Dear Friend:
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| This correspondence serves as an update on the major issues that I
have been addressing on your behalf in the Rhode Island State Senate. I am convinced that
Governor Almond's plan for a mega-container port is one of the pressing economic and
environmental issues facing our state today. As your senator, I, along with many others,
have worked diligently to stop the proposed Quonset mega-container port at Quonset Point.
Thankfully, North Kingstown is not alone in our battle against the port. To date, a total
of 13 cities and towns, or one third of the state's 39 municipalities, have passed
resolutions opposing the container port. We have all worked too hard for too many years to
save the bay. We cannot and must not allow our state's quality of life to be gutted by a
high-risk, heavily subsidized mega-container port project, especially when there are so
many cleaner and more profitable business alternatives readily available. Working
together, we can and will thwart the port and preserve our beautiful Narragansett Bay for
generations to come. In addition to the
container port issue, other legislative priorities of mine include: improving education
through supporting full-day kindergarten; making health care more affordable (especially
to low income seniors) and attempting to restore some measure of faith in our
representative government through leadership by example. Lastly, since the horrific
terrorist attacks on the US last September, I have been most concerned with issues
regarding public safety. That is why I sought and secured a position on the State House
Security Commission. The commission was charged with the
responsibility of making the RI State House a more secure, yet functional, public
facility. And, there is still much more to be done. For example, I wish to make certain
that all of our public safety officials are properly trained and equipped to respond
effectively to all manner of criminal acts as well as natural and man-made disasters
(including instances of foreign and domestic terrorism).
I thank you. Should you have any questions or
concerns that have not been touched upon in this newsletter, please feel free to contact
me at 884-1077 or visit my constituent website at www.senatorsheehan.org.
Sincerely yours,
James C. Sheehan
James C. Sheehan
Senator
North Kingstown |
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Sen. Sheehan
Opposes Feeder Port Proposal
On April 1, 2002, the Quonset Davisville Management Corporation’s (QDMC) board of
directors voted to approve a cooperation agreement with the Port Authority of New York and
New Jersey (PANY/NJ) to explore the development of a "feeder port". This
agreement had been already approved by the state Economic Development Corporation’s
(EDC) board the previous week. The feeder port concept has been proposed by the PANY/NJ as
a means to increase its container storage capacity as well as to decrease container truck
traffic on major local highways. In brief, containers normally trucked-out through PANY/NJ
would be loaded on to barges and shipped to other regional ports where they would be
picked-up for delivery to their final destination. Quonset Point is under consideration to
become one of these "feeder" ports.
EDC Hoodwinks QDMC
Senator James Sheehan, a QDMC Board member, noted that the EDC had approved the agreement
without providing the QDMC members the opportunity to examine the agreement first. Sheehan
stated, "The [EDC] effectively nullified the QDMC’s authority and then tried to
recover from that..You can’t be an advisory board after the fact." Senator
Sheehan opposes the feeder port concept because precious little information has come to
light in order to conduct any realistic cost-benefit analysis of the proposed project.
"Given the lack of credibility of the Governor and his EDC on this issue, I am
extremely skeptical of the economic viability of the [feeder port] as well as the
particular motivation behind it," concluded the state senator.
Saratoga Foundation Receives $15,000
Grant
Senator Sheehan joined a number of his Senate colleagues in presenting a
$15,000 legislative grant to the USS Saratoga Foundation, an all-volunteer
group working to convert the retired Navy aircraft carrier into a nonprofit
floating museum, historic attraction and technology center at the Quonset
Point Naval Air Station.
"This show of support from the RI Senate may be the shot in the arm the
Saratoga project needs to regain the momentum to turn this vision into
reality," said Sen. Sheehan. "It also demonstrates the level of commitment
...for the development of the USS Saratoga as an historic and living
museum."After almost three years of progress, the foundation suffered a
setback last year when the EDC board failed to endorse a one-year extension of a
conditional access agreement.
Touting museums and other types of research and educational activities at
Quonset as part of his vision for the Park, Sheehan exclaimed, "I can think
of no better way to teach our young people about our proud history than for them to
experience it for themselves," the senator said. "The Saratoga museum project
would afford our young people quite a unique learning opportunity."
Anglers Association Honors Sen. Sheehan
The Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association honored Senator Jim Sheehan at its annual
awards banquet recently. The Anglers Association presents its award to those individuals
who have worked to preserve the Rhode Island environment, and Narragansett Bay in
particular. Senator Sheehan received the 2001 Environmental Award for his "continued
efforts on behalf of the marine environment" and for his ongoing campaign against a
proposed cargo container port for Quonset Point. "I was humbled to receive the
environmental award from the Anglers Association. With respect to my continuing opposition
to the container point, this award has recharged my spirit for the battles ahead,"
said Senator Sheehan.
Senator Sheehan Touts State Model
Legislature
This past year, Senator Jim Sheehan accepted the in-vitation to be the
keynote speaker for the RI State Model Legislature. Model Leg-islature is an
organization consist-ing of high school students from around the state who
conduct an annual simulation of the duties and responsibilities of the RI
State General Assembly. As part of their culminating project, RI Model
Legislature students take over the RI State House to conduct a full-scale
mock legislative session.
Senator Sheehan, a Warwick high school teacher, was honored by the
invitation. Sheehan stated,"I think it is extraordinarily important that our young
people believe in and participate in the political process.
I was more than pleased to deliver this message to Rhode Island’s future
leaders." Speaking to a roomful of eager "senators" and
"representatives," Sheehan recalled his high school days in the Model
Legislature and how this experience planted the seed in him to pursue a course in public
service.
Senator Sheehan also urged the Model Legislature students to "break the
chains of cynicism that tie our hands and poison our hearts." He concluded
his speech by encouraging students to "seize the day and make a difference
in the lives of our fellow citizens."
