Business and Economy – Alliance for a Livable Newport

Newport Yachting Center withdraws NOISE variance request!

November 12, 2013 by NewportAlliance

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November 12, 2013

Dear Newport Yachting Center Guests,

We want to thank all of our concert guests and supporters who sent letters, made phone-calls and cleared their schedules to attend tomorrow night’s City Council meeting in support of the Sunset Music Series. It is gratifying to hear how important the Sunset Music Series is to all of you. It is clear that our unique waterfront venue has become a part of the fabric of Newport over the last 16 years.

However, based on feedback from the City Council, we are making the decision to pull the variance request from tomorrow night’s City Council docket.

The reality is that we need to take a step back and allow the City to hold public workshops, during which we will have an opportunity to explain the facts of the variance request and our plans for noise abatement. There is much misinformation circulating right now and it is important that we be able to present the correct information to the residents of Newport.

We will need your support in the future; we will call on you again when the time is right to bring this matter before the City Council.

We will keep you informed as the political process unfolds and public workshops are scheduled.We look forward to seeing you on the waterfront during the 2014 Sunset Music Series season. Please feel free to reach out to me with questions at any time. I can be reached atmmaker@newportyachtingcenter.com.

With appreciation for your support,

Michele Maker Palmieri
General Manager
Newport Harbor Corporation

POLL: #1 Newport: RI’s Best Communities 2013

June 24, 2013 by NewportAlliance

Surrounded by a sprawling waterfront, Newport was fittingly titled the “Birthplace of the Navy.” Since its establishment as a city, this highly visited community has enjoyed a history of progress and success. In fact, Newport has more standing buildings built before 1830 than any other American community. It offers cruises, excursion boats, city tours, golf, and fishing among other things for visitors making it one of the most desired tourist destinations in the country.

http://www.golocalprov.com/news/1-newport-ris-best-communities-2013/

Newport by the numbers

Established: 1639
Population: 24,672
Median household income: $58,080
Median housing price: $352,500

2013 Best Communities rankings

Overall ranking: 1
Affordability ranking: 38
Education ranking: 35
Economic Condition ranking: 17
Safety ranking: 35
Arts & Culture ranking: 1

