To the Editor:

The COVID-19 crisis has changed our lives. Social gatherings, parades, concerts, and sporting events have all been canceled this past year.

Holidays like Thanksgiving look very different than they have in the past, and many family members and friends will not be able to see each other this holiday season.

While we’ve dealt with many challenges related to the pandemic, this crisis has also highlighted the strength of our community. We continue to look out for each other, wearing masks and socially distancing, and supporting local businesses and restaurants.

Companies have adapted to the circumstances too, in many cases encouraging their employees to work from home. This change has enabled businesses to remain productive while avoiding laying workers off. With people across the country now working remotely, the City of Warwick should take advantage by recruiting remote workers to live in Warwick.

Creating more free hotspots and free public shared workspaces across the City will make Warwick more attractive to remote workers. We should also leverage all the great existing benefits of living in Warwick. Our city has 39 miles of coastline, beautiful neighborhoods, great restaurants, and an international airport. It boasts a strong housing market and is in close proximity to beaches and tourist destinations like Boston, Providence, and Newport.

Bringing more remote workers to Warwick will improve our economy and provide new revenue streams for the City. Remote workers will be eating in Warwick restaurants, shopping in Warwick businesses, visiting Warwick parks and beaches, and purchasing properties across the City. I look forward to working with the Mayor and the City Council on this exciting opportunity.

Steve McAllister

City Council Ward 7