Rhode Island's Twelfth

A Fine Whine

2010-10-28T16:48:00.005-04:00

So, President Barack Obama dropped in on Rhode Island on Monday, and notably failed to endorse Democratic gubernatorial candidate Frank Caprio. Caprio responded by saying, "He could take his endorsement and really shove it, as far as I'm concerned." WJAR, the local NBC affiliate in Providence, then polled the race, and found that Caprio had dropped from first place to third since a previous poll released on October 12. Specifically, Caprio fell from 37% to 25%, Independent Lincoln Chafee rose from 33% to 35%, Republican John Robitaille rose from 22% to 28%, Moderate Ken Block held steady at 2%, while undecideds rose from 6% to 10%. So Caprio dropped 12%, with 2% going to Chafee, 6% going to Robitaille, and 4% going to undecided.

It looks like "Vote for the Whiner" is not going to be a winning campaign slogan for Caprio.

Bring Back Bob Beaver!

2010-10-18T18:36:00.003-04:00

Back on December 10, 2009, the editorial board of the Newport Daily News decided to commemorate the 2009 Climate Change Summit in Copenhagen by inviting Robert A. Beaver, an amusingly-named right-wing conspiracy theorist, to pen a guest editorial explaining to their readers that there was no such thing as global warming, and that the whole thing was a hoax cooked up by a bunch of greedy climate scientists.

Well, you can imagine my astonishment when I opened up today's copy of the Daily Snooze to find an AP article titled "Coast Guard pushes to guard U.S. claims in remote Arctic sea" with the following opening graf:

The ice-choked reaches of the northern Arctic Ocean aren't widely perceived as an international shipping route. But global warming is bringing vast change, and Russia, for one, is making an aggressive push to establish top of the world sea lanes.

The gist of the article is that the Russians are taking advantage of receding Arctic sea ice to send cargo ships straight across the Arctic Ocean, and that the U.S. Coast Guard is gearing up to "secure U.S. claims and prepare for increased human activity." But what I want to know is, where is Bob Beaver?

I think that, in their quest for fairness and balance, and their desire to present all points of view, it is incumbent on the editors of the NDN to invite Bob Beaver back to their editorial page to explain to the paper's readers that, no, the Russians aren't really sending shipping across the Arctic Ocean, the Coast Guard isn't asking for more resources to deal with the increased activity, and that this is all just part of the hoax being perpetrated by those greedy scientists.

Bring back Bob Beaver!

Some Context

2010-09-14T22:40:00.003-04:00

As a native of Delaware, I think I'm uniquely qualified to offer my fellow Li'l Rhodians some context on Christine O'Donnell's primary victory over Mike Castle. No, it's not like Lincoln Chafee losing to Steve Laffey. It's like John Chafee losing to a bag lady.

New Blog

2010-07-02T08:47:00.001-04:00

You haven't been hearing from me for awhile- and there's a reason for that! I have relocated and am now using my born name of Rice- major life changes, indeed .
I am now living, at least for awhile, in a beautiful condo on the Susquehanna on the upper Eastern Shore in Maryland. As I write on my deck on an absolutely gorgeous day with a warm temp & low humidity, I am looking down on the boat docks, watching and listening to the Acela train pass by nosily on the r.r. trestle, and gazing on the town of Harve de Grace. Oops, another train is coming announced by two quick whistle blasts.
Noisey, yup. But since my dad, granddad, etc. were r.r. for a few generations (N.Y., N.H., & H and B&O), I am comfortable. Although, in the evening in bed when suddenly that very small bright light hits me and then the loud, low, slow rumble of the freight train shuffles by- less so.
I lived in Balto. County for many years as a kid & young adult. I then grew up and lived and worked on the Eastern Shore during and after college. As I like to tell people here, I did live here more than a few years ago. I understand the language, but the lingo sometimes trips me up. LOL!
So please feel to visit me on my new blog. If u are ever in the area, u have a friend here with a BIG condo and an extra bed! However, my connections to the Newport area are NOT completely gone. My house, my dog, my sons, my house are still there! At least for now.
No, u can't go home again. But visiting is certainly interesting!!!

Kathleen Parker Demonstrates Her Lack of Shame

2009-11-12T15:58:00.006-05:00

Today's Newport Daily News has its weekly column by Washington Post conservative columnist Kathleen "K-Pax" Parker. Today K-Pax chooses to highlight Red China's repressive policy of forcing women to have abortions. K-Pax is very careful to point out that "On this much, both sides of the abortion issue can agree: Forced abortion is not a choice." She is even more careful to avoid stating the obvious corollary: Forced pregnancy is not a choice, either, but she and her fellow conservatives support it.

Is K-Pax honestly concerned about women in China? If she were, she could have simply stated the facts and voiced her opinion. Instead, she goes out of her way to sneer at Planned Parenthood and NARAL for not being as concerned as she is. That's why she wrote this column; not to draw attention to an injustice, but to use that injustice to score political points against liberals. It's cheap political grandstanding cloaked in sanctimony. K-Pax ought to be ashamed, but of course, being a conservative, she's not.

First Beach Cleaup Sept. 19

2009-08-30T09:28:00.000-04:00

September 19th is the International Coastal Cleanup, this is run by the Ocean Conservancy Group and hosted in Rhode Island by the Audubon Society and Clean Ocean Access is proud to lead the efforts at Easton’s Beach for the 4th year in a row, it is also the start of the 4th year of Clean Ocean Access, so we look forward to everyone getting involved!

The beach cleanup starts at 9 AM and finishes at 11 AM, parking is in the west-lot.

Wear sturdy shoes and bring your own gloves, we’ll provide the rest.

This is a rain or shine event, unless we have a hurricane!

Please let me know if you can make the event and how many people are attending and also include your t-shirt size (Adult, S, M, L, XL, XXL).

For more information about the Ocean Conservancy International Coastal Cleanup, check out this link:

http://www.oceanconservancy.org/site/PageServer?pagename=icc_home

For more information about Clean Ocean Access, check out this link:

http://members.cox.net/cleanoceanaccess/

Take the Aqidneck Island Transportation Study

2009-08-13T21:03:00.002-04:00

This is the web site for the AIPC’s Aquidneck Island transportation corridor study, which is a two-year project funded with approx. $500,000 in state and federal funds. The public kickoff for the project is this morning. Please checkout the site and pass the link along as the web page includes a survey seeking public input on transportation issues as the study gets underway.

http://www.vhb.com/aquidneck

Hiatus

2009-07-28T10:02:00.001-04:00

I'm heading South to where the sun shines & it's warm! Visiting Maryland to see friends & places that I haven't viewed in 40 years.

2009-07-19T08:12:00.003-04:00

This in from Gail Ciampa's Food Blog at Projo.

"Rhode Island Premier of Food Inc. benefits the Rhode Island Center for Agricultural Promotion and Education (RICAPE), Wednesday, July 22 at the Jane Pickens Theatre in Newport.
The film will screen at 7pm, followed by a panel discussion to discuss agriculture in Rhode Island. At 6 pm light refreshments provided by Whole Foods, Greenvale Vineyards, Newport Vineyards and others will be served.

Tickets are $25 each with a portion of the proceeds to support RICAPE and may be purchased in advance at Jane Pickens.

Learn more about the film at Food Inc."

The movie is now playing through Thursday.

Happy Birthday, Sandra!

2009-07-17T11:13:00.000-04:00

Sandra Flowers, of course. 39 today!!!

Local H.S. Seniors Honored

2009-07-15T17:37:00.003-04:00

This in from Chris Barnett at the Secretary of State's office. Congratulations to these students!

"Honoring High School Seniors for Public Service

Students from all over Rhode Island are recognized with our 2009 High School Civic Leadership Awards.

The awards are given annually to members of the senior class who make outstanding contributions to their schools and their hometowns. The winners were honored in front of friends, family and faculty at a State House ceremony. Photos of the event.

“This award recognizes students who show an understanding of the importance public service has in a democratic society,” says Secretary of State Mollis. “These students take the principles of civics and put them into action at home and at school.”

We asked high schools around the state to nominate members of the Class of 2009 who best met the ideals of the award: public service, leadership ability and academic achievement.

Seventy-nine high schools ranging from Barrington High to Woonsocket High nominated seniors for the honor. This is the third consecutive year we have presented the awards.

"I am committed to encouraging young people to get involved. Their enthusiasm and willingness to participate in the civic life of their school and community are vital to the strength of our democracy. I hope their example inspires next year’s senior class," says Secretary Mollis.

Middletown High School: Carly Benson& Daniel A. Quintanilla

Rogers High School: Bethany Lopes & Michael Turchetti

Tiverton High School: Elizabeth McGreavy & Joshua Louis Beaupre

First (Easton's Beach) Beach

2009-07-12T07:42:00.007-04:00

My new friend Barry Botelho, owner of the beach food concession stand & the subject of a NDN story (sorry, can't link), sent me some pics of the new prototypes thresher, or is it called a harvester?

I haven't yet seen it actually harvesting, but may be I'll be able to get some video up soon. It certainly makes for a BIG improvement beachwise which I pointed out to Rep. Kennedy when he was here. All that smelly, yucky seaweed which used to accumulate beachront is gone! Along with the smell & flies, bugs, etc. Yahoo! I've been here close to 40 years & it's NEVER been better. Now, if the sun would just shine, shine, shine. Thank god for "tan in a can," the only way a nice Irish girl like me is ever going to tan. The Portuguese part just does me NO GOOD whatsover.

Remember, the beach is still open with food, rides, etc. Myself, I'm partial to the lobster rolls. You can also check out the beach cams. http://www.eastonsbeach.com/ With no closings this year (maybe only one at Atlantic Beach?), it's cleaner than ever there. Now if we could just say the same about the Third Beach area...

Yesterday, I had a tourist laughing at me during my walk. I had on my full length raincoat with the hood up, heavy jeans, & sneakers with socks. Heck, it was in the low 60's, windy, & rainy, and I was in a BAD mood. He looked at me & shoulted, "You look like you're dressed for winter!" Yes, and the problem with that is ???? it's July & FEELS like it. LOL!

Thanks to Barry for the pics. I meet such neat people on the web!

Happy Birthday to Me!

2009-07-11T07:49:00.000-04:00

I don't usually blather on about birthdays, but here I am- 61! When you have a parent who dies fairly young (dad- age 53), you learn about human frailty early. I never believed that I'd make it this far, but, I did!

What have I learned in 60 years? Not a whole lot but it's time to ruminate a bit:

1. Life is not fair. Celebrate when it is. Strive for it.

2. Life is short. Have fun- laugh long,loud, & often. If it's not fun- make it so. If you can't- pretend it is. If people don't like you doing any of the former, try to avoid them.

3. Be around kids. Play. Speak to them. Listen to their jokes. Consider it a rare honor.

4. Appreciate your surroundings & try to make them beautiful.

5. Money is important. It doesn't guarantee happiness, but it sure helps.

6. Keep educating yourself. Read.

7. Exercise. You'll probably live longer than you think.

8. Do a favor for someone whenever you can. Be generous. Just because.

9. Honor older citizens. Spend some time with them.

10. Try something new whenever the opportunity presents itself.

11. Enjoy your memories, but keep it short, stupid (KISS).

12. Encourage your passions, open up your mind, turn up your nose at no one, change your mind about something, and remember to PLAY!

11. Have a pet.

12. Family is important. So are friends. Keep the good ones & make new ones.

13. Beaches, ocean access, forests, parks, etc. are wonderful places.

14. Age gracefully? Screw that one.

House Speaker Pelosi Coming to Middletown

2009-07-09T07:58:00.003-04:00

Nancy Pelosi & Rep. Patrick Kennedy will be here this Sat., July 11, in the afternoon. Check out that link for details & an invite. Locals (otherwise known as the "usual suspects") are hoping to convince her to fund some $ for our corporate park & for improvements to the Wave. Ave. pumping station.

She'll be visiting there & stopping at the new Child & Family Services building for a visit. There is a public reception at the Atlantic Beach Club, but with a limited capacity thanks to the newest fire safety laws regarding outside venues. Of course the fact that it actually SITS on the beach which has LOTS of H2O is meaningless & cost towns & cities mucho dinero & closed businesses, but I digress. Thank you, General Assembly.

Later she is attending a private fundraiser in Jamestown- likely for the Dem. House Legislative fundraising arm. No, no invite for me. Just as well as they'd likely expect me to give them big $. And I'd need a new dress- I never said that I wasn't shallow.

Actually, if the truth be known, they are coming to surprise Keith Stokes of the Newport Chamber of Commerce & myself on our birthdays. I will be 39- don't know about him. Definitely older, I think. More later. I have a camera now & know how to use it (kinda, sorta) so I'll try & get some visual stuff up!

New Stuff

2009-07-05T14:43:00.003-04:00

I'm trying to keep up with an event calendar of local doings either for zilch $ or that I like. If you have anything, feel free to send.

I am rightly reminded that whenever it's not a beachy day, the concession stands remain open. Fortunately, a lot of the pollution problems seems to have cleared up with Middletown's sewer work & so this now seems to have little effect here. Yeah!!!

Sometimes I go to First Beach just for a quiet lunch with a lobster roll, few people around, & a gorgeous view- even with the fog/mist. Then maybe a walk. Hopefully, the new thresher will achieve its goal of less of that yucky & stinky red seaweed on First Beach. Just the few times that it has been operational, I've noticed a BIG difference.

Newport Dems Summer Dance July 30

2009-07-03T18:12:00.003-04:00

From Sandra J. Flowers: Summer Dance with Magnolia Cajun Band: The Newport Democratic City Committee hosts Magnolia on Thursday, July 30, at the Elks Lodge, Bellevue Avenue at Pelham Street, Newport, from 8 to 11 PM. For only $20, you'll hear and dance to great music, enjoy delicious munchies, and meet lots of nice folks. Pass the word!

Magnolia Cajun Band
Source: magnoliacajunband.homestead.com
Magnolia Cajun Band of Rhode Island playing traditional French Cajun music. Dance lessons in cajun and zydeco offered. Winners of the Motif Music Awards, Folk Act ot the Year!

Bus Service in Newport Meeting on Wed., July 8.

2009-07-03T18:09:00.001-04:00

Due to recent changes in RIPTA service in the 'Fifth Ward' section of Newport, we have arranged to have their management come to Newport to explain these changes, including their 'South Aquidneck Flex Service'. The meeting, which will be announced in the tomorrow's Newport Daily News, will be held at the Newport Public Library on Wednesday, July 8th at 3:00 pm.

We are working on getting RIPTA to provide 'Flex Bus Service' to and from the meeting. Details will follow in the NDN.

Rep Peter Martin 401 924-2402 Peter Martin Home: (401) 847-0651 Cell: (401) 965-6137 Please visit my website at http://www.stacyhouse.com

Happy Fourth!

2009-07-03T18:08:00.001-04:00

Expect light postings for awhile. I'll try & keep the calendar up-to-date with activities.

Rename Your Poison!

2009-07-02T06:20:00.002-04:00

The Providence Journal leads today with this story on the effort to change the state's name from Rhode Island and Providence Plantations to just plain Rhode Island, because the word "plantation" is just to slavery-ish. It's not as though we added the word to the state's name just to say "screw you" to blacks, the way the states of Mississippi and Georgia did when they added Confederate battle flags to their state flags. Back in the 17th century when it was first used, "plantation" was just a classy way to say colony.

I think that if we're going to go to all the trouble of holding a public referendum on a name change, we ought to change the name to something snappy, like "Baja Massachusetts" or "Little Connecticut" or "Aquidneck Island and Some Other Places". Or we could take a leaf from Family Guy and rename the state Quahog, which would have the advantage of leaving us alphabetically where we are now, between Pennsylvania and South Carolina.

And so, to name change proponents, I say: give me some interesting choices, or don't bother.

Free at First Beach

2009-06-26T02:13:00.000-04:00

New for the Summer of 2009- Night time family fun at the Beach beginning July 6

Monday nights- Discount Night- 1/2 price carousel rides, $ 1.00 off admission to the Beach Bounce, 10% off all Easton's Beach clothing and beach accessories at Rosie's beach store, free ice cream for kids 8 and under, 1/2 price pop corn and more.

Tuesday Nights- Family Night- Enjoy a wonderful variety of concert entertainment sponsored by The Newport Recreation Department

Wednesday Nights- Beach Idol Karaoke Night- For Kids 12 and under- Fun competition and applause only- open parents' mic to conclude the evenings

Thursdays- Children's entertainment-Singers, Jugglers, magic and more

Here is their calendar.

Remember, if we get more than an inch of rain, it will be closed due to pollution. No, they haven't yet fixed that problem. But the good news is that with the new thresher, the seaweed problem definitely seems better.

Only Seven Minutes?