Famous residents

Benedict Arnold, (governor) of Rhode Island
William Coddington, governor of Rhode Island
John Clarke, Baptist minister and drafter of the Royal Charter
Nicholas Easton, governor of Rhode Island
George Berkeley, philosopher
Louis Alexandre Berthier, French Army officer, later Marshal of France and Napoleon’s chief of staff
William Ellery, signer of the Declaration of Independence
Robert Feke, portrait painter
Peter Harrison, architect
Samuel Hopkins (clergyman), Congregational minister, Calvinist theologian and pioneer leader for abolition of the slave trade
Aaron Lopez, prominent merchant
Louis-Marie, vicomte de Noailles, French army officer
Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, French general
Charles Theodore Pachelbel, first organist of Newport’s Trinity Church and son of Johann Pachelbel
William Selby, organist (Trinity Church) and composer
John Smybert, artist
Ezra Stiles, minister, diarist, and President of Yale
Gilbert Stuart, portrait painter
Isaac Touro, hazzan at Synagogue
Judah Touro, prominent merchant and philanthropist
Vice-Admiral Sir Jahleel Brenton, Royal Navy
William Ellery Channing, one of the foremost Unitarian preachers of the 19th century
George Bancroft, historian, Secretary of the Navy, diplomat, and summer resident
August Belmont, financier
Ambrose Burnside, Army officer stationed at Fort Adams, later a Civil War general, governor, and senator
Julia Ward Howe, author and summer resident
Henry James, author
William James, Harvard professor
John Kensett, artist
Clement C. Moore, summer resident and author of ‘Twas the Night before Christmas
Levi P. Morton, summer resident and donor of Morton Park, later Vice President of the United States
Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry, hero of the War of 1812
William Trost Richards, artist
Milton H. Sanford, textile magnate and thoroughbred racehorse owner
Richard Upjohn, architect
Louis Agaziz, scientist and adventurer
Caroline Webster Schermerhorn Astor, socialite
Alva Belmont, socialite and leader of women’s rights movement
Charles D. Barney, socialite, banker, founder of Smith Barney Brokerage
Oliver Hazard Perry Belmont, socialite, builder of Belcourt Castle
James Gordon Bennett, Jr. newspaper publisher and yachtsman
Ogden Codman, designer
Richard Morris Hunt, architect
William Morris Hunt, artist
John LaFarge, artist
Pierre Lorillard, tobacco manufacturer
Rear Admiral Stephen B. Luce, founder, Naval War College
Captain Alfred Thayer Mahan, naval historian and strategist
Ward McAllister, flamboyant raconteur of high society, coined the term ‘the 400’ for the New York social elite
Charles McKim, architect
H.H. Ricardson, architect
Edith B. Price, writer and illustrator
Horace Trumbauer, architect
Alva Vanderbilt Wife of William K. Vanderbilt, early feminist and active in the women’s suffrage movement
Consuelo Vanderbilt, daughter of W.K. and Alva Vanderbilt; Duchess of Marlborough
Cornelius Vanderbilt II heir to Vanderbilt fortune, Chairman of New York Central Railroad
William Kissam Vanderbilt heir to Vanderbilt fortune, noted yachtsman
Edith Wharton, author
Stanford White, architect
Edward Malbone, artist and miniaturist
Caleb Gardner, captain and counsul of the French Empire
Thomas Harper Ince, actor
Ida Lewis, lighthouse keeper credited with saving 18 lives in Newport Harbor throughout the nineteenth century; she received national attention and numerous honors. A United States Coast Guard buoy tender bears her name
Matthew C. Perry, Commodore of the U.S. Navy who forced the opening of Japan to the West with the Convention of Kanagawa in 1854, under the threat of military force
Harry Anderson, actor and comedian
Nadia Bjorlin, soap opera actress (Days of our Lives)
Frank Corridon, who pitched for the Chicago Cubs, Philadelphia Phillies, and St. Louis Cardinals and is known for inventing the now illegal pitch, the spitball
Tanya Donelly, musician, vocalist for Rhode Island-based bands Belly and Throwing Muses, as well as guitarist for the band The Breeders
Leon Wilkeson, bass guitarist
Charlie Fern, White House speechwriter, journalist.
Van Johnson, actor, known best for “all-American” roles in MGM films during World War II.
Mena Suvari, actress, known best for her role as the vampish cheerleader with whom Kevin Spacey’s character is obsessed in the 1999 film American Beauty.
Laura Jane Barney socialite, philanthropist, Smith Barney Brokerage heiress Champ Soleil Mansion on Belleveue Ave
Admiral Jeremy Michael Boorda, 25th Chief of Naval Operations
John Nicholas Brown, socialite, yachtsman and philanthropist
The Cowsills, a popular 1960s pop/flower power band that had a #2 hit with The Rain, The Park, And Other Things in 1967
Doris Duke, tobacco heiress and philanthropist
President Dwight D. Eisenhower, located his summer White House at Newport
Fleet Admiral William F. Halsey, Jr.
Paul L. Gaines, first African-American to be elected mayor of a New England city
Kristin Hersh, musician, vocalist for Rhode Island-based band Throwing Muses, 50 Foot Wave and solo artist.
Fleet Admiral Ernest King, Chief of Naval Operations, 1941–1945
MacGillivray Milne, 27th Governor of American Samoa, 1936–1938
Fleet Admiral Chester Nimitz, Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, 1942–1945; Chief of Naval Operations
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, summer resident and First Lady
Claiborne Pell, socialite and U.S. Senator
Admiral William Sims, commander of U.S. Naval Forces in Europe 1917–1919
Admiral Raymond Spruance, the victor of Midway and later President, Naval War College
Harold Vanderbilt, yachtsman and bridge player (inventor of contract bridge)
Paul Gordon – keyboardist and guitarist with Goo Goo Dolls, New Radicals, Lisa Marie Presley and currently The B-52’s
Joanna Going, Actress
Richard Hatch, first winner of the realty television show Survivor
Richard Saul Wurman, architect, graphic designer and founder of the TED Conferences
Sheldon Whitehouse, U.S. Senator

Survey Question #3 Responses – Do you favor a two-tier property tax system?

June 11, 2013June 10, 2013 by NewportAlliance

ADD your responses below! Or post them on our Facebook page! Share this with your Newport neighbors, tell us what you think! Your voice, your community, your opinion matters!

It has been suggested by a City Council member that property taxpayers whose legal residence is in Newport receive a discount on their taxes. Opponents argue that such an arrangement would discourage second home ownership in Newport, which has been a financial boon to the city.

Do you favor a two-tier property tax system?

