Referendum to Fund Restoration of RI Shoreline Gains Wide Support
Saturday, October 30, 2010
The Coalition to Save Our Shore has announced that more than 20 new endorsements have been received for a $14.7 million bond referendum to improve RI's shoreline.
The bond, which will be on the ballot this Tuesday as Referendum Question #4, has received endorsements from politicians, organizations and media alike, including three of the candidates for RI governor. Moderate Ken Block, Democrat Frank Caprio and Independent Lincoln Chafee all attended a press conference in support of the referendum.
"As we've been taking our message about this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to the street, we've received a warm reception from Woonsocket to Westerly," said Jonathan Stone, Executive Director of Save the Bay. "People in the Ocean State recognize the importance of Narragansett Bay to economy and to their quality of life."
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST"We have to act now to secure these priceless resources and that's why we're urging people to Save Our Shore by voting Yes on #4," he said.
What WIll the Bond Do?
If approved, the bond will be used to improve three shoreline sites across the Bay:
In Providence: $3.2 million will be used to create a public recreation gateway to the Bay near India Point Park
In Warwick: $10 million will be used to create a public park out of 81 acres of unused land (formerly belonging to the Rocky Point Amusement Park)
In Newport: $1.5 million will be used to repair Fort Adams to allow greater public access and to integrate the fort with the surrounding state park
Other Supporters of Question #4: Politicians, Organizations and Popular Media
The city councils of Providence, Warwick and Newport have all chosen to support the referendum. The three mayors of those cities, Mayor David Cicilline of Providence (and Democratic candidate for 1st Congressional District), Mayor Scott Avedisian of Warwick (R), and Jeanne-Marie Napolitano of Newport (R) are also in support of the bond.
The referendum has gained support from a number of RI organizations, including:
• AFL-CIO of RI
• Cumberland Land Trust
• Environment Council of RI
• Fort Adams Trust
• Fox Point Neighborhood Association
• Friends of India Point
• Grow Smart Rhode Island
• Head of the Bay Gateway
• Rhode Island Land Trust Council
• Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association
• Rocky Point Foundation
• Save The Bay and
• Sierra Club of Rhode Island
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