Honoring the Victims of September 11th
Sen. Jim Sheehan was horrified when he watched the events unfold in New York City and
at the Pentagon on September 11, 2001. "Like everyone else, I
lamented the senseless cruelty of the attacks and the needless loss of
innocent lives," said Jim Sheehan, "but was incredibly impressed by the
bravery of the police, fire-fighters and emergency personnel at the scene
that day and during the aftermath." Jim recently received an e-mail from a
young man who had lost his fire-fighter father in New York City. Prompted by the heartfelt
computer message, Senator Sheehan has introduced a Resolution in the RI Senate, calling on
Congress to proclaim September 11th as National Heroes and Remembrance Day. "The acts
of bravery and heroism, such as the steadfast resolve and valor of the NY police and
fire-fighters, the courageous Flight 93 passengers,and the dedicated tenacity of all the
men and women working tirelessly to restore order out of unimaginable chaos—should be
honored, and will be remembered every year," said Sen. Sheehan.
HOME
Senator Sheehan Web Page: All Rights Reserved 2001 |
Anti-Port
Sentiment Mounts!
Infamous White Paper on Port Finally Released
The Economic Development Corporation (EDC) released the so-called "White Paper"
under threat of legal action by the Attorney General. The white paper shows conclusively
that in contrast to official public statements made to the contrary, Governor Almond and
his EDC have always intended to pursue
only one waterfront use for the Quonset Point/Davisville Commerce Park — a
mega-container port. We have yet to see any serious alternatives from the governor or his
EDC. The release of this document was a strong victory for open government in RI.
Oversight of Quasi-Public Agencies Needed
Senator Sheehan supported a bill introduced by Senator J. Michael Lenihan to create a
legislative panel to oversee the state’s quasi-public agencies, such as the EDC.
Although approved by the Senate, the bill died in House committee. Without proper board
oversight, quasi-public corporations become fertile fields for mismanagement, inefficiency
or worse. Although technically independent, quasi-public boards and agencies were created
for the benefit of the general public. If
improved oversight can help achieve this simple, yet noble goal, it is in the best
interest of our state and its citizens to enact this essential legislation.
Referendum on Port Facility Yields Rare
Local Town Hall Hearing in NK
"The enormous container port will wreak untold havoc on our
environment...deal a lethal blow to Rhode Island’s coveted tourism industry...and
will most likely fall victim to fierce regional competition, leaving Rhode Island
taxpayers ultimately responsible for picking up the tab...just like with RISDIC."
(Providence Journal, May 21, 2001)
Senator Sheehan introduced legislation (01-S 0726) to provide that the construction of a
container port facility in Rhode Island would need to be approved as a referendum question
by the voters. The legislation, like the gambling provision in the RI Constitution, would
require that the host community, as well as the residents of the state, approve the
container port project. Given the port’s price tag of $500 million, and its high-risk
and
potential impact on the entire state, a referendum is the right way to proceed. This
legislation saw no formal action by the end of the legislative year.
Sen. Sheehan Seeks More State Funding for Kindergarten
How much does RI invest in the state’s youngest students? “Not nearly
enough, in time or in money” says Senator Sheehan. “That holds true across the
board, for all Rhode Island’s communities, large or small, urban or
rural.”
What the state contributes now, through its existing Kindergarten Investment Fund, is
anywhere from $500 to $1,500 per pupil, based on a tax index formula.
Senator Sheehan attempted to increase those figures substantially, as an incentive for
communities to establish full-time kindergarten programs for their youngest learners. The
bill that would increase those communities now receiving $500 per kindergartner to $3,000.
Those receiving $1,000 per pupil increased to $3,500, and the communities receiving the
highest ($1,500), would begin to get $4,000.
Sen. Sheehan speaks also from the point of view of a teacher in Rhode Island. “I
am very much aware of the importance education plays in our modern society. Indeed,
education is an essential key that opens the door to a better life for us and for our
children,” he said.
“National studies have shown that the additional three hours of a full-day
kindergarten program produces both an academic and social benefit for students in the
primary grades — a time when the child is learning to be a learner. Three hours a day
is simply not enough time for children to receive the tools they need to succeed
in school,” said the senator.
Reimportation of Prescription Drugs from Canada
Eyed
Senator Jim Sheehan will introduce a resolution (with enabling legislation) requesting
that Congress permit the state of RI to establish a pilot program for the reimportation of
prescription drugs from Canada.The purpose of the program will be to allow RI
Pharmaceutical Assistance for the Elderly (RIPAE) eligible
seniors to purchase reimported US manufactured prescription drugs from Canada in a safe
manner at a fraction of the current domestic retail price. The pilot program would be
setup at
the request of the Governor and be contingent upon requisite Federal approval. The
Department of Health would be allowed to establish standards, protocols and provide for an
oversight mechanism for the pilot program. The Department of Health or its designee would
administer the program with retail pharmacies operating in an intermediary
capacity."While this may appear to be an ambitious project, I believe the crisis of
spiraling costs of prescription drugs demands such action," said Sheehan.
"Medicare simply does not cover prescription drugs which leaves
large numbers of seniors unable to afford critical prescription drugs due to excessive
cost. Worse yet, many seniors are unable to pay for their own private prescriptiondrug
plan." Sheehan continued, "this is unacceptable, especially considering that
many of the same prescription drugs...are priced at a mere fraction of the cost just north
of the border in Canada. The longer we wait to address this worsening problem; the longer
we leave some of our neediest citizens to fend for themselves."
A Vision for Quonset
| Historic Preservation |
Museums, Galleries |
| Medium to High Tech Businesses |
Marine Technology |
| Recreational Uses |
Aquaculture, Marinas |
| Special Events/Attractions |
Special Events/Attractions |
|
