Community Submission

Editor, Would we parachute out of a plane without understanding what’s waiting for us on the ground? Of course not, but that’s what the Newport “VOTE YES” school bond proponents want.  For example, do you know that Alliance for Livable Newport says that there’s a 10.76% property tax hike waiting for us, part of which […]

Our High School must be replaced, and this is the opportune time to initiate bonding and complete the process that began more than two years ago.  The building committee has followed the guidelines of the RI School Building Authority to the letter of the law in order to qualify for the maximum reimbursement to Newport, […]

I have no doubt that Paul Marshall is a decent human being, a loving father to a toddler, a man genuinely wanting to be involvement in the future of Newport. Were he running for an At-Large seat, I might seriously consider his candidacy. Bur he threw his hat into the wrong ring, Kate Leonard has […]

To the Editor, What’s Up Newport The Middletown organization Citizens Exploring School Unification (CESU) recommends ten outstanding candidates for the Middletown Town Council, all of whom favor discussions as to the possibility of Middletown-Newport high school unification.  These candidates understand the vital importance of exploring a school system that will provide the students of our two communities with […]

In January 2019,  I, along with 30 other residents,  was appointed to the Charter Review Committee (CRC) by the Portsmouth Town Council. Our task for the next eighteen months was to review what was described as the people’s  Charter of the Town of Portsmouth.   We were to make suggestions to update this document for […]

To the Editor:  I don’t know anyone who works harder or smarter for the good of Newport than Beth Cullen. She has a depth of understanding and tradition from being a multi-generational Newporter and a tenacious, intelligent, forward thinking approach to problem solving. The times we are living in are probably the most challenging most […]

A Vote for Lauren Carson, who represents District 75 in the Rhode Island House of Representatives, will help assure us a quick and substantial economic recovery in Newport. During my tenure on Newport’s Energy and Environment Commission, I saw Lauren be proactive, stepping up with new ideas and providing leadership on emerging issues. She is […]

I urge you to support Paul Marshall as the best choice for Third Ward City Councilor. Rather than respond to the baseless attacks spread by the incumbent’s campaign, let me state what Newporters already know: Paul is a well-educated young man who grew up here and whose family, from wife and baby to grandparents, reside […]

To the Editor,  I would like to voice my support for the reelection of Jamie Bova. I’ve been a “Newporter by choice” since 2014, when I moved here to dance professionally with Island Moving Company, and Jamie is one of the best representatives I could ask for. Like me, Jamie is among the young workforce […]

To the Editor: As we move towards November, it may be important to provide a little more information to the voters so they understand the process that, hopefully, will lead to school district regionalization. Both sides of the issue have referred to potential collaboration as a “study”.  This is a misnomer. A study is generally […]

As a resident of the “Fifth Ward” for nearly 40 years, I am writing in support of Paul Marshall’s  candidacy for 3rd ward council seat.   After meeting Paul, it is clear to me that he has an all-inclusive view of government. His pledge  to examine all proposals before the Council through the lens of equity […]

This election Newport has eleven Town Council candidates for five seats and ten School Committee candidates for seven seats.  Middletown has seventeen candidates for seven Town Council seats and five candidates for two School Committee seats.  Portsmouth has eight candidates (seven incumbents) for seven Town Council seats and three candidates for three School Committee seats.  Why the lack of interest in Portsmouth? Portsmouth is one of the only remaining towns in Rhode Island that still has partisan elections.  The recent Portsmouth Charter Review committee recommended […]

As a native Newporter, year-round resident of the Third (and Fifth) Ward, Rogers High School graduate, father of two children in Newport Public Schools, full-time educator and seasonal employee in Newport, I am fortunate to have a broad perspective of Newport living. This city is ingrained in my soul and close to my heart. My […]