OPINION/LETTERS: Final thoughts before election day in Newport County
Kindness goes a long way
I want to thank Aspire Dermatology for going out of their way to help me. On Oct. 20, Aspire Dermatology kept the doors open to me and my caregiver after closing at 5 p.m. for our safety while we waited for our ride from a private wheelchair transportation company. We ended up waiting from 2:30 until after 6 p.m. We considered walking several miles home because I am paralyzed and wheelchair-bound, but the walk was very long and it was cold outside. We ended up making an emergency call to the fire department. I want to thank the fire department, and especially the fire chief, for understanding and bringing me home safely. I pray that this will never happen again, but I am very grateful for the kind people who assisted me. God Bless you all.
Elizabeth Watts, Newport
Support Question 1 on election day
In November, voters will decide on a bond question that would provide $100 million in improvements tothe University of Rhode Island’s Narragansett Bay Campus. It will be Question 1 on the ballot, and weurge Rhode Islanders to vote “yes.”
URI is a world leader in oceanography, ocean engineering, and other marine-related fields. The work andresearch happening at the Bay Campus is cutting edge, but the facilities are not. Many of the buildingsdate to the 1960s and have not been meaningfully updated. Without repairs and new facilities, theUniversity—and our state—will fall behind and be at a severe disadvantage when competing to attracttalent and secure new projects and funding.
This is important for our entire state. URI is a leader in research involving the Blue Economy, and the BayCampus is home to many centers, state and federal agencies, nonprofits and non-governmentalorganizations, and private companies that rely on its facilities and work. The term “Blue Economy” hasmany definitions. Simply put, the Blue Economy is the sustainable use of ocean and coastal resources foreconomic growth. It includes industries like offshore wind, renewable energy, marine trades, fisheries,tourism, and defense. It involves protecting the health of our oceans and environment. And it drives jobcreation.
Today, the Blue Economy contributes more than $5 billion to Rhode Island’s economy. By 2030, thatfigure is projected to double to $10 billion. URI will be a key player in achieving this growth.Jobs will be an important outcome of Question 1. The immediate source of new jobs will includeconstruction and related industries. Long term, a modern Bay Campus will help create sustainable,equitable career opportunities in science, technology, research, and the environment. And the creationof jobs and new businesses in the Blue Economy will encourage students to stay in Rhode Island aftergraduation.
URI is the state’s flagship public research university. It also is one of the state’s largest employers. RhodeIslanders can make a major difference for their state university by voting “yes.” An investment in URIpays dividends. A recent analysis shows that for every dollar invested, the University returns more thansix dollars to the state’s economy.
As the desire for renewable energy grows and as climate change worsens, approval of this bond will go along way to keeping URI a transformative leader in the Blue Economy. It will enable the University tocontinue to attract the best and brightest students and faculty to our state.
We encourage all Rhode Islanders to join us in making an investment in our state university, in the stateof Rhode Island, and in our collective future by voting “yes” on Question 1.
Sen. Alana DiMario, Rep. Kathleen A. Fogarty, Sen. V. Susan Sosnowski, Rep. Carol Hagan McEntee, Rep. Teresa Tanzi
Portsmouth Republican did participate in forum
The letter to the editor from Ms. Kassis and Ms. Keyser in The Newport Daily News was misleading. I am a Republican candidate for Senate District 11 and I did participate in a forum sponsored by the RI League of Women Voters on Oct. 13. The forum can be viewed at https://my.lwv.org/rhode-island/2022-candidate-forum-videos .
Ken Mendonça, Portsmouth
Lou DiPalma is a respected leader
On a recent Sunday afternoon I was surprised to see a fit, tanned middle-aged man at my kitchen door. It was Lou DiPalma, with a handful of pamphlets meant for my wife Jeanne, to help in his reelection campaign. To be honest, I am not one to answer the door on such occasions (Jeanne at work, football on TV), but the sight of Lou made me smile and I welcomed him to join me at my kitchen table. Jeanne and I have known Lou and Margaret DiPalma for over 20 years as our children had attended both St. Philomena’s and Portsmouth Abbey School. Margaret DiPalma has since retired as a much beloved and respected teacher at St. Phil’s and I am an alumnus from there as well. The time at St.Phil’s it was not an uncommon sight to see Lou, year after year, with sleeves rolled up, fully engaged in the volunteer work expected of parents at a small parochial school. I knew then as I know now as I sat looking across my kitchen table at such a proud grandfather, that this was a good man. Lou and I talked current events, well, I mostly talked, Lou listened. Lou’s accomplishments are impressive (not enough space to print), not as a politician, but as a rolled-up shirt-sleeved, intelligent and tenacious community leader who works for the people he represents. Vote for Sen. Lou DipPalma, a good man.
