Community Center is because of the high cost to repair the building. The roof needs major repairs because little work has been done over the past five years to preserve it. Instead of making small investments spread out over several years to address specific problems, we neglected the property, allowing conditions to get worse and increasing the total cost of repairs. The lack of investment in our schools' infrastructure is also a major problem. It has led to a malfunctioning heating system and to sewage backup at Vets. In two of our elementary schools, the fire alarm system has been down for over a month, causing great concern among many Warwick families. We need to stop the practice of waiting until something breaks completely before fixing it. Investing in our infrastructure may not get the headlines of new construction, but it is just as important. Several city departments have made small investments to strengthen our community. We've seen city buildings and equipment re-purposed to prolong the lives of some assets. Public Works, the Fire Department, and the Police Department have all come before the Finance Committee and presented creative examples of taking preventive measures that ultimately saved taxpayers money. We should applaud and seek to emulate these types of fiscally and socially responsible efforts citywide. By preserving and improving our infrastructure, Warwick can build a reputation as a city that continually invests in its future. That's just the kind of place where a young family might want to buy a home, or where an entrepreneur might want to start a business.

Steve McAllister

City Council Ward 7