OPINION/LETTERS: Thoughts on candidates, ballot questions as Election Day nears

Why I'm voting Democrat

While we may wonder at times what one man can do, we are given some very clear examples. Take the global economic shutdown and pandemic response by the former administration. Not asking, for public health reasons, for all Americans to observe social distancing and vaccination led directly to the deaths of 250,000 Americans who could have been saved by vaccination, a terribly tragic result of one man’s dereliction of duty to keep the citizens safe.

American families suffered the agonizing death of their parent, sibling, grandparents or other family members. The reopening of the world’s economies and our citizen’s quick response to this in their increased spending led to this inflation and supply chain inadequacies that helped push prices for goods and gas up. This is a global response to reopening the global marketplace. It is not the result of one man’s policy.

This Democratic administration has prodded the ports and the trucking industry to move faster and forego price gouging. The American Rescue plan helped families immensely with monetary support for rent, a child tax credit and other direct benefits to those who had been unable to work due to the pandemic. Then, looking to the future, the Biden administration signed into law the Infrastructure bill and will be working with Governors and Mayors to Implement the structures needed to grow our economy. Gun control and reproductive health for women have been codified. This administration has done more for more people in America since FDR. We need to support his agenda of putting families first and growing a green economy while enhancing our standing in the world by our meaningful engagement with our Allies.

These Midterm elections are pivotal. We must choose those who serve from compassion and their moral compass. Those who will continue to work on issues that encompass both growing a stronger, more resilient economy with entrepreneurial jobs that look to the future and bring priorities for families to the people. The price of groceries and gas should not and cannot be the price of our freedom. We must instead value and protect our human values.

I believe that voting is the best way to realize Lincoln’s vision of a country built “ of the people, by the people and for the people.”

I will vote Democratic.

Margaret Baker, Newport

Leary is needed on Newport School Committee

I am writing to endorse Robert (Bobby) Leary for School Committee.

My 9-year-old son attended Pell Elementary School last year and because of Mr. Leary’s unwavering support and advocacy every challenge we encountered was handled professionally and with the personal care and consideration that exemplifies who Mr. Leary is.

The post-COVID Newport public school landscape has been challenging to say the least. Teachers are overworked, stretched too thin and forced to adopt roles they didn’t sign up for. Behavior in Newport public schools remains the most significant barrier to learning as teachers cannot teach because they are tasked with addressing disruptive behavior. Parents are overwhelmed also trying to work and ensure their children can recover from the disastrous effects of how Covid polices and distance learning caused catastrophic learning loss.

Last year, due to COVID long after other public island schools abandoned the pandemic protocols; Newport elementary school students were served cold sugary processed breakfast versus the hot breakfast taxpayers and the state pays for under an expensive contract. Bobby Leary stepped up and was the ONLY school board member who cared about this issue in any material way voting for children to have hot breakfast. All the other candidates except James Dring gave lip service and did absolutely nothing except talk and wring their hands. As a parent, it was extremely frustrating and they were unmoved even after I personally appeared at a school board committee meeting to provide a public comment. Children are still receiving inadequate nutrition due to this failed policy.

Another issue we experienced last year at Pell Elementary School was the year-long closure of the state-of-the-art school library that barred Pell students and became office space for staff and volunteers. Concurrently, age-appropriate playground space and community basketball courts were removed and playground access was restricted due to “construction” and “pandemic pods” which meant like in a prison children could only interact with the same 22 children all day long and were rarely allowed to leave their classroom except for lunch and bathroom breaks… It is important to note that all the other Island school libraries and cafeterias were open and functioning normally at that time.

“Indoor recess” was the norm where children would watch a Disney movie instead of getting fresh air at the 30-acre park down the street.

Mr. Leary cares passionately about children, teachers and families and he was able to cut through top-heavy administrative red tape and get things done.

Mr. Leary treated all my concerns as a parent with the utmost care, discretion and compassion.

Mr. Leary is the quintessential Newporter and what that means in terms of community and hard work.