Michael and Jeanne Murray, Middletown
The benefits of regionalization
I would like to give you my perception of the financial and educational benefits of school regionalization between Newport and Middletown.
FINANCIALBoth school systems, Middletown and Newport, are faced with a shrinking population. Combining and optimizing resources makes fiscal sense. Reduction of taxpayer obligations in the foreseeable future. Consider money that will be lost if school Regionalization is voted down.
EDUCATIONALCurrent test scores are abysmal at Rogers and nothing to write home about in Middletown. Regionalizing resources will give students opportunities to participate in availability of additional AP classes, expansion of art and music programs, STEM, foreign language courses and more. As a real estate agent on Aquidneck Island, I envision upgraded facilities and enhanced scholastic offerings that will attract more families moving into the area who would otherwise move to school districts off-island.
Anna Anton, Middletown
Lucky to have Newport Hospital
I would like to honor and thank the staff of Newport Hospital for the excellent care I received during a recent stay. From employees with 20+ years of service to those with less than 20 weeks, from the doctors to the cleaning staff, technicians, transport, RN’s, CNA’s, all were kind, considerate, and professional. We are lucky to have this fine facility on Aquidneck Island.
Virginia Butterworth, Middletown
Elected officials should take critical eye on regionalization
Local Question 5 seems to be dominating this election. We know for certain that Question 5 will not be combining school buildings. Newport will have Pell Elementary, Thompson Middle and the new Rogers High School and Middletown will build a new combined elementary school, middle school and high school. As a voter I want to know more. I would like a more critical eye to be taken by our elected officials, toward evaluating the ramifications of this separate but equal plan. Instead, we are getting a sales pitch that has not looked past what the potential savings could be, especially when even those savings are not guaranteed. Why is it so terrible to want transparency - to know the facts, benefits, and risks before voting? After all, this question will be tying Newport and Middletown together educationally and financially for decades. We as a community (elected officials included) should be asking the difficult questions including (but not limited to): How can we increase educational program offerings with 2 separate schools and not increase costs? How will Middletown invest its money back into this new, combined district when it will be maxed out on its ability to bond? How will the funding be allocated back to the schools with more students or more costly NACTC programs? Why has Newport had more workshops and critical discussions on food trucks and their locations, than we have had on an issue as complex as Question 5? I am not against regionalization. However, I am against an ill-conceived, rushed, behind-closed-door deal that asks us to put our children’s and taxpayers’ future in the hands of a not yet identified elected school committee and an appointed finance committee. This is not the regionalization Newport has been asking to study and is the beginning of a slippery slope that has the potential to lead to a segregated school system. Furthermore, history has shown us “separate but equal” does not and ultimately will not work. For these reasons I will be rejecting Question 5.
Mark Muenter, Newport
DiPalma makes a difference in lives of Rhode Islanders
Lou cares, Lou listens and Lou acts to support his district and Rhode Island. I point to two examples of his leadership: Several years ago, he took the lead on the development of funding sources that replaced the state’s plan to place tolls on the Sakonnet River Bridge (a big win for our district!), and Lou has taken the lead on a plan to place suicide barriers on Rhode Island’s bridges – installations that will save the lives of desperate souls over the years. These initiatives don’tcarry a “party” label – rather they reflect the vision of a leader who cares about issues that are important to the people he represents. And with Lou’s 14 years seniority, he has proven that he can make a positive difference in the lives ofRhode Islanders.
John Bagwill, Middletown
Clarifying information on regionalization
As a Newport School Committee member and a parent of students who attend Newport schools, I feel compelled to clarify, and hopefully eliminate the confusion and misinformation regarding the impact of regionalization on both Newport taxpayers and students.
Newport WILL NOT be responsible for Middletown's $2M deficit or any deficit that exists prior to regionalizing. In fact, the Middletown City Council has already paid its deficit with ARPA funds. Newport Public Schools has a $5.5M surplus.
Taxpayers in Newport WILL benefit from regionalization. Newport will receive a $46M reimbursement from the state for the Rogers High School construction, and the Pell School addition if question 5 is passed. This reimbursement will be paid over the life of the 25-year bond, in two installments per year equaling $1.8M per year. Is this not a benefit to the taxpayer? We will also receive a $2.5M reimbursement per year, from the state, exclusively for busing. Further cost savings from consolidation and economies of scale will benefit the taxpayer as well.