2009-06-26T01:09:00.005-04:00

What can you do in 7 minutes? My mom used to make a boiled "Seven Minute Frosting." You can play "7 Minutes in Heaven." Or you can approve a State budget in the Senate Finance Committee. Although Channel 10 says it only took 5 minutes.

Last year there was rebellion in this committee when it came to the supplemental budget. It took the Sen. Pres. & Majority & Minority Leaders to vote the budget out of committee (they don't usually show-up, although they have the right to). Two of those rebels (Gallo & Lanzi) are no longer on the committee & Moura chose not to run. The few remaining rebels were not given any leadership roles on the committee. Rather, newcomer Sen. DiPalma (our Sen.) was. Wanna bet that if you voted nay that any pending bills you had sitting in committee (your most important ones- natch) would just die there?

Good boys & good girls all- for now.

The floor vote has been postponed until today- Fri. Oh, shucks. They don't usually meet on Fri. How exhausting.

Sen. Whitehouse Continues Pasta Dinners Here

2009-06-25T10:41:00.002-04:00

July 1 at 6 pm

Health Care Community Dinner - The Portuguese American Vasco de Gama Hall, 15 Fenner Ave., Newport, RI
Please bring your family and friends for a free macaroni and meatball community dinner on Wednesday, July 1 at 6 p.m. in Newport to share your personal story about the crisis in our health care system - and your ideas about how to fix it.

Click here to let them know you'll be there. I'll be there. So come already!

Budget News

2009-06-24T18:05:00.002-04:00

www.rifuture.org stating that flat tax freeze bill failed. No monies for towns/cities from the state is now likely.

The Office of the Health Commissioner is now restored. It's elimination was almost a million in savings.

House Budget Debate Today

2009-06-24T13:39:00.002-04:00

If every council/school person on the island hasn't written the local Reps., they get what they deserve- little State funding & ever-soaring property taxes. Hey, I've done my part. After this hurdle, the State Senate, but don't expect much rebellion there, although they could surprise you- I live in hope.

Lots of blah, blah about prostitution though. Of course, you could always try & attack the root of the problem, but that would actually take a plan & some $. Yup, by making it illegal, we'll definitely end prostitution in our state. It's worked everywhere else, right? This is where we want local police focusing their efforts. Of course, with no more funding or staffing.

Distract, distract, disctract.

NDN- "Wrong-Headed?"

2009-06-24T12:58:00.005-04:00

There is an interesting online article by Jim Brady, former exec editor of the "Washington Post" entitled, "Why A New (And Unusual) Pricing Strategy By A Rhode Island Paper Will Fail." The title kind of says it all.

While praising the local rag (NDN) for at least trying a unique strategy to increase their income, "But to me, this model reeks of desperation. It’s as if, having used all of its bullets in the battle to preserve print revenue, Newport has now decided to throw its gun at the problem.

He points out that you can obtain local news on the web for zilch from a number of sites, including yours truly.

"In my view, young readers today aren’t anti-newspaper; they’re pro-web. Now, they can get deep, detailed information on any topic they choose. They can get a variety of views on issues that matter to them. They can find and interact with people who share their interests and/or ideologies. They can engage in direct discussions with journalists and newsmakers alike. And they can get it all whenever and however they want it. Young people don’t rely on the web for news because it’s free. They rely on the web because, collectively, it provides them with a better, more personalized experience than they could ever get from a one-size-fits-all daily newspaper. Add in the environmental concerns that many now have with the physical newspaper, and it’s easy to see why newspapers are in the trouble they’re in."

He's hit the nail on the head; and it's not just those young readers either. If ever there was a time for the NDN to develop a strong online presence, this be the time. Or someone else will beat them to it & leave them nowhere else to go in the future. Will their new strategy be a sucess? Yup, they'll say that it is. But down the road.... And I want them to suceed.

"To me, this strategy is even worse than a Hail Mary pass: It’s a Hail Mary pass that, even if completed, still leaves you on your own 20 yard line."

And where did I initially find this out- online, of course. http://www.newport-now.com/

Health Insurance & Socialism

2009-06-22T14:46:00.001-04:00

The opinion article in the NDN on Wed. certainly caught my eyes with Rep. Loughlin screaming, "Socialized Medicine- Don't go There." Socialized medicine. I haven't heard that bugaboo since I was a h.s. debater with the topic of whether or not we should adopt Medicare. It was in the early 1900's that the AMA decided to torpedo attempts to supply Amercian's health care coverage with the then ominous threat of "socialism." OOOh, very scary. It also sounds like Communism- aren't they the same? Nope. What socialist countries can you even name off the top of your head?

Do you know who the AMA got to promote this campaign of deep-sixing Medicare in the Sixties? Ah, that vernable Republican icon- Ronald Reagan. What else has the AMA opposed under this banner- HMO's, Medicare, Medicaid, chiropractors, and it's not all that crazy about psychiatrists either. With less than 15% of practicing physicians now belonging to this group, who cares?

Rep. Loughlin also touts the "Patients' Choice Act." Sounds good, right? Choice is good. Unfortunately, this act is now also commonly referred to as the Swiss Cheese Policy and not because it tastes good or melts well. Sure, you'll be able to get healthcare coverage. Ah, but pricing, pricing, there's the rub. Women will pay more along with seniors like me. Just when you need it, how can you afford it?

The good Rep. also supports "Medicare Accountability" organizations. Yup, let's concentrate all our efforts fixing a program that works. Tax credits (this only works if you actually are paying substantial taxes to begin with), taking away your rights to sue physicians, hospitals, etc. all are part of his solution to our healthcare dilema. Less government is better (boy, that certainly worked out in New Orleans, didn't it), Wash. bureaucrats made this mess (hey, didn't Republicans runn the show for 14 yrs.) & berating Rep. Kennedy along with the DMV (it's recently taken me less time there than at my doctor's)= Conservative Republican magical mystery tour. He forgot to mention that he also favors mom & apple pie, rah, rah.

I don't want "universal acess" to health care, I want affordable coverage for everyone! I also want a single-payer system. Choice- yup. I choose a public plan and, if I want, I add to it with private coverage. Do I trust insurance companies to now suddenly come up with a plan to economize? Oh, surely. They just never thought that we were interested in that before.

Don't go there, indeed. We should have travelled there years ago and it's people like State Rep. Loughlin that blocked us. He wants us to have the same quality healthcare that Rep. Kennedy enjoys. 75% of the his costs are paid for by- US as part of the federal plan (FEHBP). Yup, I could live with that.

How stupid are we? Let's see- 119 million Americans are ready to sign-up today for a public plan. And sixty-three percent favor an increase in the governmental regs over their health care plans while attempting to lower costs and cover more Americans. Six out of ten Americans believe that health care should be a right. Not so dumb after all.

Patients' Choice Act? We don't need no stinking patients choice act! We need universal health care insurance. Now.

Health Insurance for ALL

2009-06-22T14:43:00.003-04:00

This is the time to send your message to your two Senators- Reed & Whitehouse. Sen. Reed has come up with an alternate program which does NOT offer a strong public health insurance option.

Want health insurance costs to go down? The only way this will happen is to control drug costs & take some of the profit out of it, along with better management. It needs to be ready on day one. That's what happened with Medicare & the world did not collapse- quite the contrary.

Do it now! Click here:

http://pol.moveon.org/fax?tg=FSRI_2.FSRI_1&cp_id=967&id=16427-4550874-_w9Dynx&t=4

I've spent a LOT of time looking into healthcare costs over the past few years. Strong public option- end of many of our problems, including economic.

"The Health Care for America Now campaign in Rhode Island released a letter today signed by 40 Rhode Island state legislators to President Obama and Congress urging them to pass comprehensive health care reform within the year. The letter, which has been signed by more than 700 state legislators nationwide, urges congress to pass a bill that controls costs, extends coverage to all Americans, and gives all businesses and individuals the choice of buying into a strong public insurance plan." (letter)

Our local Signers:
Sen. Louis DiPalma, Sen. Charles Levesque, Sen. M. Teresa Paiva Weed, Rep. Amy Rice, Rep. Deborah Ruggiero

Child and Family Fundraiser

2009-06-22T10:56:00.001-04:00

Eileen,
Did you get anything at the Child and Family fundraiser? There were all kinds of sizes! I bought some wonderful items, including a really neat hat! What a good way to raise funds for a great cause!
Sandra Flowers

What Do YOU Think about the Proposed State Budget?

2009-06-22T09:07:00.001-04:00

Your legislators want to know- truly. E-mail them or leave comments here. What do you think about the elimination of the new Insurance Regulators' office? Elimination of state aid? Freezing of school aid? Addition of new gas tax? Capital gains' tax elimination? Raising of the limits for Inheritance taxes?

You can't expect them to fight for you if they don't hear from you. They certainly will hear from various lobbying groups, though. So lobby for yourself & your family.

Rep. Deb Ruggiero wants to hear from you on the budget proposal. She is especially concerned over the elimination of the Insurance Commissioner. It seems to be that a quick million dollar cut was needed & this fit the bill- simple as that.

Hearings begin Wed. at 1 pm in the House.

Click here to urge repeal of the flat tax.

72 Hours & Counting

2009-06-22T09:01:00.002-04:00

Let your local legislators hear from you now! The guv's budget is out for months, but the Houses' for only a week prior to the vote.

This is the link for sending a message to your legislators to repeal the flat tax & help restore general revenue sharing to our District.

Flat Tax Costs to You

2009-06-21T21:30:00.003-04:00

Here is what the flat tax costs you the local property tax payer. The % is the amount your taxes will need to go up to make-up for the proposed general fund monies no longer to be received. All this for less than 15 wealthy individuals (19 in Newport, 22 in Portsmouth)). End or freeze the flat tax & aid will be restored. Seems like a no-brainer to me. Sorry, this tax NEVER made any sense given R.I. economic position for the past several years.

Our property taxes should be going down, not constantly upward. How much longer before local residents say "No More" & place a good portion of the blame where it should be- the State Lege & the guv. Our tax system needs to be fairer and we should be eliminating breaks which have no proven positive effect to the citizenry- we, the people. Not, we the few.

Middletown: 2.185%

Newport: 2.508%

Little Compton: .951%

Tiverton: 1.753%

Portsmouth: 1.386%

Happy Fathers' Day! And quit your bellyaching, for crying out loud!

2009-06-19T17:45:00.000-04:00

My dad was Walter James Rice. His mom had wanted to name him Finbarr. Luckily in those days mother's didn't go to the christening, and so his two step-sisters took him & named him Walter. His bro didn't fare quite so well with the middle name of Aloysius.

My father died suddenly of a heart attack in 1973. He had chronic heartburn & spent the night thinking that he was having a really bad case of it. He wasn't. Saying this was a shock is an understatement! He owned the only tool & die shop in Middletown. He was 53 & is buried in St. Columba's.

He was born in Worcester from an Irish railroading family. A childhood illness & a lousy doctor left him deaf in one ear. This rendered him 4F for WWII but also enabled him to be the first in his family to attend college on a scholarship - Worcester State Teachers' College. He kept trying to enter the service, but always failed the physical. Even though he knew this was inevitable, he tried every branch, inc. the merchant marine.

He didn't teach for long (no money in it). He worked for the R.R. until it basically died, then managed a small steel co. in Sparrows Pt., Md. next to Bethlehem Steel. When my uncle died, he came up here to manage his tool & die shop & bought it. He was an Industrial Engineer, before an entire career was outsourced.

What I learned from my Dad:

How to float, keep your ice cream cone from dripping, the names of local trees & flowers, and how to scratch yourself on the rough bark of a tree when you get mosquito bites. I learned how to grow gladiolas & no matter how matter varieties & colors that you grow, they all eventually end up the same color unless you buy new bulbs.

A glass of beer periodically is a good thing, along with telling jokes & singing songs. I learned the meaning of "Erin Go Bragh," that wearing orange on St. Pat's day was an insult (and justifiably punishable with a good beating), & I'm still wondering who put those foolish trousers in Mrs. Murphy's Chower.

I learned how to appreciate classical music and opera and how to wink. Operating electonics is fun & inputs & outputs aren't all that complicated. You should peel your skin when you get a sunburn. Learning to snap your fingers takes practice - a little spit can be helpful.

I learned how to change a tire, clean & gap spark plugs, & jump an engine. I also know how to remove an air filter, & open a stuck butterfly valve with a screwdriver while standing a respectable distance away as there could be a rather surprising & sudden start-up (ka-pow!).

I learned how to play baseball, shoot hoops, love the Red Sox (even when they ALWAYS broke your heart), and how sleeping while watching sports on t.v. is good. But even better is going to sporting events.

For crying out loud, when you're playing the outfield, quit foolin' around & pay attention! He'd played semi-pro ball & could hit a baseball to every player in the field during practice. He'd point his bat at you ("Heads up!") & could hit the ball low, high, or right at you. I've never seen anyone else who could do this.

Standing up for yourself is important even if it means socking someone in the stomach. No one has the right to insult you because you're Irish or Catholic (or anything else).

Work is good. Sleeping late isn't. Family is important as are friends. Give them a hand without questioning if they ever need it. And if anyone ever gives you a backstab, be creative & smart making sure they never do it to you or anyone else ever again.

Try to avoid courts & lawyers. But if you can't, fight until the end & hire a shark!

Fast cars are good! Birthday cakes can also be lemon meringue pies or whatever strikes your fancy. Find something to do! It's not my job to entertain you.

Sports are fun & teaching kids to play them is even more fun. Spitting watermelon takes practice. Whistling also takes practice & you can whittle your own whistle with a jacknife. Armpit farts are hilarious, but you need a little sweat there first.

If you break a neighbor's windows with a baseball or bb shot, ain't no big deal. Just be careful! Do you know how to think? Don't give me any of that backtalk!

Kids matter. Stand-up for them even if it means going to magistrate's courts because a neighbor doesn't like them playing ball in the street. A neat back yard is good, but a baseball diamond is better. Play fair.

Dinner just isn't complete without dessert. Money isn't everything, but it helps. Give the stock market a whirl & start a savings account. Have life insurance. Buy a house & try to pay your mortgage down early. When you have a business, keep your workers going, even if this means reaching into your own savings until owers pay their bills.

Going barefoot is good. Don't bellyache or whine, for cryin' out loud. A Worcester accent is quite different from my mom's Prov. accent. Who knew? Go to Church on Sun. It's okay to sleep through a sermon, but don't snore. And No talking! Don't forget to make a donation.

Scouting is a good thing. Have a hobby & switch them around. Oil painting is hard & takes practice. Learning is never-ending. Volunteer to help others without being asked.

Unions are good (but not perfect) and Democrats are even better. We're all the same. We want a comfortable home, good food including ice cream, a job that pays decently, and better lives for our kids that we are willing to sacrifice for. We want our parents to be safe, happy, & have what they need to enjoy their life.

Teachers aren't always right & math is easy (personally, I never got this one & figured that God gave me those 10 fingers for a darn-good reason).

My Dad was always right & looking out for me. Doggone, he was the smartest man I've ever known & I NEVER caught him on a mistake. Learning about & seeing history is fun. Vacations are family affairs, necessary, & full of laughs. Take them.

He taught me to play poker for pennies (or paper clips), but I could never keep what beat what straight unless he wrote it down.

Quit fighting with you brother. And if he EVER touches you, tell me. He'll never do it again!

Girls are every bit as good boys and there is no such thing as "appropriate work" for either. Share with your brother & sister & watch out for them. Read. Endlessly. Making movies with 8 mm & Super 8 takes practice but is well worthwhile. Running a projector & splicing are simple. Silent movies are hilarious (& free from the library)!

Developing film takes time, a dark space, & a red bulb. Be careful with chemicals. Miniature railroading is downright entertaining. Be careful when soldering & a grinding stone is quite useful. Tape recorders- no problem!

Respect your elders but sometimes they're full of baloney. Just because someone tells you that something is true, doesn't mean that it is. God gave you two ears for a reason- let it go in one & out the other. Eileen, you'd cut off your nose to spit your face.

Life is short with no guarantees, so enjoy it every chance that you get! Do it yourself. Have you got two broken arms?

Archery is a good sport & golf doesn't make a whole lot of sense (but a good club collection is worthwhile). Kind of like fishing. A lot of nothing for a few seconds of thrills.

Don't use bad language. Gasoline powered mowers are better than push. Don't ever raise your own turkey because you'll never be able to kill it for Thanksgiving.

Practical jokes are great fun and short-sheeting a bed is easy. If someone is deaf, learn what they're weak side is so that you're not ignored with a blank stare when you ask a question. Conventiently-deaf goes along with being actually deaf. Learn to tell the difference.

Dads almost always say yes. Don't EVER make them mad! Stay away if they are mad.

You don't have to tell your mother everything. Just agree with her & do what you want if you think it's right.

