On October 7, the Board of Canvassers made the decision to close the Park Holm Senior Center polling location. This decision has been met with backlash in the community, and residents have said that they believe the Board is not listening to what they need. The Board is meeting this Tuesday, October 13 at 11:30 am and will hear comment from residents on the decision to close the Park Holm polling location and may reconsider the closure. The Council passed a resolution on September 23 explicitly voicing our support in opening polling places wherever safely possible – voting must be accessible to everyone. I strongly believe that Park Holm needs to be open to voters on November 3rd and that keeping it closed would be a mistake. If you share that belief, please take the time to join the meeting on Tuesday.
The Council is meeting Wednesday for a regular meeting. One of the items on the docket is an application for an entertainment license expansion from the Newport Blues Café, requesting the establishment be allowed to have their doors and windows open during entertainment. This was continued last week as the Council had significant questions on the precedent that could be set by granting the expansion. Since the last meeting, I have heard from quite a few area residents who are concerned at the prospect of the expansion. I encourage you to give the Council feedback if you have any questions or concerns.
Also on the docket is a resolution honoring the teachers and parents who helped celebrate the 2020 graduates of Rogers High School. This graduating class was not able celebrate normally due to the pandemic, so the local community worked together to display photos of the entire class on Broadway. It was a beautiful sight to see and a wonderful way to honor the Class of 2020.
The Council will be voting on an item that would continue to fund a Student Assistance Counselor in Newport Public Schools. The Student Assistance Counselor works in our schools to provide Newport students with mental health counseling and helps them find a path to success. This position is filled by the Newport Prevention Coalition and is a much-needed resource for our students.
The City Council is hosting a remote workshop on October 21st on the proposed skate park project at the Abruzzi Sports Complex. There have been many questions from the Council, various local sports leagues, and members of the public about this project. The workshop is an opportunity for the Council to sit down with the Friends of Newport Skate Park for the first time to talk through their proposal and for members of the public to ask questions and give input. I am looking forward to the workshop – I think it will be a productive discussion.
The Planning Board has officially received the final draft of the North End Urban Plan and will be hosting two online public workshops, October 22nd and 29th, both at 6:30. The North End Urban Plan will guide and shape the future of Newport, so resident input continues to be essential – please reach out to me or the Planning Board if you have any questions on participation ahead of those workshops.
There are three ways to vote in the general election: by mail, early voting, or in person at the polls on Election Day. The deadline to send in your mail ballot application is October 13; early voting at City Hall begins October 14. Make sure you, your family, and your friends have a plan to vote this election.