NORTH SMITHFIELD – Councilor Douglas Osier, candidate for town administrator, said this week that he has the, “education and experience to provide solutions that strike a balance.”
Osier said he, “offers principled leadership alongside an exceptional public service record and a realistic, collaborative, and strategic, data driven approach.”
“With an open-door policy, I feel it is important for every resident to be heard, and respected, regardless of who they support,” Osier said.
Osier holds degrees in finance and economics from Stonehill College and a Master of Business Administration in leadership. He’s currently a manager of business intelligence in the healthcare sector and notes that he has, “held progressively increasing management roles as well as working with millions of dollars of inventory for a global organization.”
Prior to these roles, Osier worked in higher education where he, “oversaw housing operations, staffing and community engagement.” He also served as co-chair on the town’s Budget Committee and said he has, “a complete understanding of how to manage town finances.”
Osier said he believes, “elected officials should be held accountable,” and noted he was the only councilor to recuse himself from the town administrator’s salary vote. Osier said he was also, “the only councilor to vote against both the development agreement and the tax stabilization agreement for Green Development’s solar project on Iron Mine Hill Road.”
“Both of these agreements were required for the project to move forward,” Osier said. “I voted against the Green Development project in 2019 because it was moving too fast with too many unknowns. I felt there was no need to rush this project through; it not only impacts our community today, but impacts generations to come.”
He said he firmly believes that, “renewables offer needed energy sources, but not at the expense of our rural landscape, property values or residents’ quality of life. We need a balance between preservation and development.”
Osier said he also has, “a record of remaining fiscally responsible while supporting schools, improving infrastructure, and acquiring open space.”
Osier noted he is actively walking the neighborhoods of North Smithfield, with his family, in a safe manner.
“Community feedback is very important and I enjoy hearing directly from residents,” he said. “Listening to all sides, I remain objective and advocate fairly for every resident.”
“There are many challenges in the years ahead related to property values, revaluations, taxes, commercial growth, municipal infrastructure projects and protecting our resources,” Osier said. “Our current economic environment requires a fiscally responsible approach; prioritizing our needs over our wants. We need to see how this pandemic affects our state aid, how the closing of some businesses affects our bottom line, and together, take reasonable steps to emerge stronger.”
Osier respectfully asks for your vote on Tuesday, Nov. 3, or earlier.
To learn more, visit his Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/DouglasOsierforNS