Christine Hope Sullivan, Newport

Kalus is the right choice for governor

Mr. Gillis, you need to get a life! Your column in the Sept. 30 issue of the NDN - "Reporters should keep asking Kalus about Trump" was grasping at straws. Are you naive enough and do not know that not every Republican needs the support of President Trump? Ashley is one of them. She has decided to run her campaign on her own and rightly so. People like you just have wanted an excuse for blaming Trump for everything and still do. What do you say about this incompetent and useless administration currently in office?

Also, what difference does it make whether or not Ashley is from R.I.? Ashley is running for governor because she sees a need in this state. I was raised that if you do not like something, do something about it and that is what she is doing. I see her not living in R.I. for many years as a win-win situation......no favorites, no nepotism, completely objective and ready to work with everyone. This is why Ashley makes the perfect candidate for R.I. Governor!

Mary Lou Sanborn, Jamestown

Be wary of Middletown ballot questions

To clarify, marijuana is already approved for recreational use in Rhode Island. The Nov. 8 ballot question is for voters to decide which marijuana activities they want to allow in Middletown. Middletown has a marijuana ordinance, intensely researched by attorneys, Middletown Prevention Coalition, and citizens; it allows growing and testing, but not retailing due to proven increased risk to youth. The state worded the ballot question as “all-or-nothing:” do all three marijuana activities or do none. If the ballot question is approved, the annual state payment to Middletown is estimated at $31,000, yet Middletown taxpayers invest heavily in their youth: the annual education budget is ~$40 million and all ~$4 million ARPA funds went to Middletown students. Is $31,000 worth putting Middletown youth at risk, and therefore millions invested in them at risk?

Similarly, many see the “regionalization” referendum and favor schools and students merging. However, approval of the “regionalization” ballot question combines Middletown and Newport school administration functions, nothing else. This is not true regionalization at all.

An Education Business article reports for good school building design it is critical to have the educational vision set first and vital to know how many students. Regionalization media promotes: improved environment, better programs, pre-K, auditorium, and cost savings, but only as “potential” benefits; Middletown taxpayer debt is specified, but educational vision is not set. Clear implications from four information meetings I attended include ultimately merging the high schools and middle schools: 1.to get full benefits from true regionalization and 2.because Thompson “should be senior housing” and “there’s no outside space for students there.” Increased taxes with no 1-year, 5-year, 10-year educational vision and ultimate student population in question seems like buying a house without an inspection. RIDE consultants were paid to present benefits, advantages, and savings while omitting risks, disadvantages, and additional expenses (Scope of Services contract). This is poor planning and unfair to voters. Many questions that were answered with “that will be up to the regional school board,” now just seem knowingly shortsighted. School Committee issues have gone unaddressed and the teachers’ union is noticeably silent.

Middletown school buildings are a serious issue. So is raising taxes. This “regionalization” proposal is not well-developed and has resorted to the type of scare tactics used when pressuring for a quick decision: “Offer ends at close of business,” “Going out of business: Final Sale.” You should know, RIDE has stated that two financial incentive programs have been extended for another year and RIDE’s historic and future role “is to help communities who want to regionalize.” More answers may come before Nov. 8, but for my tax dollars: if in doubt, don’t. Please attend joint School Committee meetings scheduled: Oct. 27.

Terri Flynn, Middletown Town Councilor

Khamsyvoravong will be a trusted leader

With all that is going on in the world - Putin’s invasion of Ukraine along with nuclear weapons threats, increasing negative impacts of climate change, rising gun violence, surging cost-of-living expenses – here is something you can feel good about. You can to Vote on Nov. 8 to elect Xaykham “Xay” Rexford Khamsyvoravong for an at-large Newport City Council seat.

Newport is a unique place full of historic character and pristine coastal beauty. We must be open to new ways to problem solve that will keep Newport livable for families yet attractive to visitors. At the recent Candidates Forum at Innovate Newport, sponsored by Newport This Week and the League of Women Voters, I heard fresh perspectives and declared willingness to work together for the betterment of Newport. We are fortunate that this new field of candidates is energetic, qualified and interested in making good decisions on behalf of all Newporters. They need our engagement.

