Here we are, almost at Election Day. I have spent this whole summer and fall meeting lots of you, telling you about who I am and why I would be a great person for this job. Although I have met so many wonderful people, the general temperature of this campaign season has been very divisive, while our outgoing council has been silent about it. News coverage has been fraught, and recently I was contacted with some questions by an online presence that I do not willingly engage with, for various reasons — so it seemed like a good time to write one last letter.
For those of you keeping track at home, I work in the prevention department at the Women’s Resource Center, Newport and Bristol County’s only domestic violence advocacy organization. I’m writing this letter during the last week of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
My work at the Women’s Resource Center connects me with my community in many ways, including through the Newport Health Equity Zone. The HEZ is an initiative, but also a collaborative made up of residents and other organizations working here in Newport. We consult Newport residents and experts to find solutions and make decisions together, and sometimes it lands me at City Hall for meetings or workshops. This last year or so, it was becoming endlessly frustrating to see a lot of our higher-ups make short-sighted decisions, work from ego, and engage in embarrassing behavior on the dais — with each other, and with residents who made the time to show up and speak.
Every one of us who lives here year-round should be asking, “How do I show up for Newport?” I am running for office because I love my city, but only loving it is just not good enough. It seemed like the right next step to continue my work of uplifting resident voices when it comes to identifying and guiding the needs and future of Newport. People rarely want to, or feel like they can, participate. Civic engagement is at an all-time low, and I aim to change that. We should all participate in any way we are able — the civic equivalent of keeping your side of the street clean. Pride of place.
All this time we are looking out for who would be the “best” person at City Council, when we should also be considering who the greatest collaborators and stewards would be. Who will actually look out for the best interest of our city? We need voices of everyday Newporters who are active in our community on the council — residents who seek solutions to all of the issues, who will strike balance and can collaborate constructively. True dedication to our city means stepping up even when an issue doesn’t immediately impact us personally. Ultimately, what impacts one of us impacts us all.
There are better ways to uphold Newport’s traditions without being beholden to “tradition.” Together, we can ensure that the things we cherish about Newport can remain accessible to everyone. Let’s do it.
I am always happy to chat. I can be reached at mazzyatlarge@gmail.com.
Taryn Mazza
Newport. Mazza is a candidate for Newport City Council at-large. She writes in her personal capacity.
What’sUpNewp welcomes letters to the editor and op-eds from Newport County residents. Election-related submissions must be received by Friday, Oct. 30. Send yours to ryan@whatsupnewp.com. Submissions may be edited for length, clarity and style, and do not reflect the views of What’sUpNewp.
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