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Patrick Maloney Jr (Mayor of Warwick, Rhode Island, candidate 2024)
Patrick Maloney Jr (No Party Affiliation) ran for election to Mayor of Warwick in Rhode Island.[1]
Elections
2024
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Patrick Maloney Jr completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Maloney Jr's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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People in Warwick tell me they are worried about the state of finances in our city. With new schools being built, inflation and cost of living they are having a hard time paying bills, buying groceries and making ends meet. Our current Mayor has stated publicly that if the bonds for the schools pass, people on limited incomes will be affected. People are concerned about the home assessments and the fact our mayor has sent a letter out informing people they MUST let assessors into their homes or they will not be able to contest the assessment. This is a gross overreach of the government and a 4th amendment violation of the Constitution. This should not be forced on people. I will be transparent. I will always respond to people and listen with the hope to be able to solve problems. We may not agree on an issue and I will still do my best to find a solution. I am not afraid to admit I need help and will reach out to experts. I will stick up for taxpayers and businesses in RI. I would fight for federal money sent down to help our residents and not allow the state to take money earmarked for us without a fight. I will support our schools in a financially responsible way and hold all politicians to a higher standard start with me. Keeping residents in Warwick and keeping things affordable will be my focus. I will not let the city council spend recklessly on pet projects.
- I have owned a business in Warwick for 13+ years and I know how difficult it is to do business here. I want to help new businesses open and help existing businesses prosper by making it easier to do business. How will I do this? I will meet with other business owners and prospective business owners and have a team in place to guide people through the bureaucracy. I will eliminate as much red tape as possible to streamline the process.
- Corruption will not be tolerated in my administration. I will meet with department heads and personnel and will make sure each department has policies in place to keep all our employees in a safe and free from harassment. Leadership starts at the top. Everyone is responsible to do the right thing and people who do the right thing will be commended. People who do the wrong thing will find there are consequences including losing a job if they break a law or continuously do not follow policies. We have great people working for the city and a small minority of people can drag the entire city down and open the city to lawsuits costing our taxpayers money we could use on critical projects.
- Our infrastructure has been ignored for decades and is failing. I will outline publicly after an evaluation what areas are critical, what areas need work and what areas of our city are a concern so we don't have roads or bridges at risk for failure. Our citizens have enough to deal with on a daily basis without disruption. Our businesses can not survive when the roads in front of their business crumbles. We have wood holding up the bridge at the ned of Route 37 for several years. This is not a good look for visitors to our city who may be going to the airport via RT 37. I will make sure the State prioritizes our city when critical work must be done.
I would like to just make my kids proud of me. I believe have already left a legacy when showing people that when you have a wife (parent, child, or family member) that needs help, you give everything up and care for them. I have been told by many including medical professionals that people in my position give up and leave the situation. They run. I stayed by her side, the love of my life, my wife Susan, and cared for her with all my heart. I fulfilled the promise I made to her when we got married. I loved, honored and cherished her all the days of our lives together, until death did us part. I would do it all again. My heart is broken. Susan loved the city of Warwick and I will do everything I can to keep her city thriving and will not let it continue down a path to insolvency. I will make sure to take care of those in need in our city and not push them out because they can not afford to live here.
Honesty is most important. I need to come home to my kids and look them in the eye and they need to know I did everything I could to help others and that I did the best I could. A mayor should also be able to make financial decisions after analyzing critical data. An elected official also must know when to say no even if it means disappointing some people.
First and foremost, being financially responsible followed closely by being a true and inspiring leader. A person in this position needs to also know their limitations and call in experts when necessary. A Mayor should lead by example and set an expectation for everyone who works in our city. A Mayor shouldn't be afraid to get his or her hands dirty but should make sure to be able to delegate projects once a plan is made so it can be executed by the proper staff members.
Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell
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I believe our government must be transparent in order to identify issues and achieve goals. We need the public to be able to review our policies and help us to do better. We are beholden to our citizens.
My wife was diagnosed with Dementia at age 44. Our family struggled for years and had to make difficult decisions. There were days where I had to choose between eating and making sure our kids had food and Susan had her medicine. I never gave up. I sold my cars and other property to make ends meet. I want to make sure our elderly and those on limited income can continue to stay here in Warwick where they are surrounded by family and friends. If they must leave because they can't afford it it would be devastating.
As a former member of the US Army, I always lead by example. We must decide our goals and howe to best achieve our "mission". I will always take issues into consideration but also evaluate outcomes and pivot as necessary when an issue arises.
The mayor should give a clear message of what the expectations are for the city. A mayor should have a vision and clearly tell the vision to the council. The mayor should work with the council but both parties should question each other and its important that when the disagree they still work together for the people of the city.
I love that we have a diverse population and so many places to enjoy. It is my hope that families are able to work less and be able to enjoy more of what we have to offer. I also have many favorite restaurants. Ultimately, it is the people of our city that make it great.
Our greatest challenge is to build our New High Schools. We must find a way to pay for them and also be able to pay for the services we have that are so desperately needed by our citizens. We must protect the people who have lived and contributed to our city and not force them out. Another challenge will be finding places for additional homes. Affordable housing used to mean homes for low income families. Today the average home is $392640, up 8.2% over the past year. (per Zillow 10/8/2024). People are moving out and home prices are rising to the point we will not be able to attract families with children and it could mean we built 2 new high schools and they will be empty in 10 years. Another issue is fentanyl on our streets. Too many people, young and old, are falling victim to pressures and turning to unsafe ways to deal with the issues. Mental health is important and we need to make sure people have access to medical help in many forms. We need more small businesses and can not expect our economy to be built on Legalized Marijuana, Alcohol Consumption, Casinos, and the State Lottery. All of these outlets are entertainment but they are also vices. Our government is exploiting the people for profit to pay for services. There has to be a better way.
