Ellen Pinnock, candidate for Newport’s First Ward Councilor, joins What’sUpNewp for a one-on-one conversation

Ellen Pinnock, a candidate for Newport City Council’s first ward seat, emphasizes the need for increased collaboration and community engagement in local government.

Pinnock identified housing as the most pressing issue facing Newport, citing personal experience with housing insecurity despite being considered middle-income during a one-on-one interview with What’sUpNewp on Tuesday, August 27.

“If I have to pick one thing, I have a few, but definitely housing,” she said. “It’s something that has absolutely kept me up at night and not too long ago, and not just myself, but multiple residents who reach out in need of just what is a basic human necessity.”

To address the housing crisis, Pinnock suggests reducing short-term rental options while acknowledging the economic importance of tourism to Newport.

Education is another key priority for Pinnock, who works closely with local schools. She advocates for reevaluating school funding to provide more resources for improved performance.

Pinnock stresses the importance of representation for marginalized communities in the first ward, particularly in the north end of Newport.

“This is where majority of our marginalized residents live,” Pinnock said. “There aren’t the same opportunities and sometimes it’s not the same attention on this area.”

She calls for greater collaboration between the city council and school committee, as well as increased efforts to promote racial equity in the community.

“I would like to see, you know, some more work alongside school committee. And I understand that those. Those are two separate forms of. They’re two separate forms of government. Totally get it. But I do think that there is opportunity there for us to kind of. And I’m saying us because, you know, possibly thinking. I think there’s an opportunity there for city council and for school committee to sometimes meet in the middle,” she said.

“I think there is an opportunity for us to start growing the race, equity in our community. I don’t know what city council has done so far. I will admit that when it comes to equity in community, but I do think that, like, the more you know, the better you do. Right. So any opportunity for equity when it comes to city council, because like I said, we are and by we BIPOC community is underrepresented,” she said.

Pinnock believes Newport’s greatest strength is its capacity for collaboration across various sectors and organizations.

First Ward Needs

Pinnock outlined several issues specific to the First Ward, including road safety concerns on Malbone and Admiral Kablfus streets, flooding mitigation, and the need for improved utility management, particularly regarding gas usage.

“Living in the First Ward my whole life… I think what is unique about our First Ward, specifically the area where I live, is that this is where majority of our marginalized residents live,” Pinnock said. “There aren’t the same opportunities and sometimes it’s not the same attention on this area.”

Pinnock emphasized the importance of increased collaboration between residents and local government. She believes the First Ward is underrepresented in many decisions affecting the community.

“The people in our community, in Ward One, in the North End, they work just as hard. They love this community just as much. They want their voices to be heard, they want their opinions to be heard and they want to be counted,” Pinnock stated.

The candidate also addressed citywide issues, including housing affordability and education. She stressed the need for less short-term rental options and more resources for schools.

Pinnock discussed creating a larger community group where representatives from various neighborhoods can discuss issues and bring concerns to the City Council.

“I would like to see a large community group, like Ward One community group, where everyone from each of these little neighborhoods is represented and has a voice at the table,” Pinnock explained.

Moving Ahead

Pinnock provided her campaign website (ellenpinnock.com) and email (info@ellenpinnock.com) for voters to reach out and share their thoughts.

Pinnock is one of three candidates running to serve as Newport City Council First Ward Councilor. What’sUpNewp has interviewed the other two candidates, Hugo DeAscentis Jr. and Charles Pattavina, as well.

Early voting for the primary began Aug. 21 and continues through Sept. 9, with the primary election set for Sept. 10.