Town Council Candidates Pt. 2: Art District, Turbines & Lawsuits
How do candidates feel about wind turbines in town? Or creating a tax-free art district in Wickford Village?
Photos
Candidates also discussed a possible tax-free art district in Wickford Village to help foster business. While nearly every candidate supported the measure in theory, many questioned its practicality during the current economic climate. Democrat Tracey McCue suggested establishing a term limited tax break while Democrat Michael Bestwick (an incumbent on the council) proposed tax-free holidays. Republican Kerry McKay also pointed out that creating a tax-free district in Wickford may not be fair to other areas in town, but supported a reduction in sales tax in the village for a “short period of time.”
“Even in tough economic times, there has to be some fun and pleasure,” said Independent Colin O’Sullivan. “I’m sure we can find some savings where we can contribute to some efforts like this proposal.”
The group also sounded off on one of the biggest controversies in town – wind turbines. Last week, the final pieces of a 413-feet wind turbine were erected at North Kingstown Green off Ten Rod Road. Most candidates agreed that turbines should be banned in North Kingstown, citing setbacks, potential health issues and its impact on the character of town.
“We don’t need these in our town,” said Independent Richard Lamere. “They’re out of character.”
Republican Carol Hueston, who was part of the council that approved the contentious wind energy ordinance that has since been withdrawn, would support smaller, house-mounted turbines in town. Bestwick, also on the council, reiterated that the town is waiting to see what action the state will make with upcoming legislation. The third council incumbent at the forum, current Council President Elizabeth Dolan, admitted that the council may have moved too quickly to pass the ordinance but maintained her support of wind energy.
“One person’s monstrosity can be another person’s piece of art,” said Council President Elizabeth Dolan.
Candidates were also asked to address the various lawsuits involving the town and school department and local unions. This past year has seen legal action between the town and school department, the town and the local firefighters union and the school department and the support professionals union.
“Lawsuits have become too easy a way out,” said Independent candidate Rickey Thompson. “The only people who are obviously willing with these lawsuits is attorneys. I’m not. You’re not.”
“Sometimes you don’t want to sue, but sometimes it’s absolutely necessary,” said Hueston. According to Hueston, the town was able to save approximately $1.1 million over the past decade following an arbitration battle with the firefighters.
The only candidate absent from the forum was Democrat Donald J. Souza Jr.
Click here for part one of the council candidates' forum.
MeanE
4:23 pm on Thursday, October 25, 2012
I found the forum to be useful in narrowing down the candidates that I will vote for. The only thing I would have like to seen was more of a debate and as Dick Welch said, more time to answer. However, I understand that with a large number of candidates, it is almost impossible. I don't know how they decided to seat the candidates on the stage, but as it turned out, I am going to vote for 5 of the 7 candidates to the right of Hueston. Now I just need to figure out which 5.
Midlife Momma
5:23 pm on Thursday, October 25, 2012
who were the 7 candidates that were to the right of Hueston? (for those of us who couldnt make it...)
Was the forum taped?
Samantha Turner
7:08 pm on Thursday, October 25, 2012
It was taped and will appear on the Independent and Chamber's website. I'll post links as soon as the video is live.
MeanE
5:56 pm on Thursday, October 25, 2012
there was a camera there, not sure who it was? Welch, cleveland, thompson, lamere, osullivan,mccue, and maloney.
MeanE
6:03 pm on Thursday, October 25, 2012
another observation, the crowd was dominated by older residents, not very many without white hair, disappointing to someone that is salt and mostly pepper
Samantha Turner
7:10 pm on Thursday, October 25, 2012
I noticed that as well. Very disappointing.
Scott Madison
6:35 pm on Thursday, October 25, 2012
“One person’s monstrosity can be another person’s piece of art,” said Council President Elizabeth Dolan.
I think this quote pretty much speaks for itself.....
Politics Sheriff of NK
6:51 pm on Thursday, October 25, 2012
Dolan is a monstrosity, politically speaking. Always has been. Now lets make her a has-been, and fix that one problem finally. Wake up NK!
NK_Voter
7:56 pm on Thursday, October 25, 2012
I actually enjoy the sight of the Portsmouth wind turbines, though I have to admit that I wouldn't want to live under them...or pay for their maintenance as Portsmouth taxpayers are discovering.
Sheriff...details? What is so "monstrous" about a person with the guts to take on the public sector unions to control costs?
KSeaSea
8:20 am on Friday, October 26, 2012
As I drove toward Providence yesterday along Rt 95, I noticed how "small" the vanes were on the two turbines along that route compared to ours in NK. I also noticed one house for sale already in the Wind Turbine development..Tough to sell
Scott Madison
10:06 am on Friday, October 26, 2012
@KSeaSea - Yeah, those blades on the New England Tech turbine are 35 feet long. The North Kingstown Green turbine has blades 134 feet long, which are ironically 13 feet longer/taller than the height of the tower for the New England Tech turbine (121 feet). To put into perspective, the total height of the Stature of Liberty, with the pedestal it stands on is just 305 feet, 108 feet shorter than the total height of the North Kingstown Green turbine. Also, the New England Tech turbine's blades are black, to prevent the buildup and throwing of ice, which builds up on the blades of wind turbines in winter months, unlike the NK Green turbine.