Xay is new to the ballot but not new to helping governments. During a fifteen-year career as a finance and public service professional, he’s worked with communities nationwide to help them reach their goals — from stabilizing public employee pensions, to renewing infrastructure, to rebuilding schools.

Like his resume, his name is also long (it takes up two lines on the ballot), but he is a native Rhode Islander and earned a BA and Masters in Public Affairs from Brown and a law degree from Roger Williams. Xay’s notable background makes thought leaders feel good too. For his impressive work in the private and public sectors, the Providence Journal named Xay as one of 22 to watch in 2022 and Providence Business News has named him one of their 40-under-40 Rhode Islanders. The Boston Globe recently stated, that Xay “is on just about everyone’s shortlist to do anything he wants in Rhode Island for the next 40 years.” He wants to serve our community and he deserves our vote.

Local, qualified, trusted.

Kristie Gardiner, Newport

Vote 'Yes' on regionalization

It’s time we voted to merge into one vibrant Regional School District. The state-of-the-art buildings and the new money from the State that are proposed should school regionalization pass are just that—BUILDINGS and MONEY. It is what we do with these resources that will determine the expanded and improved educational benefits that will be available to our students.

These new educational benefits will lead to the expansion and enhancement of course offerings and curriculum changes to:

1) improve college preparatory and career technology pathways

2) better prepare 7 th and 8 th graders to select new and varied high school offerings

(no matter where and in which buildings they are available)

3) enlarge and improve the Special Education and ELL (English Language Learning)

programs to meet the growing needs of many students.

Granted, some of you think it may not be the ideal way to begin a school regionalization program, but when will another opportunity present itself along with the added financial incentives?

We must put trust in and support the new Transitional Advisory Team which will examine how best regionalization can work to benefit the students. This team will consist of educators, parents, school administrators, and hopefully students from both communities with input from all who wish to contribute. It must and can be a community effort.

Let’s not look back at what was or accept the status quo. Rather, let’s examine together the present educational situation and build on what could be…to benefit the education of our students. Let’s not wait another 10 years to do so. As a past member of the Middletown School Committee, parent and grandmother, I urge you to vote YES on school regionalization.

Nancy T. Héroux, Middletown

More information is needed on regionalization

I am a parent of young children in Newport and am highly invested in our public schools. I have attended several public meetings discussing the proposal to regionalize Newport and Middletown schools. While I would be thrilled to support a plan to unify our two small school systems; to create opportunities to expand AP courses, world languages, extracurricular activities, and educational programming; and to introduce our children to further diversity and inclusion; this is not that plan. In each of the public meetings, only one known fact is made clear: the plan will save money and in particular, money for Middletown. Where will that money be allocated? Without a combined high school, how will expanded educational opportunities become a possibility? Not even three years ago, The Middletown Town Council demeaned the people and children of Newport, avidly rejecting a proposal to even discuss the potential of school regionalization. Should my school committee be 50 percent composed of Middletown public servants, how am I to trust that my children and my neighbors’ children’s best interests will be attended to? I urge my fellow Newport residents to consider the risks and benefits of this proposed “regionalization.” Without any known or direct benefits to our students and with a list of legitimate concerns, I am certain I cannot vote to support this plan.

Liz Barron, Newport

Smyth will bring the right skills to Newport City Council

I am writing to express my support for Stephanie Smyth's campaign for Newport City Council. I did not know Steph prior to her announcement that she would run for one of the Council's at-large seats. I attended one of her early Meet and Greet events at the Elks and I was excited to learn that she has both a deep connection to Newport (eight generations!) and great professional experience and skills that will benefit Newport's City Council.