Don't smoke (he did)! Don't always believe Doctors (he died a month after a major physical at the Mayo clinic). Be nice to those who work for you. Without them, you don't have a job yourself. Not a bit of difference between management & labor. We're all just trying to earn a living. So be fair & generous! Give labor a voice & a chance to make decisions. Give a guy a break. You're not so perfect yourself.

So everybody doesn't like you. Who cares? Get over it. Don't be afraid to take a chance. Hey, it might work.

Don't back-talk your mother & do what she tells you the FIRST TIME.

Learning to drive a stick-shift is hard. Shouting usually doesn't do any good, but patience does.

Liver doesn't taste that good and you don't have to eat it. Manure is good for the grass but really stinks!!! If you're a guy, keep your hair cut!

You can't always win, so what? Quit your crying & wipe that puss off your face. Try your best. So what if everyone is watching you? What do you care what people think? You don't have to be perfect.

Riding a bike takes lots of practice. When you fall off, get back on. Buy ice skates larger than you need, wear thick socks, & you'll grow into them (this was lousy advice - my feet never grew bigger).

The most important thing in a car accident, is not the car, it's You & other people. A car can be fixed. That's why you have insurance. You didn't mean to do it. That's why it's called an accident. Always remember to turn your head around when you are backing up & go slow!

Enjoy a good boxing match. Wrestling is fun to watch on t.v. or live, but it's all fake. Live baseball & football are the best! Have a glass of beer once-in-awhile. Laugh!

Use PLENTY of lighter fluid on that charcoal. But remember to stand back.

You don't have to take that kind of crap! Speak up for yourself & your brother & sister. What's the worse they can do to you? Who do they think that they are? Who do you think you are? TURN THAT MUSIC DOWN! Did you hear what I said? Quiet down in there, I'm trying to read the newspaper!

Speak up for yourself! Be generous. Quit being a crybaby. Who cares if they don't like you? Tell them you don't like them either. Tell the truth but the occassional fib doesn't hurt.

If somebody asks you, go out with them once. You don't have to go out with them again & you don't have to marry them. There are plenty of fish in the sea! College should be fun. And yes, you are going. You need to be able to earn a living for yourself.

Teaching is a great profession for a woman & mother. You get the summers off!

Get to bed - now! Are you deaf?

You kids are lucky.

Darn right. I'm still laughing! I'm still here (and so are my Mom, my bro, & sis)! And I'm still a Democrat! My first rally was a whistle stop for Adlai Stevenson sitting on my Dad's shoulders.

Oh, and when the train whistles, get off of that track! Are you stupid? Haven't you got any common sense?

Happy Fathers' Dad to all the Dads out there! And quit your whining!

Freebies on Sun. & Mon. Only

2009-06-19T16:40:00.004-04:00

Newport County residents and employees of the local hospitality industry will be eligible for free admission or other discounts at a number of local attractions during “Newport County Days” on Sunday and Monday. The event is sponsored by the Attractions Council of Newport County.

To receive the discount, visitors must show proof of residency, such as a driver’s license or other identification with an address, or proof of hospitality employment, such as a business card, an employee ID or pay stub.

Free admission:

*Astors’ Beechwood mansion, 580 Bellevue Ave., Newport. 846-3772.
*Belcourt Castle, 657 Bellevue Ave., Newport. 846-0669.
* Historic Fort Adams, Fort Adams State Park, Harrison Avenue, Newport. 841-0707.
* International Tennis Hall of Fame & Museum, 194 Bellevue Ave., Newport. 849-3990.
* Museum of Newport History and Shop, Brick Market, 127 Thames St, Newport. 841-8770.
* Museum of Yachting, Fort Adams State Park. 847-1018.
* Newport Art Museum, 76 Bellevue Ave., Newport. 848-8200. Sunday only; closed Monday.
* Norman Bird Sanctuary, 583 Third Beach Road, Middletown. 846-2577.
* Save The Bay Exploration Center & Aquarium at Easton’s Beach, 175 Memorial Blvd.,
Newport. 324-6020.
*Newport mansions, which include The Breakers, The Breakers Stable & Carriage House (open Sunday only), Chateau-sur-Mer, Chepstow, The Elms, Hunter House, Isaac Bell House, Kingscote, Marble House and Rosecliff; also Green Animals Topiary Garden in Portsmouth.
Ten percent discount at all Newport Mansions Stores. 847-1000.
* Free toursu International Yacht Restoration School, 449 Thames St., Newport. 848-5777.
* Tour at 1 p.m.Vineyards Sakonnet Vineyards, 162 Main Road, Little Compton. Ten percent off wine purchases. 635-8486.
* Greenvale Vineyard, 582 Wapping Road, Portsmouth. Free tasting. 847-3777.
* Newport Vineyards & Winery, 909 East Main Road, Middletown. Free tour and tasting. 848-5161.
*Harbor tours u Amazing Grace Harbor Tours/Oldport Marine, America’s Cup Avenue, Newport. Free harbor tours. 847-9109.
* Sightsailing of Newport/ Bowen’s Wharf , Newport. Free sailing aboard the Schooner Aquidneck. 849-3333.
* Easton’s Beach, 175 Memorial Blvd. Free carousel rides. 845-5599.
* Newport Grand, Admiral Kalbfus Road, Newport. 500 reward points when signing up for a Grand Rewards Card. 849-5000.
* Ride the Jamestown Ferry to the Rose Island Lighthouse. Tickets are buy one, get one free; free admission to the lighthouse. 847-4242.

(source)

Towns Lose Under New Budget

2009-06-19T09:44:00.005-04:00

Under the House's proposed General Budget, aid to towns & cities will be deep-sixed.

% = amount of municipal budget loss

Middletown $829,818 3.8%
Newport $1,564,837 2.92%
Tiverton $547,575 3.34%
Little Compton $89,670 1.93%

Portsmouth $554,736 2.84%

This could be restored in the flat tax were frozen or eliminated. But we wouldn't want to actually help all of us with our own monies, would be?

Thanks to http://www.rifuture.org/ & Tom Sgorous for the info. Meanwhile we keep the flat tax which costs us all lost revenues for the benefit of fewer than 15 residents. How's the working out for us?

Now is the time to let your local legislators hear your scream- before budget approval.

School aid is frozen, I believe- where it has been for the past few years while their expenses have gone up. How much more of this can local property tax payers bear? The Assembly swallowed up many sources of our income while looking "cool." Not so glam, however, when we all have to make up for the local shortfalls.

Local councils should be screaming along with local legislators. Listen ...

Free Yoga!

2009-06-17T18:38:00.005-04:00

Come to a free yoga class Newport Hospital Wed Jun 24 noon !

All-Level YogaEIE Community Room, 3rd Floor MacLaurin, Newport Hospital

New Session begins the week after. Wednesday noon $48 for a 6 week pass Single class $10

Janne Sahady, Registered Yoga Teacher

Call 401-465-6577

Other yoga possibilities this summer– First Beach Monday series July 6: 6-7PM

Zumba Dance- Linda Rawstron July 13: 6-7PM

Yoga on the Beach- Janne Sahady July 20: 6-7 PM

Dance and Movement- Shake Your Soul- Christopher & Katherine Carbone July 27: 6-7PM Gentle Yoga- Christopher and Katherine Carbone Aug 3: 6-7 PM **

Beach Walk (information on walking included) - Janne Sahady Aug 10: 6-7PM

Zumba Gold- Newport Athletic Club (Valley Rd., Middletown) Aug 17 - TBA

**FREE Yoga in Ballard Park in Newport http://www.ballardpark.org/events.html Yoga at Innerlight, 850 Aquidneck Ave, Middletown http://www.innerlightyoga.com/ Yoga at Tenth Gate, Old Almy Village, 1016 East Main Rd, Portsmouth, RI 02871 http://www.tenthgateyogacenter.com/ Gentle Yoga at Norman Bird Sanctuary Monday 6pm See calendar at http://www.normanbirdsanctuary.org/

Enjoy!

Habitate for Humanity Fundraiser this Fri.

2009-06-17T18:36:00.002-04:00

To kick off the Habitat for Humanity, East Bay RI Chapter upcoming build, we will be hosting our inaugural fundraising event June 19th at the Rotunda Ballroom on Easton’s beach in Newport.

Ticket price will include appetizers and cocktails (yes, open bar!) as well as entertainment and a silent auction.
The carousel will be open for rides and we will have a presentation detailing the upcoming build.

Tickets are $75.00 per person and are tax deductible.
Please join us in to celebrate and help out our neighbors in need!

There are a limited number of tickets available so don't wait to book your reservation.

You can make the check out to Habitat for Humanity of RI of East Bay, Inc and mail or give to me or purchase through the info below.

Please call or email me with any questions at 401-527-3264 or Danielle.braun@veritude.com

Nothing in Size 12

2009-06-17T18:24:00.003-04:00

Ophelia's Wardrobe is a fundraiser for the Ophelia Sessions held by C & Family of Newport Co. They have new/used designer clothing for all! Tickets for the $60 preview & auction Fri. nt. while the actual sale is Sat. & Sun. at Wakehurt (Ochre Point & Leroy- good luck with parking). 10-4; 10-2.

Yes, I'll be there and NO there will be nothing there that is size 12 or size 8- 81/2 in shoes. So don't even look; although, there may be something after I leave. But everything else is a go!

It's a good cause & is held every other year.

Call 401-848-4150 for more information or for tickets.

How is Your Bank Doing?

2009-06-16T08:30:00.006-04:00

Today the AP announced that it will distribute work by four investigative non-profits being: "the Center for Public Integrity, the Investigative Reporting Workshop at American University, the Center for Investigative Reporting, and ProPublica." This is a six month trial arrangement due to the fact that newspapers rarely offer investigative reporting while there is an ever-increasing non-profit sector offering such. A trail marriage, if you will.

One such site is the second offering a tool for researching the current financial status of your your bank with current FDIC numbers. Click here. Citizens Bank has its main office in Prov. while you can find Newport Fed & Bank Newport here in Newport.

Two banks in R.I. rec'd bailout funding. They are: Bankcorp of R.I. & Independence Bank. (via Propublica)

R.I. Pen Pals for Y.A.

2009-06-14T10:50:00.004-04:00

I'm lifting this post from "The Cat's Meow" from MPL. Too bad kids can't pick this up from school computers- remember, they've banned me & anyone using blogspot. Because the school dept. can & no one complains. Nope, we wouldn't want them to know anything about their own public library, would we.

Young adults can obtain a pen pal from- R.I.! No postage required. Way Cool!

"A very cool thing is happening in RI thanks to the amazing Aaron C., Young Adult librarian at Greenville Public Library. Aaron is putting together a YA summer pen pal program for teens 11-18 years old. And we are talking old school pen-pal'ing. Paper and pen! (Come on, you know you want to try it. See how old people did it way back in the 1980s.)

Here's the 411:~Fill out an introductory letter form* and turn it in to the MPL Reference Department by July 3rd. (*Forms are available in the YA section or email ChristinaWolfskehl@yahoo.com for a copy.)

~Aaron C. (the YA librarian I mentioned above) will match you with someone your age who has the same interests. Your pen pal will be from another town or city in Rhode Island.~Check back after July 14th to find out who your pen pal partner is.

~Write letters to your pen pal and turn them in at the Reference Desk. (Don't worry! The letters are only read by your snail-mail buddy. We just save you the postage when we forward them to your pen pal.)

~I will email/call when you receive a new letter from your pen pal.

So whaddaya say? Take a break from texting and try connecting with someone the old fashion way."

It's a good post & I hope some ya's out there can make use of this. (source) Thanks to all concerned for doing this.

Middletown Council Meets Monday

2009-06-14T10:44:00.000-04:00

At 6 pm they meet to discuss the West Side Master plan regarding the town's plan to bid & purchase Navy land by Greene Lane.

There is an interesting item in the Consent Calendar which is usually just voted on & not discussed. Evidently everyone agrees to opening sealed minutes of Nov. 07 & Dec. 07 regarding the Kempen case. Expect to hear more on this later.

There is a resolution to approve combining Newport Co. Visitors Ctr. with East Bay Tourism Council.

On the regular calendar there are various other items, but nothing extremely notable. Councilor Silveira has asked for an update regarding the contract the schools entered into with Salve Regina Univ.

I also heard a recent complaint that the town used to print it's proposed budget in the newspapers with a dept. breakdown. This time it was just the bottom line. Curious.

If there is anything of interest, I'll try & get video up on Wed.; providing, of course, that all the planets are in the correct alignment.

Rep. Kennedy in Medical Treatment

2009-06-13T12:12:00.004-04:00

Mental health concerns along with addictions require constant monitoring & vigilance. Hat's off to the Rep. who has the good sense along with a strong monitoring system of doctors and friends who help keep him on track. He's decided for a time to forsake D.C. for some medical treatment for undisclosed problems.

A father who is ill, an aging mom, a re-invigorated Congress- no, no life stressors there. A past history of addictions, substance abuse, and mental illness- what fun. I run a local mental health community group. Some of the stories I hear there are heart-wrenching while there's also sucess stories to give us all hope. More and more families are touched nowadays by these diseases and we're just not willing to keep it to ourselves, suck it up, or blame ourselves or our family member or friend any longer.

Treatments are out there, but this is an area that needs a lot more research as sometimes the "cures" are almost as bad as the never-ending diseases themselves. I often think that if these sufferers (and they do suffer along with their families & friends) had a more "acceptable" disease like heart problems, diabetes, or developmental difficulties, they'd have a lot more positive outcomes in diagnosis, treatment, & community assistance.

I have a LOT of admiration for Patrick because he admits to not very fashionable problems, works on his treatment, and admits to failure sometimes- something that we can all relate to. He also goes out of his way & comfort zone in trying to assure that others have the same treatment acess that he does. Having $ helps in many ways along with famous name, but it ultimately does not make for a perfect life. Go figure.

So take your time getting better, Patrick. And when you feel up to it, you're always welcome to our group meetings- once a month at the Newport public library- check their website. You're not alone and we're all pulling for you. By helping you, we help ourselves, our families, & our community.

Online NDN Does NOT Want Your Business

2009-06-13T00:58:00.005-04:00

Newport Daily News: Charging for news online from Nieman Journalism Lab on Vimeo.

or: Bucky Sherman Speaks! Well, you likely new that he did, but never heard him. Also featured is Managing Editor (?) Sheila Mullowney; although, I believe her working title is "Daily News Goddess." LOL!

Ah-h, all part of their nefarious plan to get your to buy newspapers, evidenced by their recent online appearance (NDN). Force them to NOT PURCHASE the online edition and they will come. Sounds strange to me but a lot of people, esp. other papers, are watching.

Thanks to Nieman for the video & article. They are expecting to follow-up at summer's end & in the Fall.

What will be the result of all this hoopla? Probably nothing. But I think that's their hope & people will stop annoying them asking for online news. If subscriptions drop- interesting. If online works- amazing. If nothing- still somewhat interesting, I guess. Fortunately, I don't own the paper.

Online pricing beings Monday.

Mortgagee Sale in Portsmouth

2009-06-12T01:59:00.001-04:00

Now you may wonder why I'd be interested in this lovely waterfront multi-million $ home in Portsmouth. Or maybe not. This particular one is up for mortgagee sale as it's owner, Doylestown Partners, has defaulted on their loan (NDN- Thurs.). Yeah, you say, not exactly earth-shattering news.

Ah, Doylestown Partners. Now it gets interesting. They filed for Ch. 11 more than a yr. ago. It's listed in the R.I. Corporate data base as a real estate investment foreign corporation with Daniel Patrick Reilly as Secretary & sis, Shannon (4 companies at her address) as Prez. Ah, Dan Reilly. He ran for State Rep. against Rep. Amy Rice. Age 19? or maybe it's 20 now. He & his family keep writing those anti-Rice letters to the local paper.

Doylestown Partners owns 105 Heidi Dr. which is the home of said Dan Reilly, now going bye-bye. Uh-oh.

Can't daddy William J. Reilly (lawyer & with 14 companies at his Boca Raton address) who along with his wife currently owe the State of Rhode Island more than one million dollars in back taxes help out (Hey, didn't they promise to "take care" of this before the last election? NDN)? Just a slight mistake.

BTW, I was the first with the scofflaw story. Love that Google.

So where's poor Dan going to live? Maybe his bro., Christopher, who lives in Middletown & is V. Pres. of Shamrock Equity with an address of the same Heidi Dr. could help out. Daddy also owns this company. Shamrock lent Dan's campaign thousand of $ with Dan listing himself as an employee of same. Daddy couldn't directly lend it under his own or the company name because of campaign limits. Understandable since Dan has yet to hold a full-time job while studying at Bryant- Shamrock employment notwithstanding. Of course, he did hold a summer job at the Dept. of Environment. No, I'm quite sure that the guv had nothing to do with this. These jobs are so easy to get.

