Portsmouth anti-sewer forces spew roadside FUD
A makeshift dispenser full of anti-sewer scare-tactic fliers recently appeared duct-taped to road sign on Boyd's Lane in Portsmouth. No person or organization was brave enough to put their name on the fliers, which are full of big scary numbers and all-caps sentences that claim "powerful groups" want to "encourage...development" and "help fix Newport's sewer problems" at "outrageous cost" to the taxpayers.
Have to admit that I agree with them about one thing: You should attend the Town Council meeting next Wednesday, October 21 to hear the report from consultants Woodard & Curran and share your thoughts. I've already shared a couple with the Council in an e-mail I just sent:
To The Town Council:
A makeshift dispenser full of anti-sewer propaganda has been attached to a No Parking sign on Boyd's Lane. The fliers inside do not indicate any person or organization, but urge people to contact the Council.Please consider this a contact from one Island Park resident who would like to read the report -- and hear your questions and discussion -- before making up my mind.
I have already complained to the Town Administrator and Zoning Enforcement Officer about the use of Town property.
You can reach the Town Councilat these e-mail addresses (hlittle@portsmouthri.com, dcanario@portsmouthri.com, kgleason@portsmouthri.com, khamilton@portsmouthri.com, jplumb@portsmouthri.com, jseveney@portsmouthri.com) and their phone numbers available on the Portsmouth Web site.
Full Disclosure: I live in Island Park and I believe in the scientific method.
Comments
Wernerlll
Fri, 10/23/2009 - 11:22am
Permalink
To Sewer or Not
Really, I often wonder what planet we live on, but I refuse to give up the illusion that we live in a virtual paradise. Unless the town planners and development addicts of course take it away with road building, subdivisions, and more retail centers. Amazing how seldom the sewer issue seems to detract vested interests from factoring in the need to modify antiquated zoning decisions, the cost to our ecology, the safety of our drinking water, and the health of our marine life and beaches, among other considerations.
I still do not see much outside-the-box thinking or green planning using federal programs to leverage resources and assist in mitigating our island's carbon footprint. I suspect there must be a number of climate-change deniers and "after me, the flood" proponent among our midst. I doubt I will live long enough to see an integrated water and sewage management system on Aquidneck Island. I see reverse osmosis sewage treatment system as the only solution to cleaning up the bay. In the absence of priority budgeting and federal assistance, I have little hope in improving the island's status quo.
Cheers,
Wernerlll