The following is a press statement by Mary Road, the executive director of the Domestic Violence Resource Center of South County, and Deborah DeBare, the executive director of the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence, regarding the alleged domestic violence murder of Allison Taylor. Elder Abuse is on the rise in Rhode Island. Our hearts go out to the family, friends and community of Allison Taylor. Her tragic death, allegedly at the hands of her son, reminds us how far we have to go to achieve a society in Rhode Island that is free of violence in the home. While details are still …

The following letter was sent to the South Kingstown schools listserv. Crisis Response Plan Communication to Parents In light of the recent event at URI, we are taking this opportunity to review district crisis protocols with parents and staff. LOCKDOWNS Although yesterday the South Kingstown Police confirmed that there was no threat to schools and we did not need to “lockdown” our school buildings, there may be times in the future when a “lockdown” is necessary to help ensure student safety. We understand that communication from the media will most likely go “viral” before we can confirm the…

Letter originally published on the South Kingstown school system listserv. On behalf of the Broad Rock Middle School PTO, we would like to invite you to join us for our first annual CrAzY CoYoTe ChAsE 5K & 1-mile Fun Run on April 6, 2013! For more details, click here. This race is for EVERYONE to enjoy, not just our students and families. Please feel free to share with your neighbors, friends, coworkers, family and anyone you think might be interested! The fun begins with your CrAzIeSt running clothes [craziest outfit wins a prize] and doesn’t stop!  Presented by Crossfit and Black Diamond …

To the editor, In our small community, if you own or work for a small business, your neighbors are your customers, friends and co-workers. And they’re all looking for ways to stand out and promote their products and services locally. We’d like you to tell them about Beach Blanket Bidding, this unique fundraiser that benefits every child in the school system and connects the 1,500 families across our community. The BBB Committee works hard to promote the event, and sponsors it via various marketing tools, including the event website, printed materials and social platforms. By sponsoring, …

Release courtesy the Narragansett High School listserv. Attention students, faculty and staff: The boys’ ice hockey team is having a Spaghetti Dinner as a fundraiser this Friday, Feb. 15 at the Narragansett Community Center at 6 p.m.  The donation is $10, which pays for your dinner and a chance to win a $200 door prize. Tickets may be purchased from any hockey player or at the door.  Thanks for your support.

Letter initially sent to the South Kingstown High School listserv by Principal Robert McCarthy. Dear Parents: The SKHS PTG will once again be hosting its annual reception for parents and seniors on portfolio presentation day Friday, Feb. 8 in the cafeteria from 8 a.m. to 1  p.m. The festive, celebratory atmosphere offers parents, students and teachers an opportunity to share this milestone in the graduation process with one another. The cafeteria will be set up with tables of food and drinks, balloons, flowers, music and a huge glass bowl with inspirational sentiments inside. To add to the …

Letter courtesy of Sara Delmonico, on behalf of the Girl Scouts. It’s Girl Scout cookie time again!  Girl Scouts will sell cookies at the following local booth sale locations this weekend: Saturday at Shaw’s, 160 Tower Hill Road, Wakefield, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at Roch's Market, 1183 Boston Neck Road, Narragansett, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Belmont Market, 600 Kingstown Road, Wakefield, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday at Stop and Shop, 91 Point Judith Road, Narragansett, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at Belmont Market, 600 Kingstown Road, Wakefield, …

Letter originally printed on the South Kingstown High School listserv. Dear music parents and friends, We hope you will join us for a South Kingstown High School Music Boosters meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 23 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the high school’s library.   Barbara Crudale and I (Wendy Bucci) have volunteered work with Sarah Dinklage to help continue this wonderful program – but we’ll need your support. Bear with us as we reorganize, and stay tuned for more information.  All parents and friends of our music program, PK to Grade 12, are encouraged to join us. Please spread the word, and …

As reported in the press (here and here), the University of Rhode Island has spent close to $500,000 on repairs of its president's tuition-funded home, which is among the fringe benefits that come with the president's job, such as a car, an expense account, and club dues. Excessive administrative spending is but one of many results of nationwide privatization of public education.  Particularly distressing in this context is the root cause of this development, namely the decline of the fraction of the URI budget that comes from the Rhode Island general revenue, a percentage that has dropped …

On November 17th, the Narragansett High School PTO proudly presented their 2nd annual Mariner Marketplace Holiday Shopping Extravaganza, and thanks to the diligent efforts of so many wonderful individuals, we are pleased to announce that it was an amazing success! We are very appreciative to all those who helped in the planning of layout, signs, tables, and necessities, with special thanks to The NHS Staff, Paul Cannon, Chris Nelson, Brian McNeiece,  St. Peter’s Church, and The Lions Club. First, thank you to our remarkable committee members:  Carla Andronowitz, Jill Fallon, Judy Tucker, …

