How Do I Submit a Letter to the Editor to North Kingstown Patch?

We want to hear from our community.

It’s a question we get asked a lot: “How do I submit a Letter to the Editor?” And with the Mass. Ave. Corridor Project, overnight parking and a host of candidates on the April ballot, and a bottled-water ban, revised leaf-blower ban, self-serve gasoline and medical-marijuana dispensaries set to go before Town Meeting later that month, we thought there was no better time to answer. (Don’t get us wrong, Letters to the Editor don’t have to be political. Sometimes the small issues resonate the most.) There are two ways to submit a Letter to the Editor to North Kingstown Patch: 1. As a blog post. Submitting a Letter to the Editor as a blog post is easy (really as simple as writing an email) and immediate. (As soon as you hit “Approve,” it’ll be…

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Letter: Pay Raises in 2014?

Councilor Richard Welch outlines his views on the upcoming budget process.

To the editor,   It is budget time again in North Kingstown and we need to hold the line on expenses and that is going to be difficult for a number of reasons.  Increases in operating expenses are the main problem; fuel cost, electric, labor agreements and health insurance premiums just won't stop increasing.   We are going to have to make some choices that are necessary and some people won't be happy about these choices.  We must hold the line on our taxes and that means the town must act more like business in many ways.   Improve efficiency of operation by consolidating positions with like responsibilities in the town and school department, i.e. consolidation of the two IT departments into one, purchasing abd payroll as well as human …

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Letter: McKendall Pledges Term Limits

If elected, Tina McKendall promises to serve no more than three terms in the State Senate.

To the editor, The evolution of the career politician has been a problem in state politics for several decades.  As local congressmen and woman make longterm connections, it becomes more difficult for the representative of a specific district to say “No!”   How would it be possible to say, “That’s really not a good investment for a cash strapped state,” to the people whose votes you need two years later? If I’m elected to the State Senate this year, I pledge to remain in the Assembly no longer than three terms.  That’s six years.  If I can’t help reduce the state debt and ease the oppressive tax burden on everyone in that amount of time, then it will be time for someone else to give it a shot.   Jim Sheehan has been in the State Senate for…

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Politics Sheriff of NK

11:21 pm on Wednesday, October 31, 2012

I dont like this bird anymore than any other of the NKGOP ilk. "I’m Tina McKendall and I can get this done." HUH? Wow. I personally cant stand Jimmy Sheehan, but give me a CREDIBLE alternative please, because he does get some things done.   more ›

Letter: Former State Sen. Lenihan Praises Sheehan

Former State Sen. J. Michael Lenihan praises the work of Sen. James Sheehan.

Dear editor,  In the 40 years of my public service, I’ve served with hundreds of colleagues.  Rarely have I had the opportunity, however, to serve with one as determined and relentless in pursuit of honorable goals as Sen. James Sheehan.  Once Jim has studied a problem and selected the best options to address that problem, he will pursue his options purposefully and creatively.   Jim and I have had the opportunity to work together on many issues affecting the community and our state such as Separation of Powers, ethics disclosure laws, Narragansett Water quality, government accountability and oversight, economic development and so on.  In working together, Jim Sheehan has shown himself to be an ardent, intelligent and effective legislator…

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Letter: McKendall Wrong About Oversight

Sen. James Sheehan responds to a recent letter from his Republican opponent.

Dear editor, I was puzzled by the recent letter submitted by my Tea Party Republican opponent Tina McKendall. She correctly stated that I championed new laws to regulate quasi-public agencies like the Economic Development Corporation (EDC).  But, she somehow twists that to suggest I support more regulation on non-governmental, private sector businesses, which is absurd. The EDC is a publicly owned, privately-acting government agency. I was surprised that my opponent apparently did not know the difference. The 38 Studios debacle clearly showed us we need to assert more oversight, not less on quasi-public agencies, particularly the EDC!  The gross lack of fiduciary responsiblity also made obvious to everyone what I've been saying for years…

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Jack Brophy

5:23 pm on Monday, October 15, 2012

NK_Voter, in general, I agree. We all know that guy in Washington loves big government and we don't need more of that on the state level. But, a quasi-gov entity can work when those making the calls are business people. It does work and is not a matter of opinion. Mass has done it well and has created thousands of jobs and millions in tax revenue. Oversight is key, as well. Sheehan advocates for …   more ›

Letter: Let's Spark the Economy With Art

A Wickford gallery owner supports Sen. James Sheehan and a tax-free art district for Wickford Village.

To the editor, For over a decade I’ve owned Five Main, an art gallery in Wickford, and in recent years I’ve witnessed many local businesses downsize and close. Wickford is known as an art community and I fear that it's art galleries will be the next to go. This has inspired my thinking of ways to prevent further decline and spark new commerce. Last spring I supported Senator James Sheehan's bill (2012-S2448) to designate Wickford as a tax-exempt art district. This would have allowed Wickford's artists and galleries the same benefits provided to nine other Rhode Island communities. Although this bill was passed unanimously by the Senate, the House bill was never put on the agenda nor heard. Rhode Island is a leader in the arts and in 1998 …

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Letter: Preserve the Charm & Character of NK

Rickey Thompson is one of several Independent candidates for Town Council this year.

  To the editor: Together with other Independent candidates, I am running for North Kingstown Town Council under the “SaveNK” banner. Here’s why. Twenty years ago my wife and I decided to make North Kingstown our home. Through the years our annual property tax increased, growth and development rose; all the while I had assumed the actions and expenditures of our elected town officials would improve NK while protecting the quality of our lives. Over the last few years my optimism and assumptions have changed. I’ve experienced firsthand the countless undesirable actions by the Town Council and decisions implemented without regard to residents’ factual concerns and objections.  While attending the meetings, I’ve progressively observed the …

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Letters To The Editor

Boys’ Varsity Soccer Kicks for Charity Tonight

Narragansett, North Kingstown, South Kingstown and East Greenwich all play in a charity event at Curtis Corner Middle School tonight.

To the editor, On Friday, Aug. 31, the first annual varsity boys’ soccer Fall Kick-Off Classic will take place at Curtis Corner Middle School.  This charity event will include a soccer double header starting at 5 p.m. with Narragansett vs. North Kingstown, and will conclude at 7 p.m. with South Kingstown vs. East Greenwich. This event will be an annual charity game that will kick off the varsity season for the four local teams. Each year the event location will rotate amongst the schools, as will the charity being donated to. This year the game will be in South Kingstown, with the American Cancer Society being the selected charity. All proceeds from game admission as well as from event t-shirt sales will go to a donation being made to the …

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