As she navigates these big-picture issues , Rivera says , she ’ s tackling day-to-day emergencies . She still responds to every blaze in the city and , in September , she responded to a fatal shooting at the basketball court that the city planned to replace with tennis courts . While Rivera tabled construction in search of a better solution , she says she hasn ’ t given up on the tennis courts altogether ; she says she wants to provide alternative options for youth to keep them off the streets . Residents believe a community center would help keep kids busy ; Rivera says she ’ s weighing that , too .
“ I have lots of priorities . I have to , right , because these are the things that are important to our community ,” she says , her voice wavering from her still-undiagnosed vocal ailment — some physical or stress-induced malady that she says won ’ t stop her from fulfilling her duties as mayor . She invested in a Peloton bike , she started boxing and she goes to the gym , she says , so she can endure the pressures of the job . She ’ s quick to add there are rewards , too .
“ We ’ ve had so many students come here and you have to see — I ’ m sorry I ’ m crying ,” she says , grabbing a pink face mask to wipe her eyes , “ you have to see their faces when they walk in here . I had a boy in here who was eleven , and he wanted to pray for me .”
The work has been overwhelming , she says , but in a good way .
“ I love to see people happy . It is my challenge , just trying to please everyone , which I know is not going to happen ,” she says . “ But I can tell you that I am somebody who pushes and pushes and pushes . When I want something done , I will continue pushing . Most of the time , I get it done .”
She remembers , back in 2016 , as she weighed running for city council and returning to college at the same time , a colleague offered her a bit of advice : Someone who tends to do a lot never accomplishes anything .
Rivera ’ s response stood then , she says , and it still does now : “ I beg to differ .” �
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RHODE ISLAND MONTHLY l NOVEMBER 2021 99