POLL: Should Chafee Drop Pleau Custody Fight?

Resolution by Rep. Doreen Costa asks governor to abandon battle to keep Pleau from federal jurisdiction.

  Rep. Doreen Costa (R- Dist. 31, Exeter, North Kingstown) has drafted a resolution asking Gov. Lincoln Chafee to abandon his fight to keep accused murderer Jason Pleau in state custody. Pleau has been the subject of a struggle between federal authorities and Chafee for nearly a year because he could face the death penalty in federal court. On May 10, Chafee said he intends to appeal the U.S First Circuit Court of Appeals ruling telling him to turn over Pleau to federal authorities. Costa said her resolution asks Chafee to give up the fight out of respect for the family of David Main, whom Pleau is accused of killing during a night deposit robbery at Citizen's Bank. Costa said she has more than 50 signatures in support of her measure. Sen…

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Govstench

8:00 am on Monday, May 21, 2012

Chafee is an enigma. It is a wonder why he has an interest in this case at all. I personally doubt it has anything to do with this states desires on the death penalty. The Feds do have jurisdiction on this matter as it happened on the grounds of a bank (FDIC). The Feds want him for robbery but it could turn quickly. The RI Attorney General already signed off on the transfer when Gump screwed it …   more ›

EDC Head Resigns, Ehrhardt Calls For Loan Caps Following 38 Studios Controversy

The head of the state's Economic Development Corporation has stepped down following the controversy of Curt Schilling's 38 Studios.

Keith Stokes has stepped down as the head of the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation amid the controversy surrounding Curt Schilling’s videogame company 38 Studios, according to the Providence Journal. The company, headed by the former Red Sox pitcher, defaulted on a $1.125-million payment to the state on May 1. On Wednesday, Schilling and members of 38 Studios met with state and EDC officials in an emergency meeting that was closed to the public. In 2010, EDC approved a $75-million guaranteed loan to the videogame company following 38 Studios’ promise to bring 450 jobs to the state by the end of 2012 and moved its business from Massachusetts to Providence. Stokes, a longtime board member of the EDC, was appointed by former Gov. …

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Superintendent's Proposed Budget Adjustments

Following the appropriation from the town council, Superintendent Phil Auger has compiled a list of adjustments and cuts to fiscal 2013's budget.

[POLL] Should Schools Accept Out-Of-District Students For A Fee?

The Barrington School Committee is considering accepting 10 such students next year, for tuition of $12,800 per pupil.

The Barrington School Committee made a splash last week when they said the school department would accept out-of-district students willing to pay $12,800 a year to attend Barrington schools. They have since stepped back a bit, but with ever-tightening school budgets, we wondered what people in North Kingstown would think of such a proposal here. “We’re looking at new sources of revenue,” said Barrington Supt. Robert McIntyre in a story on the topic in Thursday's Providence Journal. “This is new. It’s different. It’s an opportunity for us.” Two things drove the decision, the ProJo reported – the need to raise more revenue and a decline in enrollment. As reported by RI Future, however, there could be legal hurdles to such a plan. “They’d be…

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Sen. Sheehan, Locals Pushing for Wickford Art District

A new piece of legislation would turn Wickford into a tax-exempt arts district.

  More than a half dozen Rhode Island cities and towns host a tax-free art district, where artists and galleries are exempt from state sales tax. Despite the various art galleries, local artists and renowned art festival in Wickford, North Kingstown is not one of them. State Senator James Sheehan (D-Dist. 36) is once again supporting a bill that would create a tax-free, art district zone for Wickford Village and the surrounding area. The legislation would remove the state sales tax on goods and works produced and sold in Wickford. If passed, the Wickford art district would include the village and areas along Route 102 (Ten Rod Road) as well as the Rodman Mill Pond area. “Wickford has a brand, and that brand is art,” said Sheehan. “I think …

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Lynn Krim

10:17 am on Sunday, May 13, 2012

Those of us the Shady Lea Mill are wondering why we were not allowed the opportunity to participate on this legislation. We are located in North Kingstown, at the junction of Rte 1&4 and have over 40 artists and artisans in residence. In the past we worked with other senators trying to get this done and I have spoken to members of the NK Arts Council about making this happen. You are absolutely …   more ›

School Budget Cuts Remain Unsettled

School committee reviewed superintendent's recommendations, but did not agree on actions that would cut teachers, supplies and five high school sports.

Not orange. Not green. Not red. After two hours of discussion and comments from 10 citizens, the North Kingstown School Committee declined 3-3 to approve budget cuts or additions in any category at its May 8 meeting. Larry Ceresi was absent, recovering from back surgery, said Chair Kimberly Page. With the North Kingstown Town Council increasing the school’s fiscal year 2013 budget by two percent rather than the requested 4 percent, the schools face a shortfall of $848,349 from this year’s budget, due in part to inflation and less of a contribution from state aid. In response, Superintendant Phil Auger grouped his recommended changes into three color-coded categories designed to shrink the budget to the approved $57,243,694. The orange …

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NKGOP Watch

1:44 pm on Thursday, May 10, 2012

Wow well said. I was starting to believe JS and now it is really discouraging to think it is NKTO/McGwin or whomever not playing straight with basic facts. TRUTH PLEASE. I am of course known for hyperbole but I never try to confuse the two. If you are stating a FACT please make sure it is TRUE and an OPINION (like mine that the Town Council and NKGOP are the problem) is just that, an OPINION. But…   more ›

Council Accepts Healthy Places by Design Action Plan

From biking to walking to healthy foods, North Kingstown has a plan of attack on how to become a healthier community.

Months of community meetings, surveys and discussion have culminated in the Healthy Places by Design action plan, which town planners hope will be a “major focus piece” for rewriting North Kingstown’s comprehensive plan. At its Monday night meeting, the North Kingstown Town Council accepted the plan that outlines what North Kingstown is currently doing to become a healthier community and what still needs to be done. North Kingstown was awarded $225,000 in federal grants for the Healthy Places by Design initiative, along with Pawtucket and South Kingstown. The project is part of a nationwide grant program to help communities implement policy changes that foster health and wellness. The Town of North Kingstown partnered with West Bay Family …

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NK's Darlington Re-Elected Chair of State Bridge Authority

David Darlington of North Kingstown has been re-elected as chairman of the RI Turnpike and Bridge Authority.

Town Council Wrap: White Elephants & Sewers

The council discusses empty buildings, the 23 Washington Street saga and more at Monday night's meeting.

Fate of Vacant Town Buildings Manager Michael Embury proposed ideas for the future of several vacant buildings owned by the town. For several of the buildings, Embury suggested the town hire a real estate firm to market the properties for sale, as the town does not have the expertise or manpower to do so. Selling the buildings would work for properties like the former informational technology building on Reynolds Street and the garage on Oak Hill Road, said Embury. However, Wickford Elementary School may be more complex of an issue. After closing in 2005, the former elementary school has remained dormant from its perch on Phillips Street. Last year, voters shot down a $3.85-million bond to convert the building into a joint town hall and …

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