The house was refinanced in 2007 after being purchased in 2000 from- the Reilly's. One other former partner/owner was the former owner of- Doylestown Partners. Following all this? So why would you want to pay back all that equity that you pulled-out? Heck, maybe one of your other companies can buy it for less $ than is owed on it & then refinance again. Sounds like a plan to me.

Oops, maybe no help from daddy after all. It seems that he's current under an SEC frauds indictment. Forming a shell company with no assets & no income, but not exactly revealing this when it goes public, turns out to be not a good thing after all. And him a N.Y. lawyer who "... presently serves with the rank of Commander in the United States Naval Reserve, Judge Advocate General's Corps..." (source) That S.E.C., sometimes it actually takes a dim view of cheating investors. Who knew?

Poor Dan. No home, no money, no tuition. I'll bet poor Portsmouth, too. It's difficult paying local property taxes when you're not making your mortgage payments. But don't worry, Dan. There's a strong social services net out there to help you & your family fostered by your favorite guy, our guv- NOT! Or Plan B- maybe Rep. Rice can bid on the house & rent you a room. Of course, she may not be too keen on this after the dirty tricks you pulled off during the last election.

Kinda young to already be an officer of a bankrupt co., not to mention losing your home address. Let's see. Amy Rice owns a business & a home, pays her taxes, and has a full-time job. She & her family still live here and haven't formed dummy corporations or bankrupted any of them, I'm guessing. They also don't write vicious letters to the local rag about Dan, and I'll bet not one of them has ever been indicted by the feds. Guess they're just not living right.

And you wanted to be my Rep.

Do you think R.I. will collect it's mil in back taxes? Do you think you'll win the next Power Ball? Yeah, I figure the odds are about the same.

Donnybrook Brewing in Prov.

2009-06-11T16:04:00.000-04:00

Have you been following this? Prov.'s Mayor Cicilline seems surprised that a mayors' conference (June 12-16) planned for a number of years is going to be picketed by Unionists. Oddly enough, go to the conference web site and you'd never know there is a problem, let alone that V.P. Biden & many other White House officials will be no-shows. Well, duh, this isn't the first time it's happened. Let's see- '04, '07, '08. It was inevitable & now Prov. officials seem surprised & shocked, yes, shocked, that the fire dept. is angry that the Mayor promised them a contract & after 7 yrs. they're still waiting.

So now invitees are cancelling & other groups are planning on joining the picket lines. What? You've never walked a picket line? Ever run into one & consider crossing it? Never? Wow, you've led a secluded life. I recall many years ago when I went grocery shopping with my mom. Some of the union workers there were striking & picketing. My mom would not cross that line, food purchases would just have to wait. I don't cross either.

"That individual protestors and/or protest groups give notice in writing of the maximum number of persons participating, and the names and addresses of the organizers of any such march, assembly, meeting or gathering, its route, and its time of inception and duration at least 24 hours before such inception." (There is a special form here). Yes, we know that you have the right to assembly, but we don't want to make it too easy for you.

So the city suddenly decides that it is need of some new picketing rules. You must sign up 24 hrs. in advance, stand in certain places only, be prepared for searches if you have a backpack, or bad, etc. Oh, and no glass bottles. Wow, shades of '68 & "the whole world is watching."

So far, here are the group participants in the pickets:

•Local 799, International Association of Fire Fighters
•Lodge 3, Fraternal Order of Police
•AFL-CIO
•Local 217, United Here
•RIFuture.org
•People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals
•Direct Action for Rights and Equality
•Local 1199, Service Employees International Union (Providence Head Start employees)

Hmm, I'm kinda curious about the Animal group. Well, I suppose that firemen are animals or maybe it's in the interests of the old firehouse dog (more treats- now!). This conference will attrack world-wide coverage now- for you does/does not show up. Will some agreement be reached before all this comes-to-be? LOL! More later with updates as the come in.

End the Flat Tax!

2009-06-11T07:37:00.003-04:00

The time for contacting your legislators to make those hard budget and lege decisions is NOW. The premise of the flat tax is that rich people will stay here & spend like crazy. So, how's that working out? Not that good it seems.

That sound you've been hearing is the sucking of our economy into bottomless quicksand. We are forfeiting hundreds of millions of $ in income for ??? Meanwhile the guv proposed to raise taxes on many middle income residents.

How many local residents use the flat tax? I'm so happy that you asked. Less than 15 in: Middletown, Tiverton, Little Compton, and Jamestown. 19 in Newport & 22 in Portsmouth. Almost off of these people earned over $200,000.

Where do most residents of the flat tax live? Well, besides NOT-HERE:

Providence 112
East Greenwich 77
Barrington 64
Cranston 54
Warwick 52
Lincoln 38
Cumberland 26
Bristol 25
North Kingston 24
Narragansett 18
Westerly 17

838 residents took advantage of this tax break. 1,429 non-residents did also. What? You mean you didn't get a major tax break from the state? Oops, guess you're just no special enough. Your lobbyist must have been sleeping.

Do I think that this will happen? It just might being that in involves so much in minus revenue. I think that the least that you will witness is the freezing of this tax benefit rather than it's being phased in using ever-decreasing % tax rates. Really, how do you justify job losses, loss of health benefits for the poor and elderly, etc. for what amounts to a lucky few & the members of the lucky sperm club?

C'mon. Click here for the necessary info with e-addresses. Let them know how you feel even if you don't agree with me. Don't leave it up to others. They LIKE to hear from you- take my word for it. You'll likely even get a quick response thanking you for your input.

Think that your property taxes (and various fees) will go up next yr.? Wait a year- you ain't seen nothin' yet.

$45.7 mil- that's the current hit that our State has taken with the implementation of this tax. That's a lotta lobsta rolls!

"Eliminate the Expensive Flat Tax. $23.4 million this year was given to 4,384 individuals, 2,500 of whom do not live in Rhode Island. All of these individuals earn more than $336,550 per year. The rational is that these households build jobs in Rhode Island . This is debatable. What isn't debatable is that re-building our economy depends on the ability of low- and moderate- income families to spend locally. In these tough times, we can't afford the flat tax." (source)

Dear Govenor Carcieri, Kindly Shut Up!

2009-06-10T09:26:00.006-04:00

I'm a member of the Middletown Economic Development Committee. We take our mission seriously- good jobs for our town & area. Remember, I was here in 1973 when the Navy went bye-bye. I saw first-hand the personal & economic devastation this had on our little island which has taken us years to recover from. The argument that in fact we never did, would hold some water.

During our monthly meeting we discussed a recent conference held in Newport. This was the National Defense Industrial Association, 6th Annual National Small Business Conference. No doubt about it- without the Navy here bringing in the defense industry, we'd be- just another tourist spot . We sponsored an outside reception along with the Newport Chamber of Commerce, & some state agencies. This was a first for everyone involed and, in fact, we were even given an appreciation plaque for doing so. Few towns/cities in the State are as active a group as we are.

We have a new website, a flyer, & our town-paid part-time director- the Mayforth Group. We're serious about keeping the jobs that we have and trying to attract even more! Middletown wants your business.

One of our members & conference attendees mentioned how ironic it was that we were promoting, promoting, promoting while the speakers/presenters continually mentioned what a "bad" state we were to do business in. This is due to the many national mag/newspaper articles stating this as a "fact." Another mention was made how of hard the state of Michigan works in t.v. ads to promote its State (and things ain't all that great there). Mich. has a Dem. guv but many years of a Republican lege (not currently). So, how did that work out for them? Still, their guv promotes & you're own your own figuring out their shortcomings.

Our guv was elected with a pro-business platform (Republican version- no taxes & they will come). Now, I can live with that- campaign blah, blah, blah. He was going to reform the Lege with a newly invigorated Republican Party. Unfortunately (for him) it didn't happen & he often went out of his way to antagonize the Dem. Lege. Why? Perhaps these things are connected?

Time after time he harps on R.I.'s unfriendly business climate trotting out his stats while forgetting Mark Twain's definition of the three kinds of lies- lies, damned lies, and statistics. www.rifuture.org has been scrupulous about pointing out errors & omissions in this never ending rhetoric of self-bashing (reminds me of the old song- "Ever since my mashocistic baby went & left me, I've got nothing to hit but the wall"). The main stream press picked up on a Governor's denigration of his own state and ran with it, echoing his rhetoric. This continues throughout his administration & appointees who all seem to have been handed the same script & instructed to talk it up.

Unfortunately- backfire! If it wasn't true or was only partially true- say it enough times and perception becomes reality. It it was true- publicly saying & detailing it constantly benefitted us- how? I'd like to know. Where is the calculable proof that ANY of the tax incentives/benefits that we've given away over the years actually WORK? We would certainly demand that in education. Why not here? And if it does, why hasn't the State rallied round you, esp. in tough times?

So please, Governor, kindly bite your lip. Short-term, long-term (which means we'll all be dead), how has your "poor business climate" mantra helped us? You can't say that you're focusing on bringing jobs here while also constantly hammering on how "unfriendly" we are. Just Shut Up! Please. Although I think at this point it's too darn late. It's hard for us to move forward when we're being beat-up on all fronts with our own weapons.

I'm really trying hard to be nice here, but I'm feeling mighty grumpy. Just shut up. Please. Or better yet, say something nice. Often. Frequently. And tell your friends, too. Things like, "We have lots of capacity in Michigan [substitute R.I. here] and workers who know how to make things,” (Gov. Granholm)

Down (but not out) at First Beach Update

2009-06-09T22:27:00.000-04:00

**UPDATE** My new friend, Barry, sent me the lowdown on First Beach. The new harvester should be up & running next week. It was working fine ... until it wasn't. I would imagine there is a learning curve here for the operator(s).

He uses real butter, fresh lettuce, & Hellman's mayo for the twin lobster rolls. "Broadwalk" fries which are twice the cost of regular ones, but "worth it," are used. Portion size has been increased rather than profit now that the lobster costs have decreased. He uses frozen lobster. I didn't even realize that they froze lobster. I thought that it was only canned. They are super and I am fussy about these as I so seldom have one. Eat one & save the other for later. Or better yet- bring a friend! Buy local! Pray for sun & warm weather, too! ***

More correctly, I suppose it's Easton's Beach. I've been eagerly awaiting the new thresher which is supposed to control or eliminate the awful red seaweed there. Yuck! Unfortunately, I understand that the first time out it blew one of its balloon tires- not an auspicious sign. So no-go for awhile, but who swims now anyway besides the polar bears? On this promise of reduced seaweed, I am purcashing a beach sticker.

I love this beach! Close to me, picturesque, good parking, a nice walkway, & just downright pretty. If you have never tried the snackbar- do! Get the twin lobster rolls with fries. What a deal for $11 when compared to the current fresh market price of $24 for one elsewhere! Now I'm assuming it's canned lobster, but still -darn good with large chunks, a light mayo, & lettuce. It doesn't overflow so you can actually hold it in your hand while eating. Sitting at the beach in the sunlight while deliciously warm and eating lobster. Life is good.

You can always get a deal by parking, paying the fee, getting your snackbar recipe, & then being reimbused everything but $2. Same deal with the carousel. Sounds like a plan to me. Let's be honest here. Riding the carousel is fun at any age.

Their website also has two good webcams of the beach.

NDN Online

2009-06-09T09:35:00.006-04:00

My friend, John at Hard Deadlines, wrote an excellent review of their new pay online edition. As of yet, in their use of online resources, they just don't "get it." They've also deep-sixed reporter Joe Baker's political blog which was never really given a change at sucess. What a waste of a good local reporter. Some simple pointers on Internet blogging could have helped here. Don't they ... like ... read?

Lord knows that I'm no expert at this stuff, but even I know that I could give better advice than they seem to have used. In their online edition, they eliminated what makes online interesting & relevant. It's just the print edition in a format that is often difficult to use (like article continuation) & "moody" with a number of flaws. In fact, it makes you yearn to hold the print paper in your hands just to simplify things.

Now that the free time is up, I'm wondering exactly what will be online without paying? Have they actually attracted any new subsribers? What made the little that they previously offered even mildly interesting to me was the "comments" section & now it's gone. I used to be able to link to their articles. Meanwhile, Eastbay Newspapers just keeps getting better & better- and it's free! Projo is also well-done offering print & extra video content along with smaller blogs like Sheila Lennon's catch-all.

NDN keeps trying to put the information genie back into the print edition. If you want me to pay for my news, you need to offer me what I can't find elsewhere and at a reasonable price. Otherwise, I'll continue to do what I do now- buy the paper (sometimes), use the library, talk to people, read Projo (online & print), and find what I'm interested in online- for nothing.

So will I pay for the online edition that you are offering? No. Why pay for mostly features, ads, &, announcements with much of the actual news from agencies (the same argument I have with the print edition)? Why would I pay extra so that I could print-out coupons? And I now realize from John's "Comments" that you can only use it on 3 IEP's. So, I'm already done in. Forget using it if I travel. In my home there are 3 computers- 2 laptops & one big, old system.

So read John's review. He's right on the money with this one. So sad, I really wanted it to succeed just as I do the the paper, so why do they keep on foot-shooting and how many extra feet have they got to spare? Local news. That's what I want. And funnies. That's what I'm willing to pay for. Local news with some State content. The other stuff is easy to get- free. Heck, John & I give it away- with video (plus pithy commentary) and open comments- no name required.

Strawberries Ready!

2009-06-07T07:04:00.000-04:00

Check out your favorite supplier, but Sweet Berry Farm is ready on Monday at 8 am.

D-Day Thoughts from a Young Irish Girl

2009-06-06T08:43:00.000-04:00

This is written by my husband, Frank Spillane who is a Vietnam-era veteran. His mom was a young girl who after finishing school in Sneem, County Kerry and was sent to live with her sisters in England so that she could find work. She remembers the Americans coming to England to help fight the war. Britain was almost finished. Women were working in the gasoline stations as the men were all gone. Betty Spillane is still around & now lives at Blenheim.

June 6 is here and my thoughts go back to the D-Day invasion. I wasn't in the Second World War but my mother was. She was a nurse-in-training in Birmingham (large industrial port), England during the Battle of Britain. When I was a small boy she told me of the air battle that took place overhead in the skies of England. During night duty on the hosptial wards, nurses wore combat helmets and gas masks. The sounds of the different planes overhead indicated to people below what type of plane it was and if it was German or English. A heavy drone sound in the early evening hour usually meant that it was a German bomber. These bombers would follow the Thames River to establish direction and time.

Then one day there were thousands of American soldiers there. Boy, were they happy to see them! At one point there was a dance to which all the young women were invited by the soldiers. There was food!!! Roast beef, potatoes, coffee, liquor... They hadn't had some of these foods in years & were close to starvation. Then came apple pie and wonder of all wonders- ice cream. She had never seen to much ice cream in her life! It was vanilla & she rec'd two scoops on top of her pie. It was heavenly! God bless all those Amercians. God bless all of the food. Maybe Britain wasn't done for yet. Maybe someday she'd get back home.

Local Farmers' Markets

2009-06-05T07:22:00.000-04:00

Coming soon, although you can now also buy products locally! Try Sweet Berry Farm or Chase Farms in Portsmouth on East Main (many plants also). You can also go to the Green Grocer in P'mouth on Fri. from 3-6. Haven't been there yet.

I love these things. You can buy almost anything from farm produce- both grown & meats, prepared foods to-go, plants, and whoever else shows that day. Have a hotdog or It. sandwich with Middletown's own Lou & Denise of "Lou's Hotdogs." Knishes, too!

I'm listing the closest. Right now farm products include all kinds of greens, kale, scallions, lettuce, mushrooms, asparagus, radish, rhubarb (yum), and some herbs. Too early for strawberries, sigh. Meats, eggs, milk, cream... if you can't find them, you ain't looking. I always try & puchase Rhody Fresh- no hormones! There is also a Tiverton farm which supplies local products- Arruda Dairy. And don't forget Susanna's homemade ice cream (she's always working out new combos) at Sweet Berry & Cory's Kitchen bakery products. Ahhh, why I live here- well, one reason, at least.

Local farm products- good for you and No Recalls! And ALWAYS- local honey; esp. if you or your pets have allergies!

There is a new location this yr.- the Grange! And I hadn't previously known about the Green Grocer.

Aquidneck Growers' Wednesday June 10
Wed 2:00-6:00 Memorial Blvd. along the wall

Aquidneck Growers' Saturday June 6
Sat 9:00-1:00 Middletown Newport Vineyards & Winery

Middletown / Aquidneck Grange June18
Thu 2:00-6:00 Middletown Aquidneck Grange corner of Aquidneck & E. Main Rd.