The house up for sale is the model home (per Realtor.com) for NK Green, which is owned by the developer of NK Green and the NK Green turbine. Since only a few houses were sold in his development and he decided to put up the 413 foot "piece of artwork" according to Town Council President Dolan, I hope the sits on the market, unsold, for as long as the turbine stays up.
Politics Sheriff of NK
9:57 pm on Thursday, October 25, 2012
Dolan has a long track record of childish behavior and remarks, strong support for Jim Halley, creating needless legal fights to enrich her lawyer friends with OUR tax dollars, and a domestic assault fracas in her driveway and subsequent arrest, and much more. Whats not to like about this politician?
KSeaSea
8:16 am on Friday, October 26, 2012
Disappointed in "all or none" approach used by republican candidates at School Committee forum last night. While several helpful comments were made by at least two of the republican candidates for School Committee, I was disturbed by the one candidate who, time and time again, indicated that if we elected ALL THREE Republican candidates our problems with this Committee were over--they would solve all the problems. As a voter in NK, "I" make that decision not a party. It is unfortunate that political party issues were at the forefront time and time again..
MeanE
8:39 am on Friday, October 26, 2012
I agree Kseasea. Gus did not need to say that, and should probably know that there are many voters out there that do not like party politics. IMO, the race comes down to 2 spots for the 3 republicans, as Lynda should get her seat back as she is the only democrat running, and for those voters that vote straight party ticket, she will receive enough to win, despite the fact that pro union democrats will probably avoid voting for her because of the firing of the janitors. All in all, she handled herself well last night as the only incumbent on the stage.
KSeaSea
8:25 am on Friday, October 26, 2012
Several times during the Town Council session, the comment was made that a land-owner ought to be able to sell/develop his/her land as they wish. Yes, but there are certain constraints within zoning/planning that control unfettered growth in the wrong way. I do feel we should control the "old village" sections within the town. I believe we, in NK, also have a hand in a development under way on Frenchtown Road--a joint venture with East Greenwich. More growth.
Scott Madison
9:42 am on Friday, October 26, 2012
I am looking forward to seeing the tape online when it is posted....
Govstench
9:21 pm on Friday, October 26, 2012
It is obvious that these turbines belong in remote areas. They are a blight on the landscape of the town and do not produce the energy that the public is being sold. 35% efficency is hardly worth that kind of investment. The developer "hood-winked" the residents of that development and they are paying the price with depreciated property values. They will never climb out of that deep hole as long as that monster is up.
Govstench
9:22 pm on Friday, October 26, 2012
@Scott Madison - the turbine blades are actually 135 feet long and do match up with the three in Providence. This developer must be mashing his teeth with not having this "money machine" on line in time to capture some of this wind energy from "Sandy."
NK
9:33 am on Tuesday, October 30, 2012
here is a video of a wind turbine brake failure. This is a reason why there must be ALOT of open space around these powerful machines.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqEccgR0q-o
NK
9:37 am on Tuesday, October 30, 2012
here is another video of ice buildup on a turbine.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Nws9odq7S8&feature=relmfu
Straight Talker
12:00 pm on Friday, November 2, 2012
I read a letter in the Standard Times yesterday written by one of the Independent candidates, Colin O'Sullivan. He pointed to some really disturbing things said at the forum by some of the other candidates on abandoning Post Road, the Rolling Greens development and wind turbines. We need to see the video of the forum to check out what he said. Does anyone know when it will be on local TV and on which channel? And when will the Chamber of Commerce, which co-sponsored the event be putting the video up on its website? It's been over a week since the forum and only a few days to go until the vote. Where is it? Don't they want us to see it?
MeanE
12:15 pm on Friday, November 2, 2012
Form the bottom of the article on independentri.com - "Full video of the candidate forums is available on the North Kingstown Chamber of Commerce Web site (www.northkingstown.com) and the North°East Independent Web site (www.independentri.com).";
I can't seem to find it on either site?
Samantha Turner
2:32 pm on Friday, November 2, 2012
Hey everyone,
Here's the link for the video of last week's forums. http://www.nksd.net/chamber/
MeanE
3:20 pm on Friday, November 2, 2012
Nice Job Samantha in providing those that weren't able to go an opportunity to view it before the 6th.
Ed Renehan
3:40 pm on Friday, November 2, 2012
thanks!
Politics Sheriff of NK
12:25 am on Sunday, November 4, 2012
Pughe is along with Halley(!) part of a basically useless, historically useless slug of a group called "the chamber". At last check, Pughe (with her zero business experience) was going to "divide the town into quadrants" and then 'help the quadrants get along with each other'. With "talent" like Pughe and Halley, are we even surprised "the chamber" cant videotape their own event adequately? Any kid with a $200 dig vidcam and a YouTube account could have had it up that night!
Politics Sheriff of NK
10:03 am on Sunday, November 4, 2012
Magician, want magic? DO NOT VOTE FOR THE COUNCIL INCUMBENTS. That would help a million.