What’sUpNewp recently sent every candidate for Newport City Council a questionnaire, an opportunity we hope will help voters get to know the candidates and learn about what they think are some of the most significant issues ahead of the November 5 General Election.
What’sUpNewp is reprinting these as they were provided to us.
Ellen Pinnock
Ellen Pinnock is a candidate for Newport City Council First Ward in the November 6 General Election.
Occupation:
Director of Community Engagement at FabNewport
Bio:
I am a born and raised Newporter. Mother of a beautiful 19 year old college student named Dorothy. Winner of the Joan C. Arnold community service award 2023, Unsung Hero Award from Providence chapter of CHUMS. and Salve Regina University Living the Mission award 2024. Community Mama and Auntie, I support students of all ages through my role as Director of Community Engagement at FabNewport where I have worked since 2019. I lead the parent engagement piece of the Learn 365 Initiative and produce all events involved. I established the Heart Club at Thompson Middle School, a club of 68 students who need a little extra love and support with growing their social emotional skills and restorative justice practices.. I Co-lead FabNewport’s Young Philosophers Group. I teach Podcasting and Storytelling at Rogers High School one day a week, teach cooking to middle schoolers in the spring and summer and serve as resident consultant for Newport Health Equity Zone, where I also lead storytelling work. I am on the advisory board for Salve’s Pathways Program, Co-chair of ReNewport alongside filmmaker Sue Sipprelle . I am on the Adhoc Bridge Realignment Advisory committee for the city. I facilitate many conversations around cultural awareness and race equity in various organizations. I am a published poet, student at College Unbound working toward a degree in Organizational Leadership and a teaching certification, I teach Sunday school to toddlers, and love to write. My focus is always on equity and improving social emotional wellness for our children and residents in our community.
Tell us something fun or interesting about yourself:
I’m obsessed with British television and I collect everything Pioneer Woman.
Rank the following issues from most to least important (ok to put numbers on the right):
- Ethics (3)
- Increasing density (7)
- Historic preservation (8)
- Crime/safety (5)
- Affordable housing (2)
- Equity (1)
- Environmental protection (6)
- Economy/inflation (4)
- Other
What are the biggest problems facing Newport right now?
Lack of housing, specifically median income housing.
What’s your top policy priority?
I think one of the most important policies to work on is improving ways to promote resident engagement with city government. I think city officials can do the most good by working side by side with the people who put them in those seats. That’s the only way to make informed decisions that center our community. We can’t do anything about larger problems until we reach a place where all our residents feel heard and actively a part of what is going on around them.
What qualifies you for the office?
I have been actively working in our community, boots on the ground, for a lot of years. I engage in many community conversations with our residents. I am a listener and a doer. I’m an empathic person and a relationship builder. I have the reputation as a hard worker because it’s true. I’m community driven. I want everyone to thrive. I know what it’s like to live here and struggle. I have both the lived experience and the skills it takes to drive the change our community needs and wants.
What’s the city’s biggest long-term challenge?
I will say housing again, because it is going to take quite a bit of effort to get to a point where we have sufficient housing for every resident. Not having enough housing impacts many things, including a sustainable economy, even with tourism because tourists do not live here year round. More and more working class people are having to leave. We have to find a way to balance catering to our year round residents and our tourists.
What is Newport’s greatest strength, and how would you utilize it?
Newport’s great strength is collaboration. There are so many organizations working together for the betterment of our community. I’m grateful to be involved in much of it and As a city councilor, I can harness our city’s strength in collaboration to drive impactful initiatives that benefit the community and enhance civic engagement. By fostering partnerships between local organizations, businesses, and residents, we can create a more inclusive decision-making process that reflects the diverse voices of our community. I would prioritize open forums and collaborative workshops that invite our residents to share their ideas and concerns, ensuring that their input shapes our policies. I also think continuing to work toward establishing commissions that bring together experts and stakeholders from various sectors to tackle pressing issues such as affordable housing, public safety, and environmental sustainability. By leveraging the collective expertise and resources within our community, we can develop innovative solutions that not only address challenges but also strengthen the bonds between residents. I think our city can be the picture of collaboration and unity.
What ideas do you have to make the City more affordable and/or livable for its residents?
We talk a lot about affordable housing, which of course we need, but we need to think about medium income housing too. We need to build housing for our working families. I think any housing built in Newport needs to have a minimum of 25% of units allocated to median income residents and families.
How can the city raise the revenue needed to fund the list of large infrastructure projects that need funding now and in the near future?
Seek more funding from federal grants dedicated to infrastructure development for financial support in addition to supporting the 98.5 million dollar infrastructure bond.
What should be done about climate change in the City?
I think some community engagement around climate change could help. Our residents should be involved in climate actions plans and education initiatives. This will promote sustainability practices at an individual and community level. And I know Newport is known for our historical buildings, but I think new buildings should be energy efficient. I would like to see more green spaces as well
