The following article was submitted by the Rhode Island Sierra Club chapter: With gas prices still high through the summer, several Rhode Island elected officials have called upon President Obama to adopt fuel economy standards that will reach an average of 60 miles per gallon for cars and light trucks by 2025. The Rhode Island Sierra Club is leading a local effort to steer the "Go 60 MPG campaign," having recent sent a letter to the President urging his administration to adopt the strongest possible standards for savings at the gas pump and for reductions to carbon pollution from tailpipes. …

At the July 18 Middletown Town Council workshop, the Council was briefed by the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) on options for improving the intersections of East and West Main Streets (2 Mile Corner) and West Main and Coddington Highway.  Two options were presented: 1) install additional traffic lanes and signals, and 2) install traffic roundabouts at both intersections. Previously, the Middletown Planning Board had voted unanimously to recommend the installation of modern roundabouts.  As a member of the Planning Board, it may be useful to explain how I arrived at my …

You will never see it in your lifetime! That is exactly what two prominent former Town Council members recently told me, when I expressed my very real concerns about the dangers and inconvenience to the adjourning residential neighborhoods which will be so greatly impacted by these traffic circle roundabouts. On Wednesday July 13 I attended my third meeting concerning roundabouts, the West Main Road-Coddington Highway Development Project, and the new 92-room hotel which will soon be approved. The hotel will be at the southern part of the roundabouts (behind the car dealership), and the Huge …

Summer is here, the Fourth of July looms, and it is officially beach season in Rhode Island. Pack up the kids, the beach towels and umbrella, the cooler, and a bucketful of suntan lotion and head for the shore. Here are some things you won’t have to take: cigarette butts, lawn fertilizer, pet poop, and oil and gas residues from roads and driveways. They will get there on their own. What Rhode Islanders don’t realize as well as they should is that the main source of pollution to our water bodies is stormwater runoff.  In a recent University of Rhode Island survey, nearly 90 percent of those …

The following letter appeared in the ALT's May 23, 2011 edition of its newsletter "Good Dirt" and has been reproduced with the ALT's permission. Dear Supporters: On Saturday, May 14, while on a free public tour of the recently conserved Wicks Nursery in Portsmouth, offered by the Wicks family and the Aquidneck Land Trust ("ALT") through its Land Matters Walk and Talk Series, I was reminded of the restorative power and benefits created and reaped by a community when it gets behind its local farms.  Beverley Carlisle, of the Wicks family, recounted for the tour participants the heart wrenching …

The key to our future and the future of our economy hinges precipitously on the results that are produced by our educational system. By the very nature of our citizenship of the State of Rhode Island, we are all stewards and custodians of this system. As stewards, we are accountable and it is our responsibility to ensure that quality products are produced; that all Rhode Island students receive an affordable, world-class education preparing them to compete in the global economy. It’s a responsibility we cannot and must not delegate. Competing in the global economy will certainly require a …

A Letter to the Editor: I feel that Newport County should consider the development of a Newport County Convention Center. In my business travels around the country, I have attended many business shows at convention centers and often compare the venues available to that of a potential Newport County Convention Center. I feel that none of them compare to the beauty and ideal locations available here. I feel that incremental visitors could be brought into Newport County and not take away from other conventions in the state or businesses locally during the summer season. The additional business …

Why are winter flounder stocks being depleted in Mount Hope Bay?  In their video commentary, Save the Bay offers an explanation for the scarcity of winter flounder locally. They also raise concern for how the LNG proposal might further impact the health of Mount Hope Bay. The Save the Bay video commentary can be viewed in the image gallery above. For more information, visit the Save the Bay website.

