Flat Tax Costs to You

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%

Towns Lose Under New Budget

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 ...

Mortgagee Sale in Portsmouth

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.

Local Farmers' Markets

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

Combine Island Senior Centers

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.

Senator Reed Wants Money!

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.

Plans for Excessed Navy Land

Check out Projo's article. There's actually a good chance that much of this will happen.

Thanks to Projo's Richard Salit.

Free Electronic Waste Removal

THe NDN did an article on this. But as of now, the info is not posted on the town's website. I think it's important to know so here goes.


"As part of the program, residents may recycle old computers and accessories, printers, cameras and video equipment, along with televisions and items with Freon, such as dehumidifiers and air conditioners, according to Will Cronin, Middletown’s recycling coordinator." (NDN )


It's not open to businesses, and it's - FREE! Go to 19 Berkeley Ave. during regular business hours, Mondays through Fridays from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., except holidays. Motor oil & scrap metal may also be dropped off at the fenced in area at Public Works.


"In Newport, Portsmouth and Tiverton, e-waste can be disposed for free as well. The drop-off spots are Newport’s Halsey Street transfer station, Portsmouth’s transfer station on Hedley Street and Tiverton’s transfer station off Main Road."


Thanks to the only reporter in the State assigned to the Middletown beat, Matt Sheley.


So, shouldn't the companies who make this polluting e-waste, be picking up any costs associated with its removal? And in a non-polluting way that does NOT involve shipping it overseas which is what happens now.

Got Dresses?

Becca's closet has opened a branch at Rogers H.S. to collect and loan prom dresses. Rebecca Rosen, a junior at Salve Regina University & Britany Nutter, a Rogers are the organizers. They need dress racks & dresses.


I live in a houseful of men & my prom days are long gone, but perhaps some of my readers have different circumstances & could help these young women out. Dresses will go to islanders from all 3 communities. This is the only chapter in the state. Girls may keep the items or donate them back for another use.


For more information, contact Rosen by e-mail at lilrosen06@yahoo.com or by phone at 617-763-1795.

Thanks to NDN reporter Sean Flynn for the article.

British Unhappy with Raytheon

Not much news here regarding the protest in Bristol, England taking place on Raytheon's rooftop for more than a week. Why are they angry? They're protesting Raytheon's making of weapons used in Iraq & Afghanistan. Their use by Israelis is also causing concern as well as the use of radar, often on unsuspecting civilian populations (hello, Portsmouth).


Raytheon, the fifth largest arms producer in the world (and the 4th largest in the U.S.), has been subjected to numerous fines & lawsuits. On a more local level, it also offers some reasoning why they are so opposed to utilizing the license they have (and don't use) for building a water processing plant on unused land that they own to take care of our island's waste water woes. They also oppose any housing in this area.

“Raytheon doesn’t want a huge residential development there,” Kennedy said. The congressman said he has met with Raytheon officials and they explained their concerns.“During testing, Raytheon blasts radar [and sonar?] out onto the bay,” Kennedy said. He said the company does not want to do that testing around heavy residential development. He said there are some people who believe that persistent exposure to radar can cause cancer, similar to concerns some people have about living close to overhead high-tension power lines. (NDN)

More info here on its latest problems to bilk Americans out of $$$. Recently they've been catching flak over their toxic pollution sites & illegal selling to Pakistan. Raytheon used to have a civilian projects division but that has gone bye-bye. More $ in military weapon contracts. Raytheon has made the top 10 0f federal contractors gone bad with 17 instances of illegal behavior subjected to $475.8m in fines since 1995. Oh, you kid!

But we don't want to speak too much about this. After all, they're one of the island's largest employeers operating out of Portsmouth. They're the employees who own the nice homes & keep our economy from totally collapsing. As they say, that's both the good news and the bad news.

Blues at Common Fence Point Sat. at 8

I've never been to any concerts here but I hear that they are super. Here is the musicans' site:

http://paulandannie.com/content/video.php

Go here for $20 tickets:

http://www.ticketweb.com/t3/sale/SaleEventDetail?dispatch=loadSelectionData&eventId=294050

Buy "Newport Daily News" this Week

I didn't realize that campaign coverage & sample ballots began Monday. Monday was Newport, Middletown is today (Tuesday), & I'll assume Portsmouth is Wed. & Tiverton is Thursday.