Steph has worked as a contract negotiator for NUWC for a number of years, experience that will help her understand the City's contracts and navigate to get things done at City Hall. I am also impressed that Steph has obtained two graduate degrees in areas that I believe are important for City government - business administration and industrial and organizational psychology. Steph has already gotten her feet wet at City Hall by volunteering for the Tree and Open Space Commission as well as the recent Charter Review Commission, and those experiences motivated her to seek a council seat.

One of my favorite things about Steph as a candidate is that she is a team player and a logical thinker. Most candidates do not go into a first term as a City Councilor knowing all of the ins and outs of every issue, and I appreciate that when Steph has been asked about issues with which she is less familiar, she talks about how to bring the right people to the table to get things done. Steph has her own vision for Newport as well the skills to work with others. As someone who grew up in Newport and recently returned with my husband to raise our kids here, I believe that Stephanie Smyth’s combination of passion for Newport and resume of relevant experience are a winning combination for Newport City Council and I look forward to voting for her on Nov. 8.

Penelope Hunt, Newport

Portsmouth should keep transfer station operating

The Oct. 11 meeting of the Portsmouth Town Council addressed the future of the transfer station. Despite numerous opening denials that the intent was to close the facility, it was a close call. Had the council failed to take any action, the transfer station would have closed on June 30, 2023. The council did vote to extend the station’s operating contract for one year, but that was only to allow further study of the curbside collection options.

One of the first things that residents of Portsmouth should be clear about is that the facility does not cost the taxpayers anything to operate. The station was established as an Enterprise Fund in 2006 and since operates without the use of any taxes. The people who use the station pay directly for that use thru the purchase of access stickers and pay-as-you-throw bags. People may ask why is the council discussing this at all? The answer requires a deeper understanding of the proposed curbside pickup of trash by the town, which was also discussed at the council meeting last week.

The town faces a significant challenge in its proposal to take over management of the current private system of curbside trash collection. If it does not find a way to transfer the 2,360 or so households that use the transfer station to curbside use, it is unlikely to reach the 4,000 households needed to make its plan work.

Judging from the comments of the council members during discussions, the town has no intention of continuing current operations at the transfer station in any proposed hybrid operation. The discussions of a hybrid system were focused on using the current transfer facility to take bulky items from the long list of 82 types of items that will be an extra charge for curbside pickup.

Out of a large crowd attending the council meeting, 14 residents spoke about the transfer station and all wanted it to be kept in operation, but as it was with the aggregation of electricity idea, requests from residents fell on deaf ears. The council is clearly determined to force people to do what the council believes they should.

In its calculation of transfer station costs for next year, the town concluded there would be a 113% increase in total expenses. According to the current budget, costs at the station have been essentially flat for the last two years. This huge increase in projected costs is completely unreasonable and appears to be intended to bring apparent expenses at the station up to the level of those projected for the proposed curbside pickup. In fact, there is a considerable cost advantage with using the station.

The transfer station is a service used by a significant number of the households in Portsmouth. The citizens who use the station have already voted against curbside service and their decision should receive more respect from their government.

Larry Fitzmorris, president Portsmouth Concerned Citizens

Khamsyvoravong is the leader Newport needs

For Newporters, Xaykham Rexford Khamsyvoravong will be the longest name on our ballot this year. It’ll also be the most important.

Xay (pronounced “sigh”) is exactly the type of leadership our changing City-by-the-Sea needs.

For starters, he has fresh eyes and ears.

That means he’s not beholden to perpetuating “the way things have always been done” just to maintain the status quo.

He’s been campaigning as an active listener. And I know he’ll continue to listen – thoughtfully and pragmatically – when making decisions that’ll move our city noticeably forward.

Xay’s also whip-smart.

He has the experience, know-how, and curiosity needed to scrutinize, strategize, and actually solve some of the problems facing Newport.

This election, don’t just vote for candidates that know what the issues are – that’s the short route.

Instead, vote for the guy with the long name who will go the distance.

Vote for Xay. Newport’s guy.

