The following is a letter to the editor submitted by the Portsmouth Open Space Committee. As the Portsmouth Open Space Committee is charged with advising the Town on open space matters, I am writing you to let you know that the Portsmouth Open Space Committee unanimously and enthusiastically supports the proposal for removing the Elmhurst School building as part of protecting and enhancing the Glen as outlined in Mr. Edward Clement’s letter of Feb. 17, 2012 to Richard S. Wimpress, Chair of the Elmhurst Planning Committee. The Glen is arguably one of Portsmouth’s most important community …
The following is a letter to the editor from Congressman David Cicilline. Some political observers have suggested that Congressman Paul Ryan (R-WI) and the House Republican caucus demonstrated courage with their most recent budget proposal. I disagree. There is no doubt that we need to restore fiscal responsibility in Washington, D.C. – on this point, nearly all of my Republican and Democratic colleagues agree. We enacted cuts and savings that amount to $900 billion over ten years and agreed to at least $1.2 trillion more over nine years beginning in 2013. Where we disagree is on whether …
The following is a letter to the editor submitted by Kathy Melvin. The Portsmouth Concerned Citizens group voted recently to oppose pending state legislation, which would place restrictions on planned medical marijuana centers, including one expected to open in Portsmouth. By an overwhelming margin, the (PCC) membership opposed the efforts of the General Assembly to amend the bill allowing a marijuana compassion center to open in Portsmouth. These amendments are seen as an attempt by marijuana proponents in the General Assembly to assuage the concerns of the U. S. Attorney Peter Neronha and…
The following is a letter to the editor written and submitted by Portsmouth School Committee member David Croston. Not On My Watch On Tuesday, March 13, the Portsmouth School Committee will entertain a motion to study the outsourcing of custodial and maintenance services throughout the school district. I will state emphatically from the beginning that I am opposed to this study and pray that it is defeated next Tuesday. I oppose the study based on the health and safety of the children; and, I believe we all need to stand up for the dedicated women and men who serve the Portsmouth School …
At last night's School Committee meeting, following a lengthy discussion on member David Croston's agenda item, the committee discussed establishing a committee workshop for future proposed changes to the programming at Portsmouth High School. Clearly, Curriculum and Programming fall under the purvey of the superintendent and administrative staff who are responsible for establishing a high-quality program of studies that meets students needs. While the school committee plays a roll in this, oversight in the development of any changes should not be conducted in workshops, but in open session …
Keith Humphreys says the town's Zoning Board of Review is causing the town to lose money. In the letter in the pdf at right, Humphreys talks about the loss of a recent Portsmouth business and actions taken at the last Town Council meeting. Do you agree with Humphreys? Tell us your thoughts in the comment section below.
If you are an animal lover, you certainly understand the human-animal bond and how strong it is. It makes no difference if your pet came to you from a reputable breeder of your own choosing or from the local shelter via adoption; you understand the deep connection that exists. Animal shelters all around the world help animals and people every day. The Potter League is such a shelter, right here in our community. Most of the animals that come into the care of the Potter League are lost, homeless, unwanted or sorrowfully relinquished because their owners can no longer care for them due to …
U.S. secretary of education Arne Duncan was recently in Rhode Island and encouraged the Rhode Island electorate to support the president’s American Jobs Act for the educational benefits Rhode Island would receive as a result of its passage. If we would just get on board and implore our elected representatives to get behind the Jobs Act, we’ll receive an $85.6 million investment in school infrastructure, a $12.7 million grant to community colleges and $94 million to support and protect 1,100 educator jobs. Total windfall to us: $192.3 million. Where, pray tell, did our president find this…
In this open letter below, Keith Humphreys proposes the following changes to the town's zoning process: Task the Portsmouth Economic Development Committee, and possibly include the Portsmouth Business Association directors, officers and members with drafting a set of changes to the operating policies and procedures of the Portsmouth Zoning Board of Review. Establish residential and commercial boards. Assist town council in recruiting and recommending members for those boards. Expedite individual applicant/petitioner decisions where appropriate. Reduce meeting-to-meeting backlogs. Insure …
I am unable to attend this evenings hearing in Portsmouth on tolls for the Mt. Hope Bridge. I voice a strong disapproval of placing new tolls on the bridge. By far the majority of the traffic on the bridge is related to commuters to and from work and business related travel (55% + 8%). Aquidneck Island has been and will no doubt always be a daily importer of employees. This places a burden on commuting employees and adds to difficulties employers face in hiring. It adds to the costs of deliveries of materials and supplies. We are especially sensitive to the issues it creates for our …
