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Solutions
Even with all of the progress we have made, several issues still remain that would forever negatively alter the fabric of our community, airport expansion chief among them.
Throughout my tenure as Mayor, I have been a strong and vocal opponent of the proposed expansion of the runway. I have had numerous meeting with the Governor, RIAC officials, FAA officials and have testified at public hearings. My staff and I continue to do all we can to continue to fight the proposed expansion, which would mean the destruction of hundreds of homes and businesses, millions of dollars off the tax rolls and undetermined adverse environmental and health effects. We are fortunate to have the support of several community groups in our efforts. (For more information, log onto www.warwickri.gov).
On the environmental front, I will continue to support the expansion of our sewer infrastructure, installation of effective storm drain systems, implementation of the Special Area Management Plan for Greenwich Bay, and individuals and organizations such as Clean the Bay, who are taking an active interest in cleaning and restoring our Bay and its watersheds.
Due to several factors, including the need to pay for the teachers’ contract approved by the 2006 School Committee – the most costly settlement in city history – the School Department is facing a deficit of upwards of $13 million. For many years, I had been advocating ways that the School Department could save money and a 2006 report from the Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council offered numerous recommendations as well. Members of the School Committee and new School Department administrators recently agreed to begin discussions with us to consider how best to implement some of these cost-saving measures.