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Archive for July, 2025

Letter: Last week’s Portsmouth Times was full of good news

Friday, 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

Friday, July 11th, 2025

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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?

Wednesday, July 9th, 2025

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Statement from Chairman Joe Powers on Education Funding and Political Posturing

Wednesday, July 9th, 2025

July 9, 2025

Contact: executivedirector@ri.gop

Statement from Chairman Joe Powers on Education Funding and Political Posturing

Warwick, RI — Chairman of the Rhode Island Republican Party, Joe Powers, released the following statement in response to the ongoing discussion surrounding federal education funds and the upcoming press conference hosted by Rep. Seth Magaziner, Mayor Brett Smiley, and Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green:

“It’s my understanding that the administration is reviewing how these funds are being used to support students and our schools. That’s a reasonable step. But let’s not pretend this is just about process. These funds were appropriated by Congress with a clear intent—to improve education. And given the state of public education in Rhode Island, we should all be demanding transparency and results.

I see that Congressman Magaziner, Mayor Smiley, and Commissioner Infante-Green are holding a press conference on this topic. No doubt it will include the usual political theater—complete with blame-shifting toward the Trump administration. They’ll say children are at risk. But let’s be honest: children are at risk—and they’ve been suffering for years under a broken education system that continues to fail them academically.

This is not a future threat. It’s a present-day crisis. Rhode Island students are falling behind in reading, writing, and math. That’s not rhetoric—it’s reality.

Instead of using this issue to score political points, our leaders should be laser-focused on making sure these funds are used for their intended purpose: to get our schools back to basics and our students back on track.”

Statement from Rhode Island GOP Chairman Joe Powers on the Passing of Governor Edward “Ed” DiPrete

Wednesday, July 9th, 2025

July 9, 2025

Contact: executivedirector@ri.gop

Statement from Rhode Island GOP Chairman Joe Powers on the Passing of Governor Edward “Ed” DiPrete

WARWICK, RI – Rhode Island Republican Party Chairman Joe Powers today issued the following statement on the passing of former Governor Edward D. DiPrete:

“It is with a deep sense of respect and reflection that we mark the passing of former Governor Edward DiPrete—a dedicated public servant whose legacy stretches across decades of Rhode Island history.

As a lifelong Cranston resident, I knew him not just as Governor, but first as my Mayor. He was a fixture in the civic life of our community and a presence in local politics during my formative years. Governor DiPrete embodied the kind of leadership that believed in rolling up your sleeves, knowing your neighbors, and putting Rhode Island first.

From the Cranston School Committee to the State House, Ed DiPrete gave much of his life to the people of Rhode Island. His three terms as Governor during the 1980s marked an era of economic focus and pragmatic governance.

Just yesterday, many of us were wishing him a happy 91st birthday, a reminder of the lasting impact he had on those who knew him and the state he served.

He leaves behind a family who stood by him and a generation who knew him as a determined leader. On behalf of the Rhode Island Republican Party, we extend our deepest condolences to his loved ones.

May he be remembered for his decades of commitment to public service, and may he rest in peace.”

Happy Independence Day!

Friday, July 4th, 2025

May be an image of 1 person and text that says 'ONE ONEBIG BIG BEAL BEALTIFUL BIL ACT Signed into Lan'

RIGOP STATEMENT ON FINAL HOUSE PASSAGE OF PRESIDENT TRUMP’S ONE, BIG, BEAUTIFUL BILL

Thursday, July 3rd, 2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 3, 2025

Contact: executivedirector@ri.gop

RIGOP STATEMENT ON FINAL HOUSE PASSAGE OF PRESIDENT TRUMP’S ONE, BIG, BEAUTIFUL BILL

WARWICK, RI – Today, Republican Party of Rhode Island Chairman Joe Powers released the following statement following the final House passage of President Trump and Congressional Republicans’ One, Big, Beautiful Bill:

“Today marks a major victory for the hardworking families of Rhode Island and across this nation,” said Chairman Joe Powers. “This bill delivers exactly what President Trump and Republicans promised, massive tax relief for the middle class, real border security to protect our communities, and deep cuts to reckless Washington spending. Democrats in both chambers had the chance to stand with working Americans, and instead, they stood in lockstep with their radical base. Make no mistake—Rhode Islanders won’t forget who fought for them, and who sold them out.”

Chairman Powers added, “The America First Agenda is alive and well, and this bill is just the beginning.”