Monday, April 29, 2013
Bristol esident Peter Hewett weighs in on the fight against tolls on the Sakonnet River Bridge.
To the Editor: I continue to be strongly opposed to establishing tolls of any amount on the Sakonnet Bridge. Tolling is neither necessary nor reasonable. It is less than a courageous reach for a quick and easy supplemental revenue source by our governor and General Assembly and a shirking of their responsibilities to ensure that the Department of Transportation is adequately funded to maintain our state's infrastructure. Nor is there, in my opinion, any compelling reason why the existing tolls on the Pell Bridge need to be increased. In fact, if our elected representatives had the courage to do their jobs honorably, without always seemingly focused myopically on re-election, those tolls could be reduced, which would benefit everyone …
Friday, April 5, 2013
In just a few minutes, you can be a blogger on Bristol-Warren Patch.
One of our main goals at Bristol-Warren Patch is to make our site a place where readers can follow local news, share their events and announcements — and discuss important topics of the day. And the best way to get your opinion out to Bristol and Warren readers is by starting a blog. You don't have to be a wordsmith, nor do you have to write extremely thought-provoking essays every day. If you are frustrated with town government, it's an opportunity to vent. If you volunteer your time and wish there were more people in Bristol and Warren willing to donate time to a good cause, use the platform to highlight your work and the positive impact it has on the community. You can also show yourself to be an expert in your business field by …
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Tiverton Roger A. Bennis writes that new tolls would be 'robbing Peter to pay Paul' — placing a burden on Sakonnet Bridge travelers to benefit users of three other local bridges.
- OPINION
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Wednesday, March 27
To the Editor: I have followed the news articles on the hardships that the Sakonnet Bridge Tolls would have upon businesses and people traveling to and from Aquidneck Island, and found them to be both an interesting foray into normally unexplored regions of investigative reporting, and a lack of understanding of the total impact of the proposed toll. While it is interesting to investigate the hardships that the toll would impose, it should also be recognized that tolls in general are a tax burden that, like all tax burdens, will be a hardship upon many people. All taxes should be investigated to determine if benefits justify the hardships; or more accurately if benefits and the spread of benefits to recipients - justify hardships and …
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
A proposed law would make it legal for military service members between the ages of 18 and 21 to drink alcohol.
A bill is expected to be heard at the State House Wednesday that would make it legal for military service members between the ages of 18 and 21 to drink alcohol in Rhode Island. The legislation (H 5603), introduced by Rep. Thomas Winfield (D-Glocester, Smithfield) and co-sponsored by Rep. Raymond Gallison (D-Bristol, Portsmouth) would apply to active military members with a valid military identification. Last June, Middetown Police issued several underage drinking summons after they responded to a farewell party for a soldier who was deployed to Afghanistan. A 21-year-old and a 22-year-old were cited under the town's social host ordinance. Writing from Afghanistan on Tuesday, the solider provided the following statement on Patch: “If …
Saturday, February 2, 2013
The two-term state Senator, representing Bristol, Portsmouth, and Tiverton, offers his thoughts on the opening of the 2013 General Assembly.
- GOVERNMENT
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Saturday, February 2
To the editor: It was an honor to be sworn in for a second term as state senator for District 11. The district includes all of Portsmouth, downtown Bristol and now the central portion of Tiverton, which is included due to redistricting. The first part of the legislative session from January 1 to February 14 is underway. This time is mostly dedicated to crafting and submitting legislation. There seems to be a re-energized statewide attitude towards looking closely at how the business atmosphere and climate for job creation can be maximized. The Senate is fresh off an economic summit, and I am very optimistic that several bills I am involved with can help the state reach our end goal of a better overall economy. The Senate leadership …
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
The fire in Brazil that killed hundreds Sunday is a painful reminder of the 2003 Rhode Island nightclub fire.
Today Rhode Island's eyes are on the tragedy of the Brazil nightclub fire, which is a painful experience of deja-vu for the state. A fire tore through a Kiss nightclub in Brazil Sunday morning, killing more than 200 people and left 120 injured, reports CNN. The Brazil nightclub was allegedly packed with more than 2000 people, double its capacity. The story has startling similarities to Feb. 20, 2003, when the band Great White took the stage at The Station nightclub in West Warwick. There are reports that the Brazil nightclub's insulation foam ignited the fire. Pyrotechnics set fire to flammable soundproofing foam that lined the walls and ceiling in the 2003 Station nightclub fire. Concertgoers pushed and shoved in a frantic attempt to …
Friday, December 21, 2012
The Episcopal Diocese of Rhode Island said bells should ring 28 times today — two more than the 26 suggested by Gov. Chafee — to remember the gunman and his mother.
An attempt to honor the victims of last week's school shooting in Newtown, CT, has stirred a debate about whether the gunman and his mother should also be remembered. To honor the memory of the 26 victims who lost their lives in the shootings, Governor Lincoln Chafee yesterday called for a statewide moment of silence at 9:30 am this morning and has asked that buildings, which have the ability, ring bells 26 times during that moment in honor the victims. The Episcopal Diocese of Rhode Island recommends churches ring the bells 28 times, which would include a ring each for the shooter, Adam Lanza, and his mother, Nancy. According to police, Adam Lanza shot and killed his mother in their home before going to Sandy Hook Elementary School and …
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Studies predict intense storms as a symptom of climate change. What do you think?
- OPINION
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Tuesday, November 13, 2012
According to the University of Rhode Island Climate Change Collaborative, the world is getting warmer, the oceans are getting warmer and more acidic, storms are getting more intense and sea levels are rising at an accelerated rate. A study funded by the Rhode Island Sea Grant, found that the sea level around the East Bay has increased eight inches since 1930. By 2100, the Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council said to expect three to five feet of sea level rise. While some still deny the evidence, most Americans have accepted idea of climate change. Currently, 67 percent say there is evidence of global warming, up four points over last year, according to a Pew Research article published last month. The study reported that 42 …
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
What music was controversial when you went to high school? What do you think it is about music that often divides generations?
It was a real life story of Footloose on Saturday night, when the Middletown High School administration stopped a homecoming dance early after students protested a policy that prohibits sexually explicit dancing, often referred to as grinding. Students claimed the DJ would not allow requests, and only played alternative music; a genre that most students said they did not like or know how to dance to. After failed attempts to request their favorite music, such as Nicki Minaj, the majority of the student body sat on the floor and chanted in protest. Some students even reported a near riot broke out. The school administration denied that a riot took place. The administration stopped the dance an hour and a half early and sent the …
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
The Playground Committee needs another $10,000 to complete the school's play structure.
- OPINION
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Wednesday, October 3, 2012
The nearly 700 preschool through grade 5 children of Hugh Cole are in need of diverse and safe areas for sport and play. Over the last three years, a dedicated group of parents, teachers, administrators and children have been working hard to raise the money required to rehabilitate the playground areas of the property. We are in the final phase of fundraising and are reaching out to you with hope that the citizens of Warren and Bristol will help us over the top. The lack of appropriate playground equipment and play areas on the property serves to limit the opportunities for constructive play and diminishes the ability of the physical education teachers to lead the children in activities. The children need our help to improve the quality …
41.72522
-71.254914
Hugh Cole Elementary School
50 Asylum Rd, Warren, RI
/articles/letter-help-give-hugh-cole-a-play-area
1767426
/locations/7942682
JimW
9:52 pm on Monday, April 29, 2013
Peter, You are absolutely correct. I'm sure your words unfortunately are wasted on deaf ears. When election time comes I hope the incumbent's opponent will win in a landslide! Good bye Chafee, Paiva-Weed and Fox! more ›