Students in Newport WILL have the opportunity to benefit from regionalization. Middletown is clearly doing a better job as reflected in recent released SAT scores. Only 7.9% of economically disadvantaged students in Newport are meeting or exceeding expectations while in Middletown that figure is 22.3%. At the same time, 64.4% of economically disadvantaged students in Newport are not meeting expectations, but in Middletown the percentage is lower at 39%. Based on these facts, does it not make sense for Newport to merge with a community with better test scores and share ideas to improve our student's education?
Many opponents are arguing that if Question 5 passes that it is not true regionalization, but what is true regionalization? We will have one superintendent, one budget, one curriculum, one system of busing, one school committee. We will have more flexibility to support our students and it’s up to the community to decide how we move forward together. Support Question 5 for the benefit of both the taxpayers and the students.
James Dring, Newport
Khamsyvoravong is an experienced leader
After attending the Newport City Council candidate forum, I walked away incredibly impressed by Xay Khamsyvoravong. There is no doubt that Newport needs Xay and his experience on City Council.
It’s not every election cycle that Newport has a candidate with the skills and credentials like Xay’s. Xay's impressive resume is at XayForNewport.com but it's important to highlight his well-rounded public finance, legal, policy, and civic experience. As a retired math teacher and volunteer at the MLK Center, I know numbers matter, but what we do with the numbers matters more.
Xay’s extensive public finance experience means that he brings expert skills to public budgeting. Xay’s legal and policy experience means that he brings the know-how of the public governance process to set policy that drives the budget. Xay has the civic leadership experience to understand the wide-reaching impact good policy and strong finances has for years to come.
Keith Grove and Gene Thompson-Grove, Newport
Aramli will work in best interests of Newport
I am writing this letter in support of Mark Aramli for City Council At-Large. I have proudly served our city as a captain at the Newport Police Department, now retired after 30 years of service.My time there has given me a great feeling on the challenges our beautiful city of Newport and its residents face daily. Housing, infrastructure, finances, jobs, shoreline access, parking, homelessness, cleanliness, taxes, and crime. These challenges exist in real time, and I believe Mark has the experience, leadership,and conviction to help solve them. Mark is unique among any City Council candidate in recent memory in that he has demonstrated the capability andjudgment needed to create and lead one of Newport’s largest and most successful local businesses. Citygovernments are businesses and Mark uniquely understands the best use of money, manpower and policy to achievethe absolute best results for the customers of that business – we the taxpayers. Mark has been tirelessly committed to public service via his philanthropic and volunteer work supporting AquidneckIsland’s neediest families. Mark and his wife Ida were recently bestowed the 2022 Keeper of the Dream award by theMLK Community Center, the highest honor given to those whose outstanding contributions most embody the idealsof Dr. King. Another reason I am supporting Mark is that he is one of the only City Council candidates basing his platform on theimportance of public safety and investing in keeping our neighborhoods secure. Mark also has a plan to reign in theopen pipe motorcycle noise problem which has been getting worse and not better every year, ravaging residents wholive on our busy streets. On a personal basis, I have gotten to know Mark and he is a giving and compassionate family man. Mark has theleadership experience and kind demeanor to work collaboratively with fellow councilors and the City Manager in thebest interest of our residents. We are at an intersection; change is coming to Newport whether we like it or not. We need practical minded leaderswith track records of success to guide us into the future. We need Mark Aramli on Newport’s City Council. Vote forMark, you can learn more about this very remarkable person at his website at markfornewport.com Russell Carlone, Newport
Former regionalization group lends support to current plan
The following former members of and advisors to the Citizens Exploring School Unification (CESU) group, formed in 2019, enthusiastically support voting YES on the school regionalization referendums on the ballot in Newport (item 5) and in Middletown (item 4). We also support voting YES on the Middletown School Bond Question 5. All three ballot items must pass for the long-awaited school regionalization process to begin.
Even though many of us in Newport and Middletown would have preferred one unified high school building at the outset, currently approved school building projects in Newport and planned school buildings in Middletown prevent this from happening now. Nevertheless, we can still see and imagine the educational benefits for the students of both communities along with the creative uses and modifications of existing and proposed school buildings to enhance theeducational process.
With the extensive financial support being offered by the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) if these three ballot items are approved NOW, the possibilities for expanding educational programs are boundless. New programs mean more opportunities for us to address students’ individual educational needs and goals.
Some of the possible educational benefits of school regionalization were clearly outlined and discussed by both the Newport and Middletown School Superintendents on Oct. 27 in a joint, public school committee meetingbetween Newport and Middletown.