06/03/2013	7581023	[No] The last thing Newport should be doing is discouraging second home ownership. Non-resident owners contribute equally to the cost of Newport’s services while utilizing fewer of those services, benefiting Newport residents. A prime example is the costs of Newport’s schools.
06/05/2013	7607639	[Yes] A tax exemption would be a benefit to our year round residents. Too many homes are “dark” in the offseason, and while we don’t have to pay to educate children in those homes, having vacant homes is damaging the fabric of our community. I’m not sure that seasonal ownership is a financial boon to anyone but the person who sells their house to someone who wants to live here for 10 weeks of the year.
06/05/2013	7607714	[Yes] If one wants a second home here they can afford a little more taxes…..most rent them out for Salve in winter
06/05/2013	7607915	[Yes] We should be encouraging year-round occupancy and building a stronger community around year-round people.
06/06/2013	7610587	[Yes] People who can afford a second home are not that worried about a slightly higher tax bill.
06/06/2013	7610759	[Yes] For those of us who live in Newport and this is our primary property, many of us are struggling with increase in taxes and utilities. Where else will we go? If Newport is a second property, and often an income property. As beautiful as Newport is, please make our stay in Newport more pleasant by adjusting the cost of our primary home here and discount our taxes. We keep the town beautiful and give a charm to the properties to encourage others to come here.
06/06/2013	7610787	[Yes] Might not make much difference to those who can afford a second home in Newport. How much of a differential? Perhaps the second tier could be those who own residential property as investment only, as multiple units stress the infrastructure and resources more than vacation owners.
06/06/2013	7610965	[No] There must be other ways of rewarding Newport’s legal, voting residents. How about free or reduced fee parking in some of the city’s lots? How about reduced beach rates?
06/06/2013	7611821	[No] I don’t think that would be fair. I also don’t think it’s fair that most condos seem to be taxed at a higher rate than single homes.
06/06/2013	7616744	[No] Our property taxes are relatively low as it is (as a percentage of home value). Permanent residents use more services, part-timers spend more money here that was earned somewhere else. That’s already well enough balanced in my mind.
06/06/2013	7623705	[Yes] Think proper residents should get a break over people who buy primarily for investment & rent – they are nit really a meaningful part of the neighborhood & sometimes affect the neighborhood in a negative manner
06/06/2013	7625136	[Yes] If 2nd home ownership declines, maybe then middle class families will be able to afford to live in Newport.
06/06/2013	7631741	[No] Discriminatory and unfair to those part time residents who generally use fewer services
06/07/2013	7640100	[No] Year-round residents use the services provided through property taxes more than 2nd home owners. I’d be happier if the city fined 2nd home owners for not shoveling their sidewalks when it snows.
06/07/2013	7641274	[Yes] Again, the locals put up with traffic and rude visitors, crowds etc and most of us do not profit from the huge influx of tourist. our life becomes more difficult in the summer. i dread tourist season. we should at least have a break on our taxes.
06/09/2013	7656513	[No] Pay the assessed taxes or stay out of the fray. This again would only enhance the rich.
06/09/2013	7656815	[Yes] Newport needs fewer second homes and more year round residents who are the backbone of a flourishing urban enviroment
06/09/2013	7657054	[Yes] Second homeowners may be taking up housing resources that the working class, middle-class need to remain in the city and contribute to the life of the community.
06/09/2013	7657569	[Yes] Even if you own 2or more homes in the city, you should get a local tax break on the home in which you reside, not the other(s). After all, you are making money on those other homes. Common sense.
06/09/2013	7657693	[Yes] or Homestead credit
06/09/2013	7657822	[No] First time hearing of this, but doesn’t that seem a little backward? The folks who are living here are using more resources than those who have the property as a second home. However, if you tie this to the previous question – could there be differences in taxation based on owner-occupied residences, part-time residences (not rented out while the owner is away), yearly rentals and short term rentals.
06/09/2013	7657856	[Yes] The problem is not out-of-town summer residents, but absentee landlords. My street is a mixture of resident and out-of-town owners. We residents have the year-round burden of maintaining our neighborhoods while struggling with issues such as parking. In my neighborhood, there are many multi-family dwellings without off-street parking (grandfathered). Their tenants hog the on-street parking places, and long-term (aging!) residents are pushed farther and farther away from their homes. The least we could get from the city would be a discount on our taxes without having to endure the humiliation of pleading poverty and old age.
06/09/2013	7658152	[No] We’re residents, but still, a two-tier system would be unfair. Plus, we use most of the resources.
06/09/2013	7658208	[No] Why discriminate? Ridiculous. Those with legal residence more than anyone should support local services and infrasructure. Odd idea. Water, crime, and schools…hello.
06/09/2013	7659436	[No] The last word in taxation without representation. The non-resident taxpayer with a second home vacant much of the year is far less of a burden on municipal infrastructure and public services than the full time resident landowner.
06/09/2013	7659687	[Yes] The city is in desperate need of year-around residents to support a more stable, robust, and multi dimensional economy. Perhaps a tax system that favors residents as opposed to second home owners is a solid, structural way to built that. The second home market drives up prices yet provides little else for the economy year-around.
06/10/2013	7664441	[Yes] Those who own a second home in Newport drive up the prices of homes making it harder for year around residents to find affordable places to live.
06/10/2013	7666770	[No] No tax discounts for ex military either
06/10/2013	7667750	[Yes] So many ordinances in Newport favor those who are second home owners. The town caters to tourism at the expense of year-round residents. Give year-rounders a break on at least one thing that will save them money and encourage goodwill that the city actually cares about its year-round residents.
06/10/2013	7668441	[Yes] We need to encourage year-round residency – and a preferred residents tax would help. People who choose Newport for a second home MIGHT be discouraged by a differential tax rate – but they choose Newport because they LOVE Newport, not because of a tax status.
06/10/2013	7668946	[No] would drive down house prices. if anything primary residences should pay more because they use more services!! consider a 1% “mansion tax” on property sales over $1 million!
06/10/2013	7670416	[Yes] Many of those that have a second home rent it out for high fees and the locals are left to deal with the issue as a result.

