Sunday, August 3, 2008 12:46 AM EDT
Growing RISC addresses tribal land trust issue
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Tribal land in trust, health care and the state’s finances come up during organization’s annual meeting
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 John Benjamin Carroll speaks at RISC's annual meeting on Saturday. JOSHUA LEBOVITZ / THE SUN |
CHARLESTOWN — A New York lawyer who is helping the Rhode Island Statewide Coalition fight a decision that would give the Narragansett Indian Tribe 31 acres of federal trust land in Charlestown urged coalition members to not stay on the sidelines in a battle that affects more states than just Rhode Island.
“In order to protect your property interests, don’t think you can sit at home,’’ John Benjamin Carroll told several hundred coalition members, who gathered Saturday morning at the Shelter Harbor Golf Club for the group’s annual meeting.
“They’re well organized, well-financed and dead serious about not being a part of the United States,’’ Carroll said, referring to Indian tribes, such as the Narragansetts, who have been claiming more sovereign rights in recent years.
Carroll was one of three guest speakers at the sixth annual meeting of RISC, a non-profit group that has come together in recent years to advocate more transparency in government, tax structures that encourage business growth and an improved public education system, among other issues. At the start of meeting, the group’s chairman, Harry L. Staley, said that RISC is now really “catching its stride’’ and is about to make a major impact in Rhode Island.
Among its recent achievements, according to Staley: A law passed by the General Assembly in 2006 that caps the amount a town or city can raise its taxes by 5½ percent. The cap eventually declines to 4 percent.
“It has already had a tremendous impact on the state, forcing officials to take a hard look at how they spend money,” Staley said, thanking the organizations which worked with RISC to get the bill passed, among them the Rhode Island Expenditure Council and the Rhode Island Association of Realtors.
In addition, RISC has received a $300,000 grant from the Forrest C. Lattner Foundation, enabling the organization to hire an office manager, Staley said. If matching funds can be raised, the grant could ultimately total $500,000. Also, RISC is on the verge of launching a Web site called “Trailing Money,’’ which will list all of the contracts every town and city in the state has entered into, opening them up to public scrutiny. The Web site could be up as soon as September in a limited fashion, said Staley. The first town that will be looked at as part of the so-called Transparency Project is Westerly.
“I’m pleased to report that RISC is doing well and its future is brighter than its ever been,’’ Staley said.
In addition to these and other projects, Staley said RISC has spent a “great deal of time and great deal of money’’ filing an amicus brief in the case of Carcieri v. Kempthorne, which the U.S. Supreme Court is scheduled to hear this November. In that case, the state, town of Charlestown and RISC are appealing a decision that gives the Narragansetts 31 acres of trust lands in Charlestown — a move that puts the parcel under federal jurisdiction, as opposed to state and local law.
Carroll became involved in the case upon the death of Bruce Goodsell, who used to be RISC’s lawyer. Goodsell passed away on the day the brief was due — June 13 — and Carroll agreed to finish the task.
“The casino is only an income generator,’’ Carroll warned the 400 or so people who attended the meeting.
“They (Indians) use it buy political influence. They use it to buy real estate,’’ he said.
Carroll said he became personally involved in the growing Indian sovereignty movement when the Oneida tribe in New York asserted ownership over the land on which he had built his dream house. At that time, he was stunned to learn that even though he could trace his title back to 1800, and he believed his title was clear, his “castle’’ was now at risk from innovative legal arguments being asserted by a “Harvard-educated’’ lawyer for the Oneidas.
Carroll sardonically called Harvard Law School that “repository of conservative thinking,” getting a good laugh from the crowd.
These tribes do not consider themselves part of the United States, Carroll said. And once land is held in trust for them by the United States government, they are free to disregard state and local zoning laws, he added. If the Kempthorne case is upheld, it means a tribe can buy land anywhere, not even on its reservation or settlement lands, ask the government to hold it in trust, and then, essentially, do whatever it wants with it, he said.
“It isn’t just Rhode Island involved in this,’’ Carroll said, noting that 22 other states are facing similar Indian sovereignty issues.
On Nov. 3, the Supreme Court has the power “with a stroke of a pen’’ to end the confusion and uncertainty that has been generated by recent Indian sovereignty cases, Carroll said.
“Don’t sit on the sidelines,’’ he urged.
Saturday’s meeting was held beneath a bright, white tent overlooking the golf course. Before Carroll spoke, a member of The Westerly Hospital’s Board of Trustees talked about the state of health care in Rhode Island and how Rhode Island’s eight community hospitals, including The Westerly Hospital, are at risk if current trends continue.
Rhode Island’s specialty hospitals, such as Women & Infants and Butler, and its larger hospitals, such as Rhode Island and The Miriam, are doing okay but “if you’re one of the eight community hospitals, the outlook is not so bright,’’ William G. McKendree said.
McKendree listed several problems the community hospitals are facing, among them inconsistent reimbursement rates by the state’s two main health insurers, Blue Cross Blue Shield and United Health. The proposed merger of Lifespan and Care New England, will only exacerbate these problems, he said, recommending that the “mega-merger’’ be postponed until Rhode Island’s entire health care system be studied in detail.