We can no longer afford to study school regionalization and wait months or years in hopes that this opportunity will present itself again along with RIDE’s large financial incentives. It’s already been 11 years that school regionalization between Newport and Middletown has been discussed and debated!
To all citizens and stakeholders in our two communities concerned with how school regionalization will work to benefit the students and save taxpayers money, we urge you to voice your opinions and involve yourselves with the regional school district Transitional Advisory Team, planned on being established if all three referendums are approved. The Team’s objective will be to create recommendations or a blueprint for the new regional school district board.
We strongly urge all voters of Newport and Middletown to vote YES on the school regionalization referendums; and for Middletowners to additionally vote YES on the school bond (question 5). Without a doubt, together we can better meet the educational needs of our school age children.
Dick Adams, Middletown; Libby Ivy, Middletown; Janet McCarthy, Middletown; Chris Semonelli, Middletown; Chip Leakas, Middletown; Mike Cullen, Newport; Ron Héroux, Middletown; Susan Schenck, Middletown; Gregory Huet, Middletown; Anna Anton, Middletown; Beth Cullen, Newport
Regionalization benefits outweigh negatives
Students and Taxes. Middletown and Newport students and citizens are on the verge of a historicalchange that can only benefit students' educational experiences and provide tax relief that taxpayers canonly dream about. I urge the adults to support these bond referendums in both of our communities onTuesday, Nov. 8; our children already do. When these bonds pass, Newport and Middletown willbe leaders and set the example for education in Rhode Island.
Students and Taxes. Please educate yourselves on the facts of this proposal – your best resource is thiswebpage – https://middletown-newport.us/ – you will quickly see that the benefits far outweigh anyadverse outcomes, and this website has all the facts. Vote to support our students by providing theopportunities that many of us never had and for tax relief that all of us need and will never see again.Students and Taxes. Unfortunately, this is about power and control for certain misinformed people andgroups. This vocal minority has engaged in disingenuous activity and trivial dialogue with inaccuratestatements, attempting to confuse and distract us from making the responsible and most obvious choiceto vote to approve these bonds. It has become increasingly clear that these people are arguing to keeppower and control with little regard for Students and Taxpayers.
Students and Taxes. Do we have all the answers to the questions that some have asked? No. Do we everor will we ever have all the answers in any given year? No. By all accounts, the passage of these bondswill improve education and provide historic tax relief in both communities.
Students and Taxes. I am a native Newporter and a resident and taxpayer in Middletown. I attendedschools in both communities. My children attended Middletown schools, and currently, mygrandchildren attend Middletown schools. Some of my closest friends, my children's and grandchildren'sfriends, live in Newport. We have lived, worked, and played together for many years. Let's make it evenbetter for both communities, Students and Taxpayers alike.
Students and Taxes. I urge my friends in both communities: Do not let the power and control narrativeconfuse and distract you from this historic opportunity. Middletown and Newport together will NEVERhave these opportunities again. Fact. As you step into the voting booth, I challenge all of us to consider,as my friend from Newport asks, "what is the cost of doing nothing?" Newport and Middletown citizens:Vote together to approve these bonds for historic tax relief and to provide historic educationalexperiences for our Students.
Bill Nash, Middletown
Too many questions to support regionalization
With the Nov. 8th election around the corner, I've been educating myself on local issues. I recently learned about the proposal for regionalization (Question 5) which actually translates to having separate schools in Newport and Middletown. This makes no sense to me. The way the question is written seems misleading. How is this a regional district? How will this benefit the students of Newport and Middletown? How will our schools improve by merely sharing administration offices?
It seems there is a lack of both educational planning and clarity about definitive benefits. As responsible adults who care about our community, we owe it to our young people to ensure they have more opportunities and better facilities – and that tax payers get all the information. After all, this will impact our school system for decades.
I feel strongly that we need to take the appropriate time and effort to get this right instead of rushing this through. I have been a resident of Newport for 7+ years, a property owner for 2.5 years and hope to start a family soon. I have too many questions to feel comfortable supporting this proposal so I'll vote to reject Question 5 and hope others join me.