Portsmouth
Fri 3:00-6:00 May-Nov The Green Grocer E. Main Rd. (must be inside their store)

Sakonnet Growers' Market June 27
Sat 9:00-1:00 Tiverton Pardon Gray Preserve

St. Sen. DiPalma, Pt. 2

2009-06-04T20:01:00.000-04:00

St. Sen. DiPalma before the Middletown Town Council

2009-06-04T20:00:00.004-04:00

**UPDATE** Darn! All that editing & hours of stuff for naught. I fixed & hopefully link will work now.

This is Sen. DiPalma giving a lege update at the Mon. Council meeting. I missed the first 3? minutes- the State is doing roadwork on W. Main, most of the Charter changes are on the guv's desk waiting to be signed, and the change giving seniors with limited incomes a local tax break is in committee.

Since it was so long (too long- 13 min.), it had to be divided. See Pt. 2.

My totally unsoliticed advice: whoa, Nellie! Stick to a script (less than 5 min.) which would help eliminate the run-on sentences during which we fall asleep wherein you also throw in so much stuff that it's like my kitchen sink and I lose track whereupon the sentence ends and I hear something I'm interested in but I'm so off-track at that point that it takes me by surprise and I'm unsure that I heard it correctly. Got it? KISS.

Party On

2009-06-04T15:43:00.003-04:00

In a follow-up to Monday's follow-up, Moderate Party of Rhode Island Chairman Ken Block now reports that the Board of Elections has provided him with signature petition forms. Now it's up to Block and his supporters to get 23,588 signatures from registered voters and get them certified by the board of canvassers of Rhode Island's 39 townships. With that accomplished, the MPRI will become one of the state's official political parties, and it can field candidates for the 2010 state elections.

Signature petition forms are now available at Block's business, Sympatico Software Systems, at 20 Altieri Way, #3 in Warwick, RI. Block will be throwing a petition party at Sympatico from 5 to 7 P.M. on Monday, June 15, where volunteers can pick up forms and celebrate the MPRI's legal victory. Further down the road, Block will be organizing his volunteers to collect signatures during the Fourth of July parade in Bristol. He figures if he can hit the streets with enough volunteers, he'll be able to get all 23,588 signatures that day.

So, if you'd like to help Ken Block launch his less-insane rival to the Rhode Island GOP, swing on over to his office in Warwick, pick up some forms, and go out and get those signatures. Because you can never have too many conservative political parties.

Newport Gulls Open Fri.

2009-06-04T15:28:00.003-04:00

The Gulls play in Newport's historic Cardines Field. The tickets are cheap $4-$1 for topnotch ball & a heckuva good time for all.

Games being at 6:35. Plenty of parking in the area- just be prepared to pay.

Swiss Village Annual Open House

2009-06-04T07:00:00.004-04:00

Annual Visitors Day Saturday, June 6, 2009

9:30 am - 3 pm

You must go if you've never been. Wear your walking shoes. Parking at the

Free parking available at Fort Adams State Park

Trolleys will shuttle between parking area and SVF

9:30 am - 3 pm.

No parking will be allowed onsite. SVF Foundation is a non-profit organization working towards the preservation of endangered breeds of livestock. Please visit www.svffoundation.org for in depth information regarding our mission. SVF will be opening to the public for one special day to allow visitors a glimpse of the beautiful historic estate and an opportunity to learn about our important scientific mission.For more information contact the main office. Phone: 401.848.7229

Email info@svffoundation.org

Combine Island Senior Centers

2009-06-03T07:53:00.000-04:00

Undeniable is the need for cities and towns to manage their funding even more judicially than in the past. The merging of school districts has been on the drawing table for more than 30 yrs. with only reputed cost savings and facing many obstacles. I suggest another more easily accomplished possibility offered by combining services of senior centers. The resulting outcome could offer more community benefits.

Right now our island supports two in Newport, one in Middletown, and one in Portsmouth. All three face financial difficulties. Their mission is to enable seniors to remain in current housing while availing themselves of community assistance- a noble and financially astute plan of benefit to all. Seniors belong in their community in their current housing whenever possible. Specialized group housing is expensive.

Supposing these centers offered one newsletter with one set of activities (different places, different times). These activities could also reach out to all segments of the community offering cooking classes, exercise, fine arts, etc. Combined centers operating loosely under one umbrella could become a reality. Think multi-purpose centers here.

Currently Newport offers its Edward King House for rental and seniors there keep that funding. Why does Middletown not do the same at its location? I see that the local Historical Soc. is having a dinner there one evening. It is also noted that the Sec. & Councilor Santos are one & the same. So what is the lending policy? Rental venues command prime rates. This center offers parking and new kitchen with a large open area. Why not open its doors with a simple secure passkey for local meetings? There are few places to do so with even Town Hall often holding meetings back-to-back.

Newport and Portsmouth also support their centers not just through the towns, but non-profit foundations. This opens up other funding possibilities besides the State. It also makes the centers more responsible not only for funding, but for management and offering what members ($10 fee) want. Both towns operate their libraries under this system (another possibility for Middletown).

Fewer government regs and expense with more control by users sounds like a win-win situation to me. Senior centers then become not part of town government, but do receive some bottom-line funding from them; quasi-town entities, if you will. It certainly makes for more simplified town budgets in this regard. More services, fewer tax dollars. It's a small island after all.

Formalizing island-wide senior centers -in actuality they are now anyway since any senior may join any group, sounds like a winner to me. It's at least worth some thoughtful consideration.

Middletown Council Meets

2009-06-02T09:33:00.004-04:00

It was a long one, preceeded by a workshop on the new assessment, & followed by a closed session meeting on Union negotiations. How do they stand it?

One reason making this meeting so long is loose control. This results in endless yak-yak and confusion. Sometimes, it's difficult to know who is in charge. At one point Councilor Silveira referred to the Town Admin. (Sean Brown) as "Mr. Chairman." Too often everyone's gaze is directed at the Town Solicitor (Mike Miller), "The Great Arbiter", or "The Quiet Man" Brown.

This has to do with an inexperienced chair, & a table shape that denies members from actually seeing/hearing each other, and members not speaking directly into their mic's (or lousy mic's). All easy fixes, but...

I'll cover major points & post video up ?Wed.

To receive the same income from last year, your tax rates would need to increase 1.54%. That's NOT good news. Commercial is 2.39%. Detailed assessment info by name/location will soon be posted on the town website.

When Councilor VonVillas asked Tax Assessor for a really simple answer as to why your home value will decrease but not your taxes, she didn't get it. Oh, you silly girl. She is concerned that it may well be a "big surprise" when locals receive their tax bill in August. Yup.

Three memorandums from the Planning Board rec'd too much conversation. You vote to receive these or not. Not this time. Two members recused themselves accidentally (Bozyan & Prez Semonelli). I think. They did, then they didn't, but who knows. Even the Prez, supposedly running the meeting, was confused. They really wanted to recuse themselves later in the agenda.

Recusals. I am assured by Councilor Bozyan that he did confer with the Ethic Board and was told that it was a necessary action on his part. I believe him. I don't know when the line is drawn that you should go before the Ethics Commission for a decision; e.g., Councilor Santos as Treasurer for the local historical group. So I asked. If you have nothing in writing from them, it counts for butkus. It's your opinion based on how you interpreted what you were told & the facts that you revealed privately. You may well not want your business laid out for the public to read, but that's how it goes. It takes nothing but filing a form & an appearance to receive a written opinion.

Sen. DiPalma gave a lege update. Sorry, I found it long & confusing. The bad news is- the State is in an ever-deepening hole- almost $600 mil. And "the worst is yet to come" when Stimulus funds end in 2011. Good news- sorry, little. The lege will likely approve recent Charter changes. Prostitution, school funding formulas, holding harmless, tax structure, library funding- it all blurred by iffiness & a confusing ramble. KISS Forget the details, stick with the bullets. Nice try, though & your effort is appreciated.

Much discussion ensued with a request from the Substance & Abuse Task Force to impose training sessions on liquor store employees. The concern was that this is an "unfunded mandate" (VonVillas) with the Prez also expressing concern. Right now, it's covered through fed grants, but that could always end. This was the first hearing & it will be on the agenda again before it's voted on. Councilman Silveira wanted more into from police (stats) that this ordinance would actually address and solve a problem- underage drinking.

The wind turbine ordinance is still being worked on and Solicitor "The Great Arbiter" Miller is instructed to draw up a moratorium ordinance until one is actually in effect.

There was some lively discussion once again on the School Committee's request for $30,000 to move the Kennedy School playground equipment to the Gaudet School field area. Councilor Santos voted against it just when the topic was brought up & Councilor VonVillas wanted to know what the vote was on. Again, confusion.

Upshot, Councilor Santos is NOT fond of the school committee, thought that they should fund this, & wanted these monies from somewhere besides Parks & Rec. Something to do with the "kids"? having to replace railings & a "band-aid" approach to Second Beach. You've got me.

Councilor VonVillas tried to keep the discussion on track with the playground being a "community resource .... We're not doing this for the school."

Mr. Hawes ("Open Space" chair) spoke that he supported having a "really good site at Gaudet [to include playground equipment]" and "Get it done! I don't care where the money comes from." The discussion continued with Mr. Viveiros from the audience speaking to the need for proper budgets to be prepared, eliminating requests like these- especially from the School Dept. School Dept. -65% of the town's budget. That's where this pointed anger is coming from. Thank you, State of Rhode Island & fed'l gov't from so little $ and so many mandates.

Councilor Silveira again tried to draw the discussion down to the topic at hand with, "It's all ours. We're all in this together. I take offense at "us" against "them." "Them" being the school department and "us" being the town. One more audience speaker- Manny Mello, "Let them move it themselves." You get the drift.

Bottom line- playground goes to Gaudet. Councilor Mello is "for" playgrounds but voted against because of the funding source. "Them" should fund it, I guess.

And totally off topic, I asked the school facilities director if a backboard was ever returning to the Gaudet tennis courts. YES!! Sometime!! But I had to agree to use it. Okay and that's likely the only way you'll get me to those courts for awhile. Read this as: out of practice and lousy at serves.

Signature Tune

2009-06-01T23:59:00.004-04:00

In a follow-up to Saturday's post about the Moderate Party lawsuit, MPRI Chairman Ken Block writes about his meeting Monday morning with Board of Elections executive director Robert Kando. It turns out that the BoE is "re-designing" the signature collection forms, so the MPRI won't be able to start collecting those 23,500 signatures just yet. When will the re-design be complete? Kando didn't say. What's the procedure for redesigning the forms? There isn't one. The BoE will have to come up with some procedures . . . sometime. Then they can do the actual re-design . . . sometime.

If I were a cynical person, I might think that Kando's "form re-design" was just a shoddy ploy to delay the MPRI from collecting its signatures. But I am a stranger to cynicism, so I'll just assume that the Board of Elections has nothing better to do than re-design its various forms. If that's the case, then I've got a way for our cash-strapped state government to save some money: shut down the board of elections in odd-numbered years. Just think how much money the state would save if it only had to pay Robert Kando's salary every other year! I think I'll suggest this to my own state rep, Peter Martin, while I remind him about my views on marriage equality.

Meanwhile, Kando raised the possibility of appealing Judge Smith's decision. Ralph Mollis says State isn't planning to appeal the decision, but no word yet from Patrick Lynch whether the A.G.s office might do so.

Good-bye, GM

2009-06-01T09:26:00.003-04:00

Here is Michael Moore's take on the "new" GM. Moore's landmark documentary "Roger and Me'" warned of the unforseen, destructive consequences of the path GM & other Am. Corp. were taking. Like when you let all of us go to produce elsewhere, who the heck do you think is going to buy your product? When you put most of your efforts into short-term profits, what happenes to the long term? Henry Ford, after all, "got it" when he doubled his worker's pay & decreased working hours.

I drive a light truck Escalade. I really didn't want such a large vehicle, but I needed something. The feds in an effort to help GM offered generous tax credits for the purchase of this & other like vehicles. Alas, nothing for anything smaller or gas efficient. Uncle Sam in his wisdom, wanted me to buy this vehicle & rewarded me with tax incentives for doing so. Heck, my mother didn't raise any fools. Ahhh, short term profits. Who then anticipated a major gas shortage? Who cared?

Moore is proposing retooling car manufacturing plants to build a light rail system crossing the U.S. in five years. He also calls for a $2 tax on each gallon of gasoline to convince Americans to use rail and new, efficient busses. Read other suggestions- like tax incentives for those converting their homes to alternative energy sources.

Michael isn't the only one calling for a new, "green" economy. This week's "NOW" makes a strong case for a re-tooling of our industrial base. "...Environmental activist Van Jones, founder of "Green for All," an environmental group dedicated to bringing green jobs to the disadvantaged .... was was appointed as special advisor for Green Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation at the White House Council on Environmental Quality. Now that he has the President's ear, will Jones be creating a new career frontier for America?"

The curse of living in "interesting times."

Rhode Island's Budget Crisis

2009-06-01T08:25:00.000-04:00

Event:
Solving Rhode Island’s Budget Crisis: What Should be Done?

Please join us for a discussion about Rhode Island’s current budget deficit and taxation policy. The current fiscal crisis will be reviewed with a focus on how the state’s finances became so out-of-whack. Components of the Governor’s Fiscal Year 2010 budget will be explained and an alternative strategy will be presented to ameliorate the ongoing structural deficit. Ample time will be provided for a question and answer period. After the presentation, attendees will be encouraged to contact their state Representatives and Senators.

For more information visit - http://www.ripda.org/

Tuesday, June 02, 2009 6:30 PM - 8 PM

Middletown Public Library 700 West Main Road Middletown, RI 02842 See Map

http://middletownpubliclibrary.org/

Voter I.D. in R.I. & Provisional Ballots

2009-06-01T07:00:00.005-04:00

The recent House bill requiring picture i.d. when voting blows what's left of my mind. We're passing this bill because of all the people here trying to vote who are not eligible. Wait, no, that's not it. We're demanding it because we want voting to be more difficult, slower, & to make sure all those undesirables out there quit trying to vote.

Nope! Not it either- I think. Although I do think this bill may well be code words for the latter. We're doing it because you need a picture i.d. for practically everything. Well, not really. In fact, when you do need a picture i.d., it's because there is some governmental law requiring it.

Saying that this is a good thing because you sometimes need a picture i.d. is like my kids trying the old- because everyone else is doing it gambit. Worth a try but a waste of time- except with our lege.

Rep. Amy Rice is right- just don't need it & will make voting lines longer. Heck, some of these poll workers have difficulty doing the job as it is now (and God bless them for even doing it for lousy pay and a VERY long day with little training). Voting is a right we are born with or acquire. It's not something extra or nice to have- like a drivers' license, or a credit card, or an airline ticket. If you don't want to give it to me- picture or not- I say the onus is on you to try & prove that I'm NOT entitled to it.

Passing legislation we don't need for a non-problem. Relatively easy to do when you know that it will likely never get out of the Senate committee hearing it. Also easy to do when House leadership wants it passed & subtly intimating any legislation that you want passed will die quietly.

The Newport Daily News also was against this bill- hey, lots of times we agree. BTW, I could give you the link, but then you'd have to pay me.

Rep. Amy Rice- against (3 cheers for her!), everyone else- for. BTW, this latter info is difficult to find out unless you ask someone, hope the newspaper publishes it (rare), or wait for the daily lege journal to be published & know that date it was voted on. SO-O-O-O not useful. Accident? Please, don't make me laugh. NDN reporter Joe Baker, did publish the results (NDN, Sat.). Sorry, it gets harder & harder to link to this paper without holding the actual paper in front of me. You can still get it online for a week, but you have to register. After that, it's all $.

Why even bother with all this provisional ballot stuff- just shoot 'em. Ahh, provisional ballots. Ever try one of these? Take my word for it, loads of fun & extremely time-consuming. We went through 3 poll workers before we could even get one (for husband's mom). What's that you want? Hey, he said, she has a right to vote! And she did after signing papers & listening to a long list of instructions- while in a wheelchair. We had to return later with the proper docs (a bill with her current address). Who knew that you have to file every election for a mail-in ballot when living in a nursing home? Nice to be told. Yup, the other voters in line loved us. But sure sounds simple, right? Just vote with a provisional ballot.

Sure will be fun trying to get a voter i.d. for someone who is a senior, wasn't born here, has no drivers' license, etc., etc.

So a resounding bronx cheer for those lege voting for this bill. Somehow, if this ever becomes law, I know that it's going to cost me $.

Fashion Show Sunday at 3 at M KofC

2009-05-30T18:03:00.001-04:00

A reminder to anyone who would like to spend a few hours with some fun folks ...

The Forum Lodge Sons of Italy is holding a fashion show, "Let Me Take You on a Sea Cruise," tomorrow, Sunday, May 31, at 3 PM in the Middletown Knights of Columbus Hall on Valley Road.