“We need policies that encourage cooperation, not competitiveness,’’ he said.
If the merger goes through, the newly formed entity should be required to support community hospitals by sharing their doctors and nurses in training as well as by passing on some of the financial benefits they will reap as a result of their economy of scale, McKendree said.
During a question and answer session at the end of the meeting, many of the questions were for McKendree. But the morning’s third speaker, Professor Thomas Mathers, who called himself “the tick guy from URI’’ also generated a few. After hearing Mathers described the threats ticks can pose and how people can protect themselves, one man in the audience proposed that RISC add the health issue associated with ticks to the organization’s plate of interests.
“I agree with this gentleman that we should look at this as an advocacy issue,’’ Staley said.
“In order to protect your property interests, don’t think you can sit at home,’’ John Benjamin Carroll told several hundred coalition members, who gathered Saturday morning at the Shelter Harbor Golf Club for the group’s annual meeting.
“They’re well organized, well-financed and dead serious about not being a part of the United States,’’ Carroll said, referring to Indian tribes, such as the Narragansetts, who have been claiming more sovereign rights in recent years.
Carroll was one of three guest speakers at the sixth annual meeting of RISC, a non-profit group that has come together in recent years to advocate more transparency in government, tax structures that encourage business growth and an improved public education system, among other issues. At the start of meeting, the group’s chairman, Harry L. Staley, said that RISC is now really “catching its stride’’ and is about to make a major impact in Rhode Island.
Among its recent achievements, according to Staley: A law passed by the General Assembly in 2006 that caps the amount a town or city can raise its taxes by 5½ percent. The cap eventually declines to 4 percent.
“It has already had a tremendous impact on the state, forcing officials to take a hard look at how they spend money,” Staley said, thanking the organizations which worked with RISC to get the bill passed, among them the Rhode Island Expenditure Council and the Rhode Island Association of Realtors.
In addition, RISC has received a $300,000 grant from the Forrest C. Lattner Foundation, enabling the organization to hire an office manager, Staley said. If matching funds can be raised, the grant could ultimately total $500,000. Also, RISC is on the verge of launching a Web site called “Trailing Money,’’ which will list all of the contracts every town and city in the state has entered into, opening them up to public scrutiny. The Web site could be up as soon as September in a limited fashion, said Staley. The first town that will be looked at as part of the so-called Transparency Project is Westerly.
“I’m pleased to report that RISC is doing well and its future is brighter than its ever been,’’ Staley said.
In addition to these and other projects, Staley said RISC has spent a “great deal of time and great deal of money’’ filing an amicus brief in the case of Carcieri v. Kempthorne, which the U.S. Supreme Court is scheduled to hear this November. In that case, the state, town of Charlestown and RISC are appealing a decision that gives the Narragansetts 31 acres of trust lands in Charlestown — a move that puts the parcel under federal jurisdiction, as opposed to state and local law.
Carroll became involved in the case upon the death of Bruce Goodsell, who used to be RISC’s lawyer. Goodsell passed away on the day the brief was due — June 13 — and Carroll agreed to finish the task.
“The casino is only an income generator,’’ Carroll warned the 400 or so people who attended the meeting.
“They (Indians) use it buy political influence. They use it to buy real estate,’’ he said.
Carroll said he became personally involved in the growing Indian sovereignty movement when the Oneida tribe in New York asserted ownership over the land on which he had built his dream house. At that time, he was stunned to learn that even though he could trace his title back to 1800, and he believed his title was clear, his “castle’’ was now at risk from innovative legal arguments being asserted by a “Harvard-educated’’ lawyer for the Oneidas.
Carroll sardonically called Harvard Law School that “repository of conservative thinking,” getting a good laugh from the crowd.
These tribes do not consider themselves part of the United States, Carroll said. And once land is held in trust for them by the United States government, they are free to disregard state and local zoning laws, he added. If the Kempthorne case is upheld, it means a tribe can buy land anywhere, not even on its reservation or settlement lands, ask the government to hold it in trust, and then, essentially, do whatever it wants with it, he said.
“It isn’t just Rhode Island involved in this,’’ Carroll said, noting that 22 other states are facing similar Indian sovereignty issues.
On Nov. 3, the Supreme Court has the power “with a stroke of a pen’’ to end the confusion and uncertainty that has been generated by recent Indian sovereignty cases, Carroll said.
“Don’t sit on the sidelines,’’ he urged.
Saturday’s meeting was held beneath a bright, white tent overlooking the golf course. Before Carroll spoke, a member of The Westerly Hospital’s Board of Trustees talked about the state of health care in Rhode Island and how Rhode Island’s eight community hospitals, including The Westerly Hospital, are at risk if current trends continue.
Rhode Island’s specialty hospitals, such as Women & Infants and Butler, and its larger hospitals, such as Rhode Island and The Miriam, are doing okay but “if you’re one of the eight community hospitals, the outlook is not so bright,’’ William G. McKendree said.