Survey Question #2 Responses – Short Term Rentals?

June 11, 2013June 10, 2013 by NewportAlliance

ADD your responses below! Or post them on our Facebook page! Share this with your Newport neighbors, tell us what you think! Your voice, your community, your opinion matters!

The summer season has begun! In spite of the fact that Newport has ordinances in many neighborhoods prohibiting rentals of less than a month, there is a growing “underground” business in Newport rentals of a week or less operated by individual homeowners. Are you in favor of short-term rentals in most of Newport’s neighborhoods?

06/03/2013	7581023	[Yes] Permitting short-term rentals must be combined with better enforcement of regulations reining in excesses of “party houses.”
06/05/2013	7607714	[No] That is what hotels are for
06/06/2013	7610587	[Yes] It’s happening anyway. Might as well go with it.
06/06/2013	7611297	[Yes] why not will bring in more business and taxes
06/06/2013	7611492	[Yes] short term is probably preferable as it involves people who make a short term commitment..not like the horrible tenant you cannot get rid of! The renters of short term are sometimes I assume family friends…or people who know people…what is the reason to not allow it?
06/06/2013	7610965	[Yes] It’s happening everywhere. There are websites dedicated to the rental business and no one can stop it. Suggest the city find a way to collect some money from these rentals.
06/06/2013	7611917	[No] Length of stay is not the issue. Responsible renting is !!! You can rent for a week to quality renters and all is fine. You can rent for a month and have mutiple families or singles rotating use. It is unfair to punish Newport residents with the current unfair rule while all the surrounding towns allow short term renting. What we need to do is clean out the slum landlords in this town who rent to bunches of people whether it’s 1 week or 1 year !!!!
06/06/2013	7613156	[No] this is not fair to permanenet residents of Newport. Parking is already at a premium in the summer months and this will add to the problem.
06/06/2013	7613351	[Yes] People should be able to use their property as they see fit. As long as it doesn’t infringe on the neighbors use of their property.
06/06/2013	7613901	[No] if you ever lived next to a party house you would say “NO” !!
06/06/2013	7620920	[Yes] Weekly rentals attract families.
06/06/2013	7623827	[No] If private homes want to rent one and two day rooms- let them meet hotel safetey requirements
06/06/2013	7623705	[No] Wanted to hit “maybe” but couldn’t get the comment box to pop up. Don’t really think this is a good idea unless it has proper oversight – though it could be a good way to bring in families for weekly vacations. Think this does happen now for special events such as tennis & yachting events. Wish we could enforce the current limits of people who cram into houses especially for the summer.
06/06/2013	7625136	[No] Devalues our homes. So no.
06/07/2013	7640569	[Yes] Weekly rentals will bring more tourists to the area which means more revenue for the town
06/07/2013	7641274	[Yes] We should be able to take advantage of the tourist trade. it seems that the Yachting Center reaps the tourist dollar without providing parking or anything else. why shouldn’t home owners be able to make some extra money if they choose. most party houses are not rented for just a week. homeowners should be held liable if they rent to a group of young party goers.
06/07/2013	7641272	[Yes] I think this would encourage families to visit Newport. Right now, the people that are renting houses for the summer (Memorial Day to Labor Day) are, for the most part, party houses. Hopefully if we allow weekly rentals, Newport would attract families and less of the summer “party crowd”.
06/08/2013	7652394	[No] See comment to question 1
06/09/2013	7656513	[Yes] It”s done throughout Europe with benefit to all.
06/09/2013	7656815	[No] Parking still remains a problem, especially in the Fifth Ward. Extending short-term leases would lead to more out-of-towners parking in non sticker areas, which are already being used by tourists for free over night parking
06/09/2013	7657348	[Yes] Since I’m a timeshare investor, I can’t be a hypocrite.
06/09/2013	7657424	[No] People should be able to do what they want with their homes, however, certain regulations would probably be needed to make it safe for both parties. All homes aren’t kept to the same standard as far as safety is concerned.
06/09/2013	7658208	[Yes] Why not? Who can take a month off in their life, and why not let pwople make and spend money?
06/09/2013	7659142	[No] It brings down property value
06/09/2013	7659476	[Yes] needsmonitoring and regulation, but it is the way the culture is going
06/10/2013	7664441	[No] I live in the Point where the houses are very close together. Summer rentals are bad enough.
06/10/2013	7664697	[Yes] It is better to have the short term rentals approved and moderated than to have the same result with no oversight.
06/10/2013	7666770	[Yes] Good source of $ for paying city taxes. Middletown and Jamestown don’t have such prohibition on rentals. Remove the ordinance entirely, don’t try to get a tax out of the homeowner
06/10/2013	7667528	[Yes] As long as the city makes some money off of the rentals, and the noise ordinances are enforced.
06/10/2013	7667831	[Yes] If they bring in more money to the community the better. Stricter noise citations as needed.
06/10/2013	7667750	[Yes] I’m not sure how the one-month minimum became an ordinance, but I do know that if you own property you want to rent it. That’s one way to recoup costs of living in an expensive city like Newport.
06/10/2013	7668016	[Yes] Only if they are not rented out to Salve, etc.
06/10/2013	7669094	[No] I have lived next door to month-long renters. And the same absentee landlord has had different people in the house weekend after weekend. Guests or renters? I can’t say. But each group brought new problems. Given the city’s reputation as a party town, I wouldn’t risk subjecting residents to a new set of problems every weekend. If the city could issue strict guidelines and stick to them, perhaps. But it is hard enough to get police to respond to noise problems now.For the most part, noise and quality of life issues fall on deaf ears.

Congratulations! Going Digital @ The Jane Pickens Theater & Event Center!

December 27, 2012 by NewportAlliance

Successful KickStarter Campaign!

530 Backers – $61,130 pledged of $55,000 goal

This project will be funded on Friday Dec 28, 7:28am EST.

Keep the JPT: Digital Cinema Challenge Jane Pickens Theater

Hollywood is forcing all theaters to upgrade to digital projection as the era of 35mm film comes to an end in early 2013!

by Kathy Staab click the link below to read the complete story!

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1220959735/keep-the-jpt-digital-cinema-challenge