Outfits provided by TJ Maxx, Life is Good, Michael Hayes for Kids, and Viking Tuxedo. Yes, we'll have men and children modeling, too!

Tickets are only $10 (get them at the door) and include chances for door prizes and some delicious goodies.

See you then ...
Shirley Ripa, President
Sandra Flowers, Secretary

Moderation Now!

2009-05-30T08:38:00.004-04:00

Yesterday saw the outcome of a lawsuit filed by the RI chapter of the ACLU back in February on behalf of the Moderate Party of Rhode Island. US District Judge William Smith ruled that the state's law requiring that would-be political parties wait until an election year before gathering qualifying signatures was unconstitutional. Thus, the MPRI can start in right now to gather the 23,500 or so signatures they need to qualify as a political party. (The 23,500 number comes from another law requiring would-be parties to collect 5% of the voter turnout from the last election. Judge Smith ruled that this law was constitutional.)

The MPRI is the brainchild of Barrington business owner Ken Block, a small-government conservative who came to the conclusion that the GOP didn't really mean it when they claimed to favor small government. As a gander at their website shows, the Moderate Party of Rhode Island is only moderate compared to the modern Republican Party. They favor term limits for state legislators, a two-year term limit for the Speaker of the House and President of the Senate, stringent ethics rules, and general lowering of taxes and spending. Block writes, "The hot button social topics of our times (abortion, illegal immigration, etc) necessarily must take a legislative back seat while our economy is repaired and the erosion of the tax base reversed."

It was their need to pander to their base of religious zealots and xenophobes that led the Republican Party to put social topics front and center in the first place, and this has played an important role in their recent collapse here in New England. As I've mentioned before, I think Ken Block's MPRI has the potential to give Rhode Island Democrats a sane opposition party, so I welcome Judge Smith's decision. In fact, I'll even help Brock gather signatures, and as a registered voter I'll add my own Stephen Hopkins to his registration papers.

Good luck, Ken. I hope you make it.

Basic Education Plan

2009-05-30T07:00:00.003-04:00

I've done two postings on this & the press has yet to pick up on what these new proposed regs actually mean for schools & towns; except for Projo. Even teachers (except for school librarians) seem to be clueless.

Tom Sgouros has picked up on the story with "But who will run the programs?" He gets it. Lots of yak-yak in the new regs about great programs, but zilch about who will run them, how, or even when.

Talk about gutting education, these will do it. These regs are school committees' bibles. It details most everything down to how many books need to be in a library & how much $ needs to be spent per pupil (?$1.69- last computed in 1969). Updated- yes. But these were gutted. And what are we getting for it? Simplification. Yeah. That's what they say. Change that to stupefication.

What we really need to do- come up with a plan (state, federal, AND local) to fund education, not strangle it.

I was speaking last week to an art teacher who currently works in the h.s. & formerly the elementary schools. She was speaking of how students get a top notch experience in primary grades, but most then receive zilch in middle school. In h.s. students are req'd to take one art class. A senior was given a "C" by her. This student wanted "A" for a grade point average, so kept coming after school to work with her until the grade was achieved. She lamented that this would not have been necessary if the student had rec'd a better background in Art, but... Think this will improve?

Newport School Committee woman, Dr. Sandra Flowers, who writes here, says these changes are a good thing & will give teachers more freedom in the classroom. I don't get it. B.E.P. never caused me any problems and actually helped me as librarian. The only constrictions that I ever felt were caused by Principals & School Committees who seemingly rec'd messages from God & issued their commands while descending from the mountain and intermingling with we, the sinners- the common people.

However, maybe Sandra is right & I'm missing something. The great flying spaghetti monster hasn't communicated with me recently.

Middletown Council Meets Monday & Fog

2009-05-29T07:46:00.001-04:00

There is a fun-filled prelim meeting at 6 for the "Tax Assessor Report on Town Revaluation and matters related there to." So did you get your assessment recently? The ones that I've seen from Newport & Middletown all went down. I think that my home decreased by $90,000. But that's the good news.

The bad news is that odds are your taxes will not go down. Heck, they'll go up. They'll discuss the recent ev-al & it's relevancy to the tax rate at this meeting, I would think. Awfully difficult to present a bill to the public when your home is worth less, but you're paying more. Please, kick us while we're down.

Then there is the regular agenda at 7, also fun-filled. I'll try & get some video up by Wed. Unless the weather is good & I'm actually out having fun.

The Middletown Economic Advisory Committee recently was awarded a private grant from the Michael & Kitty Dukakis Center at Northeaster Univ. for the Economic Development Assessment tool worth $5000. This is the correct link. "This on-going research collaboration between the Dukakis Center, the private sector and municipal governments uses a web-based self-assessment test to determine how capable a municipality is when competing for development." Good stuff**

The Planning Board is recommending that the entire town ordinance on senior housing be stricken while the town's solicitor is remmending just deleting the offending age phrase. One might ask the two recusing Council members to actually get Ethics Board decisions regarding this. Voting on important matters now & in the future is... well, important. Otherwise, it may appear that the weasel factor plays a role in the decision. This is still an open public hearing. If this ordinance becomes history, then another one will have to be written.

They also will again have an open hearing regarding new harbor mooring fees & windmills.

There is a proposed ordinance on requiring alcohol training certification for all liquor store owners and employees. Jeez, endless rules. All, of course, involving fees. Nickel & dimed to death. A property owner wants two "No Parking" signs on Fenner Ave. (my family's old stomping grounds) removed & once again the Council will address the request of the Schools for $ assistance with moving playground equipment from Kennedy to Gaudet.

The Dem. Town Committee Chair recommends his niece for the town's Personnel Review Board. This is a partisan board. Is it legal to recommend your niece? Sometimes, I just get plain silly, I know. It's the fog that has spread into my brain.

You know, for the first 10 yrs. or so that I lived here, I though that incoming land fog was strange smoke with no smell. I'd always seen fog when it was already in or coming off the water. I never actually saw it creep in over land like a low flying cloud. Hey, I was a city girl, after all. Where were all those fires coming from as I walked by Vernon Park off of Fenner Ave.? Oddly, it happened about the same time every night. It would slowly roll in with soft puffs of land-hugging odorless smoke. It took me awhile to figure it out. The fog really does come in on "little cat feet" when it claims the land. Hey, I never claimed to be the brightest bulb.

New Things to Tax

2009-05-28T12:55:00.003-04:00

As the lege ponder raising the tax on beer, while already raising the tax on ciggies, I've been pondering on how else the State could raise funds. Of course, we could always pass non-regressive taxes, like based on actual income, but I don't want to go into the field of... beyond the beyond.

Lawn care. Everyone does it. Tax it. It applies only to owners/renters living in their actual residencies. Mowers & trimmers (electric only) would have readers on them like gas/electric. Hopefully, people would do less, save all our ears, slow down air pollution, blah, blah. Ah, peace & quiet.

Farting & burping. Also not good for the environment. I say fine 'em when in public places. Make it hefty. Hey, we could make a lot of money here. Heck, hang around those places that sell the beer!

We seem to be overly concerned with sex & who's having it. So... let's tax it. B&B's, hotels, could collect the tax for us. Just assume everyone is having it, point out the nearest drugstore, & presto! If they refuse, call it an abstinence tax. Those people definitely cost us $. They have federally fundated programs in the hundred millions, don't buy Viagra, & put that darn sex-toy shop out of business in Portsmouth. I say, tax the abstainers even more! Forget prostitution laws, go for the gold!

Wa-a-ay too much time on my hands.

Simmons Farm

2009-05-27T12:36:00.002-04:00

Picked this video up from Projo. Get the latest info.

Simmons Farm are now doing their summer greenhouse plantings. They produce meat, eggs, goat cheese, &, of course, veggies. Stand will be open soon. They have a petting farm!

Dance, dance dance!

2009-05-27T09:03:00.000-04:00

**UPDATE** Oh, darn! No bikini cruises. Yup, just a bunch of old fuddy-duddies here. Just as well. Doubt if that old bikini fits anyway!

Sorry, no time to blog- practicing my dancing. Where's that old bikini?

Cloudy with a chance of Meatballs

2009-05-27T08:02:00.003-04:00

No, no, that's a childrens' book & now a movie. I mean cloudy with a chance of showers, drizzle, & fog. For a few days. Until Saturday (we live in hope). Cool. AAAARRggghhh! Raincoat needed!

A clip- reminding us that the more things change- they don't.

Memorial Day

2009-05-25T01:14:00.000-04:00

We Remember.

This one's for you, Uncle Budd, John Aloysius Rice, former Master Sergeant who served in the Battle of the Bulge & was a member of the OSS.

Response to Rep. Martin

2009-05-21T12:57:00.000-04:00

Thanks for asking! My husband & I feel the same on this item. My two sons don't understand the big deal over it. They really don't care who is or isn't gay & think they should be afforded the same rights as men & women.

1. Vote FOR marriage equity.

I'm so happy to hear that God actually speaks to some. However, maybe their ears need a good cleaning? Giving gays marriage rights in no way diminishes me- so let them have their civil rights.

2. No referendum. We'll be overrun in this State with outside groups. It will be low-down & nasty. It may well bring forth hate groups & targeting. This seems to be an easy-out for legislators who don't want to be on record.

3. I'd still vote for full civil marriage rights for gays.

Newport's Rep. Martin Wants Your Opinion

2009-05-21T12:48:00.001-04:00

I rec'd this from him today. So let him know!

To my constituents and other friends:

As you might know, the House Committee on the Judiciary recently held a 5+ hour hearing on Marriage Equality.

During that evening we heard testimony from both sides of this issue. In summary:

The opponents express their opinions that it is the 'will of God' that marriage should exist only between one man and one woman. They express their opinions that same sex marriage is a violation of the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church and a violation of natural law.

The proponents express their opinions that only by granting marriage licenses to couples of the same sex will those people be given their civil rights. When offered a compromise of 'Civil Unions', they argue that only through a legally recognized marriage, will they be given all of the rights that heterosexual couples are granted.

I am getting many emails on this subject from people from all over the state. I am sending this email to you because I would like to hear the opinons of my own constituents on this issue.

My questions are:

1. How would you want me to vote on this issue?
2. Do you think that this question should be put before the voters?
3. How do you think that you would vote if it were on the ballot?

I purposefully did not make this a normal 'yes or no' poll because I want to hear your expressed opions on the issue.

Please respond to my email address at rep75@stacyhouse.com.

Thank you for your assistance on this matter.

Rep. Peter Martin
District 75

Middletown Sr. Center- Site for Locals?

2009-05-20T13:17:00.000-04:00

**UPDATE** I did ask the Town Admin. regarding this seeming "favoritism." I asked to use the Center once & was told it was only available to the Senior Center.
The town does make its buildings available at no charge. News to me. In this case the Center will receive a donation & the custodian will be paid, although I'm not quite sure WHO will pay.

So if you want a public building- just ask (and let me know what happens)!

Mr. Brown (the "Quiet Man") also pointed out that the new police station will feature a community room. This is good news as there most certainly is a shortage of these available to the public. However, I hesitate in being too joyful as there is also one at the Newport Police Sta. However, at any point in time you may be asked to leave if they need it for a hearing. Tough luck then. So... what's the point?

There is a need for a written policy here. And instituting a passkey system just makes good sense.

So the attitude of the current Senior Ctr. seems to be: why the heck would we want to charge for use of our building when we can give it away for free to those we like? Sometimes the logic is mind-boggling. What is even more boggling is that more haven't complained- loudly.

I would not be surprised, though, if you see oncoming changes here- but not quickly. So I complained & got everyone's attention- if only for a short time. So try it yourself- and let me know what happens . ***

"Middletown Senior Center, Green End Avenue, Newport, 6 p.m. The Middletown Historical Society will hold its annual meeting and potluck dinner. Guests should bring a dish to share. Free." (today's' NDN)

So my question is- why not lease this place out for you know, like actual $ ? I'm assuming this group is paying janitorial overtime & no fee for this venue. It certainly was never presented to the Sr. Center Board. How about opening this building up to other local groups for no-fee where the treasurer is not also a Council person? You could institute a pass card system which would eliminate cusotian overtime.

Huh? Why? Income. Community service. HELLO! Why does it only work for some?

So I'm e-mailing town gov't officials. Will let you know any responses.

Middletown Council Updated by Rep. Ruggiero

2009-05-20T10:03:00.000-04:00

Here is Rep. Ruggiero updating the Council on lege activity.

Middletown Council & Harbormaster

2009-05-20T10:00:00.000-04:00

In Mon. Council meeting, resident Art Benner spoke to the harbor ordinance. I mistakingly thought that it called for an increase in various costs to the public, but actually it was calling for a $25 fee to tie up to the town's 5 new public moorings at Third Beach. Hey, Mrs. Know-It-All doesn't know EVERYTHING.

Art brings up several valid points- mainly concerning the Harbormaster (Steve Ponte). This summer job is 5 days/wk.- no weekends when it's the busiest.

There are 70 moorings which bring in $100/yr. There is a waiting list of appx. 10 yrs. People often sublease these moorings. Now before a harbormaster, this was all income. Even with the pumping fees which the Harbormaster manages, thuis program falls short of $.

So why have a Harbormaster at all is Benner's valid question. The loss of this job would cost elem. Principal Ponte no severe hardship and all the other members of his family are town employees. We would then regain an income from Third Beach.

I've been at Second & Third Beaches where there were FIVE cop cars present. FIVE. And on more than one occasion. When there is a problem at the beaches who handles the problems- lifeguards & police. I'm wondering if at some point this job was originally funded through fed'l funding for homeland security. Well, it ain't now.

So here are Art's thoughts.

And a big thanks to John McDaid at Hard Deadlines who explained to me how to get video off the t.v. & my son who helped me with the finer points. I'm still working out kinks, but it's still pretty neat overall, I think.

Butterflies Released on Sat.

2009-05-20T07:38:00.000-04:00

MONARCH BUTTERFLY RELEASE —The Butterfly Zoo, 409 Bulgarmarsh Road, Tiverton, 1 p.m. Monarch butterflies will be released into the wild. Zoo hours are 11 a.m.4 p.m. In the event of inclement weather, the event will be postponed to May 24. Free. (NDN today)

Middletown Council Meets

2009-05-19T11:24:00.002-04:00

It was quiet & short- for me not the Council. They met before for a budget workshop & after for negotiations with the Police Dept. Lucky me.

State Rep. Ruggiero gave a lege update. Funny, with new Rep./Sen., they do that now. She is focusing on the tax exemption for sr. (I think that will be a local vote) & the charter changes. She is opposed to DOT taking over local bridges, favors net metering. She said that the biggest issues facing the lege are pension reform & local revenue sharing. She shes herself as an "extension to your team [Council]." Finally, someone who gets it.

The wind turbine ordinance is still being worked on & so was cont'd. 3 testified as to the need to slow traffic on Forest Ave. with a "Stop" sign- Bill Medeiros, Bruce Ryerson, Bruce Long. This now gets sent to the police for a review/study.

An interesting discussion took place during the ordinance to raise harbor fees. Art Benner addressed the need for a Harbor Master. While the Town Admin. "Wuite Man" Brown said that this job is self-sustaining (I think, I couldn't hear him will), Benner pointed out that these moorings at Third Beach used to bring in income (what an idea!). 70 mooring at $100/each. There is a 10 yr. waiting list & owners often sublet them. Brown also said that the town provides pumping services for a few. Benner also reminded everyone that no one is there on weekends when there is the most boat traffic.

Benner brought up some valid points. We could provide zilch & make bucks. Eliminating this summer job would cause little hardship to locals. Steve Ponte, current harbor master, is also an elem. principal. In point of fact, every member of his family is town employed. I'm with Benner on this one.

I've been at Second/Third Beach when 5 police cars have been present. Really. 5. On more than one occasion. All on break? The ordinance will be read again next time & voted on.

That's about it. You can always check out the agenda for specific info. Everything passed.

I'll try & post up some more video- maybe tomorrow if my efforts suceed.

Got Business Real Estate Listings?

2009-05-19T10:39:00.001-04:00

The Town of Middletown is initiating a service for local realtors and the business community by offing an opportunity to post listings for commercial properties (sales & lease) on the Middletown Economic Development Committee’s new web site: http://www.middletownedc.com/

We will host an informational meeting on May 27, 2009, 3 pm in the Town Council Chamber, Town Hall, 350 East Main Rd., Middletown. At this meeting we will give a demonstration of the site, and provide information needed for realtors to post listings.

Senator Reed Wants Money!

2009-05-19T09:50:00.004-04:00

This is the link for Sen. Reed's appropriation requests for 2010. Included are the Middletown Corporate Park improvements for appx. $1.38 million & monies for the new infrared system at First/Atlantic Beaches.

