Saturday, June 15, 2013
Gotcha! This has nothing to do with unmasking anything, with the possible exception of my devious, tawdry plot to get you to continue reading.
Hey, don’t be so judgmental. It worked! I worked outside for a while at the start of spring, cleaning out the flower beds around my house; uncovering all the daffodils, crocuses, tulips and the like. It felt great to get out there. It gave me a sense of hope. Spring is a time of new beginnings; a period of rebirth. I had to come in when it got so windy and rainy that all the leaves I raked out of the beds started blowing all over the yard. It became fruitless to continue. I was bummed out that I had to quit. I love working outside and I’ve been chomping at the bit since the first day of March; the day that, to me, signifies the beginning of better weather and garden-planning. I suppose I’m kidding myself about the better weather, because…
Friday, June 14, 2013
By Coventry Town Councilwoman Karen Carlson
- GOVERNMENT
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Friday, June 14
Dear Coventry Taxpayers: I would like to clarify something that was printed in the Thursday, June 13, issue of the Kent County Times and also state my position on the recent Financial Town Meeting: There was an erroneous statement in the article on the 2013 Coventry Financial Town Meeting. The article intimates that I concurred with all of Councilman Jendzejec's statements. I most certainly do not agree that Tuesday evening's FTM was any type of "plan on the Republican's part to disrupt a time-honored tradition". (As far as I am concerned the moderator, Tim Williamson, managed that all by himself.) May I remind the Councilman that both of the Republicans on the Town Council voted against moving the budget forward at the last Council …
Sunday, May 12, 2013
Mother's Day is here and offers an opportunity to show the women in your life how much you love them. Happy Mother's Day, Coventry Moms!
"I'd like to be the ideal mother, but I'm too busy raising my kids." -unknown No one knows who said that, but it rings more true than not. Around the world, there's one thing that unites women more than any other: raising children. Whether away at work, staying at home or straddling the gray area in between, we all experience similar struggles, joys and ... the gray area in between. So it is with eagerness and anticipation that moms look forward to one day a year where cooking is optional and gifts abound. There was a point when Mother's Day was less about brunches and hanging baskets, as it has drastically morphed from the intention of its founder. The founder of Mother's Day, Anna Jarvis, trademarked the phrases "second Sunday in May" …
Saturday, April 27, 2013
Perhaps sharing my experiences with anxiety will help you cope!
I see myself as a fairly stable guy. I may be looking through jaded eyes, so my point of view might be skewed; but all in all I think I’m doing alright. Of course, that may be a problem in itself – thinking we’re ‘doing alright’. I suppose most of us think that way. But anyway, I’m sticking to my guns on this one. I’ll probably be investigated now because I said ‘guns’ on the internet. As I mentioned in a column I penned some time ago, I’m going to write a book based upon Dr. Thomas Harris’ best-seller, I’m Okay, You’re Okay. My version will be entitled, I’m Okay, You’re A Whack-Job. So you see my point, right? Most of us think we’re just fine, but there are those who think we’re ‘a few ants short of a picnic’. Perspective my friend – …
Monday, April 22, 2013
Boston's police, firefighters, EMTs and medical workers were outstanding in the face of such a massive disaster. Is it time they get the hero's reception they deserve?
Boston's run the gamut of emotions this week, from terror to sadness to perseverance and, finally, joy. Throughout the entire topsy turvy week, however, everyone said the same thing: Boston's first responders did an outstanding job. From the injured at the finish line to the academics and public policy experts, an entire nation has lauded Boston's police officers, firefighters, EMTs and medical professionals for their response to the bombing. With the bombers now both accounted for, someone on Facebook got themselves a good idea: We've had Duck Boat parades for the Red Sox, Celtics, Bruins and Patriots in the past 12 years. How about we crank up the Ducks and take to the streets to say thanks to the city's first responders? The Facebook …
Friday, April 19, 2013
State Representative Patricia Morgan discusses how union actions may possibly lead to increased tax bills for RI residents.
- GOVERNMENT
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Friday, April 19
The following is a letter by Rep. Patricia Morgan (R-Coventry, Warwick, West Warwick) posted Friday on the Central Coventry Citizens Taskforce for Fire Protection website: "Fire taxes are going to become a larger and larger part of many Rhode Islanders’ tax bills if union leaders have their way. And it’s a story that starts in Coventry. What started out seven months ago as a struggle by Coventry residents to prevent a 60 percent jump in their fire-district tax rate has morphed into a fight by the union to gain unfettered and permanent access to their pockets. With 43 fire districts in the state, this has implications for many Rhode Island households. Rhode Island fire districts are independent of the towns where they are situated and …
Thursday, April 11, 2013
Rep. Scott Guthrie's most recent letter regarding the ongoing Central Coventry Fire District case, which was read in court on April 10.
- GOVERNMENT
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Thursday, April 11
Your Honor, I attended the Town Council emergency session last evening. Exhibiting leadership, the actions of the Town Council and their commitment to public safety shows true. They are simply helping bridge a gap in the collection of revenue. My observations were that the misinformation continues. The audience continues to believe that voluntary vouchers are still in effect. We both know, your Honor, that the first, second and third quarter tax payments were ordered to be paid by this court. The ratepayers present continue to not accept that fact. Most of the audience gave the impression that they will not honor that tax obligation. The message from the court has not reached the ratepayers. Ratepayers need to be educated, in a very …
By Laura A. Flanagan
- OPINION
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Thursday, April 11
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 another districts financial failures. Selfishly, it does not seem fair or just. It makes me angry. The fact that the leaders of this particular fire …
Saturday, March 23, 2013
Are you thinking of looking for a cottage rental on the Internet? Buyer beware! Check out what happened to my wife and me a few years back!
I’m writing this the day before our two-week respite on the beautiful island of Georgetown, Maine, comes to an end. Did I say, “island?” Well, it is an island in the technical sense. It is, in fact, separated from the mainland by a body of water, the Back River, which empties into the mighty Atlantic some eight miles downstream, but its accessibility to Maine-proper via a bridge slightly diminishes the island feel. My wife, Berta, and I discovered this place online while searching the Internet for an escape from the rigors of the world. Ah, the magic carpet ride that is the Internet. Allowing one to go where no man has gone before – or was that Star Trek? Enabling one to leap tall buildings in a single bound. OK, that was Superman. But …
Friday, March 15, 2013
My annual take on the derivation of the expression, Beware The Ides Of March
Caesar: Who is it in the press that calls on me? I hear a tongue shriller than all the music Cry “Caesar!” Speak; Caesar is turn’d to hear. Soothsayer: Beware the ides of March. Caesar: What man is that? Brutus: A soothsayer bids you beware the ides of March. In this scene from one of Bill Shakespeare’s greatest works, Julius Caesar, a soothsayer warns ole’ Jules to be wary of March 15th, the ides of March, which is the very day that he is to be assassinated by the conspirators who have plotted against him. But, in spite of his wife’s nightmares of his murder, the admonition of the soothsayer and numerous warnings; Caesar goes out on the ides and meets his fate. Here’s my version of what transpires. Caesar, who has grown extremely …
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3:35 pm on Monday, June 17, 2013
Aww crap..it was just a non clever giant coffee. more ›