John at work for smithfield
John J Tassoni Jr has worked tirelessly the past 4 years for the residents of Smithfield
Whipple Field
All five ball parks at Whipple Field are being graded, filled and seeded free of charge and in time for spring baseball and softball season, thanks to the help of Local 57 Operating Engineers, the Recreation Department and Smithfield Town Councilor John Tassoni.
Tassoni said he promised to improve recreational opportunities as part of his campaign, and he is coming through on his promises. Work began last week on the fields, and will be done by spring, Tassoni said.
He mentioned that Whipple Field sees a lot of use from dawn to dusk.
“I’m doing it for the kids,” Tassoni said.
Pointing to an 18-inch dip a few feet past the infield line, Tassoni said the uneven surface is not safe for athletes.
Tassoni got renovation requests from the girl’s softball team that plays on three of the five fields. The two other fields are used for adult and children’s baseball. The fields will need to be leveled in the infield and outfield, reseeded, and will receive new infield material.
The fields have water, Tassoni said, allowing the grass to grow more quickly. With 10 days of no snow or freezing temperatures, the seeding “should take to growing well,” he said.
Tassoni contacted Local 57, with whom he previously did work on mental health and substance abuse clinics. Local 57 President James White said the organization also helps out with parks around the state.
“One hand washes the other,” Tassoni said.
According to White, Local 57 helps municipalities across the state with these types of projects by lending their heavy equipment. Local members use the charitable work as training and apprentice work opportunities, he said, along with previously donated work materials at the high school.
If available, earth and fill are donated to the projects.
White said that Local 57 is happy to help Smithfield, and some of their members live in the towns they work in.
Recreation Director Robert Caine said he is excited about the collaboration with Local 57. Caine said his department, with three employees, works on all of Smithfield’s fields, and is often stretched thin. He said the department relies on a lot of volunteer work such as this, though most of the work is not as intensive.
“I think the partnership is fantastic. Having this work done is extremely helpful,” Caine said.
Caine said Whipple Field was on the radar for a while. Local 57 donated a laser grader and roller, which the Smithfield Department of Public Works or Recreation Department does not own.
“We’re working away on all our fields, sometimes we don’t have the time or means to do this type of work. It’s appreciated,” he said.
Caine confirmed that the work will be done within a couple of weeks, in time for the field to open on April 1.
If possible, Tassoni said he would like to increase the Recreation Department budget to add more employees. He said the town is growing and needs more investment in recreation fields. He said there are more people, more sports, and more needs than ever.
“We need these fields to support the kids,” he said.
SMITHFIELD DOG PARK
The big dogs are running loose again at the Smithfield Dog Park after it re-opened last weekend, as concerns for the canine respiratory illness lessen across the state.
Town Manager Randy Rossi confirmed the dog parks are re-opened as of Saturday, Feb. 3, after closing in late December last year.
Beth Cerroni, of the Smithfield Dog Park Committee, said she was “so happy” that the dog parks are re-opened, and said she saw “big dogs” running around and enjoying the outdoor space off-leash.
“The dogs are back and they’re running. I’m very excited about it,” she said.
Cerroni thanked the public for bearing with the town and state as the park remained closed to prevent the spread of the canine virus.
She said some people were frustrated to learn about the park’s closing, but she said the town had to be safe about the virus.
Cerroni thanked the Smithfield Department of Public Works for going through the park and repairing damage from the recent rain storms.
“They did a beautiful job, they cleaned it up great for us,” she said.
In addition to the early spring cleaning, Cerroni said Town Councilor John Tassoni worked with the Carpenters’ Union to install four new wooden benches throughout the park. Tassoni said he donated the lumber, and the union supplied the labor.
Tassoni said the DPW also installed crushed stone and asphalt in the dog park’s parking lot, and “gave kudos” to the team.
Tassoni said there is also a new telephone pole at the park that will soon house a camera to record the park for safety and to make sure there are no issues.
The re-opened park comes with some restrictions, said Tassoni. Tassoni spoke with the state veterinarian and said the town feels safe to re-open the park.
Park attendees can no longer bring in toys or water bowls. He said the sometimes deadly infection spreads through saliva, and the use of those items may further spread the virus.
“No one wants to see an animal get sick. Some definite things you can and cannot do (at the park),” Tassoni said.
As a dog person, Tassoni said when he was a state senator, he spent time working on the legislation to enforce and strengthen animal laws to protect them. Recently, Tassoni led the campaign to help create one of the strictest animal ordinances in Rhode Island.