Survey Responses Question #2 Broadway Construction

December 26, 2012December 26, 2012 by NewportAlliance

	Alliance for a Livable Newport December 2012 Survey Results

	Survey Name: 3 Questions – 3 Minutes
	Dec 26, 2012 8:20:14 PM
	PLEASE COMMENT BELOW!
	2. At a recent Newport City Council workshop, the reconstruction and redesign of lower Broadway was presented. Turns out the project will be “long and messy.” An aggressive timetable would complete the work in a little over a year but the Broadway Business District streets would be torn up for the entire summer of 2013. Will it be worth the turmoil in a major commercial district over the busy 2013 summer tourist season to keep within the project timetable? If the project is suspended over the summer months (2013) to permit greater access to businesses and ease traffic congestion the project costs increase and therefore would not be completed until 2014. – Responses
	Answer
0	Suspend it.
1	I don’t think tourists have found this major commercial district. Rip off the band-aid, fix this area, and be done with it.
2	GET IT DONE!
3	I am in favor of the construction being completed in the shortest amount of time within the current budget. I feel that the city and construction crews can minimize the disruption to local businesses with careful planning and communications. I look forward to a new, improved Broadway before I have to replace the shocks on my Jeep!
4	Fine with either working through summer or braking and finishing 2014. I would leave the decision up to the business owners of lower Broadway
5	suspend the project during the summer – give the businesses a chance to recoup during the summer months.
6	Any mess and tear up in summer is bad for the city, for tourism and residents alike. Do it in off season.
7	Sadly, I do not know the details but believe that disrupting a major thoroughfare during peak months is absurd.
8	I support suspending work for the summer of 2013.
9	Let’s get it done. Rather than dragging on the work we can just bite the bullet and move on the overall improvement of the town. Although I go there a lot of thought of generally attractive area just now so the sooner it’s improved the better
10	no, not worth it
11	no
12	Businesses on Broadway would suffer too greatly by having the street torn up for an entire summer. As with many projects in Newport there hasn’t been sufficient impact planning. Take, for instance, the new traffic lights at Bellevue & Memorial. At first blush it seemed a good idea but lack of impact planning has created a new nightmare.
13	No> I worry about the businesses. When they did Washington Square it was a mess and really affected businesses like Yesterdays.
14	Yes do the work with doing the summer recess of construction activities
15	The city must do all it can to balance the desire for quick completion with the needs of the businesses to make their money during our short summer season. Let’s consider some alternatives, e.g. Staggered work areas, off-hours construction work, flexible parking regulations on side streets, protected pedestrian walkways through construction areas.
16	no
17	This question should be asked of the owners of businesses along Broadway. While I may have an opinion, their’s is the most important one.
18	Everyone has been complaining to get lower Broadway updated.You now have the chance so do it all and get it over with. Tired of people complaining about everything! Finally a chance to get your complainants filled and know your complaining about when it’s going to be fixed! Shut up and let the work get done!
19	Relocate the “wet shelter” at Washington Square and turn the building into a parking garage!!!
20	Who will pay for this? Will it increase prices in Newport???? Honestly, consequences need to be evaluated which is currently very short sighted on this Island and elsewhere.A
21	The city to should do everything it can to NOT interfere with businesses during the busy summer tourist season. It’s been hard enough in this economy for small, local businesses to prosper. Don’t make it any harder than necessary. As residents of Broadway, we rely on on-street parking – we do not have a driveway. Keep disruption to a min
22	I do not think it makes sense to do a major construction project on Broadway during the summer months. The surrounding streets cannot handle the traffic. Extend the project to 2014 but get started ASAP this spring!
23	No. Let them do it as fast as they can. This is not a tourist area and the businesses will likely be kept open duing construction. There are many ways to mitigate construction impacts.
24	Yes
25	Tax revenue collected during the summer season should make up the difference of the suspension. We need to ensure hat many tourists come and facilitate their spending.
