Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Gov. Chafee Monday said all state offices must recognize out-of-state same sex marriages and that R.I. pass marriage equality.
Gov. Lincoln Chafee signed an executive order recognizing out-of-state same sex marriages Monday, reported the Providence Journal. RI Future broke the story Monday morning and reported Monday afternoon that at a press conference Monday afternoon, Chafee said “Let’s get there ourselves. This is the home of Roger Williams. Come on, let’s go.” The state General Assembly passes a law last June allowing for same sex civil union, but for many in the gay community that isn't enough. “While this moves us closer to full marriage equality, nothing less is sufficient, and we will keep fighting," said Ray Sullivan of Marriage Equality Rhode Island, in a press release. According to RI Future's Bob Plain, Chafee is talking to members of the General …
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82 Smith St, Providence, RI
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Bristol resident advocates for the elimination of bridge tolls and steep cuts in gas taxes, replacing all with an annual fee based on miles driven.
In seeing all the negative feelings surrounding the toll increases and proposed new tolls, I have a suggestion I would request you entertain. First of all, I applaud the efforts of RITBA in keeping the Mount Hope and Pell bridges the best and safest in the state. Considering how old they are and in what excellent condition they are in, it is shamefull that the other major spans in this state can't last more than 50 years w/o falling down. That is unaccepable!!! However, we all know this costs money. Nobody can doubt that. But, these funds are beginning to dry up. Consider a recent Congressional Budget Office report that indicates the Federal Highway Trust Fund has taken in more money than it has spent only once in the last 11 years. This …
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
State officials told the crowd that fees on the Mount Hope or Sakonnet River bridges are unavoidable to maintain the spans.
Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority Chairman David Darlington hadn't yet made it through the second slide of his presentation when the questions started. East Bay and Aquidneck Island residents peppered Darlington and Department of Transportation Director Michael Lewis with pointed questions and comments, most opposing proposed tolls on the Mount Hope and Sakonnet River bridges, throughout a forum last night at the Burnside Building on Hope Street in Bristol. The response was not an unexpected development, Darlington said. Residents have come out in force at previous public hearings on the proposal that would bring tolls to the Mount Hope Bridge for the first time since 1998. The fees to cross the bridge — if the General Assembly …
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Monday, May 14, 2012
A forum at the Burnside Building tonight at 7 addresses concerns over proposed fees for the Mount Hope and Sakonnet River bridges.
Since 1998, Rhode Islanders — especially those on the East Bay — have had the option to get onto Aquidneck Island without paying the tolls the Newport Bridge charges. The free ride could soon be coming to an end and crossing onto the island may soon cost drivers money regardless of the route they take. The Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority hopes so. The authority — which already approved raising rates on the Newport Pell Bridge — has proposed adding fees to the Mount Hope and Sakonnet River bridges. The tolls would range from 52 cents to $3.25 each way. The Newport bridge is scheduled to increase from $4 to $5 for cash-paying drivers. Those using an E-Z pass pay less than $1. Residents have voiced strong opposition to the plan …
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Friday, May 11, 2012
Bristol student Phoebe Mack was recognized for her entry into the 2012 Congressional Art Competition.
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Friday, May 11
A young, local artist has received congressional recognition for her work in Rep. David Cicilline's statewide student art contest. Phoebe Mack, of Bristol, joined 17 other aspiring artists from around the state in collecting an award in the 2012 Congressional Art Competition. High school students Natalie Paris, of Cumberland, took top honors and will see her artwork hung in the U.S. Capitol. Alek Comella, of Providence, placed second, and Maxwell Silva, of North Providence, took third. Comella and Silva will see their works hung in Cicilline's D.C. and Pawtucket offices, respectively. Paris will also receive roundtrip airline tickets to Washington, D.C., in order to attend a congressional reception and see her art put on display in the …
Thursday, May 10, 2012
The Rhode Island Senate approved new legislation Wednesday.
