Archive for the ‘Portsmouth’ Category
From the Ocean State Current: Portsmouth Fights Back: Local Control Under Attack
Wednesday, February 25th, 2026
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Portsmouth Town Council Resolutions on Affordable Housing Laws and Low and Moderate Income Housing
Wednesday, February 4th, 2026The Portsmouth Town Council unanimously adopted the following resolutions regarding affordable housing laws and low and moderate income housing.
Full texts of each resolution is attached below:
Portsmouth Resolution Affordable Housing Laws
Resolution of the Town of Portsmouth re Low and Moderate Housing
Rhode Island Republican Party Acknowledges the Senseless Killing of Ella Cook
Monday, December 15th, 2025
Rhode Island Republican Party Acknowledges the Senseless Killing of Ella Cook
Providence, RI – Chairman Joe Powers released the following statement regarding the tragic shooting at Brown University on Saturday:
“The Rhode Island Republican Party is devastated to learn of the tragic loss of Ella Cook, Vice President of the Brown College Republicans, whose life was taken in Saturday’s horrific mass shooting. Ella was a bold, faithful, and inspiring young conservative leader who fearlessly shared her beliefs on campus. Described by those who knew her as a “bright light,” kind, and grounded, Ella embodied the very best of the next generation of conservative voices.”
“We extend our deepest condolences and fervent prayers to Ella’s family, her congregation at Cathedral Church of the Advent in Birmingham, AL, her friends, the Brown College Republicans, the entire Brown University community, MukhammadAziz Umurzakov and his family during this time of profound grief and anxiety. Our thoughts are with students across Rhode Island who are reeling in fear from this terrible event, and with our law enforcement community as they continue to exhaust all measures in bringing the murderer to justice.”
Chairman Powers Blasts Democrats Over Shutdown Standoff
Wednesday, October 15th, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 15, 2025
Chairman Powers Blasts Democrats Over Shutdown Standoff
Warwick, RI: “Make no mistake, this government shutdown is owned…lock, stock, and barrel by the Democrats. Period. Anyone who tells you otherwise…is lying!
For years, Democrats like Senator Sheldon Whitehouse and Senator Jack Reed have perfected the art of pointing fingers anywhere but at themselves. But this time, there’s nowhere to hide. While Republicans control the White House, the Senate, and the House, the reality is simple, without cooperation from Democrats in the Senate, critical funding bills don’t move. That’s how our system works. Anyone in elected office who doesn’t understand that or lies to their constituents about how it works should enroll in a basic civics course or should resign from their seat immediately.
President Donald Trump has already taken decisive action to keep essential services afloat. By leveraging tariff revenues, his administration is ensuring that federal employees receive pay and that vital programs like WIC remain funded, proving once again that Republican leadership solves problems while Democrats manufacture crises.
The American people deserve leaders who govern, not grandstand. This shutdown is a deliberate political stunt by Democrats, designed to score points at the expense of working families. Rhode Islanders see through it, and so do we.
As Attorney General Bondi said, I wish the Democrats loved Americans as much as they hate Pres. Trump. I can only imagine how much we could accomplish. It’s time for Senators Whitehouse, Reed, and their Democrat colleagues to stop the games and reopen the government they chose to close.”
WASHINGTON BRIDGE REPORT EXPOSES DECADES OF NEGLECT AND POLITICAL BETRAYAL AND GOV MCKEE LIED ABOUT IT!
Monday, September 29th, 2025
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For Immediate Release Contact: communications@ri.gop September 29, 2025 WASHINGTON BRIDGE REPORT EXPOSES DECADES OF NEGLECT AND POLITICAL BETRAYAL AND GOV MCKEE LIED ABOUT IT!Warwick, RI — The newly revealed forensic analysis of the Washington Bridge collapse confirms what Rhode Islanders feared, this disaster was decades in the making. It was not sudden. It was not unforeseeable. It was the result of systemic neglect, ignored warnings, and political leaders who chose spin over responsibility. “Rhode Islanders have been lied to, and the sad truth is that no one is surprised by what this report reveals.” said RI Republican Party Chairman Joe Powers. “This wasn’t an accident. It was negligence. Our state leaders knew the bridge was failing for years, yet they kept Rhode Islanders in the dark while thousands of lives were put at risk every single day. Why was this report hidden? Why weren’t Rhode Islanders told about the crumbling infrastructure we were driving on? And why did Democratic leadership gamble with public safety instead of telling us the truth? Gov. McKee actually said, ‘we should applaud the individuals that made the decision to close down the bridge, to save people’s lives.’ Applaud? They knew the risks for years and still did nothing, recklessly endangering the lives of up to 90,000 Rhode Island and Massachusetts residents who relied on that bridge every single day. That’s not leadership; that’s negligence dressed up as heroism. Where is the ‘Day of Reckoning’ the Governor promised? Why hasn’t a single person been fired, prosecuted, or held accountable for this dereliction of duty?” Powers continued, “Isn’t it the Democrats who always ask, ‘Is THIS what you voted for?’ Well…is it Rhode Island? Take a good look, this bridge disaster is exactly what their leadership delivered.” Despite his outrage, Powers pointed to a way forward, “Rhode Islanders are angry, and they should be. But anger alone won’t fix what’s broken. While President Trump’s Administration has been making historic strides in rebuilding America, Rhode Island Democrats, led by an ineffective governor, have let our infrastructure collapse. This can and must change. Our state doesn’t have to accept failure as its destiny. We can rebuild trust, rebuild our roads, and rebuild Rhode Island, but only if we replace those who put politics above people.” “Rhode Islanders deserve better,” Powers concluded. “I’m so tire of saying that, but we do! We deserve leaders who will confront hard truths, not bury them. We deserve accountability, not excuses. And above all, We deserve hope that this state can once again be a place where safety, competence, and honesty come first.” |
Prayers and Vigil for Charlie Kirk
Thursday, September 18th, 2025
HONORING THOSE LOST FROM SEPTEMBER 11TH, 2001
Thursday, September 11th, 2025
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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
Who Does This Sound Like?
Wednesday, July 9th, 2025
Republican Party of Rhode Island Chairman’s Statement on U.S. Defensive Strikes Against Iran
Sunday, June 22nd, 2025
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