Smithfield town council member John J. Tassoni, Jr., announced that he will now seek re-election to his council seat this November, after several community leaders and supporters urged him to run again. He will run on the Democratic ticket.
Earlier this year, Tassoni said that he would not run in November, citing increased job responsibilities as the president/chief executive officer of the Substance Use and Mental Health Leadership Council of Rhode Island.
“Over the last few months, I have received numerous phone calls and emails from people asking me to reconsider,” he said. “After listening to their concerns relative to different issues they would like to see addressed, I decided that I wanted to continue to help in whatever capacity I could, and the best way to do that would be to seek re-election.”
During his current term on the Smithfield Town Council, Tassoni has voted against imposing a higher tax burden on Smithfield residents by voting against budgets that increased taxes and sewer fees, implemented quarterly sewer payment plans, increased the quality of life for our children and sports leagues by upgrading the Town’s ballfields though donated labor and materials, advocated for public safety by introducing an ordinance requiring protective barriers in front of all new construction, installed a prescription box in the senior center for easier access for the elderly, voted to prohibit battery storage facilities in the Town, and introduced and enacted the strictest animal welfare ordinances setting the standard for animal protection in the State of Rhode Island .
A well-known business leader, former union executive and mediator, and social advocate, Tassoni served in the Rhode Island State Senate from 2001-2012, and has over 35 years of experience in the private sector and labor community.
His advocacy has earned him high praise among constituents and citizens alike.
“The opportunity to continue to work for the residents and represent the Town of Smithfield is something that I take very seriously. Once re-elected I will continue to support the changes that we need as a community to increase the quality of life for all of our residents,” said Tassoni.