Newport Mayor Xay Khamsyvoravong has been elected as a vice president of the Rhode Island League of Cities and Towns, positioning the city to have a stronger voice in statewide municipal affairs.
The League announced its new slate of officers at its 56th annual meeting on Sept. 18, with East Providence Mayor Bob DaSilva taking the helm as president.
Khamsyvoravong joins fellow vice presidents Andrew Nota, town manager of East Greenwich; Kenneth Hopkins, mayor of Cranston; and Hillary Lima, council president of Coventry.
“This positions Newport to have a leading voice in protecting local rights and ensuring cities and towns get our fair share of funding from the state to address the challenges we’re facing on housing, education and climate resiliency,” Khamsyvoravong told What’sUpNewp.
The mayor expressed his commitment to advocating for Newport and other municipalities across Rhode Island.
“I’m honored to be selected by fellow municipal leaders as an effective, locally focused voice to help lead the fight for the local rights and resources,” he said.
DaSilva, in his new role as League president, emphasized the importance of collaboration among Rhode Island’s 39 cities and towns.
“I look forward to continuing to work with our state and federal leaders to tackle critical issues facing our communities, while also maintaining affordability for local taxpayers,” DaSilva said.
The League serves as a unified voice for Rhode Island’s municipalities, addressing shared concerns and advocating for local interests at the state and federal levels.
With Khamsyvoravong’s election, Newport gains increased representation in discussions on key issues affecting the state’s cities and towns, including housing affordability, education funding, and climate resilience.
The new leadership team takes the reins as municipalities continue to navigate post-pandemic challenges and seek solutions to ongoing local government concerns.
DaSilva acknowledged the work of his predecessor, North Providence Mayor Charles A. Lombardi, who remains on the executive board.
“On behalf of our members, we extend our gratitude to Mayor Lombardi for leading the League through some of the most challenging times, including a pandemic,” DaSilva said.
The League’s executive board now includes 20 municipal leaders from across Rhode Island, representing a diverse range of communities from urban centers to rural towns.
In addition to electing new officers, the League presented its Daniel L. Beardsley Excellence in Municipal Government Awards, renamed this year in memory of the organization’s longtime executive director who passed away in 2022.
Four municipal employees were recognized for their outstanding service:
- Norelys Consuegra, director of Mayor’s Center for City Services in Providence
- Ralph Nahigian, communications director in North Providence
- David Duchesneau, information technology director in Smithfield
- Kevin Breene, town administrator in West Greenwich
The League also honored Denise Arrighi for her 20 years of service as office administrator upon her retirement.
The League’s focus on addressing critical issues such as housing, education, and climate resilience aligns closely with Newport’s own priorities, potentially leading to more targeted and effective solutions for the city’s residents.
