Fallen Iraq soldier latest candidate for new Sakonnet River Bridge name
SAKONNET AREA — Add the late Staff Sergeant Christopher Potts to the growing list of those whose names might someday grace the new Sakonnet River Bridge.
Rep. John G. Edwards (D-Dist. 70, Tiverton, Portsmouth) has introduced legislation that would rename the bridge after Operation Iraqi Freedom National Guardsman and Tiverton resident Christopher Potts.
Sgt. Potts, member of the 1st Battalion, 103D Field Artillery Regiment, Rhode Island National Guard, was killed in the line of duty near Taji, Iraq, on Oct. 3, 2004, his 38th birthday.
“I think this is a fitting tribute for a brave man who served our country so honorably,” said Rep. Edwards. “Staff Sergeant Potts was a lifelong resident of Newport County and he has certainly made us all proud. I cannot think of anyone more deserving of this honor than someone who gave his life to protect our freedom.”
The legislation states, “Rhode Island, as well as the majority of states across the country, uphold the tradition of naming structures such as roads, bridges and edifices after renowned and heroic individuals and there is overwhelming support for renaming the Sakonnet River Bridge the ‘Staff Sergeant Christopher Potts Sakonnet Bridge.’”
As a result of his heroic actions, Potts was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal, with Combat “V” and the Purple Heart.
Potts served in the National Guard for 14 years. In civilian life, he worked as a marine mechanic at New England Boatworks, a yacht builder and marina operator in Portsmouth.
Rep. Edwards’ legislation has been referred to the House Committee on Constituent Services for consideration.
Although work on the new bridge won’t begin until late spring and completion is four years away, there are at least three naming candidates.
State Rep. Amy Rice of Portsmouth has repeatedly nominated early Portsmouth settler Ann Hutchinson, saying that her role as a town founder and noteworthy woman of her time makes her the best choice.
That idea irked some, especially on the other side of the bridge in Tiverton. They responded with their own favorite son, Capt. Robert Gray, the famed sea captain who discovered and named the Columbia River after his ship.
In the spirit of compromise a measure was even introduced that called for naming the bridge after both — Anne Hutchinson-Robert Gray Bridge — an idea panned as unwieldy.
Others have lobbied to keep the name Sakonnet River Bridge.
The only rational solution is to name the thing the Hutchinson-Gray-Potts-Verazzano-Pell-Chafee(John not Linc)-Pastore-Black Regimen-Iraqi War Heroes-and--what-the-heck--Obama Bridge.
We all honor our service members. But doesn't Rep Edwards have something more important to do? This is what happens when you get someone in office because no one else would run.
Please Mr. Edwards, start by fixing our economic state of affairs, then we can all sit around the campfire and decide what to name it.
Good idea Edwards.. Unfortunately, now he's on Rice's poop list. She nag him to death and then name the bridge Hutchinson.
Yes, I can see her nagging him to the point of him jumping off the bridge himself. It should just stay the Sakonnet. I can see Amy repeating herself over and over. I saw her at my local bank once yelling at the teller because of HER account issue. What a vicious woman who tries to use the do you know who I am. What an embarrassment to have an attitude like that representing Portsmouth. Like it matters. It's a shame she was reelected.
does it really need to be named? It is barely a bridge, being only about a 1/4 mile long.
Jallen,
Great post. She is tough to be around.