- GOVERNMENT
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Thursday, May 10
The Rhode Island Senate voted in approval of new legislation developed to address concerns about Rhode Island’s medical marijuana compassion centers on Wednesday. The legislation (2012-S 2555A), sponsored by Sen. Rhoda E. Perry (D-Dist. 3, Providence), is a compromise developed through talks between the sponsors, legislative leaders and Gov. Lincoln D. Chafee. The bill will now be forwarded to the House, where Rep. Scott A. Slater (D-Dist. 10, Providence) is sponsoring similar legislation (2012-H 7888). The House bill was scheduled for a hearing before the House Health, Education and Welfare Committee on Wednesday. “What’s important to us is getting the licensing process back on track so the facilities can open and safely get some …
Monday, May 7, 2012
Bristol Town Administrator Diane Mederos was presented with the award on Monday, April 30, at Bryant University.
On Monday, April 30, Bristol Town Administrator Diane C. Mederos was recognized for her outstanding work as a woman in political office. Mederos, one of six women from Rhode Island chosen to receive the Isabelle Ahearn O'Neill Award, received her proclamation by the YWCA at Bryant University during the fourth annual awards ceremony. The award is provided to selected women in Rhode Island who have previously or are currently holding office and are doing incredible things in their field. Mederos was honored at the Women Holding Office Celebration along with General Treasurer Gina Raimondo, Former East Providence School Committee Member Nancy Stevens, State Senator Donna Nesselbush, former State Senator Myrth York, and former US …
Friday, May 4, 2012
State Rep. Stephen Ucci (D-Johnston, Cranston), with the support of Rep. Richard P. Morrison (D-Bristol, Warren), has proposed a bill to give holders of EZ-Pass accounts a tax credit — what do you think?
A Johnston legislator has proposed a tax credit to EZ-Pass account holders who use the electronic payment system to cross the Newport Bridge and several local representatives are on board. Rep. Stephen R. Ucci (D-Johnston, Cranston) said in a press release that the bill is meant to help drivers recover some of the cost of using the Newport Bridge. "It’s an added expense to have to travel across a toll bridge constantly," Ucci explained. "Some of these folks have to use their EZ-Pass five days per week just to get to and from work. In this economy, everyone needs a little extra assistance and this specific population of people is getting hammered with fees." According to the Rhode Island Bridge and Turnpike Authority website, Rhode Island …
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
A state legislator's bill to ban people under 21 years of age from entering alcohol-serving nightclubs is up for a hearing tonight — do you think it will work?
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Tuesday, May 1
Saying that allowing people under age 21 to go to nightclubs that serve alcohol is "a breeding ground for trouble," State Rep. Joy Hearn (D-Barrington, East Providence) has introduced a bill to stop the practice. Currently, Bristol and Warren do not have any under-21 nightclubs in town but with Roger Williams University located right in Bristol, underage drinking is always a concern for local law enforcement. Hearn's bill is scheduled for a hearing by the House Judiciary Committee this afternoon. "I’ve introduced this bill before, but never has this been a more critical problem than it is today with all of the violence happening at our nightclubs," Hearn said in a press release. Hearn noted the recent violence at a downtown Providence …
Bulgarmarsh Skate Park in Tiverton officially opened last weekend.
The nice April weather gave way to an early completion - and gatherings of extreme sports enthusiasts - at the new skate park at Tiverton's Bulgarmarsh Recreation Area. It officially opened last Saturday. Residents from Bristol and Warren are invited to put their boards and skates to the asphalt and test out the new park, which features brand new ramps and ample space for skating. Tiverton Recreation Commission Chairman Gary Rose said they had between 75 to 100 people using the park during its opening day on Saturday. They served complimentary hot dogs and water to everyone who came and said a church group bus loaded of skateboarders from New Bedford, MA also enjoyed the park. "This was truly a success story," Rose said. Skateboarders, …
Robert E
4:18 pm on Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Total votes 43 23 in favor 20 agenst more ›