As many of you may already know, mayor Joseph Solomon was officially sworn into office on May 15.  

I am truly honored to be writing you this message today as the new mayor of the City of Warwick. After serving on the City Council for 18 years, and four terms as council president, I am humbled to be here, as your new leader. As mayor, and councilman before that, I am deeply invested in the long-term successes of our community. I plan to bring my longstanding tradition of communication, cohesion and transparency to my role, and ensure for all those who live, work and visit our city feel they are an important part of our community. 

Having nearly two decades of experience in city government, I have been able to witness, firsthand, the hardworking and committed employees that Warwick has. Not only are they dedicated, but they truly work with the best interest of our community and all residents in mind. 

As the weather moves out of springtime showers into summer sunshine, there are many new and exciting pastimes for our residents, neighbors and visitors to enjoy. To that end, in an effort to continue our long legacy of accessibility, one of my first orders of business was to suspend the proposed beach fee program. After careful review, and in conjunction with the outpouring of concerns expressed by our city’s residents, I will be conducting a more detailed analysis of the issue before moving forward. It is my goal to keep the city as inviting and accessible to residents and visitors as possible, and not burdening the community with these fees. 

In May, I had the honor of kicking off the first Food Truck Nights of the 2018 season. This beloved, family-friendly event is one of my favorites. It’s fun, free and helps foster a strong sense of community. This year, because of their growing popularity, the season has been extended through the middle of October and the events will now be held twice monthly. 

Last month, we also welcomed back another warm-weather favorite, Cruise Nights, another popular event that celebrates community, as well as classic cars. Also coming down the pike are Movies in the Park, Gaspee Days, the summer concert series and much more. 

In addition to all the fun,
family-oriented events happening, we’ve also recently welcomed a few new businesses to the city. Pepe’s Pizza officially opened their doors last month, bring the tastes of Italy to Rte. 2. Making their home on Universal Blvd., the family owned and operated pizzeria boasts thin crust pies made from recipes that dates back to 1925. We are thrilled to welcome the Pepe’s family to Warwick and look forward to sampling every one of their specialty pizzas. 

And those traveling to Warwick now have another hotel to choose from. The newly reopened Fairfield Inn and Suites reopened last month. The fully refurbished hotel offers guests modern day amenities at competitive pricing. Fairfield is also the first hotel in Warwick to have direct, covered walkable access from the hotel itself to the airport. I am thrilled that Marriott bought the property and turned it back into an affordable lodging option for visitors. 

We have so much to be proud of here in Warwick, and I intend to keep the momentum going to define and enhance the many unique and diverse qualities that make us a beautiful, quaint and enjoyable coastal community. 

As things progress, I plan to keep open lines of communication among my administration, City Council, partners in government and all constituents. I look forward to meeting each and every one of you, reintroducing myself, my ideas and our shared hopes for the future of our beloved Warwick.

Joseph Solomon is the mayor of Warwick.