American Sail Training Organ. (Newport) for programs for youth at- risk while out of school: $250,000

City of Newport Incident Command Center: $250,000

URI- a Consortium for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology: $1,250,000. URI seeks funding for a nanotechnology consortium with Brown University.

Salve Regina University: $600,000. Salve requests funding to expand its Blackstone Valley Workforce Training Initiative in Pawtucket, Rhode Island.

Newport Ultraviolet Disinfection System: $1,000,000 for funding an ultraviolet (UV) disinfection system to reduce the bacteria loadings and improve beach water quality at Easton’s Beach.

Great Friends Meeting House Restoration- The Newport Historical Society: $265,000

Middletown Stormwater Infrastructure Improvements: $825,000

Newport Performing Arts Center, Restoration of the 1868 Newport Opera House: $500,000

Martin Luther King Community Center Repairs $180,000, Newport

Newport Cliff Walk Restoration: $3,000,000

Integrated Swimmer Defense Information Technology (ISD IT): $2,100,000 Middletown

Unique Item Identification (UII) Data Management SystemsRequest: $4,500,000, Tracking Solutions, Portsmouth

Common Command and Control Mission System: $2,400,000, Adaptive Methods, Middletown

Submarine Environment for Evaluation and Development (SEED): $4,000,000, Advanced Solutions for Tomorrow (ASFT), Middletown

Ellipsoidal Unmanned Underwater Vehicle: $5,500,000, Alion Science and Technology, Middletown

Improved Submarine Towed Array Systems: $4,100,000, BAE Systems, Middletown

Harbor Shield: $4,000,000, Battelle, Newport, RI

Engineered Biological Detectors for Biological Warfare Request: $1,500,000, BCR Diagnostics, Inc., Jamestown

Undersea Warfare Decision Support System: $2,000,000, DDL OMNI Engineering, Middletown

DoD Impact Aid Funding for Children with Disabilities: $5,000,000, National program used by schools in Newport, Portsmouth, and Middletown

Quiet and Compact Power Conversion and Actuators for Undersea Devices: $1,000,000, Electro Standard Laboratories (ESL), Cranston with work is to be performed at Naval Undersea Warfare Center, Newport

Virtual Maintenance Engineering Platform (VMEP): $1,200,000, General Physics Corporation, Middletown

Marine Personnel Carrier (MPC) Support System: $3,000,000, Group 81, Inc., Newport

Comprehensive Mishap Reduction System (CMR): $5,400,000, McLaughlin Research Corp., Middletown

Weapon Acquisition & Firing System (WAFS): $4,000,000, MIKEL, Middletown

Laser Collective Combat Advanced Training System (LCCATS): $7,000,000, MPRI/L-3, Middletown

Item Name: Reconfigurable Command and Control Center (RCACC): $2,615,000, Paramount Solutions, Newport

Acoustic Countermeasures Technology Transition: $3,000,000, Progeny, Middletown

Feature Based Pattern Recognition for Force Protection: $3,000,000, Prometheus Inc., Newport

Zumwalt Class Destroyer Program (DDG-1000): $Support President’s Budget, Raytheon (3rd ship)

Artificial Intelligence – Based Combat System (AI-BCS) Kernel: $5,000,000, Rite Solutions, Middletown

Narragansett Bay Hydrographic Survey: $4,000,000, SAIC, Newport

Organic Submarine Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance, and Target Demonstration (ISRT OSAID): $5,000,000, Sea Corp, Middletown

There were more referring to the Navy Base & URI, but I weary. Nothing for mental health. Big sigh. Will all of these be granted? No.

Economic Stress Index.

2009-05-19T07:10:00.000-04:00

"The Associated Press Economic Stress Index weighs three economic variables – unemployment, foreclosures and bankruptcy – to produce a score on a scale of 0-100 that measures how the recession is affecting a county compared to all others."

It will be updated monthly. Newport County:11.16; Providence at 13.75

Newport Daily News Online!

2009-05-18T12:08:00.004-04:00

They've taken the entire print edition & copied each page. You can view it that way (and go blind) or see it in an easier to read format. You can also vew ads, announcements, etc. Pics are also there. It's also searchable with a LOT of unneeded directions. But they're new at this.

I liked it.

But then there's the cost. I don't get it. Online is $5/day or $10/wk. Home delivery is close to that price (well, a LOT cheaper by the day). Huh? They actually blame their current, extremely abbreviated online edition for dropping subscriber numbers. Au contraire, mon ami. Perhaps it had something to do with- like why people actually read papers- CONTENT. Combine the delivered paper with online for $10/month.

It will be interesting to see how they fare here. Over the years their online presence has changed considerably, but always behind the times. Now they are trying to jump ahead, but at considerable cost to the consumer without a whole lot of benefits that I can see. But I'm frequently wrong anyway. So it's free for a week.

The daily cost at the newsstand: 50 cents on weekdays and 75 cents for the Weekend edition. Home delivery: $14 per month, $40 for three months, $75 for six months or $145 for a year. The next level — the combined home delivery-online option — will cost $25 for a month, $70 for three months, $130 for six months or $245 for a year subscription, or about 80 cents a day. For those who prefer the online-only option, the cost will be $5 for a day, $10 for a week, $35 for a month, $100 for three months, $180 for six months and $345 for a year. puts it well here.

Sheila Lennon at Projo "gets it" and has this suggestion: "There has always been yet another alternative -- revamp outdated advertising systems to permit instant (impulse) purchases of products featured in Web ads, perhaps at a discount. The hosting news org gets a percentage of each sale: Passive revenue, and all the demographic data a site could wish to target, would accrue."

Sorry, it's difficult to feel sorry for newspaper owners. For years they were extremely profitable- that's why the locals live on Indian Ave. Then they adopted Wall St. models and were gobbled up. High profits with little actual reporting. Customers left and went elsewhere. A reporter puts it well in today's Projo.

Well, at least they're trying. I wish them well. I want them to succeed.

Middletown Council Meets Tonight

2009-05-18T01:15:00.003-04:00

Monday at Town Hall at 7 pm. At 6 there is a special meeting for:
6:00 P.M. Presentation – Middletown Fire Department
6:25 P.M. Review of FY 2009-2010 proposed Budget – Parks/Recreation/Beach

State Rep. Ruggiero is going to give a lege update. Less $ is coming. Surprise, surprise. And more fees to boot. Yippee. But thank the Lord, the Lege is still following through with tax breaks for the very richest. What a relief to know that in year two of this, relief is just around the corner for us all. After all, tax them less and they will spend, right? I liked Sen. Levesque's suggestion-whenever you meet the very richest who reside here, give 'em a big hug.

Speaking of fees, there's is going to be a daily mooring fee (big bucks!), a resident wants a "Stop" sign on Forest Ave., and monies are being moved around- mainly to cover shortfalls from the State. More monies is needed for ongoing "special litigation." Hmm, maybe pursing former Town Admin. Kempen? Why not just shoot the guy?

Sounds quiet, but you never know. Tues. it will be on cable Ch. 18.

Middletown Council- Who was first?

2009-05-18T00:56:00.004-04:00

So who was first in their efforts to get the Chair's recognition for a nomination?

This was the result of the May 4 meeting in which there was an opening on the Zoning Board with two applicants. The camera focuses on the Council singularly so you miss the full pic of Councilor Bozyan poking & gesturing to the Chair (to his right) to stop Councilor Silveira from making the nomination. You had to be there. I wrote about this previously & here is the video. So you figure it out. The Chair clearly couldn't. Coucilman Silveira was being a bad-boy again with Councilor Sylvia joining in the fun.

The Chair never recognizes Councilor Cambra or his motion (with Councilor Bozyan throwing in a quick second), but clearly does recognize Councilor Silveira; although he thinks that it's just for a question. The town's attorney (whom everyone keeps staring at) is either asleep with his eyes open, or decides that sometimes ignorance is the better part of valor (wise man). He tosses the hot potato back to the chair where it belongs. The Chair decides in favor of Cambra who frequently functions as the parliamentarian (quietly advising the Chair on rules).

Being Chair is difficult & I can empathize with Prez Semonelli. I now understand why Congress functions under the seniority system rather than who gets the most votes. Sometimes- experience matters. Councilor Silveira has gotten much better at knowing the rules and using them to his advantage. Smart man. If you're going to play the game well, you'd better study the rulebook (Roberts' Rules of Order).

Clearly the Republican applicant was seemingly more desirable then long-time resident Independent, Christy. His name was placed in nomination by a Democrat rather than the lone Council Republican. This is somewhat odd- to say the least . But it sure was fun to watch!

I'm getting somewhat better with the video, so expect more after the next Council meeting if I can figure out my new hardware & software.

Middletown Council Recusals

2009-05-18T00:28:00.007-04:00

Recusals are regulated by Ethics Laws. One can ask the Ethics Commission for clarification if one is unsure of the regs in their particular case. If one chooses to recuse themself, they must file an official form stating why. Recently, both Councilors Semonelli & Bozyan did so in regard to the senior housing ordinance.

The former stated that Pat Hayes, Jr., the lawyer for the Bay Ridge Senior development on Forest Ave, while the latter stated that Hayes is attorney for the family trust. However, merely that you use sometimes use a lawyer does NOT establish the business relationship that the regs call for. Not voting on important matters is not to be taken lightly. It's kind of like the reason we elect people.

Those interested in this zoning reg should ask the two Councilors for clarification from the Ethics Board. It costs zilch & others on the Council have certainly done so recently & in the past. When the 2 Councilors said they were recusing & left the dais, they did not state any reason why they were doing so. Later, Councilor Silveira reminded them they must do so.

and the results

Then there is this one. Why would the Council Prez recuse because his daughter goes to MHS? This was on a prom donation from his discretionary fund. Since his daughter doesn't profit from this any more than anyone else, I've got to wonder why? Yeah, yeah, an abundance of caution & all that. Picky, picky.

Activities

2009-05-16T10:31:00.003-04:00

Bike fundraiser today at Second Beach until 12. This is for kids with all monies going to the Jimmy Fund.

Norman Sanctuary Bird Breakfast tomorrow until 11. Call for reservations- or not. $20- $25. Last year there was no walking tour despite a posting & I was so disappointed. Looking forward to it this year again, though. Good food with a gorgeousview

Universal Health Insurance- Yes!

2009-05-15T09:21:00.003-04:00

I'm reading today's Projo & I see the blurb, "Carcieri budget cuts would drop health care for pregnant women in 'last resort' program." This after I was driving through Newport yesterday & saw a billboard encouraging women to get prenatal health care from the R.I. Dept. of Health. Boggled the brain.

I'd also previously seen this on http://www.rifuture.org/. Yeah, I always read them first. I want dirt! Sometimes I want news with opinion. Ummm, kinda like I do.
What does survey after survey show- Americans want universal health care. Now! With all those smarty-pants in D.C., you'd think they'd have figured it out by now. Ah, but there's big bucks & big business involved. Confuses the mind, don't cha know?

Recessions Stink

2009-05-15T09:08:00.004-04:00

Well, they do. When I graduated from college there was one on. Just my luck!

I always check out Sheila Lennon's Projo blog. It appeals to my scattered brain. I've also gotten some good recipes here, heard a few jokes, played some games, etc. Sheila & I think alike. People think that I became a librarian because I'm organized. Au contraire, mon ami.

This is from a now defunct online mag ("Stimulus Times") from former Projo staffers who were deep-sixed. The video is from them. "Above: "Stimulus Package" - a music video featuring MC Kai Huang, B-boy Reed Frye and beatboxer Kurt Walters. Kai penned the rap about our current economic situation, he is an emcee and spoken word poet from Brown." Generally, I'm not fond of rap, but I like this one. It explains our current situation as well as I've heard. Been walking around town lately? Long-time businesses- gone. It's about as bad as I've ever seen it since the '73 Navy leaving.

How I Predicted the False Torture Confessions

2009-05-15T00:44:00.005-04:00

Last month, we found out that the real reason the Bush administration tortured prisoners was the same reason that evil people always torture prisoners -- to extract false confessions. In particular, as we learned from Col. Lawrence Wilkerson yesterday, Vice President Richard "Dick" Cheney was looking for an excuse to invade Iraq, so he ordered interrogators to torture prisoners until they said that Saddam Hussein was helping Al-Qaeda. Well, who could have predicted such a thing?

Me, that's who.

Way back in the fall of 2006, as Congress was debating the Military Commissions Act, the Providence Journal ran a hideous editorial defending the use of torture. It was such an odious pile of excrement that I felt compelled to issue a line-by-line rebuttal (a fisking, as we bloggers say) on my old blog, Newport 9. The Newport 9 blog no longer exists, but I felt the ProJo's atrocity deserved a wider airing, so I cross-posted my piece to a Daily Kos diary. That diary is still there, so I'd like to take this opportunity to quote a section of it:

While experts disagree on whether torture works,

Major, major weaselness here. Whenever people want to muddy the waters on an issue, they always resort to the old "experts disagree" dodge: "experts disagree" about global warming, "experts disagree" about cigarettes causing cancer, "experts disagree" about evolution, and on and on and on.

Anyone who isn't a moral cripple knows that torture doesn't work. All torture lets you do is make somebody say what you want them to say. Here's how it goes:

INTERROGATOR: Was Saddam Hussein working with bin Laden to attack America?

CAPTIVE: Of course not, they hate each others' guts.

INTERROGATOR: Wrong answer.

CAPTIVE: AAAAAAAAAHHH!! AAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!! AAAAAAAAAHHH!! AAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!! AAAAAAAAAHHH!! AAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!!

INTERROGATOR: Now, I'm going to ask you again. Was Saddam Hussein working with bin Laden to attack America?

CAPTIVE: YES!! YES!! AAAAAHH!! AAAAAHH!! ANYTHING YOU SAY!! AAAAAHH!! AAAAAHH!! AAAAAHH!!

INTERROGATOR: Williams, contact the President, tell him we've confirmed the link between Saddam and bin Laden.

There you have it, folks, proof of my awesome powers of predictiveness. (And yes, it's true that my Daily Kos User ID is 2558, making me one of the Secret Masters of the Great Orange Satan. Bow down and worship me, you ignorant masses!)

So, how did I do it? Did I have a time machine that I used to travel to the year 2009 to learn the truth about Bush's torture regime? Sadly, no. I had to rely on that rarest of faculties, simple common sense. I knew that torture didn't work, and that a person being tortured will say whatever his interrogators want him to say. I knew that the Bushies were using the 9/11 attacks as an excuse to invade Iraq. Egro, logic suggested that the Bushies were using torture to gain a false link between 9/11 and Iraq.

QED.

(cross-posted to I Dreamed I Saw Grace P. Last Night)

Sen. Whitehouse Fights Torture

2009-05-14T07:12:00.000-04:00

I make mistakes- lots of them. But sometimes, sometimes, I get things right. Working on Sen. Whitehouse's campaign was one of them. I got all my family involved & anyone else that I could persuade. I can't always keep up with everything on the nat'l scene, so it's nice to know that our Sen. not only can but does.

Sen. Whitehouse is one of the hardest working elected officials on any level. And he lives right here in Newport! Are we lucky or what?

He's been in the forefront working on health care, education, states' attorneys, and other timely topics. I catch little Rhody's Senator on various news channels all the time. What a guy!

So what is your opinion on America's recent foray into torture? It makes me ashamed. And it doesn't work to boot. Gee, the Catholic Church has plenty to say about "gays." The silence now is defeaning.

I'm proud of all the people I met who were working there right alongside me. These good folks did the hard grunt work here- ringing doorbells, making phone calls, filing out those darn forms for the data base, etc., etc. It was one huckuva campaign that made it to the forefront of the nat'l scene. It will be a LONG time before you see that again in R.I. Talk about making a difference!!! We did!!!

Outrage

2009-05-13T08:36:00.000-04:00

**UPDATE** And while I'm on a roll for outrages I'll add this one. R.I.'s Board of Regents has decided that the new Edc. Commissioner, Deborah Gist, should receive a raise of $20,000, including a new State pension. She also likely will receive a performance bonus. She also gets the use of a State car or $200/month for her own vehicle & $5000 for moving expenses. Do I even have to say why I am outraged? I weary. All Republican appointees, btw, not that Party allegiance makes a darn bit of differenct. Another, btw; their link for the new proposed B.E.P. still doesn't work. And that's what they think of you, you ignorant slob, you. (Thanks to Projo reporter Jennifer Jordan, 5/12, "Gist signs 3-year pact with salary of $203,870)

A thumbs down, perhaps even the old "flying fickle finger of fate" award needs revival. This one goes to General Assembly leadership: translation: Murphy (House) & Paiva-Weed (Senate) & comes from today's Projo political news column, "Despite tough times, Assembly leaders still d oling out raises." The title says it all really.

And then there is this topper, "However, the head of the legislative business office, Marisa White, refused to disclose how many people are on the legislative payroll." This is the peoples' money and the peoples' house. The same paper also talks about the homeless. What will happen? Nothing.

