Archive - Jan 2012 - News Article

End to storage at Varnum might be issue for EGSC

January 25, 2012

EAST GREENWICH - While the School Department's financial advisory board would like to see an eventual end to the leasing of storage space in Varnum Armory, that may be easier said than done.

Facilities Director Robert Wilmarth presented a report on the activities at the armory to the School Committee last Tuesday, prior to the beginning of a series of workshops which will produce its fiscal 2013 budget. The committee took no action at that meeting.

SRICC granted tax exemption on building

January 25, 2012

SOUTH KINGSTOWN – During Monday’s Town Council meeting, The Southern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce was granted a $7,000 tax exemption for this year on its building located at 230 Old Tower Hill Road with a 3-2 splintered council vote cast amidst rising tempers.

Preview today's Narragansett Times

January 25, 2012

In today's paper, we have the result of the contentious South Kingstown Town Council meeting Monday night in which the Southern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce was granted a $7,000 tax exemption in place of their tax appropriation from the town.

On Saturday, Rep. Watson of East Greenwich was charged a second time with marijuana possession after South Kingstown Police found his car stuck in the snow with a flat tire.

We also have the results of the First Lego League of RI from last week after Narragansett Pier students competed.

All and more inside today's Narragansett Times.

Politics as Usual: How could anyone be in favor of receiverships? [OPINION]

January 25, 2012

We pay a lot of lip service in this country to the notion of freedom, democracy (note the lower-case d) and self-government. But despite the many and varied lessons history teaches us from the most ancient civilizations to the present day, the idea of a benevolent dictatorship still appears to hold a measure of allure for a lot of folks.

Legislators propose tax, farm bills

January 24, 2012

The 2012 General Assembly session is under way, and local law makers are looking to make a positive impact by introducing some new, and some familiar legislation.

Grenier rises to the top with sax appeal

January 24, 2012

By MARTHA SMITH
Special to the Standard

NORTH KINGSTOWN – Life was not always promising for Michael Grenier.
In November 1994, at the age of 14 weeks, he was taken in by his grandmother Joanne Naumann because his mother was unable to care for him.
Two years later, Naumann became his legal guardian and has raised a child who turned into a remarkable young man.

Rep. Watson arrested second time for marijuana charges, swears at SK police

January 23, 2012

SOUTH KINGSTOWN – Over the weekend, police arrested former state Minority Leader Rep. Robert Watson (R- Dist. 30, East Greenwich, West Greenwich) for possession of marijuana, his second offense in less than a year after police discovered an open Natural Ice beer can, two Corona Extra beer bottles, and a pipe and small plastic bag containing traces of marijuana in his vehicle.

Rep. Walsh secures $2,000 grant to assist RI-CAN

January 23, 2012

CHARLESTOWN - Lines of hungry people seeking food extend out the door and into the parking lot of the Rhode Island Center Assisting Those in Need (RI-CAN), the food pantry on the corner of Routes 112 and 91 in Charlestown.

‘We were overwhelmed; we recovered’

January 23, 2012

By MARTHA SMITH
Special to the Standard

EXETER – When a Verizon substation failed during Tropical Storm Irene, Exeter’s carefully-devised plan for dealing with natural disasters went out the window.
“There was failure of the infrastructure,” acknowledges Stefan Coutoulakis, the town’s emergency management director, who found himself with no emergency phone lines.
The system “is only good as long as we have power. We got overwhelmed; we recovered.”

Tell Me Your Story: Eagle Scout a Treat for Emergency Management

January 22, 2012

EXETER – Andrew Treat spent 18 months at Franklin Pierce University, in New Hampshire, before deciding he needed a change.
“I left to find myself,” says the 22-year-old Cranston native who grew up in East Greenwich and graduated from East Greenwich High School. After majoring in radio broadcasting and information technology, it turned out that his true calling was as a first responder.
“In college, they’d started a volunteer fire department on campus. I hadn’t thought of that but one of my roommates mentioned it and said ‘Wow, this is really cool!’”