In the spirit of the New Year, when hope springs eternal, may a few of these wishes come true …
• That Tiverton recall its recall rules and raise the bar a bit. Never mind high crimes …
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In the spirit of the New Year, when hope springs eternal, may a few of these wishes come true …
• That Tiverton recall its recall rules and raise the bar a bit. Never mind high crimes — mere misdemeanor would suffice. One fellow up for recall now was only on board two weeks before petitioners had had enough — of what isn’t quite clear.
• One rule that ought to be recall worthy — The one that allows demolition of ancient stone walls for solar projects with 20-year lifespans.
• That we hear not one more word from the climate change deniers for whom selfishness trumps science. Let my great-grandchildren roast — give me my fossil fuels!
• That Westport agree that there must be an accounting and inspection for every farm animal. It’s not a voluntary thing — it’s state law. No good comes (except perhaps to a few bad actors seeking to operate off the books) when “farms” are able to exist out of sight.
• That just one time a judge throw the book at an animal abuser. ‘Continuance Without Finding’ and ‘suspended’ don’t cut it. Mahatma Ghandi: "The greatness of a nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated.
• That Supreme Court Judge Judge Ruth Bader Ginsburg enjoy good health for a good long time. "
• That we appreciate and patronize good local businesses (like the late Provender, A.S. Deams, etc.) while they last.
• That we pause to celebrate accomplishments of the past year — Fine new park at Grinnell’s Beach, lovely new home for the Watershed Alliance at Head of Westport, Westport Woods park at the Westport/Little Compton line …
• Successful completion of Westport’s new school — and may it help stem the exodus of students to other places.
• That Rhode Island finally appreciates the competitive disadvantage it provides its merchants by charging one of the nation’s highest sales taxes — especially in the East Bay where customers need only flee a mile or two to enjoy the savings offered by “Taxachusetts.” And that it re-think taxation that forces its retirees (those who didn’t work for state or towns anyway) to find friendlier places — like Massachusetts.
• A return of sportsmanship to sports: Chest thumping, mid-game team photos during a rout. Best advice yet — “Act like you’ve been in the end zone before.” Best advice (youth sports spectator category) — “If you think you know the rules better than the ref, sign up — the league could use such wisdom.”
• That there be progress toward the Sakonnet Peace Alliance’s dream of a world with less strife. We ask this every year but the need has not diminished.