Paplauskas Announces Reelection Bid

CRANSTON, RI—Cranston City Councilman Chris Paplauskas was elected two years ago for his first term after promising voters that his service would extend beyond council chambers in City Hall.

When you see that new "Welcome to Knightsville" sign in Ward 5, or notice less trash at Meshanticut Lake, or marvel at the newly renovated playground on Florida Avenue, you might say he kept his word.

"I want to make our city more walkable, and more beautiful,” he said. “I want to reuse and re-imagine forgotten spaces to create an environment we all can enjoy. I have ambitious dreams for improving Cranston for all residents, and I hope my neighbors will dream big with me."

Paplauskas, a Republican, expressed those desires in a Monday announcement that he will seek a second term on the City Council.

The husband and father of two, Paplauskas was the first Republican elected to represent Ward 5 since 1940.

He said that he will never forget the faith voters put in him and "I have dedicated my time as a public servant to fulfilling my promises to make Cranston better, and we have done so together. I humbly ask my neighbors for their vote again, so I can continue serving the residents of Cranston and the 5th Ward.” 

Paplauskas said that he promised two years ago to try and make the community better. In practical terms, that means casting votes for no tax increases and supporting good growth initiatives, he said, but it has also meant rolling up his sleeves and using his political reach to gather volunteers to get things done.

The new sign welcoming people to Knightsville is an example. So is the annual Christmas tree lighting at the Knightsville gazebo, which Paplauskas helped organize after brainstorming with community leaders. 

“Chris’s motto, ‘Making Cranston Better – Together,’ is a principle all elected officials should champion,” said Cranston Republican City Chairman Nick Lima. “His standard of framing his entire service as an elected official around both improving the quality of life for residents, and working with the community to accomplish goals, is what we need more of in city politics. Cranston is fortunate to be represented by someone so passionately dedicated to helping his neighbors, above all else.”  

Paplauskas defeated Democrat Ralph M. Ciunci by a margin of 53.7 to 46.1 percent in 2014.