“I’ve been a dog person all my life,” he said.
Tassoni calls for safety measures to prevent more crashes into businesses.
In light of two recent car crashes where people drove into places of business, Town Councilor John Tassoni says he will be presenting a new ordinance requiring new construction businesses to install traffic bollards to block something similar from happening.
Bollards are typically cylindrical pipes in front of business entrances that stop cars from coming through the wall if something happens, such as someone stepping on the gas instead of the brakes.
Tassoni stated his intention to create the new ordinance days before the driver of an SUV drove through the Music Complex RI on Putnam Pike on Wednesday evening, June 28, leaving a giant hole in the front door. There were no injuries in the Music Complex crash, with police reporting that weather was likely a factor.
The move comes after the horrific crash last month where someone drove into the Subway in the Apple Valley Mall, killing one person and injuring five others. Jeffrey Barden, of Scituate, is reported to have had a seizure that resulted in him driving his car through the store.
Tassoni said these incidents are becoming a serious issue.
“This resolution will pertain to new construction only. It would require concrete barrier in front of windows to help protect the people inside,” he said.
Tassoni said people just aren’t paying attention to the road due to technology devices and other distractions.
“We can’t go back and prevent that accident (at Subway,) but we can move forward,” he said.
The proposed resolution will take time, he added. It will go before the Planning Board for discussion and approval for recommendation to the Town Council.
“Unfortunately, these things take time,” Tassoni said.
Tassoni prioritizes safe stations, improved recreational facilities
Those dealing with mental health issues or substance abuse can get immediate access to support services at Smithfield Safe Stations, created by Town Council candidate John Tassoni, states a news release.
Located within the town’s three fire stations, they provide a welcoming environment for anyone struggling with addiction and who want to embark on recovery, noted Tassoni. Trained staff are on duty 24/7.
“The Safe Stations offer critical care services when needed most,” he said.
Tassoni said he also wants upgrades and repairs to the public ballfields and recreational facilities to provide safer environments.
“The current conditions are deplorable,” he said. “Our children deserve better.”
He said that sprinkler systems need to be repaired or installed, and field surfaces need upgrading for extra strength and moisture tolerance.
Tassoni is a former six-term state senator, business leader, and TV and radio talk-show host, with more than 35 years of experience in public service, notes the release.
Mental health resources now available throughout Smithfield
New signs posted in Smithfield municipal buildings and school restrooms remind people that they are not alone during the holiday season, providing a QR code for people to scan for mental health resources.
Town Manager Randy Rossi said the town partnered with the Tri-County Community Action Agency and Southern Providence County Regional Prevention Coalition (SPCRPC) on the effort to get the resources into people’s hands.
He said Town Councilor John Tassoni, who specializes in mental health and substance abuse awareness and recovery, brought the idea to him after a friend saw a similar program in another town.
“It’s something to really catch your eye when you’re leaving. We want people to see there is a way to get help,” Rossi said.
Signs were placed in all Smithfield municipal buildings as well as the high school and middle school restrooms to let people they are not alone, and to reach out if they are struggling with mental health issues, Rossi said. Rossi said the posters were put in restrooms to allow for privacy and to combat the stigma surrounding mental health issues.
“Seeing you’re not alone may ring in someone’s mind. It might be that little reassurance that you don’t have to go through difficult times alone,” he said.
The QR code directs people to the SPCRPC website, which features mental health information, resources, and points of contact.
Rossi said the timing was perfect, as people deal with mental health issues every day, and that can be heightened by the holidays. He said the campaign can be expanded into a larger mental health program in the future.
Rossi thanked Tassoni for bringing the program to the town, adding that everyone involved quickly jumped on board. Tassoni said he hopes the posters will help people who are in crisis to know there is someone there for them to call upon.
Referring to the recent suicide of rapper and dancer Stephen Laurel “tWitch” Boss, Tassoni said mental health and substance abuse does not discriminate. He said he’s watched mental health issues increase over the years, from affecting one in five families previously to one in two today. Eventually, it will be every family, Tassoni said.
“We need to be proactive, not reactive,” he said.
Tassoni said mental health programs need to be expanded across Smithfield and throughout the state and nationwide. He said of the 21,000 people who live in Smithfield, thousands have mental health and substance abuse issues.
“I think there’s a lot going on in this community with mental health issues,” he said.
Especially around the holidays, Tassoni added, people may feel that there is no help, no one to talk to, or that people aren’t listening.
“Make sure to pay attention and listen to family members this holiday season,” Tassoni said.
