At the last minute invitation of a friend, I attended the Emergency Meeting of the Town Council on Tuesday night.  Admittedly, I have stayed away from Town Council meetings for quite a while. I have also not closely followed the fire district situation, because I live in the Anthony District.  First, let me say that I do not like the idea of the Town loaning money to the fire department. In my view, it makes all the taxpayers of Coventry liable for the debt of others. Folks like myself and my neighbors already have a fire district tax, and I think it stinks that we are now liable for …

  Your Honor, I stand here concerned about the Central Coventry fire district, and its future. Although I have sat quietly during these proceedings in the courtroom, I have acted, as directed by the courts, and the special master, to develop a plan to move the district forward.  In a recent e-mail I was asked,”You have been conspicuously absent from any discussion concerning this issue. I believe you are an elected representative for ALL the people in your district and I am wondering why you have not chosen to represent your district.” Unfortunately,we’ve not connected yet for discussion, I …

I write to express my concerns with the recent directive issued on Jan. 31 by Education Commissioner Deborah Gist to school superintendents throughout the state. Commissioner Gist warned superintendents that she would take “severe action against any district that is using seniority, job fairs or bumping to assign, keep or lay off teachers."  In a four-page letter, Commissioner Gist further threatened to impose sanctions "up to and including loss of certification," taking districts to court or withholding state education aid unless they comply with her interpretation of a key education …

  To The Editor: When I introduced legislation to eliminate the Rhode Island sales tax, I indicated that I had one goal in mind – to start a serious conversation. Our sales tax is killing small businesses, especially those in border communities. How can Rhode Island continue to compete at 7 percent, with Massachusetts already lower than us and considering reducing its sales tax even farther? How can Rhode Island restaurants compete at 8 percent? They can’t. We need to find a way to fix this, and a serious discussion of our sales tax is a discussion we need to have now, before more small …

  April 3, 2013 To The Editor: ‘Judge Orders Liquidation for Foundering Fire District,’ reads a recent headline, following a directive by Superior Court Judge Brian P. Stern that local officials and state legislators map out a long-term fire and emergency service plan for Central Coventry residents. Following last Friday’s court decision, the primary question left before residents of the fire district is: What now, now that the judge has indicated that the alarm bell has wrung, now that the judge has set a timetable for finding a solution that might avert liquidation of the fire district? …

  Dear Editor,For everyone who loves Rhode Island’s beaches, the new year––and a new Congress––could bring new promise that Rhode Island’s beaches and public lands will be protected for generations to come.Decades ago, Congress set up the Land and Water Conservation Fund to protect, improve, and expand our public lands. In Rhode Island, a portion of this funding has gone to federal conservation lands, such as the Block Island National Wildlife Refuge, and some has gone to grants to conserve and improve our state and local parks and recreation areas, including many of Rhode Island’s beaches.…

  Here we go again, Scott Guthrie started right where he left off from the last legislative session. Fresh off the campaign trail where once again he deceived the voters as a man of the people. True to his union ways he has currently filed legislation to bring fire departments up to the NFPA code 1987 labor standards. Has he not the slightest idea what this will cost municipalities and fire districts already crippled by pension costs? This would cost fire districts and municipalities undoubtedly millions for the upgrades. Shall we push this cost on our already beleaguered taxpayers? However …

  Dear Editor, It is time to shut down Central Coventry Fire District. Taxpayer’s meeting Monday, Dec. 10th at Coventry High School. In my opinion, we are in this fiscal disaster because of dirty contracts negotiated between Capt. David Gorman for the union and with board members that are or were firefighters and out of control spending. In 2006, when the fire companies merged, there was almost $1 million in surplus. As of this date, the CCFD deficit is in the vicinity of $2.5 million. The board members that approved all these contracts and spending were totally incompetent – managerially and…

  November 19, 2012: We want to take this opportunity to say "THANK YOU" to all that participated in the 2012 'Tis the Season Firefighters' Boot Day. A special "Thank You" goes to Chief Frank Brown of Hopkins Hill Fire Department and Captain Kelly Guastini from Western Coventry Fire Department who quietly assisted in setting up the schedule of shifts for the firefighters who wanted to be a part of this event that benefits residents of Coventry and West Greenwich.  Chief Tyler of Mishnock Fire Department and Fred Pendelbury of West Greenwich Station 1 deserve a "THANK YOU" for their …

It has become clear, largely as a result of the 38 Studios debacle, that Rhode Island’s economic development efforts, its attempts to convince businesses to locate and grow in the Ocean State, are adrift and have been, for some time, highly ineffective. While 38 Studios crystallized for many the fact that we are simply not doing a very good job of selling our state, that $75-million boondoggle is just one of a number of questionable decisions by the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation, the quasi-public agency whose mission is of paramount importance to the overall welfare of our …