Katie MacKay O'Brien, Newport
Muenter will be a powerful voice on Newport School Committee
I am writing today in support of Kendra Wilson Muenter, candidate for Newport School Committee.I have known Kendra for the past seven years, serving beside her as a volunteer for the Pell PTO and now the Thompson PTO. In those seven years, I have learned many things about Kendra that make her one of my top choices for the NSC:● Kendra is a hands-on supporter of our local public schools. As a parent volunteer and PTO leader, she has given countless hours of her time and talents to raise money, build community, and organize events to better the lives of our students and staff.● Kendra is invested in the future of our children. When our high school was given the dubious distinction of “worst facility in RI” and our elementary school was bursting at the seams, Kendra was a founding member of Building Newport’s Future, a grass-roots organization that worked tirelessly to pass the School Bond in 2020. The successfulpassage of that bond led to the expansion of our elementary school and will give our students a high school where all students can thrive. (Kendra will make sure of that, since she is also a member of the School Building Committee!)● Kendra is an engaged and informed citizen. In addition to her parent volunteer responsibilities and her educational activism (as well as the responsibilities of work and family), Kendra somehow manages to stay informed and educated about a vast array of issues impacting our community. She is well-known by our city leaders, but she also knows community members from all of our neighborhoods. As a Newport School Committee member, I believe that Kendra would be an incredibly effective liaison between citizens and our elected officials.
Please cast your vote in this very important election next Tuesday, Nov. 8 and please support my friend, Kendra Willson Muenter in her campaign — she will be a powerful voice for students, parents & taxpayers.
Jennifer Gee, Newport
Regionalization lacks details
I am voting against Question number 4 because it is not for the students. Please do confuse that I am against regionalization. My wife and I are both educated as teachers, operate a business in town and have three children whom attend the Middletown schools. I have attended two of the many public meetings, and while these meetings were veryinformative, their lack of details concern me. From the meetings I learned :
NOTHING CAN BE GUARANTEED.• The vote on Nov. 8 is ONLY to allow the start of a NEW government entity (Regional School Board) and the dispersal of the 2 existing School Committees.• If approved, ONLY the Regional School Board can make decisions on how the new district will function.• Thus, no promises, no decisions, no guarantees on ANYTHING, even how students will be assigned to schools.
THERE IS A LOT OF MONEY ON THE TABLE.• This is being pressed due to the limited time to take advantage of State Funds• When I asked the question, “If Middletown votes “NO” to regionalization and instead builds a new High School what would the numbers look like?” I was told that the numbers would be similar to regionalization!
THE COST PER STUDENT WILL STAY SIMILAR TO WHAT IT IS NOW.•The regionalization cost per student hardly changes.• While there are efficiencies, the major financial gain to regionalization is the cost of new buildings vs repairs.• Remember, approximately 80% of the school budget is salaries.
THERE ARE A LOT OF CONCERNS ABOUT CONTRACTS.• Newport and Middletown do not pay the same salaries, or benefits.• This is going to be VERY contentious and very well may end up causing highercosts.
In closing, If you were a shareholder of a company whom has been mismanaged and is performing poorly and had the opportunity to vote on whether to merge with another competitor whom is having performance issues also would you?
I have never seen a principal in Middletown request the need for a new building. I have seen them request the need for MORE STAFF, MORE TRAINING, MORE IN CLASS RESOURCES, MORE SUPPORT. While new buildings will help alleviate building expenses immediately I am convinced that it will not improve student performance, nor will it help the large amount of struggling students. Change is needed and we need to get our house in order first! Anyone whom thinks that new buildings are going to correct the inadequacies of our current system does not understand the challenges that the students face every day. Buildings do not make a school; it's the people, passion, standards, systems, discipline and creativity inside that make it happen.
Jesse M Rodrigues Jr., Middletown
Newport mayor should not be top vote-getter
Selecting a mayor (or a chair of a school committee) from an election day’s popular vote raises two significant concerns.
First concern is from the perspective of the individual voter. In the city of Newport this concern arises from format of the election which asks the voter to choose multiple candidates. Remember, Newport voters are asked to select four for Newport City Council at large and seven for Newport School Committee. If the election day vote is then also used to select the mayor, then the voter is now being asked two separate questions 1) who do you want to represent you on the council and 2) who do you want to be your mayor. This may be done in other communities but I am not sure of the legality of allowing voters only one vote to answer two questions. There are many scenarios where an individual voter has a strong opinion on who should serve on the city council and yet feel that some of “their” selected candidates may not be the best choice for mayor. This may lead to “bullet” style voting which in not truly reflective of a community. A proper vote for mayor can only be determined after the election when the serving candidates are clearly known. Previous city leadership (back in the 1950s) recognized this and determined that the first act of the new council (as community representatives) is to select the mayor. This is done by council vote and not somehow inferred by election day results.