It's a LONG ballot so go into the booth prepared.

Family Fun Day- Sun. at Howland Park

Dear Friends, Neighbors & Colleagues:

You are cordially invited to a District 72 Family Fun Day

Sunday, October 26th at Howland Park in Middletown (at corner of Wapping Rd. & Third Beach Rd.)

With Special Guest- U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse

and Ice Cream served by Pete “the Ice Cream Guy”

2:00 - 4:00 p.m. Free and open to the public! Fun for all ages!

BRING YOUR FAMILY, FRIENDS, ANIMALS. NO SPEECHES. I'D APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT! (Donations accepted)

Sincerely,
Rep. Amy Rice

Why I Heart Sen. Chuck Levesque

I've said it before & I'll say it again: Sen. Levesque makes me want to move into Porsmouth (his District anyway). You may not agree with his political stands, but at least he makes them. Please, try & find someone else who has made one not in the realm of mom & apple pie & partisan politics.

I remember watching him on tv a few years ago at the televised forums the "Daily News" started. I watched because I wanted to be prepared for mine. He actually said that he was a "liberal." Flat out when it was still a dirty word. And he was MORE than polite to his opponent. He said that even if you didn't vote for him, you'd still be getting a good deal with his opposition. Hear that very often? And he's continued with that attitude. How can you not love a guy like that? Even his opponents are forced into that position. You just can't question the guy's integrity & motives, not to mention his manners.

Now Chuck comes right out & says that he's not opposed to RI gambling casinos. That doesn't mean that he's out there promoting them, but he's savvy enough to realize that it's legal, employs people, & is brings in large revenues for the state when there ain't much out there still doing that.

For all that Projo & the Newport Daily News rail against gambling, it's vital to our economy. and I'm speaking not only of Newport but Middletown as well. Take it out and then what? What fills in that huge economic loss? I'd really like to be enlightened here. Not ONE CANDIDATE has answered this question. Our own Sen. Gibbs declared that she'd be happy if Twin Rivers failed. What about Newport Grand? What about those jobs? the investors? the tax revenues? Want higher taxes? This'll do it.

Or is this just another way to completely wipe out social services, state employees, schools, unionized workers?

Let me quote from Sen. Levesque's excellent letter to the Editor from the weeken edition of the "Daily News." He was courageous enough to participate in a recent forum sponsored by Citizens Against Casino Gambling. He didn't have to. I'm betting that there weren't a heckuva lot of Portsmouth voters there. Beat up? Yeah. Down but not out.

The news editor entitled it:"Gambling revenues pay for worthy causes." The Portsmouth/Bristol Senator (nah, no gerrymandering here) begins by explaining his position to go against the wishes re: expanded gambling at Newport Grand & Tiwn Rivers expressed by 3 island communities. First let me explain what this means. Each Council has on its agenda what is called the "Consent Calendar." A community expresses its opinion on a lege bill it hols near & dear. They then forward their approval or disapproval to all communities asking for their support. Never once have I heard a discussion on ANY of these "consent" requests. The entire consent calendar gets approved with a singled vote. So I could get my community council to ban all black cats. It would then be forwarded around the state & all communities would back us up knowing that in the future they may want our assent. As a result, all this community blah-blah is pretty much meaningless except for the community who actually appear to testify in the lege.

Now remember that we're speaking of $290 MILLION dollars in revenues:

"I do not support the expansion of gambling. I do not support denying children health insurance. I do not support cuts in assistance for those with mental health issues [hear, hear!], those with developmental disabilities; cuts in primary education, cuts in secondary education, cuts in higher education; cuts in staffing for the Department of Children, Youth and Families. I do not support denying health care to children because their parents may not be here "legally." Suffice to say that there are many things I do not support, but, as an adult, I am sometimes obliged to make choices, some painful, in order to fulfill my obligations. And frankly, I resent when any person or group attempts to place a single decision in a vacuum and measure me upon that basis."

Well said! The good Senator is, as I've known for a long time, a scholar & a gentleman. And a heckuva good writer.

By george, send that guy a political contribution. Or move out to Portsmouth.

Men of courage- in short supply in any time.

Sorry, no link.

Newport County Votes!

