Archive - Mar 2011 - News Article
March 10th
SOUTH KINGSTOWNâThe Economic Development Committee met last Thursday, March 3 to discuss the new property tax treaty drafted by the town.
The âTax Exemption and Stabilization Programâ was received by the council as a troubling example of miscommunication.
"One Hand, One Heart"
West Side Story, the classic story of two star-crossed lovers, comes to life this weekend in North Kingstown and we've got everything you need to know about the play in this week's Standard Times as writer Judee Cosentino gives you an inside look at the play and those behind it.
In addition, see how local schools and local residents are reacting to Governor Chafee's budget proposal in relation to education and the effect of rising gas prices.
March 9th
WARWICK-The National Multiple Sclerosis Society honored Congressman Jim Langevin (D-RI) as its 2010 Representative of the Year at the organization's annual Public Policy Conference. The award distinguishes a Member of Congress who has demonstrated exceptional leadership and dedication to issues most significantly impacting the lives of people with Multiple Sclerosis, or MS. It represents one of the highest honors the Society awards to public officials.
SOUTH KINGSTOWNâSouth Kingstown state representatives recently met with the Coastal Resources Management Council to discuss potential solutions to the coastal erosion along Matunuck Town Beach.
Sen. V. Susan Sosnowski, D-Dist. 37 South Kingstown, New Shoreham and Rep. Donna M. Walsh, D-Dist. 36, Charlestown, New Shoreham, South Kingstown, Westerly, along with town council president Ella Whaley met with Grover Fugate, the executive director of the Coastal Resources Management Council and other members of the CRMC.
ANGELENA CHAPMAN
achapman@ricentral.com
School Committee Vice Chair Nancy Sprengelmeyer came out against all-day kindergarten in a letter to the Rhode Island House of Representatives, despite thinking it is âabsolutely the bestâ for children.
Despite being in support of all-day kindergarten from an educatorâs point-of-view, Sprengelmeyer testified against it for financial reasons.
In a Feb. 9 letter to the Rhode Island House of Representatives that is signed by Sprengelmeyer and Superintendent of Coventry Public Schools Michael Convery they write that it would be âfiscally impossibleâ to implement such a program at this time.
The bill, H 5049, was introduced by Rep. Roberto DaSilva (D-East Providence, Pawtucket) and Rep. Raymond Johnston, Jr. (D-Pawtucket).
It would require all districts in the state to have all-day kindergarten, or in other words to increase the hours a kindergartener must attend class. It would require students to be in class five and a half hours per day.
The letter to representatives on behalf of Coventry states that, âWhile both the Coventry Public Schoolsâ administrative team and its School Committee members unanimously support the concept of all-day kindergarten, the cost to implement this program would be a fiscally-impossible undertaking at this time.â
The letter says it would be âcost-prohibitive without a guarantee of a State-funding source.â
At their Tuesday night meeting Sprengelmeyer asked Rep. Lisa Tomasso, who was in attendance, about the status of the bill.
Tomasso told the school committee that she did not see the bill coming to the floor because representatives were realizing the impact of sending a bill to communities with âa fiscal note attached.â
At the Feb. 14 town council meeting where Sprengelmeyer shared the letter with council members, Councilman Raymond Spear called it âanother unfunded mandate.â
By DAVID PEPIN
The lawyer for two homeowners who claim their houses have been damaged by construction of the new Cole Middle School is awaiting responses from the town and the East Greenwich School District to their claim.
March 8th
On February 17 twelve representatives from several local Walmart stores visited and toured Sargent Rehabilitation Center. Local Walmart Store Managers, Market Assistant and Good Works Coordinators ⊠staff who identify non-profit organizations and programs in the community that Walmart wishes to support with a monetary contributionâŠcame bearing a gift. Sargent Center was presented with a $5000 contribution to support services for children and adults with disabilities.
RICHMOND â Delinquent property taxpayers won't be seeing additional late payment notices this year as the Town Council voted recently to stop sending out the quarterly reminders. Instead, taxpayers will receive what they have in the past, which is their tax bill followed by a late payment reminder in December.
South Kingstown reporter Kathleen McKiernan would like to hear from Narragansett Times readers and community members who may have information on the Michael Woodmansee murder case and are willing to be interviewed. Please contact her by email at kmckiernan@ricentral.com or call 789-9744 ex. 138.
PEACE DALE â To help those in need during these economic times, the South Kingstown Teacherâs Union held its annual Have a Heart Fundraiser last month to support the local community.
The elementary school teachers, including West Kingston, Peace Dale, Matunuck, Wakefield and the Hazard Preschool raised $1,621 for the Johnnycake Center.
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