Keith Humphreys, a 10 year member of the Portsmouth Economic Development Committee, is asking town officials to take a closer look at the town's zoning process. According to a letter, published as a pdf at right, Humphreys believes the town's zoning process deters new business growth. The process length, duration of Zoning Board meetings and, according to Humphreys, a lack of quorum on the Zoning Board all contribute to this detterance. "One meeting per month, lengthy agendas and unjustified demands have caused excessive delay and financial burden to the applicant," he writes. To read more…
New England will celebrate Navy Week on Sept. 24-Oct. 2. The annual Eastern States Exposition, in Sringfield, MA, will be the center of the celebration. America’s Navy is a global force for good, our country’s away team, meeting threats and providing help whenever needed. The Navy fights on, under and over the water, in ships, submarines and in planes, many of which use aircraft carriers.This ability to act from the water is very important. It gives the Navy the power to protect America’s interests – anywhere, anytime.Consider that: Water covers about 70 percent of the earth’s surface. …
Have you noticed that the Portsmouth Transfer Station has never looked worse? Lately, I get frustrated every time I have to go there. Today (Tuesday, Sept. 13) while I was there, I saw a full recycling container, swarming with bees, the cardboard container was spilling out onto the ground, then as I pulled around to the garbage area, I watched as the workers ( I assume they're workers by the bright yellow shirts) are hanging around inside the trash area. One was smoking a cigarette, another was leaning against the little bulldozer, and there also was some woman in a red mini van hanging out …
The Portsmouth Farm Tax Exemption Program was established in 1990. The ordinance requires the town to review the program annually, reserving the right to amend, modify or abolish the program. Recently, the Town Council voted to establish a Task Force of nine members to review the program and include a list of those who are taking advantage of the program, for the first time since the program's inception. The Farm Tax Exemption Program is a good program designed to support Portsmouth's hard working farmers. It is self-certifying and does not require verification common to other government …
Superintendent of Schools Lynn Krizic submitted the following open letter to parents about how to talk to kids about Irene: Dear Portsmouthian families and staff, The recent storm resulted in loss of power, property damage, changes to school schedules, and work disruptions. The effects of dangerous storms do not necessarily end when the power goes back on and schedules return to normal. The Family Service of RI, a member of the National Child Traumatic Stress Network, has asked us to share the "Parent Guidelines for Helping Children After a Hurricane" with our families. For some children …
If this program were renamed, The Open Space Incentive Program, so much misunderstanding would be eliminated. What the program is meant to do is thank people who hold undeveloped land (open space), who work the land as farmers, who manage forests or meadows and those who just let their land be. Cost of Town Services: There seems to be a huge misunderstanding about the TRUE cost of services and revenue generation of various types of property. A councilwoman commented last Monday (July 18) night. “For every dollar of taxes someone doesn’t pay, someone else has to pay them.” Actually, for every …
Change you can believe in. That was the mantra of the Democratic campaign led by Barack Obama in 2008. Integral in this change effort was an effort to replace the antiquated seniority system as a mechanism for advancing the competitiveness of our educational system. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan believes that the seniority and tenure rules are a system designed to put the needs of adults ahead of children. Leading the efforts to bring Portsmouth’s educational system to a higher level of competitiveness is our own newly-elected Republican led School Committee chaired by Cynthia Perrotti…
Summer is here, the Fourth of July looms, and it is officially beach season in Rhode Island. Pack up the kids, the beach towels and umbrella, the cooler, and a bucketful of suntan lotion and head for the shore. Here are some things you won’t have to take: cigarette butts, lawn fertilizer, pet poop, and oil and gas residues from roads and driveways. They will get there on their own. What Rhode Islanders don’t realize as well as they should is that the main source of pollution to our water bodies is stormwater runoff. In a recent University of Rhode Island survey, nearly 90 percent of those …
Just last week, the legislature in Connecticut debated and passed legislation that removes the criminal penalty for possession of a small amount of marijuana, replacing it with a civil fine. Connecticut Governor Dan Malloy, who championed marijuana decriminalization, is expected to sign the bill into law. The Rhode Island General Assembly should follow the lead of our neighbors and pass H 5031/S 270, our companion marijuana decriminalization bills. Our bills, like those approved in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and 12 other states, would take a modest step to make the penalties for marijuana …
The members of the Portsmouth Lions Club wish to express our sincere appreciation to those who attended our recent fundraiser: “A Tribute to Elvis Presley," performed by renown impersonator, Donny Romines (www.donnyelvis.com), held on May 21at the Seaconnet Sportsman’s Club. A special THANKS to those individuals and local businesses that supported our event by so generously donating wine and spirits, gift cards, gift baskets and other raffle items that benefit our Charity Fund. Portsmouth Lions Club - serving our community for 64 years.