Last Thursday was the Newport Daily News' editorial board (3 people) interview for Middletown Council & School candidates. You should watch. At least part of them. I'm especially interested in deciding who I'm going to vote for for School Committee- more than 60% of the town's budget after all.

I'm appreciative for the local newspaper, Cox, & NCTV (volunteers who do the producing) for performing this community service. Is this a perfect format- 14 candidates for 1 1/2hrs? I believe that there were 4 questions. No, it's not. But it's better than zilch.

The Daily News will make their endorsements the weekend before the election. Ah, now this is where we often disagree. I vote for candidates because of platforms, past history, etc. That's it. Does Party membership matter? Only indirectly. If they subscribe to a state/federal platform it gives me more information about them. Less so on a local level. From what I've observed, the newspaper does care about Party membership. It trying to be impartial, they divide endorsements along Party lines. That's not impartial. It's partisan, pure & simple (or not so pure & not so simple).

So locally you'll see clear even-handed endorsements along Party lines. For statewide office, it will be all Republican unless it's Paiva-Weed. That's because they want the Lege evenly divided along Party lines (oh, you dreamer, you). This despite the fact that ALL the material I've rec'd recently from Republicans contains NO INFO on their Party membership. A bit disingenuous, I think. As I've said before, in this state you could take half of the Dems & call them Republicans anyway. Who'd notice?

But, that's my take on the scene. And at least they give it a shot. Now that they've filmed what used-to-be private sessions, some light is being shed on their whole process- theoretically. They tend to fervishly write (except Sheila) during these interviews. Personally, I think it's their next week's to-do list. LOL.

Thanks also to local reporter Matt Shelley who out of all this insanity finds at least one positive comment or thought from each candidate to highlight. He writes most fervishly of all. He must also be doing his grocery list.

Here is the rather franatical schedule of showings on Channel 18 Cox:

Tiverton Council: Fri. at 7., Sat. at 11 am
School Com.: Fri., 8:30, Sat. at 12:30
Treasuerer: Sat., 7 pm, Sun. at 11 am
Charter Ques.: Sat. at 7 pm, Sun. at 11:30

Portsmouth Council: Sat. at 8 pm, Sun. at noon.

Newport Council: Sat. at 11 pm, Sun. at 1:45

Middletown Council: Fri. at 9 pm, Sat. at 1
School Committee: Fri. at 10:35 pm, Sat. at 2:35

The schedule is more like hit or miss. It's on at other times, but you have to figure it out. Exactly how dedicated a voter are you?

Sheila Mullowney was brave to take this job on ?4 yrs. ago? 2 yrs.? Not as easy as she makes it appear.

Sorry, they don't vote in Little Compton. Or Jamestown. I guess.

Recent Portsmouth Protest

I rec'd this letter regarding a recent fundraiser for my Rep., Amy Rice, that took place in Portsmouth. Darn, just my luck that I missed it! Amy represents parts of Portsmouth, Middletown, & Newport (hey, I didn't draw the lines).

"Last Sunday night, my friend and I proudly hosted a private fundraiser at my home, for our state representative and candidate for re-election, Amy G. Rice. She has worked hard for District 72 and we wanted to help her return to the statehouse for us. Earlier in the day, her opponent, Dan Reilly, had been at my house going door to door. I explained I was supporting Amy Rice, and mentioned the fundraiser as a case in point. I was astonished that evening during the fund raiser, to see four of his supporters directly in front of my house holding his signs up and chanting- for three hours- in the rain. Aside from providing comic relief, I was at a loss as to what such juvenile behavior accomplished for Mr. Reilly, other than harassment of a potential constituent. We did, however, notice that election signs of Ms. Rice’s had disappeared about the same time and more of Mr. Reilly’s had appeared in questionable areas.

Is this the type of behavior we want of a leader? While I realize that he only 19 years old, I would expect a person representing my district, to have a modicum of decorum or at least the common sense to ask others concerning certain protocols. Holding a public office is a serious responsibility, and not just signs and matching rain ponchos.

I proudly support Amy Rice for re-election to State Representative of District 72 and encourage you to do so. Learn more about her and/or how to support her at www.amyrice.org.