Ryan Patrick Kelley, Newport

Carson is a strong leader

Since returning to Newport a few years ago, after a career in public policy in Washington, I resumed an interest in working here on issues that I care about, concentrating on waterfront and coastal access, environmental protection, and transportation planning. As I got more involved, one name kept coming up as a person I should meet with, state Rep. Lauren Carson.

Lauren was a key leader on two legislative commissions important to all Newporters: one dealing with improving the operations of the Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC) and a second dealing with lateral access along the shore. While State House commissions are often places where good ideas go to die, both of these commissions delivered results. Due to Lauren’s efforts, the CRMC commission’s work has already resulted in increased funding that will improve the integrity of the hearing process and increase enforcement.

The lateral access commission succeeded far beyond the expectations of most observers and achieved a common-sense consensus: that the existing coastal boundary definition is obsolete and should be replaced by an easily recognizable, observable, and traditional reference, the “Recognizable High Tide Line,” along with an adequate landward extension of the right to allow dry lateral shoreline access. The bill to implement this new definition was passed unanimously by the House. While the House bill passed too late for the Senate to act before adjourning, it will be a top priority in the next session of the Assembly. Lauren’s continued leadership will be crucial in getting this needed legislation over the finish line.

Lauren has a proven track record of delivering for her constituents on other issues as well. One notable legislative accomplishment was the passage of enabling legislation for Newport to create a two-tiered property tax system for residents and non-residents. Lauren also led efforts to address the impacts of short-term rentals by championing a bill that requires the owners of such properties to register them with the State, and she demonstrated her independence by rallying support to override the Governor's veto of this much-needed legislation.

Lauren is interested, energetic, available, and responsive to her constituents. While she is running unopposed this year, she is nonetheless most worthy of your support when you vote in the upcoming general election.

Thomas J. Gibson Jr., Newport

Wind farm cables should not pass through Portsmouth

I am writing to you as a concerned Aquidneck Island resident regarding your recent coverage in various articles and editorials on the MayFlower Wind project. One recent letter published was written by Mr. David Cole of Westport arguing why MayFlower Wind should not enter landfall and run cabling through Westport, Massachusetts. At first, I thought he was just another arrogant, entitled Massachusetts resident who could care less about Rhode Island. But after reading the article more closely every argument he makes is exactly the reason I have stated for months why MayFlower Wind cabling should never come up the Sakonnet River and landfall through Portsmouth. So I would like to thank him for supporting my arguments.

The Sakonnet River estuary is the most pristine environment in Rhode Island as designated by numerous organizations and agencies. It affords numerous benefits for recreational activity as well as a protected environment for many species of both marine and bird life. The many risks which I have articulated at various forums will destroy this habitat forever. If MayFlower Wind is allowed to proceed, there will be many more cables based on this precedence and the Sakonnet will become “wind cabling alley” for

generations.

But beyond the environmental impact, it is now clear that the MayFlower Wind project will only benefit Massachusetts as nearly 100% of the energy produced passing through our town and distributed by the Brayton Point facility will go to Massachusetts and other New England states. Of course, Mr. Cole wants all these benefits, without any of the disruption and risk to his community. You have to be naïve to not wonder why there are no wind farms and cabling around Cape Cod, Boston Harbor, or the North and South Shore of Massachusetts. Could it be that MayFlower and others have determined it is easier to “influence” officials in Rhode Island?

Rhode Island elected officials must not fall for this ploy and the clever marketing tactics of MayFlower Wind, at any price. Rhode Island has a rich history going back to colonial times of fierce independence and not being bullied by larger states. We need that courage and independence with our elected officials now. Feeling good about contributing to Massachusetts green energy initiatives at the risk of Rhode Island is a poor excuse for supporting MayFlower Wind. Those officials who support this initiative

for any reason, must be removed from office. It’s election season and we must assure that only local and state candidates who are committed to looking out for the best interest of Rhode Island citizens and our environment on this matter are elected.

It’s time to fight back and stop MayFlower Wind from coming through Portsmouth.

Joe Forgione, Portsmouth

This article originally appeared on Newport Daily News: LETTERS: Thoughts on candidates, ballot questions