A second concern speaks to the functioning of the community. As a former member to the Newport School Committee, I can state that the chair of the school committee and the chair (mayor) of the city council are not simply figurehead /ceremonial positions that simply run meetings. They are functioning leadership positions that oftentimes are first to work with city administration. It is best that these positions be held by experienced individuals with leadership skills and most importantly have the support (at least at the outset) of the majority of the committee or council. Selection by popular vote may produce an individual that does not have support of the standing committee and the result may be a politically stagnant committee that does not move the community. I remember one election cycle where the last place finisher was elected chair of the Newport School Committee (by the Newport School Committee) and was in fact the best choice bringing experience, leadership skills, and most importantly had the support of fellow committee members.
Hugo DeAscentis Jr., Newport
DiPalma serves Middletown constituents faithfully
I urge the voters of Middletown to join with me in supporting and voting for Sen. Louis DiPalma, who represents Middletown in the Rhode Island State Senate. Lou has served his Middletown constituents faithfully and with honor for many years while on the Middletown Town Council from 2004 to 2008 and thereafter seven terms in the RI State Senate since 2008. He has always put the interests of his constituency front and center to get the results needed to provide the necessary services to everyone in Middletown and all other communities that he represents. He is highly regarded by his colleagues in government and also has received support at the polls over the years which allowed him to become an influential member of the Rhode Island Senate.
Currently, Lou is the Chair of the Senate Oversight Committee and Vice Chair of the Senate Finance Committee; as such he has championed fiscally responsible budgets that grow our local and State economies, fixed our roads and bridges, improved education and addressed climate challenges as well. He brings to the table 40 years of engineering experience at Raytheon Technologies which includes his current role as Undersea Systems Chief Engineer. As a result ofhis training, he has the necessary skills to insure all decisions he makes are fact-based and data driven. Over the last two years he has delivered on his promises for getting results for his constituency such as removing the car tax and income tax on military/Social Security/pensions, enacted $250M investments in housing and fought to ensure appropriate funding for programs assisting the underserved in our state.
Based on the recent state budget, with the utilization of a surplus and the American Rescue Plan Act (APRA) of 2021, Lou will use that funding in his role as First Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance to leverage this unexpected surplus in this year’s budget to lessen the impact of inflation on all his constituents in District 12.
In my recollection as a political participant and observer over the major portion of my adult life, Lou is a rare commodity. He is concerned with the issues involving his constituents and has no self-serving motivation at all as he represents his constituency. Middletown will be well served in the future by returning Lou DiPalma to the Rhode Island Senate in District 12. He has my unparalleled support and I hope he will have yours too.Robert M. Silva, Middletown
DiPalma understands mental health issues
Mental Health care is a bipartisan issue because mental illness affects all of us. Mental health and substance abuse issues can seep into every family, from every walk of life – no matter their income, ethnicity, or political beliefs.
Sen. Lou DiPalma gets this. Among other things, he has been a leading legislative champion statewide for people with developmental disabilities, mental illness, child abuse, and the elderly. He has been a passionate advocate for reducing the state’s suicide rate by pressing for the installation of netting on our major bridges.
As a man of faith (longtime parishioner at St Lucy) and a man of science (chief of engineering at Raytheon) he works tirelessly to improve the safety net in Rhode Island for those suffering from mental illness and other disabilities while at the same time being a fiscal conservative that requires that things he supports must produce measurable results and a return on investment for your tax dollars.
I’m supporting Lou DiPalma for Senate District 12 because of his impeccable character, tireless hard work and impressive track record as a local and state legislator.
Jamie Lehane, Portsmouth
Optimistic for regionalization
Having been a resident of Middletown for decades, a parent of two recent Middletown High School graduates and an educator in the community, I am passionate and optimistic about the opportunities before us today and our responsibility to positively impact the future. As a member of both the Middletown School Committee and the Middletown School Building Committee, I will be supporting and voting YES on the Nov. 8 ballot questions regardingRegionalization and the School Bond. With terminology getting a lot of attention right now and misconceptions about defining regionalization, clarification is needed. According to the passed legislation, regionalization is not the unification or the consolidation of our schools right now. It is the two districts joining forces to share administrative functions and governance, and moving forward, the options are wide open. The regionalized district will share services, be provided with incredible financial incentives and amazing opportunities for students, educators and the Newport and Middletown communities as a whole. Right now we have the historic opportunity and ability to establish and design our schools for the future. Yes, it will take a lot of hard work, dedication, trust, compromise and good faith to create a new, efficient and successful regional district where students will have greater access to comprehensive educational and extracurricular programming. We can not let semantics or fear stand in the way of change and growth.