Dr. Katherine Waters
87 Annette Drive
Portsmouth, RI 02871"

Maybe a rally could be held outside Reilly's residence urging him to ask Daddy to pay the cool mil he still owes the state in back taxes before he decided to fly the coop & re-locate to Florida. It must be going toward the pricey tuition at Bryant. Heck, someone has to pay it. Kinda like a state scholarship. Too bad my son & a lot of other kids at URI aren't able to obtain the same funding.

Is this a fair assessment? I think so when your principal means of support is dear old Dad.

Meet the Candidates' Forum on Sat.

The Newport Democrats are always up for a good time!

Saturday, Sept. 20th - 2:00 - 5:00 pm

Come and join Newport Democratic Party chairman Bud Cicilline and the Newport Democratic City Committee as they host a "Get Out the Vote & Meet the Candidates" at the Elk's Lodge (141 Pelham St. in Newport).

All Dem. candidates have been invited island-wide. There will be food & music- all free! Aren't they generous? Expect to see local, state, & federal candidates on all levels- even some who aren't running, I'm betting. You will also be able to register to vote.

Banned in Middletown AND Portsmouth!

Yes, it's true. I'm now blocked on TWO school department networks. Portsmouth? Go figure. I've rarely blogged on them, let alone their politicans. Only recent did I even add them as a label. RIFuture.org is not banned, nor is Kmareka.com. Just me.

Have I used bad words? No. Published porn? No. Although I may have posted a pic of my dog, Holly, without clothes on. Did I promote overthrowing the government by violent means? No, just by elections. So why me?

It's may well be a blocking program blocking certain hosts (mine is blogspot.com). So again I ask (and have rec'd no answer from Middletown, BTW), what are your blocking standards? I'm certainly not any worse than newspapers who frequently publish opinion. What happened to free speech? Exactly what are we protecting two school systems from? Please take a look at my profile & pic. You're protecting them from a 60 yr. old retired schoolteacher? Yes, very scary, indeed.

Who and what else are you protecting them from?

And more to the point- is John McDaid of Hard Deadlines blocked? http://www.torvex.com/jmcdaid/?q=blog/1

I believe in sharing the glory. Sometimes he even has given me- "Ideas." Bann that man and his Portsmouth-sited blog today!

Is this the equivalent of being banned in Boston?

Portsmouth Republicans Love my Blog!

Go figure! The blog rec'd an onslaught of attention from them yesterday voting on the Middletown Council poll. No wonder the no. of "Undecided" soared. The Realtors must be deluged with new buyers for Middletown. Congrats, Portsmouth Dem. You've figured out a way to become a primarily Dem. town. Encourage all your Republicans to read my blog! That will fix them! LOL!

Oh, well. I said this poll wasn't scientific, didn't I?

P'mouth Town Clambake- Sun., Sept. 7

An old-fashioned clambake for $30- what a buy! Not to mention a lot of work for the bakers. If you've never actually seen an actual bake, here's your opportunity! All the locals will attend, plus more than a few state/federal officials. You'll dine in style at picnic tables, so dress is casual. Plenty of area for kids to run around. It makes me yearn for the days when the local Middletown Dem group would hold a steak fry at Kempenar's. Oh, well... Be there or be square!

The Portsmouth Democratic Town Committee is holding their annual clambake on Sunday, September 7, 2008. The event will be held on the grounds of the Portsmouth Portuguese American Citizens Club at 35 Power St., which is across East Main Rd from St. Anthony's Church.

Open to the public, this popular event begins with “all you can eat” homemade chowder and clam cakes at 1 PM. At the same time, diners can also take advantage of great bargains and enjoy the fun during the auction sponsored by the Democratic Women’s Club.

The traditional New England Clambake of fresh clams, fish, chourico, sausage, hot dogs, sweet potato, onion, potato and corn on the cob is served fresh off the fire at 3 PM. Tickets for the day are $30 for adults, (tickets at the door may be limited), and $7 for children under 12 and are available at the PA Club, Allen’s Wine and Spirits, Ferreira’s Package Store or by calling Chuck Levesque at 847-2510. Proceeds from the event go to the Portsmouth Democratic Town Committee.

*The photo is John McDaid's from Hard Deadlines. Even my 19 yr. old son wants to attend and he is mighty hesitant in attending any of these political things. He goes- for the food! He also likes some of the politicos he meets here. I think his fav is Sen. Levesque.