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Greetings! ,
2009 was a busy and productive year for ALN. Our Forums covered a wide range of issues impacting the community; recaps and videos may be found on our website. In addition, we enhanced our website and launched this monthly newsletter to keep our members better informed.
In 2010, ALN will continue to host Candidate Debates to assist you in making informed choices in the City Council/School Committee elections this Fall.
Closer on the horizon, ALN's March 29th Forum will bring together key speakers to discuss the proposed LNG plan to raise awareness and understanding of the impact on our Bay communities. We encourage you to attend!
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 Education
"Baby Steps"
Like its name, a new program is moving forward to help prepare Newport's youngest children (ages 0-3) for success in the upcoming years of formal schooling. "Baby Steps" is modeled after the Harlem Children Zone, a nationally recognized program.
Spearheaded by Dr. Charles Shoemaker of the Newport School Committee, the program's key goals are to engage parents' participation in their child's education, beginning at birth and to ensure that all infants and toddlers develop the crucial vocabulary and social skills needed to effectively prepare them for Pre-K and kindergarten.
Monthly sessions will bring parents and kids together to play and learn around specific topics, the March program will focus on safety. Read More
For more info, email Dr. Shoemaker or call him at 846-3388.
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 Infrastructure & Environment
Easton's Pond
Recently controversy arose over the design
and materials being considered to repair sections of Easton's Pond dam barriers. Concerned residents formed "Friends of Easton's Pond" to raise public awareness and propose alternative solutions.
More than 250 people attended a public workshop on January 20th, at which the City Council presented possible repair plans to the public. Julia Forgue, Director of Utilities and representatives of the engineering firm, Fuss and O'Neill explained alternatives. View the video of the workshop.
Later, the City Council voted that repairs to the embankments around Easton's Pond should employ either riprap or variegated concrete blocks which will allow vegetation to grow over it for a more natural look.
Read more.
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 Public Health & Safety
King House Fills Gaps For Seniors
In Newport roughly 13% of the City's residents are over the age of 65. For those over 50, The Edward King House Senior Center offers a wide variety of enriching classes in art, music, writing as well as exercise and club activities including Zumba, yoga, walking groups, Bridge and Mahjong!
A growing number of seniors also benefit from the Center's supportive services including health screenings and resource referrals. The Edward King House serves as a State meal site but transportation and limited financial resources continue to be barriers. In these difficult economic times, often seniors must choose between the cost of transportation or a hot meal.
A grant from the Rhode Island Foundation provides some transportation subsidies but Executive Director, Michelle Duga, says: "many more Seniors could be served." She has witnessed the benefits of getting Seniors who live alone to enjoy a meal with companionship at the Center and many volunteer or join in activities which add structure and renewed interest to their lives. Read more
For more info, call Michelle at 846-7426 or visit their website.
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 Gov't Accountability
Tax Issues for Seniors
According to Newport Tax Assessor Allan Booth, approximately 150 Newport residents currently take advantage of the senior citizen property tax exemption and it is difficult to determine how many more may be eligible.
There are 3 basic criteria for the exemption. The applicant must be 65 years old on December 31 of the year before he/she applies. The person must have owned and lived in the home for 5 years. Lastly, the annual income must be below $29,300 for a one person household or below $33,500 for a two or more person household. Additional tax exemptions are available for veterans, legally blind individuals and those who have a temporary inability to pay, in general the exemptions are cumulative. Forms may be downloaded from the City of Newport website.
Read more
ALN will host a Newport Tax Exemption seminar, Thursday, March 4th, 1:30pm at the Edward King House. Newport Tax Assessor, Allan Booth, will review exemptions for Newport residents. Come see if you qualify!
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 Neighborhoods
Welcome, Allie!
ALN is delighted to welcome Allie Sabalis as Administrative Assistant to support the ALN Directors in providing quality information to our membership.
With a degree in Fine Arts, Allie has taught painting and photography, owned a contemporary art gallery in Newport and an independent bookstore in Maine. She is active in the Jamestown Arts community and served as President of the Board of the Conanicut Island Art Association.
Allie's experience and skills will be a valuable asset to ALN's growth.
Email Allie with your ideas for forum or newsletter topics.
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Photos in this issue were generously provided by:
Judy Michel, Allie Sabalis and SallyAnne Santos.
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