26	How late in 2014 for completion if work suspended in summer 2013? If December, then work through the summer; if January, suspend work.
27	RE Sakonnet: tolls are necessary BUT they should not be higher for out of state transponders, and cash payments should be kept low, maybe a dollar a crossing, otherwise its punitive and defies fariness and common sense RE Broadway: Go for the extended schedule to protect the businesses
28	Poor grammar, the project “will not be completed until 2014” because “the project costs increase”. I am disappointed in you showing your biase in the phrasing of the question. I had thought you above that.
29	Just get on with it and get it done.
30	I agree that suspending road work for the summer would be worth the extra investment. Many businesses on Broadway are struggling, whether they are new and trying to get established or older and trying to stay afloat. They don’t need the additional pressure of losing an entire season of income and business, and neither does our tax revenue.
31	Yes they should go ahead as proposed. There are always delays and postponements and stretching it out won’t facilitate the project.
32	The”turmoil” should be judged by the by the business owners. The inconvenience will be the same length of time but business owners might be able to “optimize” the schedule.
33	Newport needs the tourists. Do not do anything during the high tourist season to make Tourists frustrated. Hope the project has been well planned to truly make a difference.
34	I favor doing as much as possible, then suspending for July and August only.
35	The outcome will be worth the added disruptions that the accelerated timeline will cause.
36	Yes
37	DOT was able to widen and improve the roads in downtown Bristol this year with some disruption to business. They kept everyone informed, posted ‘open 4 biz’ signs and changed direction patterns for awhile. Now everything is in place. It worked in Bristol, it can work in Newport. Just make sure they ADD parking spots not take them away!
38	Job must be done. Road condition is poor. With proper planning disruption s/b minimal.
39	I believe the plan should be as efficiently coordinated as possible with clear communication with business owners and a phased implementation that minimizes disruptions to pedestrian traffic. Perhaps a tax break should be offered to effected businesses as well.
40	I would opt for the more aggressive timetable but also doing everything possible to provide access to the Broadway businesses.
41	suspend during summer or make west broadway more user friendly
42	suspend over summer
43	yes. It’s about time.
44	No “turmoil” is necessary… (other than the heretofore unresolved ‘Proper’ Traffic Flow) Now, is certainly the time to forever Fix the ‘problem’… First & foremost… Please, please direct All ‘Tourists’ coming down Spring St (AT St. Church)… to take either a Left or a Right… (up &/or down Memorial Blvd) to the Pell Bridge &/or Rts 114 or 138
45	Yes, rip it up please, lower Broadway is a mess. How can the roads in Newport be as bad as they are? Also I would like to thank whoever re-striped memorial and removed the old stripes with a grinder so the once pristine newly paved road can have tons of potholes after the winter, yea!
46	It should be done in manageable sections…well planned…well controlled…well thought-out! If that takes an extra 6 months, so be it!
47	Just get it done!
48	suspend the work over the summer
49	SUGGEST THE LONGER PROJECT, but do not know the cost difference.
50	ss
51	probably worth waiting until 2014
52	no
53	suspend over the summer months
54	Let’s get it done as soon as possible. I’d like to see what the alternative routing will be, however.
55	The answer to that question may lie with the RIDOT schedule, TIP funding deadlines, costs and contractual issues. I’m assuming the City doesn’t want to disturb the summer months either and must have explored other options.
56	yes to 2013 summer construction
57	Delay the project to the extent we are confident that the costs to local business owners would be beyond negligible. It’s better that all citizens bear the extra cost than to ask local businesses to do so unless it can be demonstrated that they will receive “extra” profit from the repaving of Broadway.
58	I am in favor of moving ahead with the project and not suspending during the summer.
59	If the extra cost isn’t too bad, I would support suspending the project. Why not start mid August next year (most tourists are gone by then) and try to finish before July 4 weekend. I think the merchants who depend on summer traffic should have a major say in this. Leaving 1st question blank-no room for statewide tax to cover it vs just locals.
