What’s Up Newp
Local, independent news for Newport, Rhode Island; Martha’s Vineyard; Nantucket; and Stowe, Vermont
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When voters go to the polls in less than two weeks, they will be voting on far more than local and statewide offices. There are three statewide bond issues, totaling some $400 million, and several local referenda, from legalization of retail marijuana sales to school construction and regionalization.
Early voting begins Oct. 19, with election day Nov. 8. For specifics about the statewide referenda visit the Secretary of State’s website and view the voter guide. For local referenda, also go to the Secretary of State’s website, go to elections and you’ll be able to download a sample ballot.
Here’s a quick rundown of the statewide and local bond issues.
Statewide
Jamestown – Portsmouth
Portsmouth is the only area community without any local referenda, while the only local referendum in Jamestown is a question being asked in many Rhode Island communities, whether the town should issue licenses to businesses involved in “the cultivation, manufacture, laboratory testing and for retail sale” of cannabis.
Little Compton
Besides the cannabis question, Little Compton has several local referenda, most of which are housekeeping or procedural matters. One measure calls for the removal of the treasurer/tax collector from the list of elected officials, and another specifies that the position should be appointed. And another reinforces current practice by establishing a structure of one tax assessor and the appointment of a tax assessment board of review.
Middletown
For Middletown, perhaps the local questions are the most significant items on the ballot. Middletown and Newport voters will decide whether to regionalize the school system, and Middletown voters are being asked to approve a $235 million for school construction, of which nearly $190 million would be borne by the state. If either issue fails in Middletown, then regionalization fails. If approved, each community will realize savings of more than $46 million, and significantly increase the state aid they would receive for any future capital projects.
Middletown voters will also be considering the cannabis retail license question.
Newport
Besides school regionalization (discussed under Middletown), city voters will consider the cannabis question, are being asked to approve several procedural matters related to the city charter and will determine whether to establish a Trust and Investment Commission to oversee town investments.
Tiverton
Besides the cannabis question, voters ae being asked to reduce the current budget commission from 11 members to seven and allow the town council to adopt a unified budge incorporating the town and school committee budgets.
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Frank Prosnitz brings to WhatsUpNewp several years in journalism, including 10 as editor of the Providence (RI) Business News and 14 years as a reporter and bureau manager at the Providence (RI) Journal. Prosnitz began his journalism career as a sportswriter at the Asbury Park (NJ) Press, moving to The News Tribune (Woodbridge, NJ), before joining the Providence Journal. Prosnitz hosts the Morning Show on WLBQ radio (Westerly), 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. Monday through Friday, and It’s Your Business, also on WBLQ, Monday and Tuesday, 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Prosnitz has twice won Best in Business Awards from the national Society of American Business Editors and Writers (SABEW), twice was named Media Advocate of the Year by the Small Business Administration, won an investigative reporter’s award from the New England Press Association, and newswriting award from the Rhode Island Press Association.
Your local, independent source for What’s Up in Newport, Rhode Island, and beyond. Est. 2012
