RI League Honors Local Government Service

Rhode Island League of Cities and Towns Honors Local Government Service

Representatives from Pawtucket, Central Falls and East Greenwich receive the Excellence in Municipal Government Award.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The Rhode Island League of Cities and Towns presented the 2nd annual Excellence in Municipal Government Award to three outstanding public servants Pawtucket Mayor Donald R. Grebien, Leigh Carney, East Greenwich’s town clerk, and Elaine Carey, payroll specialist for the City of Central Falls, for going above and beyond in their service to their communities.

“Municipal leaders and staff consistently go above and beyond to serve their communities,” said Ernie Almonte, Executive Director of the League . “Whether they are solving complex issues or providing personalized customer service for residents – their efforts often go unseen. Last year, the League developed the Municipal Government Award to recognize their outstanding contributions.”

“Having served in both a council and mayoral role, there isn’t much that Mayor Grebien hasn’t seen. When a complex issue arises, he digs right in,” said North Providence Mayor Charles Lombardi, President of the League. “He has prioritized and delivered on economic development projects, like the Pawtucket-Central Falls Train Station and Tidewater Landing, opened the state's only municipally owned homeless shelter, repaved 80% of the city's streets, and championed unprecedented investment in local schools.”

Leigh Carney serves as town clerk and assistant to the town manager. She is actively involved in the East Greenwich Community Historical Society’s preservation of municipal historic documents; initiated an electronic agenda management program for the town council; digitized other resident-facing record systems; and has made many structural changes in the Town Clerks office, municipal court, probate and canvassing all designed at improving resident services. In addition to serving the residents of East Greenwich, Leigh has also served the Rhode Island Town and City Clerks Association and the New England Association of City and Town Clerks in various capacities, coordinates and leads all of our local parades and is a Trustee at the Varnum Armory.

“Leigh is a dedicated and committed public servant and member of our team who strives every day in a compassionate manner to help people," said East Greenwich Town Manager Andrew Nota. “The energy and drive that she exhibits to make our community a better place is visible every day, both professionally and in her personal contributions and leadership as an active member of our broader community.”

Elaine Carey has served the City of Central Falls for over 20 years. As a payroll specialist, she has never missed a payroll processing cycle, which would impact hundreds of employees. Fellow staff described her as “always available to answer any questions or to help the employees of Central Falls, with her knowledge going far beyond payroll. Her goal is to always help the City in any way she can.”

“Effective government is made possible by outstanding teams of people that work every day to help deliver for constituents," said Maria Rivera, Mayor of Central Falls . "I have been lucky, as have several of my predecessors, that our finance department is anchored by Elaine Carey. She is a fantastic team member as well as a fountain of institutional knowledge. Our City is better for her years of dedicated service. I am so happy that the League of Cities and Towns saw fit to honor her with this well deserved award.”

The League is proud to celebrate the accomplishments and dedication of these three individuals. Their success represents the success of their communities and that of countless Rhode Islanders.

About the Rhode Island League of Cities and Towns :

Founded in 1968, the Rhode Island League of Cities and Towns is a municipal membership organization that serves as the unified voice of local government in Rhode Island. Learn more at www.RILeague.org

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September 29, 2023 Contact: Lauren Greene 401-965-3972