What’sUpNewp recently sent every candidate for Newport City Council a questionnaire, an opportunity we hope will help voters get to know the candidates and learn about what they think are some of the most significant issues ahead of the November 5 General Election.
What’sUpNewp is reprinting these as they were provided to us.
Lynn Underwood Ceglie
Lynn currently serves Newport City Council At-Large. She seeks to represent Ward 2 on Newport City Council in the November 5 election.
Occupation:
Retired.
Bio:
I grew up in Tiverton, RI and have lived in Newport since 1985. My father was born in Newport, graduated from Rogers High School, and worked for the Bank of Newport until retirement. I have spent my entire life in Newport due to deep family roots and working as a tour guide for the Preservation Society while in college.
I have a B.A. in Mass Communications from the University of Hartford. I worked for a Naval contractor, Aquidneck Data Company designing interactive computer certification courses for sailors working with submarine launched TOMAHAWK missiles and HARPOON torpedoes. The company eventually closed due to military cutbacks.
My daughter and son were born in 1994 and 1995. I worked as a consultant for Gilbane Building Company designing an interactive program for their Human Resources Department.
When my children entered kindergarten, I was hired by the Newport Public Schools as a para-educator and later a regular substitute teacher. I then worked for East Bay Community Action Program (EBCAP) as a Child Outreach Coordinator, performing educational and language screenings on pre-school children.
I became involved in civic activities when I became co-president of the Cranston-Calvert PTO. I served on the 375th Anniversary Committee, the Charter Review (2007) and the Zoning Board of Review. I have been on the council for 10 years, serving as the 2nd Ward Counselor for three terms and At-Large for two terms. I am running once again in the 2nd Ward.
I have missed the one-on-one connection with the residents and feel I am most effective solving resident issues. My husband, Vincent is Executive Director of Blackstone Valley Community Action Program in Pawtucket. My daughter, Mia, graduated from Rhode Island College and is a hunger services manager at the Martin Luther King Community Center. My son, Chase, graduated from Berklee College of Music and is a self-employed professional musician. Both Mia and Chase are proud graduates of the Newport Public Schools K-12.
Tell us something fun or interesting about yourself:
I am a frustrated cabaret singer. I’ve sung for various organizations, at LaForge with Dave Manuel and at the Newport Yacht Club with Heidi Murphy. My confidence needs a boost at times, and I need to expand my repertoire!
Rank the following issues from most to least important (ok to put numbers on the right):
- Ethics 1
- Increasing density 7
- Historic preservation 8
- Crime/safety 2
- Affordable housing 3
- Equity 6
- Environmental protection 4
- Economy/inflation 5
- Other
What are the biggest problems facing Newport right now?
Infrastructure vulnerabilities due to sea level rise, middle income or work force housing shortage, balancing resident needs while living in a resort that attracts international visitors, transportation needs particularly for seniors, a lack of funding by the State to help with schools and infrastructure.
What’s your top policy priority?
My top priority is always public safety. We need to turn our Transportation Plan into action and rectify the dangerous areas for pedestrians and vehicles. I believe we need a larger police force for greater speeding and traffic violation enforcement. We need more zoning and building inspection enforcement. I believe the City is becoming top heavy administratively while some staff are doing two and three jobs simultaneously.
What qualifies you for the office?
I felt that I needed a background in the workings of Newport’s government before I ran for council. I have gained valuable experience that translates into being an effective councilor. Loving Newport is great – we all love Newport, and we all think we have fresh ideas but it’s not enough to be effective. You experience a steep learning curve the first 2 years. You need to understand the powers of the council and its limitations. You need to learn how the State’s policies affect Newport’s abilities to raise fees and other enabling legislative matters. You need to work with the administration and multiple staff to solve resident problems and concerns. The workings of municipal government can be slow and cumbersome.
What’s the city’s biggest long-term challenge?
Rising sea levels and dangerous storms are having great impacts on our infrastructure. We need to invest in more storm water management, continue to alter the zoning code to lessen the impacts of flooding in low lying areas. We need to protect our natural resources, homes and businesses.
What is Newport’s greatest strength, and how would you utilize it?
Newport is incredibly resilient. When the Navy left in the late 60’s, Newport struggled to find a new identity, but it was not long before community leaders looked at our natural resources, deep harbor, and historic homes to make Newport an international destination. When we lost the America’s Cup in 1983, we thought the sailing /racing industry would be devastated. While we would love to win the Cup back, Newport is still known as the “Sailing Capital of the World.”
Newport’s community of social service programs, volunteers, and emergency personnel helped us strongly rebounded from the pandemic.
We have our challenges, but Newport will always be a great place to live, work and play.
What ideas do you have to make the City more affordable and/or livable for its residents?
In 2021, the council, administration and an ad-hoc group worked to create the two-tiered tax program for full time residents. It was a very complicated process, but the result has been very beneficial for residents. As for livability, I believe we need to look to our Transportation Plan and implement changes to alleviate traffic congestion and parking woes. We need a plan for the new parking lot in the North End that will include shuttles and a robust communications plan. We need more public transportation to get the cars off the roads and to help our seniors go to medical appointments, shopping, etc. We need a bus line that goes to Rogers High School and the Newport Library.
How can the city raise the revenue needed to fund the list of large infrastructure projects that need funding now and in the near future?
If the voters pass the $98 million bond, those funds will help to put a dent into the infrastructure needs, but we absolutely must go after more State and Federal aid. We need targeted grants for water, sewer, and stormwater management. The council hired a lobbying firm to work with the legislature to stress Newport’s needs for increased funding. The council needs to bring forward legislation targeting a fairer funding formula for Newport.
What should be done about climate change in the City?
We must adapt to the changes in sea levels and stronger storms. We need resilient buildings on the beaches and parks. The Historic District Commission wrote standards for raising historic homes in flood prone areas. The city installed tidal gates on the Point and Wellington to alleviate flooding. We can’t change Mother Nature, but we must investigate all modern methods that improve resiliency and sustainability.
Anything else you’d like to share:
I’ve worked hard for the residents of Newport. I am proud of my experience, responsiveness, and effectiveness. If re-elected, you can count on me to work diligently on all issues that concern our residents and businesses.
I will work for your interest and your interest only.
