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Become a member of ALN and give an annual donation of $20-$99.
Become a SUSTAINING member for an annual donation of $100 or more.
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Greetings! ,
2010 Membership Appeal
ALN's annual operating budget has grown from $2,000 in 2006 to more than $30,000over the past five years as we have expanded the depth and reach of our public forums, improved our website, introduced a newsletter and hired a part-time, paid Administrative Assistant.Until this year, ALN was fortunate to receive funding grants from a few private and public foundations. Although new grants are being actively pursued by ALN Directors, the timing of new grants cannot be relied upon to provide the funding required for the balance of this year.ALN, therefore, is turning to its members with an urgent appeal for contributions to sustain and grow this organization which has, during its short existence, contributed so much to encourage civic dialogue here in Newport.We need to raise $10,000 to ensure funding for the balance of this year's activities, including candidate forums for City Council and School Committee races, a forum on the School Bond Ballot Issue, the annual ALN Financial Forum, continued maintenance of the ALN website and publication of the ALN Newsletter.
Whatever amount you can afford to donate will be greatly appreciated. Donations are charitable tax deductions within the limits of the law.
THANK YOU!
Bonnie Watson, President
Please read the article that appeared in Newport This Week:
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 Government Accountability
Pre-Primary Newport City Council Candidate Forums ALN kicked off its 2010 Newport Local Election Forums on Tuesday, September 7, starting at 6:30 pm in the Newport City Council Chambers with a forum featuring candidates for Newport's At Large City Council Seats. Six of the nine candidates vying in the September 14 primary for the eight places on the November ballot to determine the four at large council seats -- Herbert Armstrong, Rebecca Bringhurst, Naomi Neville, Susan Perkins, Stephen Waluk (incumbent) and Henry Winthrop -- responded to six general questions and several yes/no questions covering topics of key interest to Newport's voters. There was more agreement than disagreement among the candidates on most issues, but differences between them became clearer as the forum progressed. The forum was videotaped for broadcast on Public Access TV and the video could be seen less than 48 hours later on the ALN website. Read More...
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| Education
UPDATE ON SCHOOL COMMITTEE AND UNION COUNCIL 94 NEGOTIATIONS
 The Collective Bargaining Agreement between the Newport School Department and Union Council 94 (representing the School Department Staff) expired on June 30, 2010. Since then, the Union has not agreed to the proposed "ground rules" for negotiations and the School Committee has sought mediation through the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training. ALN will continue to track this process through the Fall. Read more... |
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 Infrastructure & Environment
Newport Streets- A Livability Issue of Order One
Anytime Newporters gather the subject of our streets inevitably comes up. As in, what is going on? I recently exchanged some Q & A on the Subject with Director, Public Works, William Riccio. Mr. Riccio provided lengthy responses to a set of questions I submitted. From that input I herein offer a "Cliff Notes" on the Streets of Newport. Read More...
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Public Health & Safety  Historic Neighborhood Threatened by Traffic
Upper Thames is a neighborhood with many colonial homes, including nine NRF houses. More importantly, this area has not just Newport's, but the country's largest collection of intact colonial houses on their original loose stone foundations. These foundations are fragile, and heavy traffic vibrations are detrimental to them. (Two maps at the current Doris Duke exhibit at Rough Point showcase this unique, historic, architectural collection.) Read more... |
| Neighborhoods
The Bellevue Ochre Point Neighborhood Association held its annual meeting on August 24th and welcomed more than 50 members. The Association elected 12 directors and at the first board meeting in September will elect its officers for next year. Jim Moore and Robert Beaver will be proposed as Co-Chairmen. In the past year the association's board strongly supported the implementation of the revised Historic District Zoning Ordinance. We donated $1,000 to make it easier for the city to hire it's new historic planner and also donated money to support both ALN and the Newport Restoration Foundation. We worked with Salve Regina in the planning and construction of the Pell Center parking lot so that its impact on the neighborhood and Bellevue Avenue will be minimized. At the same time the city created an exception to the zoning code to allow for crushed stone and low impact lighting which eliminated the potential for storm runoff and fit esthetically with the Pell Center's historic character. Read More...
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| Profiles
 Meet Rear Admiral
Glenn E. Whisler, USN (Ret.)
ALN Castle Hill Association, Neighborhood Representative Glenn Whisler is a founding member of the ALN and has been a Director since January 2005. He holds a BS Degree from West Virginia University and a Masters Degree in Marine Affairs from the University of Rhode Island. He earned his commission in the United States Navy from Officers Candidate School in Newport and went on to serve on active duty for 28 years, retiring at the rank of Rear Admiral. His Naval service encompassed virtually all areas of naval and joint operations, including four sea commands and extensive experience in aircraft carrier battle group and amphibious task force operations. He also commanded the Surface Warfare Officers School in Newport and is a graduate of the Naval War College and the National Defense University (Capstone). His personal awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit (5 awards) and the Vietnam Service Medal (4 Campaigns).
Read More...
Email Glenn with your concerns and ideas for making Newport more "livable." |
| Upcoming Events:
 Saturday, September 18
Easton's Beach, Newport 9:00 a.m.-12:00 noon
ALN Financial Forum
Newport Public Library
Rotary Room, Newport
School Committee Candidates Forum Thompson Middle School 6:30-8:00 p.m. October 19 School Bond Forum Program Room, Newport Public Library 6:30-8:00 p.m. October 21 1st and 3rd Ward Council Candidates Forum, Council Chambers, Newport City Hall 6:30-8:00 p.m. November 2 Elections for City Council Seats, School Committee Seats, School Bond Ballot
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Volunteer Opportunites
 ALN is always looking for volunteers and needs your help with all of our focus areas. To learn more about ALN's Volunteer opportunities please contact the |
Any opinions expressed in these articles are not necessarily the opinion or views of the ALN Board.
Articles contributed by: Bonnie Watson, Ron Becker, George Herchenroether, Isabel Griffith, Glenn Whisler and Jim Moore.
Photos in this issue were generously provided by:Glenn Whisler, Isabel Griffith and Roger Wells.
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