60	I think it is necessary to suspend the work over the summer. The businesses on Washington Square have already had their summer season disrupted twice recently. In particular, I am concerned about the impact on Yesterdays, a restaurant that has been a local favorite for years. How many summers can you take away from them with construction – really??
61	just get it done now
62	Yes, it will be a great improvement for the long range.
63	I doubt if most of the small businesses on Broadway could sustain a loss of summer 2013 revenues – some locals might walk over to the restaurants or salons but the tourist dollars would likely be lost
64	Get it over with Work thru summer months
65	keep to the planned timetable and do not suspend. otherwise, it will doubtless be even longer than estimated time and could run over into a second summer!!! creative managing should be able to reduce limited access to businesses/restaurants and allow shifting the burden evenly.
66	I favor suspending the project over the summer of 2013.
67	Before answering the question, it would seems that the working assumption that very little of the pre-work could be done that would necessitate the total disruptive summer of 2013. That being true, the traffic would be very trying and it would hurt business. Winter 2013-14 seems preferable.
68	I think there is never a good time to do a project like this. I have always thought of Broadway as the “locals” street and locals will know how to avoid any problems.
69	Yes, get it done soooner rather than later and minimize the possiblitiy of it never being completed. People will get used to going about their business during construction.
70	do it now Provide free parking and shuttle service to broadway. Better yet have trolleys doing a loop. Eliminate the parking on one side while project is being done.
71	I believe only those individuals located in the work zone, with private, for profit businesses should be asked for comments.
72	Re Q 1, can’t answer Y/N. Depends what the viable options for funding RI bridges and other travel improvements are. In general, user-fee approach with breaks for low-income drivers makes sense. Re Q 2, need to clarify what are the aims of the Broadway re-do, and what are the options?
73	Stretch out the project’s timetable in favor of less traffic turmoil during the summer.
74	The area is at least half a century behind. Get on with it!
75	Keep the project going through the summer and provide signs directing people to park at the Gateway Center and walk to the businesses.
76	What is needed here? I don’t know enough about this project to say, except to ask if the businesses there want the reconstruction, and if it is necessary.
77	I did not attend the workshop. I don’t have sufficient information about the project, the projected costs of the project, details of disruption to daily life and commerce, additional costs involved in suspending project for the summer, nor how thoroughly these issues have been examined, so not qualified to answer this question.
78	I haven’t been able to find information on what they are proposing – only comments or updates that assume I should know what the plan is. I think it’s important to keep traffic flowing in the summer, even if it delays the final completion.
79	The businesses should be protected and construction should not continue through the summer.
80	It will be worth it, if effective, well marked detour routes and signs directing people to open businesses are provided. Consider temporary parking due to lost street parking — perhaps St. Joseph’s lot when the church isn’t using it and after school is out. Mann St. from Bdwy to Central could be temporarily 2-way for easier access to that lot.
81	My business went through the rehab of lower Thames Street (from post office to Dean Ave). The project took much longer than expected because of decayed water pipes and the like. Lost a summers worth of usual income The City needs to come up with another plan ( perhaps night construction, this would require less police supervision
82	How much are project costs increased if split into two phases? I think this question should be answered/estimated in order to make a decision.
83	I am in favor of recommendations, but businesses have to be protected in the summer.
84	The planned reconstruction is completely unnecessary. There is no way any work should be carried on during June, July, August or September. Having people back into angled parking is a very bad idea.
85	In these hard economic times any pressure on the consumer to make their buying/ dining more difficult is reason for them not to visit. The work should be suspended during the summer or find a more aggressive work crew that can get the job done from November through June. Newport and shop owners need to make it easy on the consumer.
86	YES Please do it..I dread going up that road..so does everyone coming into town
87	yes it would be worth suspending the project during the summer months.