With expanded strong and vibrant courses of study, greater access to career pathway programs, additional art and athletic options, increased after school programs, and a universal Pre-K, students will benefit today and in the future. The financial incentives are unparalleled and the educational possibilities are limitless with the benefits to our children and community waiting to be realized. We, as voters, have the exciting and unique ability to make this incredibleopportunity for regionalization between Middletown and Newport Public Schools a reality by voting YES on Ballot Questions #4 and #5 in Middletown and Question #5 in Newport. Please join me in voting to optimize the financial resources available today to ensure a high-quality education for all of our students. It is not the time to continually deliberate over the definition of regionalization. It is the time for forward thinking and a positive vision to ensure that our schools are the best they can be today and in the future.
Tami Holden, Middletown
Huet will bring leadership to Middletown School Committee
Gregory Huet is a retired navy officer, is in favor of regionalization and was involved in past efforts by Middletown citizens to put school unification on the ballot. He stresses the need to provide students with an education that makes them competitive at the state, national and global levels.
He points to Electric Boat as a specific example of a local company in need of skilled workers, He says, “We have Electric Boat right across the bay there that is dying for people in the trades, and we aren’t doing a very good job of educating those kids right now.”
Huet feels the first order of business is for Middletown to get its school budget in order. He feels we have some unresolved budget issues which are significant, and in order to gain the confidence of the Middletown and Newporters, we need to make sure we have our stuff taken care of first," he said.
“He thinks that we need to have budget transparency," “He came from a world in the military, where you knew from quarter to quarter where your budget and where your expenses were, and currently there is a significant shortfall.”
Huet feels demographics are a significant contributing factor to low test scores, and says both Middletown and Newport have a large population of ESL (English as a Second Language) students. He believes that the curriculum is not robust, he points out Middletown High School does not currently offer a civics class, and also that the district’s ESL students need more support.
He calls for dialogue with all stakeholders, including the teachers’ unions. Greg is a man of admirable integrity and a can do attitude, please vote him into office and on the school committee on Nov. 8.
Chris Semonelli, Middletown
State-funded schools a benefit to taxpayers
I’ve heard and read a lot recently on how the “regionalization” or “School Building Construction Bond” is all about the kids, but I wonder, are they really only about the kids? Perhaps the voters of Newport and Middletown should look at the fact that it’s significantly about the parents. You know, the ones that have the opportunity to vote on the bonds affecting the future education of their children, the ones that pay taxes for that education, those that spend so much time making sure their children get placed in a safe, warm, well-lit, clean, and comfortable classroom. I wonder how many of today’s parents want a better curriculum for the kids of tomorrow than what is offered today.
How many want a better learning environment and realize this is an opportunity to get it at significant savings on their future taxes. The parents are the ones that will pay the taxes to build the buildings, heat the buildings, power the lights and computers. They will pay for the administrators, the teachers and faculty using on-line resources bought and paid for by lower shared costs for the state-of-the-art equipment used by their kids in the labs and shops. The cost of education is high and will get higher if these bonds are not supported by you, the voting parents of Newport and Middletown.
This is also about the parents of tomorrow who will pay for these new buildings and classrooms. I’d venture to say those graduates 18 to 25 who are voting on these bonds are really in favor of passing them these because they had to put up with the lousy conditions of the buildings or poor choices, they had in course selection and content when in grades 7-12.
So, the question to ask is, do the parents want to pay less for new energy-efficient, state-of-the-art buildings funded in great part by the state of Rhode Island in the near future, or do they want to pay more later when the town or city will still need to refurbish or replace the building BUT with their own town or city funds and future bonds; which you know will probably cost more and will significantly impact their taxes. The buildings we have now are falling apart each year, the air conditioning and furnaces are old and subject to failure and who wants their children in a building with a leaking roof that results in drips of rainwater falling on their kids’ desk?
So, the decision is in your hands, what do you want for the children of Newport and Middletown, an opportunity for growth and development in education and schooling or the same old, same old?
John Haggis, Middletown
Time for a change for Middletown schools and children
The residents of Middletown and Newport have what might be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to build new schools for our children and receive 80% funding from the state of Rhode Island. Middletown High School and Joseph H. Gaudet Schools have not changed since I graduated from High School 46 years ago. The High School was built in 1961, 61 years ago. At that time it received many awards and was considered "state of the art." 61 years later it has not changed. The projected cost of the proposed new schools for Middletown, is $235 million and the state would pick up 80%, $188 million of that if Newport and Middletown regionalize. Newport is also building a new Rogers High School and if regionalization is approved Newport would save $46 million. It is in the best interest of Newport and Middletown students and taxpayers to vote yes on Regionalization so our children can grow up in “state of the art” schools as my generation did.
