Letter: Last week’s Portsmouth Times was full of good news
July 18th, 2025
Letter: Last week’s Portsmouth Times was full of good news
Posted
To the editor:
I look forward to reading your weekly paper. While I do not agree with all that appears in the paper, I respect the notion that many voices should be heard. The paper from the third week in June was thrilling for me to read. Why?
You reported that the new council was passing a budget that took the taxpayers into consideration. For years our town councils have pushed to the limit in spending. Those folks are gone now. (Unless you want to elect them to the senior center board! Please don’t.)
The creation of office hours was a great idea. Having easy access to our leaders helps get over the rules of Town Council meetings. There are no limits to what you can talk about. Bravo Zulu.
The use of the high school tennis courts for pickleball is a great idea. We do not have enough courts in Portsmouth to satisfy demand. This is an enormous step forward as the School Committee has resisted using the school facilities for the many things that other towns have used their school facilities for. Let’s find other ways to use the school facilities.
The election at the water board brings two very smart people into the mix. Dave Reise continues while Murray Norcross joins the team. This board has maintained a tight ship over the years as it has been managed by people who pay attention to costs. Water and fire services are as important to community health as anything. As an independent agency in Portsmouth, the board answers directly to the water users — not the politicians in town.
The importance of our local newspapers can never be underestimated. I recall the golden days when Newport Daily News reporters were always present at our meetings — no longer. Today we have your paper and the Portsmouth Concerned Citizens to keep us appraised of the goings-on.
Jeffrey L. Richard
Portsmouth
RI Members of Congress
July 11th, 2025
QUESTION:
Will any Rhode Island reporters ask our 4 Members of Congress if they condemn the vile, antisemitic words of a @DNCChair and a top Democrat confidante for mayor?
Or do they only find their voice when it’s a Republican?
Who Does This Sound Like?
July 9th, 2025
Statement from Chairman Joe Powers on Education Funding and Political Posturing
July 9th, 2025
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Statement from Rhode Island GOP Chairman Joe Powers on the Passing of Governor Edward “Ed” DiPrete
July 9th, 2025
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Happy Independence Day!
July 4th, 2025
RIGOP STATEMENT ON FINAL HOUSE PASSAGE OF PRESIDENT TRUMP’S ONE, BIG, BEAUTIFUL BILL
July 3rd, 2025
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Israel and Iran Sign a Cease Fire!!
June 23rd, 2025
Republican Party of Rhode Island Chairman’s Statement on U.S. Defensive Strikes Against Iran
June 22nd, 2025
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RI DEMOCRATS DECLARE WAR ON YOUR RIGHTS – AND THEY THINK YOU’LL JUST TAKE IT
June 21st, 2025
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Contact: communications@ri.gop June 20, 2025 RI DEMOCRATS DECLARE WAR ON YOUR RIGHTS – AND THEY THINK YOU’LL JUST TAKE ITChairman Joe Powers Calls Out General Assembly’s Assault Weapons Ban for What It Is: Unconstitutional, Un-American, and Unforgivable Warwick, RI – The Rhode Island Republican Party is sounding the alarm after the Democrat-controlled General Assembly rammed through an Assault Weapons Ban — a blatant, unconstitutional attack on the rights of law-abiding Rhode Islanders. “This is a disgrace,” said RI GOP Chairman Joe Powers. “Democrats in this state have abandoned the Constitution, abandoned the people, and embraced a one-party dictatorship that no longer hides its contempt for freedom.” The ban doesn’t protect citizens — it punishes them. It criminalizes responsible gun owners, burdens small businesses, threatens conservation funds, and opens the floodgates for costly lawsuits that Democrats know they’ll lose. “They’re not even pretending anymore,” Powers continued. “They know this bill violates the Second Amendment. They know the courts will strike it down. And they still passed it — because their agenda is more important to them than your rights.” Worse yet, the Democrats used deceitful tactics to drum up support, allowing national groups like Everytown to hijack Rhode Island’s legislative process with phony email campaigns and manipulated messaging. “This wasn’t public input. This was political fraud,” Powers said. “They lied to the public, they lied to the press, and they lied to themselves if they think this will go unchallenged.” The Chairman also condemned the General Assembly’s obsession with political grandstanding at the expense of public safety and fiscal sanity. “While families are struggling, while our schools crumble, and while our bridges are literally falling apart — they spent their time chasing headlines and trampling the Constitution,” said Powers. “This is about ego. This is about career politicians jockeying for the next job — not about protecting Rhode Islanders.” Powers didn’t hold back on what’s next: “We now have a clear, targeted list of every legislator who voted to betray their oath — and their time is running out. But we need fighters. If you’re a Republican, an Independent, an Unaffiliated voter, or a Democrat who’s watched your party be hijacked, you’re not alone. JFK Democrats no longer exist — they’ve been replaced by radical leftist progressives who won’t rest until every one of your rights is stripped away. Now is the time to rise up, join our ranks, and take our state back. The RI GOP is actively recruiting candidates to challenge these anti-Constitution, anti-liberty legislators. “To every Rhode Islander who still believes in the Constitution — we’re not going to fix this by posting memes or yelling at the TV. We fix it by running for office, knocking doors, and taking back this state seat by seat,” Powers said. “They’ve drawn the battle lines. Now it’s time to fight.” Stand with us. Step up. Run. Donate. Get involved. |