Rep. John Edwards Seeks to Rename Sakonnet River Bridge
Rep. Edwards introduces several bills that could affect Portsmouth and Tiverton.
The following is from a State House press release.
Rep. John G. Edwards (D-Dist. 70, Portsmouth, Tiverton) introduced a package of bills last week that could have lasting effects on both of his communities.
The bills range from changes to the school housing aid ratio to ratifying amendments to Tiverton’s home rule charter.
One piece of legislation (2012-H 7054) calls for Portsmouth to issue $700,000 bonds to finance improvements in its school buildings. Co-sponsoring the bill are Reps. Reilly, Gallison and Scott J. Guthrie (D-Dist. 28, Coventry).
The second is a bill (2012-H 7046) to rename the Sakonnet River Bridge, which connects Portsmouth to Tiverton, as Veterans’ Memorial Sakonnet River Bridge.
“These bills will help both of the communities I represent move forward in the new year,” Representative Edwards said. “I am committed to doing what is necessary for Tiverton and Portsmouth, and I look forward to introducing more bills that will help my communities flourish.”
The housing bill (2012-H 7031) introduced last week applies the school housing aid ratio to projects completed after June 30, 2010, provided that Tiverton shall prospectively be reimbursed at the 40 percent floor on projects completed before that date. Rep. Daniel P. Reilly (R-Dist. 72, Middletown, Newport, Portsmouth) has co-sponsored the legislation.
“Tiverton is a distressed community,” Edwards said. “We need to include this measure as a part of the education funding formula in order for Tiverton to truly be on equal footing with other communities. It’s only fair.”
Additionally, he put in a bill (2012-H 7044) that would ratify Tiverton’s amendments to its home rule charter in accordance with the last vote taken in November’s special election. Constituents voted 2-1 to replace Tiverton’s Financial Town meeting with a Financial Town Referendum in which voters, by means of private or absentee ballots, vote on budget appropriations, the tax levy and resolutions. Both the bridge renaming and the Tiverton charter legislation were co-sponsored by Representatives Reilly and Raymond E. Gallison Jr. (D-Dist. 69, Bristol, Portsmouth).
A really concerned citizen
3:44 pm on Friday, January 20, 2012
Now that they have named the new Brightman Street bridge in Fall River/ Somerset something very similar don't you think there may be some confusion with traffic reports and closings and such ? Nothing against the name, just the confusion.
Home Ports
6:09 pm on Friday, January 20, 2012
Maybe the good representatives should think about what happened to the last legislator that wasted time trying to rename the bridge. What's wrong with the Sakonnet River Bridge? That's what it is known as.
Bill Gleeson
6:51 pm on Friday, January 20, 2012
It's the bridge over the Sakonnet River, just call it the Sakonnet River Bridge.
The Shill
10:03 pm on Friday, January 20, 2012
It's allways been the Sakonnet River Bridge why change it now. The Veterans’ Memorial Bridge is in Fall River/ Somerset. Why do politicians always want to rename something? If you wan't to rename it call it The Lack of Maintenance Memorial Bridge.
TheOneCalledZed
12:14 am on Saturday, January 21, 2012
A bridge is a terrible instrument to memorialize veterans' service - the proper memorial should be the site of ceremony, meditation, and recognition. Choose a building or a park or an edifice to carry the name Veterans' Memorial.
J. Lane McMahon
1:24 am on Saturday, January 21, 2012
It's the Sakonnet....always will be...you can name it anything you like...but it won't matter...Sakonnet River Bridge.....
How many times have you said "The Pell Bridge"????????
Joe Sousa.
5:26 am on Saturday, January 21, 2012
" Sakonnet River Bridge" Great name for a bridge that crosses the Sakonnet River.
John Vit
10:05 am on Saturday, January 21, 2012
When Rep. Rice attempted to install Anne Hutchinson's name, I learned of this process that the General Assembly has to rename things.What my good friend Rep.Edwards should do is submit a bill to remove the General Assembly from renaming anything. It's the Sakonnet River,, the bridge over it is the Sakonnet River Bridge. Please allow logic & common sense to prevail by keeping the same name,, with the only difference being the old one, or the new one.
TAMORI
11:35 am on Saturday, January 21, 2012
I say we call it “The New Sakonnet River Veterans’ Memorial Anne Hutchinson Bridge Next To The Old, But Still Standing, Sakonnet River Bridge” (because we all know that the old one will probably be there for years before it’s taken down).
Seriously, I’m a military retiree and knowing how bridges are treated (or not) in this state I’d rather not have ‘veterans’ associated with the name.
Frank Fieldhouse
1:22 pm on Saturday, January 21, 2012
As a native of Portsmouth and a retired Air Force Veteran, I was astounded to see the terrible condition of the Sakonnet Bridge when last visited in September of 2011. When dedicating something to veterans I would rather see a building or park that ultimately won’t disintegrate to the degree the present bridge has been allowed to get. Please leave the name along. It will always be known as the Sakonnet River Bridge anyhow.
Lee
7:28 am on Thursday, February 2, 2012
He is up for reelection, this is just one more way to keep his name in the head lines, do you really think he cares about us vets?
John Vit
9:03 am on Thursday, February 2, 2012
Rep Edwards does care, about Vets and Rhode Island.
I don't believe he was looking for headlines due to his re-election.
Yes, I'm a Vet & know John Edwards. He is one of the good guys.