Early this school year our daughter came home from Middletown High School and informed us her teachers in two classes could not print out assignments for her to study because they did not have paper or ink toner. The MHS principal did confirm that many classes were not printing because of a shortage of paper and ink toner. The principal also informed me that the request for funds submitted at the end of last school year had not yet been received. The Middletown superintendent and chair of the School Committee informed me there was a national paper shortage and they were forced by state mandate to purchase from one purveyor. I inquired with educators from Newport and Tiverton who informed me they had plenty of paper at that time. I was additionally informed the mandate did not have to be followed if product was not available or a lower price could be found. I also was informed that the Middletown Schools had a deficit approaching $2 million, most of which could not be accounted for.
There are two new candidates for Middletown School Committee running against the two incumbents. The current chair of the School Committee was first elected 20 years ago. The other incumbent was elected 24 years ago. The superintendent of schools in Middletown has been in the position for over 20 years. Both incumbent candidates for Middletown School Committee are in favor of keeping the current superintendent and neither have expressed they are in favor of regionalization. It is time to elect new members of the Middletown School Committee and thank the current members for their years of service. It is also time for the Middletown School Committee to consider a new superintendent of schools and thank her for her years of service.
John K. Callaghan, Middletown
Regionalization an investment that can't be passed up
Regionalization has become a hot topic in Newport with many different voices, sharing different opinions. Unfortunately, as with any hot topic these days, misinformation abounds.
Here's the truth: Newport has been exploring different forms of regionalization for decades. Today, we finally have a viable opportunity to improve educational outcomes for all students, while at the same time saving taxpayers tens of millions of dollars. The facts are regionalization is good for Newport and Aquidneck Island. Just consider the following:
FACT: The R.I. Department of Education has offered a reimbursement of 80% to both Newport and Middletown on school building costs, which include principal and interest over the life of the bond. We must regionalize our district administration, teachers, curriculum, calendars and busing to qualify. This intense and tedious effort cannot be initiated unless we have voter approval of regionalization, number 5 on the ballot.
FACT: Superintendents from Newport and Middletown recommended programs which could be pursued or expanded, including honors/college preparatory internships with community partners, 21 advanced placement offerings, early enrollment program, Project Lead the Way, virtual offerings, Pathway in Technology (PTECH) Newport Career and Technical Seal of Biliteracy, music and arts for all grade levels.
FACT: The state reimbursement rate for Aquidneck Island has been well below that of other communities. Newport Council has an opportunity to allocate savings from 80% reimbursement on an annual basis to a separate fund to provide added quality student programs and future tax stabilization. Simply put, regionalization is an investment in our future and our children that we cannot afford to pass up.
Jeanne-Marie Napolitano, Newport
Smyth has a plan for affordable housing
Only one candidate running for the Newport City Council has a plan to establish an Affordable Housing Commission composed of stakeholders to make Newport more affordable so that our children, parents, family, and those who work here are able to actually live here.
That is Stephanie Smyth.
Will it work? It won’t if we don’t at least try.
That’s why my small family is voting for her.
Eileen (Spillane) Rice and Timothy Spillane, Newport
Regionalization plan is flawed
As parents and PTO members of a Pell Achool first-grader (with one in preschool); members of the community and local volunteers, we would like to express our deep concerns about ballot question number 5 in Newport and questions 4 & 5 in Middletown.
We spent the past weekend canvassing - against question 5 - with our two girls, ages 3 and 6. As we knocked on doors and met our neighbors, we acknowledged the heartbreaking fact that we are ardent supporters of public education and are, in fact, in favor of properly regionalizing our two school systems. We want our children educated with their friends from Middletown; we would like to stand shoulder to shoulder with Middletown parents and neighbors and together establish the very best schools and academic outcomes for our children.
Unfortunately what is currently being proposed will not achieve that.
There are myriad reasons why this “plan” is flawed but building six different schools rather than three or four state-of-the-art educational facilities is one of them. While we might miss some incentive dollars by going back to the drawing board, if we get it right, we can avoid the long-term financial burden of supporting duplicate systems.
Simply constructing new (separate) buildings without first addressing the educational gaps - and recognizing potential educational opportunities - will put us on a path of parallel mediocrity for another 30 years.
Real-regionalization should be student-focused FIRST not simply a “money grab” without any thought or foresight for the future of our school systems nor our children.
Please, on behalf of our kids: reject question 5.
Joe and Alana Hearn, Newport
This article originally appeared on Newport Daily News: LETTERS: Final thoughts before election day in Newport County
