Opinion/Letters: An alternative to the proposed Waites Wharf hotel

Support has been there for Middletown kids

Now that the dust has settled regarding the school bond, I would like to respond to Mr. Huet's letter whereby he alleged I was misinforming the public about the financial risk of the bond, that

I was only concerned about my taxes and was not particularly involved with the MPS.

All information myself and Terri Flynn spoke of on WADK was taken from written materials and presentations from the Town Hall, School Building Committee and project consultants.

Regarding tax increases, I am concerned about the 37.7% of residents that are age 55 and over and the average residents of Middletown that have a per capita income of $47,714. (US Census Report 2022) That does not leave much left over after you pay food bills, rent/mortgage, car expenses, etc.

My parental involvement in MPS goes back to 1993 when my son entered kindergarten and completed in 2008 when my daughter graduated. During these years my husband and I attended PTG meetings, volunteered as chaperones, participated in committees to select new HS principal, served on the HS School Improvement Team, taught Hands on Science, hosted dinners for basketball and volleyball, I started the school food committee (as required by the USDA School Lunch Guidelines) and attended parent nights. In 2009 I became a substitute school nurse for K-12. In addition to performing required duties, I have given out my money for school lunches to kids that had none, given coats to kids that were without, connected kids who "graduated" from foster care at age 18/19 to the MLK food bank and brought in snacks. I also counselled kids that were interested in a military career given that I spent 21 yrs. in the USAR. ( I want to acknowledge that your full-time school nurses also go over the top for the kids and Middletown is fortunate to have such caring and competent nurses. ) I have attended Economic Advisory Committee meetings (zoom) when they were discussing enhancing student vocational opportunities and I currently serve on the town's Juvenile Hearing Board.

In closing Mr. Huet, I believe I have done my share for MPS and its youth.

Audrey Macleod Pfeiffer, Middletown

Navy must investigate leaks that led to Harley removal

On Nov. 2, 2023, the U.S. Naval War College (NWC) finally honored RADM Dr. Jeffrey A. Harley USN (ret) for his service to the US Navy and to the Nation. After many unconscionable delays, RADM Harley’s official portrait was ceremoniously unveiled up in Newport before a large crowd of onlookers.

The NWC is unique. It is the only PME MA-granting institution to focus on the prerequisites and strategic possibilities for maritime power. For the NWC to be anything less than a top-tier graduate institution risks U.S. national security, because it is the only graduate institution to study sea power, in other words the actual geopolitical situation of the United States.

In June 2019, leaked documents to the Associated Press (AP) unfairly forced NWC President Harley to step down. This was in fact an “on-land naval mutiny” conducted by a small cohort of dissatisfied ex-Navy employees. It has been a trying time at the NWC ever since. Dozens of professors have left the institution, many in secret protest against this mutiny. But the portrait unveiling earlier this month graphically demonstrates Harley’s full exoneration over three years later.

Why do I say that the anti-Harley incident was the first – and arguably only – fully successful mutiny in US Navy history? Because the goal of the mutineers was to oust Harley. They clearly succeeded. And, there was zero punishment for the mutineers. So, the mutineers achieved their objectives and they were not punished. That is the textbook definition of a successful mutiny.

Those mutineers who ruined Harley’s career remain at large and unpunished. No top-tier institution does business this way. When asked, the Navy IG even claimed to R.I. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse on Dec. 8, 2022 that it had “no information” on the AP leaks. This is either an outright lie, or a complete dereliction of duty. Either way it is damning that the Navy IG refused to conduct an official investigation into the AP leaks.

It is wrong that the US Navy IG has continued to drag its feet on investigating the anti-Harley AP leaks.

RADM Harley has now been fully exonerated, but there still needs to be a full investigation of why he was forced out in the first place. It is never too late to do the right thing. The Navy IG must initiate an official investigation into the circumstances surrounding the June 2019 AP leaks.

Bruce Elleman, William V. Pratt Professor of International History at the US Naval War College, Newport

An alternative to the proposed Waites Wharf hotel

Newport's Planning Board is moving carefully on the issue of the proposed 118-room hotel at Waites Wharf. Monday night's meeting finally gave the opposition a chance to present their case why a hotel this large with its accompanying traffic should not be next to a large residential area. Planning Expert Doug McLean did an excellent job especially when he explained why the proposed hotel did not satisfy Newport's Comprehensive Land Use Plan. When he was asked what he would recommend to be located on the property, he did not have a clear answer. I wish he had said that as the biggest problem that Newport faces is too much traffic on its narrow colonial streets, an excellent use of the Waites Wharf property would be something like Bannisters or Bowen’s Wharves which are pedestrian-oriented and attract both locals and tourists. It would also be wonderful if there was an 11th Hour Racing "Save The Ocean Museum" there!!! The next meeting will be on Dec. 11.

Connie Bischoff, Newport

Trump should not be allowed to run

Colorado's courts have found Donald Trump guilty of engaging in insurrection. So far, however, he has not been removed from the ballot. The reason is that he was not perceived to be an "officer" of the United States. Let's recall the Presidential Oath of Office, "I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States." So, Trump was an officer who violated the 14th Amendment's insurrection clause, and accordingly, he is ineligible to run or serve. The Constitution requires it.

William C. Rives, Newport

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Letters: An alternative to the proposed Waites Wharf hotel