Today, we remember the lives we lost on September 11th, 2001; we honor their memory, the courage of our first responders, and the families forever changed by that day.
There is a resolution on this week’s docket to establish a School Regionalization Academic Advisory Committee. This resolution is the definition of too little, too late. While establishing this Committee would be beneficial if regionalization does indeed move forward, those who are pushing for regionalization should have done this at the beginning of the regionalization discussions. So far, the entire approach to regionalization has been done by half-measure and without proper time given to consultants, the public, and the schools.
The Academic Advisory Committee resolution lacks specificity – there are no guidelines for Committee membership, and there is no timeline for appointment. The resolution also includes direction for the Newport City Council to engage the Middletown Town Council to “prioritize and commit the use of reimbursement funds” to create an endowment but no timeline to establish this fund. This Council cannot commit to creating that endowment because a new Council will be in office by the time any funds are made available. This resolution is a hollow promise and yet another half-measure without any teeth. There are only two months to election day, and there are still no hard commitments from either Newport or Middletown – no concrete data on how educational outcomes could be improved or how money would be saved. I will continue to advocate that there is no need for Newport to rush into a second-rate regionalization plan.
Wednesday’s Council meeting will begin with a public hearing on an amendment to the FY2023 City Budget. The most recent contract with Waste Management exceeded the budgeted amount by $575,000. Waste Management was the only bid received by the City for this service, meaning that the City doesn’t have any other option for service and continuing trash pick-up.
I’m sure many of you have seen that the ownership of Gurney’s Hotel is changing hands. Related to that, the liquor license transfer and application for a new entertainment license are on this week’s docket. I bring this up because many residents are concerned that the new owners would seek to remove the restrictions on the entertainment license given to Gurney’s. The application includes the same conditions that are currently in place and that help provide a balance between residents and businesses.
Just a reminder, candidate forums are coming soon at Innovate Newport: Newport School Committee on September 29th at 5:30pm and Newport City Council on October 6th at 5:30pm.