  My name is David Florio and I have lived in Coventry since 1982. I joined the Juvenile Hearing Board and was the Chairman from 1990-2000. I was the Democratic Town Chairman from 1994-2006. During that time many things were accomplished. Democrats established the Senior Tax Freeze, protected the environment, made our schools into some of the best in the state, and protected our quality of life. This was our platform during my term as chairman. Democrats established the Juvenile Hearing Board which was a huge cause of mine since I was a Probation and Parole Officer and Supervisor. The …

  Dear Councilman Cote,   In April of this year a traffic reconfiguration plan was submitted to the Traffic Calming Committee at the monthly meeting concerning the future traffic safety issues that will be created once the Laurel Avenue bridge is re-opened in December.  As you are aware, with your attendance at that meeting, myself and many other citizens spoke of the impending safety issues to include, foremost, pedestrian traffic that has been created with the construction of the greenway which was not in existence prior to the the bridge closing. With continuing changes to the area to …

  Dear Editor: The integrity of Rhode Island’s government, and the confidence of its people in its transparency and accountability, should be a primary concern of public policy makers.  Elected officials have an affirmative duty to adopt best practices and good government legislation to ensure that taxpayer money is being used in ways that avoid waste, fraud, and abuse. This year I am the Democrat running for State Representative in House District 26 including West Warwick, Coventry, and Warwick.  One of the main reasons that I am running is that for too long taxpayer money has been subject …

  As Douglas Auger's cousin, I wanted to take a moment to share the heartwarming experience I witnessed involving Coventry High School's Principal - Mr. Hobin - and his dedicated teaching staff.  Their actions during this very difficult time has helped bring some measure of comfort to the Augers and their extended family, and should make the citizens of Coventry proud.  They are deserving of our appreciation and never-ending commitment to our community's youth.  The death of Douglas was an unfortunate and tragic event for our community, particularly for the Town's student population. Many of …

  Taxpayers of Coventry,  Coventry’s decision makers still don’t get it. The Coventry School Committee replaced one assistant school superintendent with two. I understand we are returning to a 2007 model. So much for forward thinking!  The Town of Coventry has $100,000,000.00 in pension liability and we begin adding insurance premiums of nearly $1,000,000.00 to the budget next year because our $12,000.000.00 insurance reserve fund was wiped out in seven years!  RI’s Treasurer Gina Raimondo has advocated for no COLA increases, yet both our Town Council and our School committee have amended …

  On Thursday, May 30, the Rhode Island Senate approved modifications to the state’s “good time” statute – the bill now just needs to be signed by Governor Lincoln Chafee. One of the bill’s authors, Teresa Tanzi, submitted the following op-ed. In light of last year’s release from prison of murderer Michael Woodmansee, it was clear that Rhode Island’s system of awarding time off to prisoners for good behavior was too generous to people who had committed very serious crimes. After learning last year that Woodmansee would be released after serving just 28 years of a 50-year sentence, 40 to serve…

  The following is a letter to the editor from Congressman David Cicilline.  Some political observers have suggested that Congressman Paul Ryan (R-WI) and the House Republican caucus demonstrated courage with their most recent budget proposal. I disagree. There is no doubt that we need to restore fiscal responsibility in Washington, D.C. – on this point, nearly all of my Republican and Democratic colleagues agree.  We enacted cuts and savings that amount to $900 billion over ten years and agreed to at least $1.2 trillion more over nine years beginning in 2013.  Where we disagree is on whether…

  Dear Editor,I am the troop leader for Girl Scout Troop 593, a small troop of Cadette Girl Scouts ages 13 and 14. We have been working very hard to raise money for a trip to Washington DC in June to attend the Rock the Mall event - a celebration for the 100th Anniversary of Girl Scouting being held June 8-10.My girls have held several fundraisers including a magazine and candy sale, Girl Scout cookie sale, Papa Gino's fundraiser, a car wash and most recently a yard sale. We have raised just over $1,500. With the event only a few weeks away, we find ourselves about $1,000 short of our goal …

  Dear neighbors, I write with a mixture of enthusiasm and sadness as I encourage you to participate in the First Annual Rainbow Race this Saturday, May 5 at 9 a.m. at John and Cindy’s Harvest Acre Farm on Route 138 in West Kingston. This measured 10K Race and 5K Walk covers some of the most picturesque rural areas of Washington County. I first met John and Cindy Duncan at a funeral home in December 2005. Their daughter, Cassie – whom I knew from chaperoning an eighth grade trip to Washington, DC the previous May – had committed suicide. I felt compelled to attend her wake, not just in my …

  To the editor, Rhode Island was the birthplace of the American Industrial Revolution. During the manufacturing era, our workforce was well suited for the abundant opportunities of its day. Today we are undergoing a new revolution towards a knowledge-based, innovation economy. This change requires a paradigm shift in thinking by both policymakers and the people of our state. However, it is telling that, even with the high unemployment rate in Rhode Island, we continue to hear from business owners who are having trouble finding qualified candidates to fill open positions. It is for this …