Arrogance. Because we can & because we say so. And we elect them Time after time. Most people don't even know who they are or what they do on the lege level. They do on the local level though. Loud sigh.

Vote "NO" on E-Verify

2009-05-13T08:26:00.003-04:00

**UPDATE** via Crowley at http://www.rifuture.org/. Area legislators voted AGAINST this bill with one exemption- Jackson, who was absent. The bill barely passed, but pass it did, however, with a much CLOSER margin than last year (38-33 versus 53-17). Now on to the Senate where it died last year in committee. A bit THANKS to Reps. Martin, Rice, and Ruggiero. The Republican caucus (all 5) voted in favor. I e-mailed my Rep & Senator & Fox & Murphy (House leaders). Except for Murphy all e-mailed back. Except for Rice, all were non-commital. Why?

"“We’re building racism into a system where there is none now,” said Rep. Arthur Handy, D-Cranston.

Rep. Peter F. Martin, D-Newport, recalled that his grandparents suffered similar obstacles by “Irish need not apply” signs. And while some proponents said immigrants like Martin’s grandparents were not illegally in the country, Rep. David A. Segal, D-Providence, reminded lawmakers that there were no laws restricting immigration until 1921.

Go, Peter! I knew that I liked that guy (NDN)***

Read the article by Rep. D. Segal in http://www.rifuture.com/ on why. Most of my husband's & my family (Azores & Eire) came over legally, but not all. There was the young kid who hid in the hold of a ship...

We have a LOT of immigrants here. They are the ones who mow your grass, work on your house, wash restaurant dishes, etc. Most are legal, and even more came legally, but let their papers lapse. Their kids sit next to yours in school. Many have left or gone further underground with ICE officials now stationed here. Did they have an effect on our local economy? Notice all housing vacancies, the long-time businesses gone or on the verge of leaving? It's not unconnected.

"The Social Security Administration estimates that if E-Verify were mandatory across the country SSA database errors alone could result in 3.6 million workers a year being misidentified as not work authorized, that's potentially thousands of Rhode Islanders."

The lege will be voting on this bill Tues. Let them know you are against it. Click here to do it- EASY!

New B.E.P. Hearing

2009-05-12T15:14:00.003-04:00

I'm 60 years old. I know crap when I see it, I know it when I hear it, and I definitely know it when I smell it. And this hearing for public comment by the State Board of Regents (two were present) was crap.

When school committees, parents' groups, & teachers have no time to review the plan (the download site doesn't work) & you schedule something like this with a week's notice, it begins rather smelly in my book. And I was right.

The audience consisted of appx. 25 with 7 people elected to speak, & the new proposed doc was given out. Good thing because the link on their site doesn't work.

Middletown's School Supt' Kraeger was there (spoke), along with School Committee woman Gaines. Present, but not speaking was Liana Ferreira-Fenton, Linda Savastano (ass't sup't), and Sandra Flowers (Newport Schools). There were a number of school librarians in the audience. Evidently they were the only group able to get info out regarding this meeting.

The BEP ("Basic Education Plan"- see previous article) is every school's Bible. This doc reads well, sounds good, and goes down real easily. But what the heck does it mean? You've got me.

The actual session last an hr. with 7 people electing to speak. It was announced that the Regents are "interested in [the] need for further revisions." Doubt that. Seems to me they are interested in "teaks only."

#1. Dr. Carol Herman- the most impressive speaker with 1 1/2 pages. She is a teacher-librarian & new member on the non-partisan Tiverton School Committee. She stated that we "need explicit" B.E.P. regs to prevent school committees from decimating programs in order to lower taxes. She referred to the Sat. Tiverton Town Budget meeting which cut $627,000 from schools at a poorly attended meeting. She said that these new regs would results in "the only winners [are] those who want lower property taxes. The losers are the kids." She referred to economic development necessitating good public schools and the real problem in education is not casued by the current B.E.P, but by not having a fair funding formula and a basic lack of monies from the State.

Here! Here!

#2. Helen ? spoke for School Counselors. Sorry, she spoke too quickly & with her head down, so I missed much of this. She spoke to a wording problem in the new doc.

#3. Gentleman. Sorry, he did not speak directly into the mic & I just couldn't hear him. His focus seemed to be that the doc calls for a "minimum adequate education" and he wanted it to address excellence. Good point.

$4. Barbara Ashbe of RILINK spoke to the new doc not addressing "reading" in library requirements nor does it address what a "highly effective staff" actually mean. She is also afraid that the loss of professional school librarians could results in the state dropping interlibrary loans to school. She is concerned that their is no method of challenging districts' interpretations of this doc mean.

#5. Middletown School Sup't Krager was delighted that the doc address "inputs." Of course, she has not yet had time to speak with the school committee (no one has). Her critique address very specific items- mostly concerned with definitions. She was also concerned with tech & consumer ed. Heck, just kiss them goodbye.

#6. JoEva Gaines. She is a former music teacher in Midd., was head of the Union here, and was on the Board of Regents who helped draw these old regs up. She is now on the Newport School Committee. She loved the new doc! It is "superb" and expresses "confidence in teachers." It leaves a basic education "up to each district" and speaks to "rigor & accountability."

Hmm. School Committees love this as it leaves everything up to them. Sorry. Doesn't inspire much confidence in me. The bottom line is ALWAYS $, you can't kid a kidder.

You know, it seems the Guv achieved in these appointments & this doc what he hasn't been able to do otherwise- get rid of the Caruolo Law & crush public education (and get rid of those bothersome Unions). But that's me.

#7. Deb?- A school librarian spoke to the need for professional staffing & collection developemtn. Let's face it, without a librarian- a library is just a pile of books. That's all.

#8. Stacy Lyon- Coggeshall School Librarian. This is her second career & she spoke to "research literacy" and the fact that most school librarians work "behind the scenes."

Yup, you don't love us until we're gone.

Dave Fontaine (MHS librarian was also there).

I was the only press. Big sigh here. The Bible of our public school system undergoin major change (thing of replacing the Bible with "Cliff Notes" or "Classic Comics") and few shows. When this thing passes (and it will), you'll see major changes in your schools. And not for the better, I might add.

Mental Health Meeting

2009-05-12T14:38:00.002-04:00

We meet once/month at the Newport Library from 7-8:30 as part of www.namirhodeisland.org
It's a support group- mostly for family members but client are also welcome. Write me for more info or to be put on my mail list.

Middletown Summer Beach Jobs

2009-05-11T10:06:00.003-04:00

I never rec'd a response from the town regarding these summer jobs. For months I've been watching the "Employment" section on their website, even reading Twitter. Nothing. I received info from a Councilor that they advertised in the daily rag. Anyone see it?

Thanks for nothing. Kind of makes you think that the fix is in, doesn't it? So my best advice is- apply whenever. They are not referred to as the "Middletown Scholarship" for nothing. A big thumbs down for this procedure fto the town & the Beach Commission.

Hearing on New Basic Education Plan

2009-05-10T21:56:00.004-04:00

The Board of Regents is holding one on Monday at MHS on their newest proposal. Wow, so much publicity on this. The press release from them is dated May 4. So much notice. You think they are actually interested in receiving your "public comment?" LOL.

Not familiar with the BEP? It's the Constitution or the Bible for ALL our public schools. Currently it's over 400 pages and covers everything that your school must offer & includes staffing. I know that without the BEP backing us up in the libraries, we would have gone back in time to the closet libraries where you never actually saw a librarian. And little wonder as there were 8 elementary schools & 1 clerk (no computers then). The required funding wasn't much (think 1967 & about $1.50/kid), but at least it was something. The download for the new doc doesn't work. What a surprise.

The specificity of it guarantees that the schools in Newport offer the same basic education as the schools in Little Compton, Tiverton, & Middletown. The proposal is 40 pages long. 40 pages.
The hearing begins at 6 pm. Important? Yup. But aside from this & a short article on it in todays Projo, who cares? The purpose of the change is to update the doc & "assert a greater degree of state influence." Yeah, sure inspires confidence in me.

The Best Mothers' Day Ever!

2009-05-10T11:00:00.000-04:00

FROM LAST YEAR & the Year Before- SAME OLD- SAME OLD (unfortunately)

Mother's Day - A Call for Peace
Each year the president issues a Mother's Day Proclamation. The original Mother's Day Proclamation was made in 1870. Written by JuliaWard Howe, perhaps best known today for having written the words to "TheBattle Hymn of the Republic" ... the original Proclamation was an impassioned call for peace and disarmament. In the years following the Civil War her political activism increased, as did her condemnation of war. Here are the words to the original Mother's Day Proclamation:
"Arise then, women of this day! Arise all women who have hearts,whether your baptism be of water or of tears! "Say firmly: 'We will not have questions decided by irrelevant agencies. Our husbands shall not come to us reeking of carnage forcaresses and applause. Our sons shall not be taken from us to unlearn all that we have been able to teach them of charity, mercy, and patience. We women of one country will be too tender to those of another country to allow our sons to be trained to injure theirs. From the bosom of a devastated Earth a voice goes up with our own, it says "Disarm!Disarm!" The sword of murder is not the balance of justice. Blood does not wipe out dishonor, nor violence indicate possession.'
"As men have forsaken the plow and the anvil at the summons of war, let women now leave all that may be left of home for a great and earnest day of counsel. Let them meet first as women, to bewail and commemorate the dead. Let them solemnly take counsel with each other as to the means whereby the great human family can live in peace, each bearing after histime the sacred impress not of Caesar, but of God.
"In the name of womanhood and humanity, I earnestly ask that a general congress of women without limit of nationality be appointed and held at some place deemed most convenient and at the earliest period consistent with its objects, to promote the alliance of the different nationalities, the amicable settlement of international questions, the great and general interests of peace."

Gee, wouldn't it be wonderful if the flowers, candy, dinners, etc. were foregone to accomplish this. It's not going to happen until we mothers say, you can't have our kids. And dads. And grandparents. And aunts & uncles. You just can't have our kids.

Margaret Chase Smith:
Moral cowardice that keeps us from speaking our minds is as dangerous to this country as irresponsible talk. The right way is not always the popular and easy way. Standing for right when it is unpopular is a true test of moral character.

Here Comes the Sun!

2009-05-08T09:44:00.005-04:00

What's that big golden glow in the sky? I can actually see birds AND planes. The fog & dark sky has FINALLY lifted. It STOPPED raining. Talk about depressing weather. But wait! It's coming back tomorrow. Lucky us. No duckies have showed up in my backyard pond/depression. No ibis' wandering around either. What's up?

I gotta go enjoy while I can. Maybe today is a bike ride. At least a walk.

On Sat. there is a town budget hearing from 9-2. You can also buy beach passes at the Second Beach gazebo on Sat. & Sun. from 9-3 How come I haven't seen any postings for beach jobs on the town's site??? I've been watching for a LONG time. Nothing on their Twitter site either. I asked & am eagerly awaiting.

Carnival at First Beach

2009-05-06T16:39:00.001-04:00

It will be here throughout the weekend. Sat. a.am. is the Soapbox Derby, all brought to you by the Newport Lions Club. Not nearly as much fun as the old Gaslight events they used to hold (gambling PLUS a show), but, it's what we've got now.

Middletown Council Meets

2009-05-06T08:28:00.004-04:00

***UPDATE: I'm updating due to new info I rec'd regarding having the playground equipment moved from Kennedy School to Gaudet. This was a poor presentation and needed a lot more explanation from the school dept.

Since I went to the budget workshop on the library & senior center, I was there 3 hrs. The Council met afterwards for an exec session. Lord, how do they stand it? This Sat. that meet almost all day.

Much of the meeting was a rehash of topics; so, yes, I confess it, I sometimes zone-out. I cleaned up my calendar & shopping list. There were some high points though & I will attempt later in the week to post one or two for your videos for your enjoyment (and mine).

Most Councilors rarely make use of their mic meaning that I am often mystified because the audience cannot hear what is going on. During the consent calendar which has a number of items wherein the Council just votes one resounding "yes" with no discussion, Councilor Bozyna asked to comment on the new fence amendment to remark that it was built on an old one. Whatever this means. This is a new ordinance regarding perimeter fences & hedges now needing a permit. You've got me on any of this. It's a fog out there.

Everything proceeded merrily until the first reading of the ordinance for senior housing. This is being done at the request of the Forest Farm development & was, in fact, originally made for them. It appears that the original ordinance is trumped by federal law. Well, duh! A number of neighbors showed up to testify regarding this one- they like it as it is. This is basically a legal-eagle discussion- like it or not. Anyone who thinks that they can clear this up with 45 min. on the computer is in denial of how the law actually works and has never been involved in a legal battle or in the court system. God help you. For more detail on this go to http://www.bayridgeatforestave.blogspot.com/

Expect no quick resolution on this one. It's back to the Planning Committee & more review. Oddly enough, Councilors Bozyan & Semonelli absented themselves from this by stating "conflict of interest." Thank you to Councilor Silveira later asking what these conflicts were. Yup, I for one would like to know. Seems that they shared the same lawyer- Pat Hayes. So I'm wondering if Sears' owner Semonelli would also have to absent himself if a customer was before him on Council business. Just wondering. Anyway, thanks to the alert Councilor for asking. It should have been stated by those claiming conflict.

There was discussion of the wind energy ordinance. Sorry, when one commenter opined that there is no minimum requirement for how low to the ground the propellers could be, I went into funny-land. We could actually have a windmill-guillotine on our hands. Need a haircut? Neighbors you don't like? Sorry, that's how my mind works. This one may need a tad more crafting- or not. It will continue as it was just its first reading.

There was a LOT of discussion regarding the school committees' requesting funds for moving playground equipment from Kennedy school (to be closed) to Gaudet; although no one ever asked exactly WHERE at Gaudet it was going. I think it makes a difference. It seems that the $30,000 for this was going to come from the Beach Fund. Councilor Santos did not like this. Suppose it's a bad summer? Anyway, money from this fund frequently has gone to parks. It also upset Santos that the schools were not using their own funds for this & others were upset with the cost. The Council wants more info regarding costs.

Evidently this whole thing is part of an actual plan to place equipment at Gaudet school which has activities for every age level except this. Funding is to be done through monies designated to be used for parks & rec. It will be placed in the activity area. Too bad this was presented better. I certainly missed it.

Funding for restoring the former Linden School (now gone) playground was approved; although it engendered much discussion as the town really has done little planning on the use for all its open space purchases (Silveira). These playgrounds are expensive & never seem to last very long.

Antone spoke to the trash program. He wants it to pay for itself. In which case the bags would be so expensive no one would buy them & that would be the demise of that program. Or he wants a public vote on the program. Or he wants a mandatory program. Councilor Sylvia was upset with Viveiros' seeming change of positions. Anyway, Antone doesn't want any tax monies supporting the program. I weary of the endless conversation.

The high point was the two committee appointments. This is basically a game of who jumps in first & hollers out a motion. Don't get me wrong here. The Chair already knows who is getting the nod & whom he is going to recognize for the motion, but still, watching the game is entertaining. So Councilor Sylvia jumped in to nominate a Republican for a partisan committee (the State decides which committees). Now what makes this somewhat odd is that there is ONE Republican on the Council- Santos. The Chair of the Republican Town Committee who is solicited for names for this type of committee (Viveiros) had submitted his own name. So Councilor Santos should have made the motion. But she didn't. Councilor Sylvia nominated- not the town committee's request, but Sal deRuggiero (former Republican Town Committee Chair). And that was the end of that story. One name, one vote. Slap-down to Viveiros & the Republican Town Committee.

Then it was time for the Zoning Board. Two apps, but only one opening. Ah, now it really was fun. Councilor Silveira (that bad boy) jumped in followed quickly by Vice Chair Cambra. Silence. Silveira kept on going. Independent Helen Christy (former owned of the Brew Pub). Called for a vote. Ah, now it hit the fan. This wasn't part of the script. The Chair looked like the proverbial deer caught in the headlights until Councilor Bozyan poked him & mumbled, "out of order." Let me aside for a moment in that Chair Semonelli who at first seemed utterly lost in his role in Nov. now is more comfotable, although his confusion & inexperience is still sometimes evident. Chair is no easy job. He then voiced that Silveira was out of order which he actually wasn't as the Prez had not reconized anyone yet.

Silveira soldiered on & shouted out for an "instant replay" to the videographer as to who was "first." The cameraman hollered back that he was unable to do that. But then he shouted back that "you were!" At this the Prez was thoroughly mystified & turned to the Soliciter who told him that it was always his choice as to whom was or was not recognized. So he choice Cambra & the name was "Potter" for the committee. The vote was 5 to two for that choice & Christy was not voted on. You had to see it! Like I said, I'll try & post.

Nothing in the local newspaper on the meeting yet. Maybe today.