2012 Newport Elections – Read the Answers to 10 Questions!

October 13, 2012October 13, 2012 by NewportAlliance

ALN has asked 10 important questions of our local candidates in the upcoming 2012 elections for Newport City Council and School Committee.

Read how each candidate has responded to these important questions in the following documents shown below! ***Very important that you “comment”, “like” and “share” this information with your friends, family and neighbors in Newport. Anyone can comment below!

March 20 from 5:30-7:00 pm ALN League of Women Voters Workshop

September 30, 2012March 17, 2012 by NewportAlliance

The Alliance for a Livable Newport and the League of Women Voters, Newport County, will host a workshop March 20 from 5:30-7:00 pm at the Newport Public Library, Rotary Room, 300 Spring Street, to discuss the financial impact of Race to the Top and the particulars of the new Rhode Island school funding formula.

*Space for this workshop is very limited. The Rotary room at the Newport Public Library will hold two dozen people. Please come early to make sure of a seat.

Funding Our Schools-Rhode Island’s Role in Supporting Local Education

Until the passage of new legislation in June 2010, Rhode Island was one of only two states that did not use a funding formula to help support local school districts. Rhode Island’s new funding formula has been in place for almost two years, and the state has also received new federal monies as part of the Race to the Top grant. What exactly is a funding formula and what does this all mean to local school districts?

Alda Rego, Rhode Island Department of Education‘s Director of Finance, and Kristen Cole, RIDE’s Senior Finance Officer, will explain how Rhode Island’s school funding formula affects local community school funding and how the school district’s demographics are factored into the funding formula. Representatives of the Newport School District will be on hand to discuss the impact of these programs on its funding. There will also be a discussion of how the Race to the Top funds are being used by RIDE to strengthen public education in Rhode Island. There will be time for questions after the presentations.

“The League of Women Voters believes that the state has an important role in funding education,” says Susan Wells, president of the League of Women Voters of Newport County. “Citizens need to understand how the formula works and why it is important. There is more to it than grumbling about how much more or less a district receives under the new formula. We hope this workshop will be a concrete step in forming a basic understanding of what is at stake.”

Information on Rhode Island’s funding formula is available at RIDE’s Web site:

http://www.ride.ri.gov/Finance/Funding/FundingFormula/

Please join us for this informative event.
Free and Open to the Public
For more information or to submit questions, please e-mail:
Info@allianceforlivablenewport.org

Alliance for a Livable Newport

Isabel Griffith, President