Voter ID

To vote in Rhode Island you will be asked to show a current and valid photo ID.

The State will provide a free Voter ID to voters who don't already have a current and valid Photo ID

No eligible voter will be turned away at the polls. Voters who do not bring an acceptable ID to their polling place can vote using a standard Provisional Ballot. The ballot will be counted if the signature they give at their polling place matches the signature on their voter registration

Mail ballots do not require ID

For more Information:
List of Acceptable IDs
How to Obtain a Free Voter ID (required documentation of residence)
Where to Obtain a Free Voter ID (schedule of location and events)

August 10 Deadline to Register to Vote - Primaries

Who may register to vote in Rhode Island?

• a citizen of the United States,
• a resident of the Rhode Island city or town where you wish to vote, and
• at least 16 years of age. You must be at least 18 years of age to vote.

*If you are a convicted felon and not in prison and you are a US citizen at least 18 years of age on election day, you may restore your right to vote by notifying your local board of canvassers in writing that you have completed your prison sentence or by submitting a new voter registration form.

For more information:
http://sos.ri.gov/elections/

Governor's Candidates Forum on Senior Issues

The Senior Agenda Coalition of RI is sponsoring a Governor's Candidates Forum on Senior Issues, Monday, August 4, from 1 to 2:30 pm, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, 801 Greenwich Avenue, Warwick. To register, go to http://tinyurl.com/SeniorForum, or call 401-351-6710. Seating is limited.

Extra Info for LWV re: School Building Conditions

The 2013 RI Dept. of Ed report by Joseph DaSilva, RIDE School Construction Coordinator. The report, Schoolhouse Report, was a 3 year study on the conditions and capacity of RI school buildings.

The 2014 Senate Task Force on School Housing Aid. This committee was charged with examining school facilities-funding for upgrades, repairs, closing buildings, etc. NOTE the members on the task force.

Providence City Council 2014 resolution (introduced by Solomon) asking for a Master Plan to assess/upgrade school buildings.  NOTE:  This resolution hinged on the state moratorium on construction/repairs ENDING this summer.  The General Assembly extended the moratorium.  NOTE the 80% reimbursement the city hoped for from the state.

Moratorium on School Repairs, Renovations, and Construction

The 2014 General Assembly extended 2011 3 yr. moratorium on school repairs, renovations, and construction for another year.
Cities cannot get state reimbursement for part of their school costs. (See Article 1). The moratorium is a state/RIDE budget issue.

*Fact: Due to moratorium, building upgrades and needed repairs are on hold in Providence and other RI cities/towns.
*Fact: Providence schools are mostly older buildings in need of major repair/upgrades. Prov. Councilman Sam Zurier has stated repairs needed are in the $700-$800 million range.
*Fact: State, City, School, Union officials are aware of repairs needed. With the moratorium, the minimal is done to save money.

Please read/scan the 3 articles. Links are below.

http://www.providencejournal.com/breaking-news/content/20140711-general-assembly-extends-moratorium-on-new-school-construction-for-another-year.ece

http://motifri.com/are-your-kids-warm-safe-and-dry-at-school/

http://www.providencejournal.com/breaking-news/content/20140118-r.i.-school-officials-get-education-on-building-costs.ece?click=RB

Full Report by Sandy Riojas

Police Staffing

Here is some info for us as Providence residents:

1. City’s police force is now at 399 officers, down from 498 in 2001 (according to Public Safety Commissioner Steven Pare).

2. A new crop of around 50 officers are expected to join the force later this year (October) when the Providence Police Academy graduates.(The article below says 60 recruits --but remember the numbers go down once the academy starts.)

Providence Police begin largest training academy in city’s history

SNA 2014 Candidate Forums

Summit Neighborhood Association is pleased to announce our 2014 Candidate Forums for the upcoming primary elections!

 

Tuesday, July 22
Providence Mayoral & Rhode Island State Representative

 

Wednesday, July 30
Rhode Island Gubernatorial

 

Both evenings will be held at Summit Commons from 7pm to 9pm.  Summit Commons is located at 99 Hillside Avenue in Providence.

 

Come a few minutes early for refreshments and elbow-bumping. We hope to begin the program at 7pm sharp.

Building on our tradition of presenting candidate forums from a uniquely Summit-centric perspective, we ask that you submit your questions that you would like answered at the forums. Please do this ahead of time by emailing questions to SNAProv AT gmail.com. (Please indicate which set of candidates you would like your question presented to – Gubernatorial, Mayoral or RI State Rep.)