I believe it is the responsibility of our city and state government to work together. That being said, the State redirects money from our city to other areas and many times ignore what the people of Warwick need. When Warwick build a new school the state funds the building of the school up to 52% if we are lucky. They same school built in Providence would be funded up to 92%. We are a state that is 50 miles by 40 miles. The city of Phoenix AZ is bigger than RI but we treat people in one city different than another. It is not fair and I would call on our Warwick Delegation at the state house to do more for Warwick. The current Speaker of the house is from Warwick. He is the most powerful person in RI. I will have him on speed dial and he will have my number and we will talk constantly to make Warwick a better and more affordable place to live. We must also hold each other to a higher standard.
Much like the state government, the federal government has the responsibility to listen to us and respond when we have issues. Our federal representatives in Washington need to listen and to get our city (and state) funding required to keep our citizens safe. I expect to hold them accountable for funding for new roads, bridges, infrastructure and schools. If our representatives can't do that then they need to be replaced.
It is the Mayor's job to support law enforcement and to keep them safe. Its also true that Everyone is innocent until proven guilty by their peers. I believe law enforcement needs to reach out to the community especially our young people. We need to show people that law enforcement to here to help keep people safe. I want to go back to a time when "To protect and serve" was on every vehicle. I also want law enforcement to be more visible and not have "gotcha" moments for our public. When police vehicles are easily seen it will deter people from breaking a law. I would rather prevent someone from breaking a law and keeping others safe than "catch them" and prosecute someone.
I do not support speed cameras unless they are in school zones. Our citizens work hard and sometimes forget to be careful when driving, police can stop and give a warning and have higher consequences for repeat offenders. Driving while under the influence will not be tolerated, that goes double for elected officials. WE must set a standard and lead by example. Our city should not be in a position where we must write tickets to make "payroll". I would like to move away from buying Police Armored Vehicles and tanks and return to common sense policing. Our officers want to keep people safe. I will remind our law enforcement that Everyone is innocent until proven guilty.
My very first job was at Sunshine Creamery in Rumford RI. I was there for 4-5 years and loved serving our community especially after a baseball game or football game. I made great friends there. I also love ice cream but very rarely eat it now. I think I have one ice cream cone a year. I used to eat gallons of it. My favorite is Cookies and Cream. My second job was at Bertucci's and I actually helped put together the very same Bertucci's on Post Rd. I love making pizza and I can throw the dough in the air and spin it. I worked in Restaurants for about 10-12 years and one reason my beautiful wife married me is because I am a great cook. She would say to me often, "There is nothing here to eat". I would go into our cupboards and pull stuff out and throw together a meal and she would always be surprised and love it... or that's what she told me.
I am very proud of my brother who served in the US Army for 24+ years. I am proud of my parents for being together for 54 years. I look up to my wife Susan and want her to be proud of me everyday. She helped me to understand what life is about and she gave me three wonderful children that mean the world to me.
I look up to anyone who truly stands up for what is right and for "the little guy". I don't think people should look up to politicians, celebrities or sports figures. I would look up to a person with a strong character willing to go up against difficult odds who doesn't give up.
On 9/11, Todd Beamer was on Flight 93. It was highjacked and crashed. He got people together, made one phone call to his Wife Lisa and tried to regain control of the plane. He gave his life to protect others. This is an example of a person I look up to.
I am great with numbers, I am great with people, I can bring people together from all sides to get behind an idea and know how to inspire others to make things happen. I very rarely fail when I give 100% because I evaluate and make appropriate changes to reach an end goal. I never give up and find ways to succeed. I am not afraid to admit I need help even though I don't like to ask for it. \
Finding ways to care for my wife and children while working several jobs to make ends meet. Every waking moment for 8 years was a struggle. I don't know that I slept for months. The hardest thing was see Susan get sick and trying to help the kids cope with losing their mother. I would not wish that on my greatest enemy. I still struggle with losing her.
It's a little ditty... bout Jack and Diane... by John Mellencamp. It reminds me of Susan and Me. We went to a tasty freeze once on our honeymoon. :)
The Hobbit. It is a great adventure for little people and they overcome many challenges.
I'm a nerd so I would say, Captain James T Kirk of the Starship Enterprise. He never loses because he thinks out of the box and has 2 best friends he can always count on, Spock and Bones.
I have no formal endorsements from organizations. I am a small business owner and I know I have the support of small businesses and the people.
Oh God, I remember being on a bus and listening to people say, "Lennon" had been shot. I didn't know who it was. My mom loved the Beatles and we listened to them all the time but I didn't know who the members were our why it was important. It was 1980 was 9 at the time.
My next memories were Ronald Reagan being shot in 1981. I was 10 years old and at a small fruit stand on North Broadway in East Providence with my mother. I remember everyone talking about where they were when Kennedy was shot.
Last, I remember when the Challenger Space shuttle exploded. I was sad and in shock. It was 1986 and I was 14.
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External links
[1] ↑ Submitted to Ballotpedia's candidate survey in 2024.
