Wakefield Businessman Kevin O’Neill Joins the Race for State Senator in S. Kingstown, Block I.
South Kingstown, RI – Successful businessman, father of four and South County native Kevin R. O’Neill today announced his candidacy for Rhode Island State Senate in District 37. O’Neill said he decided to run because Rhode Island government has stopped working for the people of South County and the rest of the state, and is in “desperate need” of new leadership.
“It’s clear that we can’t keep reelecting the same people to the State House if we want a different result. We need new leaders to step forward,” said O’Neill.
O’Neill is founder and president of the successful human resources consulting firm, O’Neill Consulting Group, which was named “fastest growing private company” in Rhode Island by the Providence Business News in 2008. The company provides executive search services for clients that include Dunkin’ Donuts, GAF and Nestle..
As Senator, O’Neill said his priorities in the state senate will be improving the state’s business climate which will allow businesses to create jobs and restoring fiscal sanity to the state budget process.
The new fiscal year hasn’t even started, and the state is already $100 million in the red, O’Neill said. “Everyone knew that the $100 million in federal Medicaid funds for Rhode Island were unlikely to be approved, but the legislature went ahead and included it as revenue anyway,” he explained. “Now the money’s not coming and the budget is in a shambles.”
“This type of rampant irresponsibility must be stopped immediately,” he added.
“South County and Rhode Island are in my blood and I feel a strong obligation to pitch in and help when I see that things are broken,” he added. “We are a great state and we can no longer afford a directionless government that holds us back.”
“As I meet friends and neighbors in this community one message rings clear, ‘why are elected officials in the General Assembly not listening to us? Why are South County’s needs being neglected in favor of the special interests of Senate leadership?’ As your Senator, I will work tirelessly to represent the people of South Kingstown and Block Island and will not fold to political pressure from a General Assembly more interested in personal gain than seeing that the people are served. “
Currently Chairman of the Board of the American Heart Association in Rhode Island, Kevin’s leadership helped the group raise more than $800,000 in the last two years to fund programs in the state. He is a former board member of the South County YMCA as well as the YMCA of Greater Providence.
Kevin is married to Chantel Byrd O’Neill. They have two sons and two daughters aged 12, 11, 9 and 8, who attend Monsignor Matthew Clarke Regional School in Wakefield. Kevin’s grandfather founded the heating oil company, O’Neill Oil Company, and was president of the South Kingstown Chamber of Commerce. His uncle was State Senator William C. O’Neill, for whom the former South County Bike Path was recently dedicated. Kevin is the son of the late John C. “Jack” O’Neill, Jr. and Jean Carlson O’Neill – the fifth of six children.
“My family is my inspiration to serve. My grandfather served in World War I and founded a successful company here; my Uncle Bill served as a State Senator, my father in the Pacific theatre in World War II and on the South Kingstown School Committee and Planning Board” O’Neill said. “I owe it to my wife, Chantel, and our four children to step forward and offer to serve. We want them to be able to stay in Rhode Island and raise their families here.”
Press Release: O’Neill for State Senate
Reponse to Post at RI Future re Joseph Larisa
At least if you’re going to drag me into this, spell my name right… RICCI.
“Little Noticed” — By? It was published in the newspaper, wasn’t it?
“Republican” — Joseph Larisa has not been a registered Republican since 2006.
“Central Falls Receivership” — The only “debacle” is how that small city has been run into the ground by a thoroughly corrupt Democratic political machine. The receivership was requested by an all Democrat city council who weren’t willing to make the tough decisions necessary to right their ship on their own; unlike in East Providence, where tough decisions needed to be made, and were made for the good of the city.
“Civil War in East Providence” — Unlike the U.S. Civil War of 1861-1865, “the union” in this case, has yet to win a single (court) battle.
As for the issue of Mayor Larisa’s pro bono (that means at no charge, for the Latin impaired) representation of a member of the Board of Canvassers before the city council — during a time while he was a private citizen — he is convinced he was in the right and that the law, as currently being interpreted, is invalid. Time will tell if that is the case, since the law cited in the complaint against him does not address the issue of pro bono representation.
Larisa will be appealing this latest ruling to the Rhode Island Supreme Court. It’s clearly not about the money; the fine was only $500. He’s already spent thousands of his own money to defend his principled position. He could have paid the fine and made it go away quietly (like a number of Pat’s Democratic friends). It’s purely a matter of principle for him. I expect this to last well into his next term as Mayor.