To the Editor,I’m writing today to update you on the status of Hess’ efforts to build a massive liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal in the middle of Mount Hope Bay and connect it to the Weaver’s Cove storage facility in Fall River by way of a pipeline along the bottom. As you may know, Save The Bay has been leading efforts to oppose this environmentally-damaging and economically-risky project since it was first proposed in 2003. Our objections are based on the permanent and severe environmental impacts of the project’s footprint on the fragile and battered Mount Hope Bay and Taunton River …

The Middletown Democratic Town Committee is once again saddened with the passing of another former chairperson within the last three months. In December, sitting Chairperson David Lavine passed away and most recently former Chairperson Joseph Russo also passed. Both of these men were advocates, public servants, Democrats and supporters of partisan government.  Although different in many ways, they both shared a passion for politics at both the state and local levels. They both devoted the greater portion of their lives to their passion, having served as elected public officials, as well as …

Letter to the Editor: I agree with the recent selection of Keith Stokes as the head of the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation. From 1900 to 1910, Rhode Island saw the biggest boom in its population, with an increase of almost 27-percent. That makes the increase of the 2010 census, one century later, look like a rounding error. The source of the growth was that 33-percent of Rhode Islanders had been born in a foreign country. They poured into the textile mills and other factories as the Industrial Revolution that began in Pawtucket a century earlier chugged on. Rhode Island needs …

Letter to the Editor: I oppose regional school districts because of the loss of Liberty and self-governance, that the people of Middletown, Newport, and Portsmouth would lose, should the regionalization of the three island school systems succeed.   Middletown council member Christopher Semonelli can attest to the fact that, at a meeting, representatives from the other regionalized school districts in Rhode Island, they said, if you're doing this to save money, "Don't Do It."   It never ceases to amaze me, how elected officials only think of the ones who elected them, the people who pays the …

We are writing to thank everyone who helped make the third annual Aquidneck Land Trust 5K Race for Open Space on Nov. 6, 2010 such a great success. Approximately 350 people joined us to walk or run on the Sakonnet Greenway Trail in Portsmouth. Young and old, families, strollers and dogs - it was heartwarming to see such tremendous community enjoyment and support of our beautiful local conserved open space. We urge everyone to visit the trail – it is a gem. For a map and more information, or if you would like to support ALT by becoming a member, please go to the ALT Web site at www.…

To the Editor, On March 3, 2011, the Aquidneck Land Trust's campaign to raise enough money to purchase the development rights of the Wicks Farm in Portsmouth will come to a close.  The campaign, which seeks to raise $2 million, offers a unique opportunity to end forever the threat to our water supply which would be created by dozens of new septic systems on the hill above Sisson Pond and its bird sanctuary.  A previously proposed development of the Wicks Farm would have added more than 500 car trips each day to East Main Road at Mitchell's Lane and required either a new traffic signal …

By Barbara A. VonVillas, Ph.D, Middletown Town Council   October 8, 2010 To the Editor: With great concern, I address the proposed amendments to the Middletown wind ordinance, which is not in the best interests of the town. To restate the case, the proposed amendments would have no impact at all on the proposal for a wind turbine on Paradise Ave. That proposal will be reviewed under the existing ordinance and the Comprehensive Plan. It is particularly frustrating that it is being argued incorrectly that the language of the proposed amendments is intended to mirror the Comprehensive Plan. …

Letter to the Editor: Ms. Luise Strauss has applied for a special-use permit to build a 297 foot tall, one megawatt wind turbine on her small sheep farm near Sachuest Beach.  She would use the electricity to power her farm, and sell the excess to "off-site" customers such as St. George's School and the Town of Middletown.  This application is now up for consideration by the town's Zoning Board, with a recommendation by the Planning Board.  Why shouldn't Ms. Strauss be allowed to do as she pleases with her land?  Isn't "green" energy good for the environment and Middletown?       No one is …

To the Editor, On Wednesday morning, I was privileged to attend the initial Congress of Councils meeting organized by the Jamestown Town Council and their LNG Threat Committee.  For those who, like me are opposed to the Hess proposal, this was an excellent opportunity to talk with other Council members both from Rhode Island and Massachusetts about how best to marshal our resources to stop this assault on the bay. With representation from every City and Town on the Bay and from other communities who understand the adverse affect the Hess proposal would have on our economy, environment and …