To the editor, I would like to thank all my supporters, from the folks who signed my nomination papers back in July to those who worked the polls for me that chilly Election Day. It must be understood that I am not a politician per say but a lifelong resident who cannot stand by and watch our town be systematically razed by special interest or lackadaisical politicians who believe they have been doing a great job.   I believe we have left an indelible impression with the political class in our town.  Our campaign position was sixth in a five-seat race, but we were all responsible for …

I’ve been walking neighborhoods in Narragansett and South Kingstown for four months now. I’ve met and spoke with many of you. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank you for being friendly at your front doors. I know that having a politician at your door doesn’t rank very highly with most of you; it doesn’t with me either. I feel as though I’ve learned a lot through many of the brief, and some not so brief, conversations that I’ve had with many of you. After listening to so many of you, I hope that as your representative, I’ll be able to judge what is important to our communities, and then…

To the editor, I believe that the only legitimate reason to run for General Assembly in 2012 is out of an overwhelming concern for the now and future of our community and state. This is why I am running and ask for your vote. We must stop drifting from crisis to crisis without a vision, sense of purpose or urgency to fix the problems that have plagued our state for so long. All of my campaign literature and yard signs all have the motto – “Restore Rhode Island."   I am committed to finding solutions that will help make our state a place where people and business move to, not from... Where the…

To the editor, It is important to hold incumbents accountable for their elected service; it is also important to recognize incumbents who merit another term. This election year, Teresa Tanzi is an incumbent who merits being re- elected to serve District 34 in the RI General Assembly House of Representatives. In my experience, Teresa clearly demonstrated a pro-active approach.  She could be seen at school committee and Town Council meetings as well as other community meetings throughout her two-year term. She was accessible, constituent concerns were listened to and heard, and legislative …

To the editor, It took them – the Coastal Resources Management Council and the Town of South Kingstown – almost 40 years to "decide" on how to preserve Matunuck from disaster and oblivion.  The resolution was to build a wall and have it built by October.  Granted, as of this writing, there are six days left in the month to execute "their" plans, which is more like trying to work a miracle.  It appears that the only thing to be "executed” will be Matunuck. Shame on you, Mr. Alfred. Shame on you, present and past members of the South Kingstown Town Council. Shame on you, CRMC. But once again, …

To the editor, After a year of debate, legal action, Coastal Resources Management Council decisions and hope, Matunuck is as she has been for many years – left to the whim of Mother Nature’s wrath. The wall, promised to be built in October, has not been built. The telephone poles still stand where they were in August, and businesses and oceanfront homeowners still can’t protect their property from erosion. I can only say to the Town of South Kingstown and the CRMC, “Good job, Brownie.” The failure to protect Matunuck from this coming large storm is a failure of government at a local and state…

To the editor, I first came to know Senator Jim Sheehan through his leading the opposition to defeat the mega container port at Quonset years ago. I've been following him since, and am pleased that he doesn't just oppose things, he helps build them, too. Years ago, he was a staunch advocate of building out the new roads and rails at Quonset which now boasts well over 8,000 jobs!  Senator Sheehan championed Separation of Powers, opening public records to public scrutiny, quasi public agency reform, eminent domain reform etc... No wonder he was twice named the top good government legislator by …

Dear NHS Parents, At our Oct. 9 NHS PTO meeting, we’ll address a question that many parents face: How can we help our kids get the most out of their efforts in school? Here’s what we’ll be covering at the October NHS Parent Teacher Organization meeting: Dealing with students of all stripes: Encouraging and helping your B,C or D student to work harder and move up a grade (or two) Study skills vs. activities: how to balance academics with after-school activities How can we motivate our kids to do their best, to push themselves, to do more then just the basic homework to get by? Meeting Details …

Dear NHS Parents, We had a wonderful first NHS PTO meeting, where we heard a presentation by Narragansett School District Superintendent Kathy Sipala and Principal Dan Warner. We hope you were lucky enough to have heard the presentation. If not, an overview will soon be on the new NHS PTO Webpage. Please take a look! At the upcoming NHS Open House on Sept. 20, the PTO will have a welcome table. Please stop by to introduce yourself and ask any questions you may have. While you’re visiting, please take a moment to become a member of the NHS PTO. It’s only $10 and a great way to support the …

Dear Narragansett High School parents, We hope the first week of school was a good one for you and your sons and daughters. To kick off the new school year, we have a very exciting first meeting scheduled for the NHS Parent Teacher Organization.  Details: When: 7 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 10 Where: NHS Media Center Agenda: 1) Welcome and important messages from Narragansett Schools Superintendent Kathy Sipala and NHS Principal Dan Warner. 2) Answers to your questions about the upcoming school years. 3) Review of exciting PTO events. Please become a member of the NHS PTO. Follow this link to the …