Friday, May 3, 2013
Former Newport Mayor Stephen Waluk said it is important for Aquidneck Island to have a voice on the RITBA board
The Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority board voted Wednesday to re-elect David Darlington, of North Kingstown, as chairman and Former Newport Mayor Stephen Waluk as vice chairman. Waluk was first appointed to the RITBA board by Governor Carcieri in 2005 and was recently reappointed by Governor Chafee for another four year term. "I am happy to be re-elected as Vice Chair of the RITBA," said Waluk. "It is important that Newport and Aquidneck Island have a voice on this board." Last year, Rhode Island's General Assembly approved to move two additional bridges into RIBTA's jurisdiction and install tolls on the Sakonnet River Bridge to fund the maintenance. The law has been met by strong opposition by East Bay lawmakers and …
An email exchange this week between the city manager and the superintendent of schools raised concerns about transparency in the budget process.
Email communications between Newport City Manager Jane Howington and Superintendent Dr. John Ambrogi highlighted growing tensions between the city and the school department, relating to the budget process and what Howington described as the School Committee's “lack of commitment” to work toward shared services. Howington sent a letter Monday stating she felt it was necessary to provide a more detailed analysis of how she made budgetary decisions for the proposed fiscal 2014 budget. “The inability of the school department to develop and maintain well planned budgets is a factor that has created a crisis in confidence for city leadership,” wrote Howington. “In both of the last two years the submitted school budget request came forward with…
Thursday, May 2, 2013
A bill legalizing same-sex marriage passed 56-15.
Sixteen years after legislation was initially introduced in Rhode Island, same-sex marriage is now legal in the Ocean State. On Thursday afternoon, the Rhode Island House of Representatives passed the legislation with a vote of 56-15. "This is a great day in Rhode Island, not just for the many Rhode Island families who will now get the recognition and equality that they so richly deserve, and not only for the thousands who have been fighting for decades for the dignity and rights of all citizens," said House Speaker Gordon Fox, the first openly gay House Speaker in the nation who has cosponsored the legislation every year. "It is also a wonderful day for the generations of future Rhode Islanders who may never know a time when some …
The current 3.4-percent interest rate on federal Stafford Student Loans will double on July 1 unless Congress acts.
U.S. Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI) is scheduled to speak at Roger Williams University today to call for Congressional action on student loan interest rates, which will double to 6.8 percent on July 1. Reed will join students and faculty at a planned 11:30 am speaking program at the Global Heritage Hall Atrium on Old Ferry Road. According to a release provided by RWU, the average college graduate in 2007 carried about $17,000 in debt; in 2012, that number was $27,250 — a 58-percent increase. Reed is expected to speak about a bill he submitted to freeze student loan interest rates for two years to allow Congress another chance to address the recent explosion in student debt. University President Donald J. Farish and students, including at least one …
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Parking violations are $50 this year, an increase of $25 over last year.
It's that time of year again. Effective May 1, Newport's parking season begins. The fine for parking violations are $50 this year, up $25 over last year. Meters Metered parking will be in effect from 9:00 AM until 9:00 PM daily, including weekends and holidays. The fee for parking in a metered space is $1.25 per hour in increments of twenty-five cents. The fee for the Memorial Blvd. meters at Easton’s Beach is $2.00 per hour. All city meters accept credit cards or coins. Pay & Display units located at the Touro St. Lot and Long Wharf Lot accept credit cards, bills and coins. The rate at the Touro St. and Long Wharf lots is $1.25 per hour in 1 hour increments. A Resident sticker does not permit residents to park for free at metered …
Thursday, April 25, 2013
The ferry operator has sent a memo about his retirement to Portsmouth Town Administrator John Klimm. Services is expected to end on Dec. 1.
The Prudence Island Ferry, the only means of public transportation from Prudence Island to the mainland, will end its service on Dec. 1, reports The Sakonnet Times. Ferry operator Bruce Medley, who is retiring, sent a message to Town Administrator John Klimm on Tuesday. The message, reportedly copied and posted on the Facebook group page Heard Around the Dock on Prudence Island, reads as follows. Hello John: I said I would keep you posted. Prudence Ferry Inc. will cease all operations as of the last ferry on Sunday December 1, 2013. As of this point neither of the vessels are for sale. This should give everyone ample time to find another service. I will be posting notices shortly. Regards, Bruce Medley Rep. Raymond Gallison recently …
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
With the Senate's approval, the bill now goes to Gov. Lincoln Chafee for his signature.
In a 26-12 vote, the Rhode Island Senate on Wednesday approved a bill that would allow same-sex marriage in the state, the last in New England to approve such a measure. The House of Representatives voted 51-19 on Jan. 25 to approve that chamber's version of the bill. Should the House pass the Senate version, the legislation would go to Gov. Lincoln Chafee, who has pledged his support. [In two ceremonial measures, the Senate also approved the House bill, 26-12, and sent its bill to the House for approval.] With Senate President Teresa Paiva-Weed's announcement of the vote count at 5:45 pm, Rhode Island moved one step closer to allowing gay couples to marry. Sen. Donna Nesselbush (D-Pawtucket, North Providence), the lead sponsor of the bill…
The federal government approves a plan for tolls on the Sakonnet River Bridge.
The Federal Highway Administration has approved a plan to bring tolls to the new Sakonnet River Bridge, announced the Rhode Island Department of Transportation today. The FHWA issued a Revised Record of Decision (RROD) approving the addition of an All-Electronic Toll Collection (AETC) for the new Sakonnet Bridge. The RROD concurs with RIDOT’s Final Environmental Impact Statement that the imposition of tolls on the bridge does not create any new significant environmental impacts. According to the DOT, the FHWA recommended the following measures to enhance the overall effects of the addition of tolls to the bridge: Toll collection is expected to begin this summer. RITBA recently approved a toll schedule of $.75 for vehicles with …
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
Local legislators said they would continue efforts to repeal tolling on the Sakonnet River Bridge despite an RITBA decision establishing a toll rate structure today.
East Bay legislators said they are not giving up on efforts to block tolling on the Sakonnet River Bridge following Wednesday's decision by the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority to establish toll rates. Lawmakers and residents from East Bay communities have argued that a toll on the Sakonnet River Bridge could discourage tourists and have significant impacts on the the local economy. "They are using the Sakonnet River Bridge as a cash cow for more than $20 million to be sucked out of our economy in the East Bay to support the [Newport] Pell and Mt. Hope bridges," said Rep. John G. Edwards (D-Dist. 70 Portsmouth, Tiverton) in response to the the RITBA decision to move forward and establish a tolling rate on the Sakonnet River …
The Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority voted to establish tolling rates today the Sakonnet River Bridge.
Tolls are expected to be in place on the Sakonnet River Bridge by July, said the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority chairman after the the board established toll rates this morning. Drivers with a Rhode Island E-Z Pass transponder will pay 75 cents to cross the Sakonnet River. Drivers with out-of-state transponders will pay $3.75 per trip and travelers without an E-Z Pass transponder will be billed $5.25 per trip. "For the first time we will be offering a discount for people driving back and forth more than once a day," said David Darlington, RITBA chairman in an interview after the RITBA meeting in Jamestown on Wednesday. For local drivers, regardless of the number of trips over the Sakonnet River Bridge in a single day, the …
Taxpayer
10:49 pm on Saturday, May 4, 2013
You are fortunately in the minority group of ignorant people who really don't matter. Let the community continue to move forward and not let the past hold us back. How do you stop cars from ignoring the speed limit? Seems pretty implement unless you are an imbecile. more ›