BARRINGTON - Three East Bay legislators are leading the call for citizens to get more involved in the state government. Late last week Senator David Bates (District 9, R - Barrington, Bristol), Representative Susan Story (District 66, R- Barrington, East Providence) and Representative Jan Malik (District 67, D- Barrington, Warren) issued a statement urging their constituents to consider taking a more active role in Rhode Island government.

The legislators are concerned about the large number of openings that will be available on state boards and commissions due to the Separation of Powers initiative — any legislator sitting on a voluntary board or commission must relinquish his or her seat. This will result in a need for qualified volunteers to fill those open seats.

"We want our constituents to consider more focused state service," Sen. Bates said. "If you have specialized knowledge or skills that could benefit the state, we are asking you to apply for a position on a state board or commission. These bodies serve an important regulatory purpose and your participation would directly affect Rhode Island residents."

Sen. Bates said that there are so many boards and commissions throughout the state that nearly everyone is likely to find something they could get involved in.

"I'm looking at eight pages of boards and commissions right now, everything from housing resources, to medical advisory, to marine fisheries, to Ocean State Charities Trust, to the scenic highway board. There's a board or commission there for everyone," he said.

The Separation of Powers initiative was passed by the Senate and is currently slated for review by the House when it resumes on Jan. 4. Rep. Story is hoping that the bill is moved ahead in a timely manner.

"I would think this would be addressed within the first couple of weeks," Rep. Story said.

"The upside is that this is the way Separation of Powers is supposed to work. Legislators should not be sitting on boards that perform executive functions, like CRMC (Coastal Resources Management Council) and the lottery. Those boards have budgets, staffs."

Rep. Story, Rep. Malik and Sen. Bates all said they would do their part to forward the involvement of volunteers.

"We would be happy to take the resumes and pass them on to the Governor's office where they will proceed with their normal screening process for appointments," Rep. Story said. "Please send a resume to one of our offices, indicating your area of expertise along with your contact information."

"We all must make an effort to see the successful transition to a separate but equal form of state government," Rep. Malik said.

Get involved

Resumes for people interested in volunteering for a state board or commission can be sent to:

* Sen. David Bates at State House, Room 120, Providence, RI 02903.

* Rep. Sue Story at State House, Room 106, Providence, RI 02903.

* Rep. Jan Malik at State House, Room 323, Providence, RI 02903.

BY JOSH BICKFORD

jbickford@eastbaynewspapers.com