McKendree listed several problems the community hospitals are facing, among them inconsistent reimbursement rates by the state’s two main health insurers, Blue Cross Blue Shield and United Health. The proposed merger of Lifespan and Care New England, will only exacerbate these problems, he said, recommending that the “mega-merger’’ be postponed until Rhode Island’s entire health care system be studied in detail.
“We need policies that encourage cooperation, not competitiveness,’’ he said.
If the merger goes through, the newly formed entity should be required to support community hospitals by sharing their doctors and nurses in training as well as by passing on some of the financial benefits they will reap as a result of their economy of scale, McKendree said.
During a question and answer session at the end of the meeting, many of the questions were for McKendree. But the morning’s third speaker, Professor Thomas Mathers, who called himself “the tick guy from URI’’ also generated a few. After hearing Mathers described the threats ticks can pose and how people can protect themselves, one man in the audience proposed that RISC add the health issue associated with ticks to the organization’s plate of interests.
“I agree with this gentleman that we should look at this as an advocacy issue,’’ Staley said.
rhodyredzone wrote on Aug 13, 2008 9:40 AM:
" RISC is a Republican-front group that's long on wind and short on substance. But as long as working-class Rhode Islanders buy this bunk from these Republican phonies, we'll continue to have a third-world economy in our state.
Gov. Carcieri is over his head; he hasn't a clue as to how to build a competitive economy. All he does is blame the General Assembly. Well, he's the one who led the fight against a RI casino that would've captured all that MA money flowing through our state into CT --- and some 3,500 new jobs that go with it.
He's also the bumpkin who went to the opening of a local coffee shop to celebrate a new business coming to RI. Imagine, celebrating minimum wage jobs that don't offer any health care?
Carcieri's so out-of-touch that he thinks the RISC is a "groovy, happening, super-cool group."
Oops, sorry. I forgot; Carcieri's not a product of the 60's, he's a 50's kind of guy. More of a "golly gee, Mrs. Cleaver, are Wally and the Beaver home?"
Love our 1950's economy, guv! "
Gov. Carcieri is over his head; he hasn't a clue as to how to build a competitive economy. All he does is blame the General Assembly. Well, he's the one who led the fight against a RI casino that would've captured all that MA money flowing through our state into CT --- and some 3,500 new jobs that go with it.
He's also the bumpkin who went to the opening of a local coffee shop to celebrate a new business coming to RI. Imagine, celebrating minimum wage jobs that don't offer any health care?
Carcieri's so out-of-touch that he thinks the RISC is a "groovy, happening, super-cool group."
Oops, sorry. I forgot; Carcieri's not a product of the 60's, he's a 50's kind of guy. More of a "golly gee, Mrs. Cleaver, are Wally and the Beaver home?"
Love our 1950's economy, guv! "
Re: A little common sense wrote on Aug 10, 2008 7:07 PM:
" You should be ashamed of yourself. Do you take the residents of Westerly for FOOLS? We know who the RISC represents, we know what their mission is, we know who the benefactors of the RISC are! They're a PAC, no doubt about it and those who would argue otherwise are lacking the very common sense that you implore us to have! They push their agenda of special interests all the time claiming that they are against special interests. Their agenda has fallen on deaf ears in Westerly and neighboring communities and so, like any political group, get their candidates (all of whom hold membership in their dark organization) to run for local and state seats. They changed their name from the Rhode Island Shoreline Coalition to the Rhode Island Statewide coalition... They would have you believe that the change better represents their membership, but we know the truth, the change in name would better describe their target... No longer just the shore, but the State as a whole! It is our duty to root these disgraces out and expose them for the malcontent they spread!!! "
A little common sense wrote on Aug 9, 2008 1:30 PM:
" Honestly… Does anyone think that an organization gets a $300,000 grant and uses 100% of it to pay their office manager? How would an organization pay for anything else? How would they pay that same employee next year? Do we really think that the Lattner foundation gives grants so organizations can pay an employee for one year? A little “common sense” (which actually appears in the Lattner Foundation’s Mission statement (http://www.lattnerfoundation.org/) )would go a long way here to improving the level of comments on this blog.
Everyone that responds here has the ability to Google RISC’s website and read for themselves what the organization stands for and tries to accomplish through their membership.
Also for “NY Lawyer???”: The article states that the NY lawyer was asked to help out because of the unfortunate and untimely death of RISC’s lawyer Bruce Goodsell (from Westerly) the very day that the brief was to be filed. It would benefit everyone that reads this blog if the people making comments actual based their comments in fact and not fallacy. "
Everyone that responds here has the ability to Google RISC’s website and read for themselves what the organization stands for and tries to accomplish through their membership.
Also for “NY Lawyer???”: The article states that the NY lawyer was asked to help out because of the unfortunate and untimely death of RISC’s lawyer Bruce Goodsell (from Westerly) the very day that the brief was to be filed. It would benefit everyone that reads this blog if the people making comments actual based their comments in fact and not fallacy. "
NY Lawer??? wrote on Aug 9, 2008 2:58 AM:
" If the RISC is so PRO south county, then why not a lawer from Westerly or Charlestown "
Re: Bradford Parent wrote on Aug 5, 2008 1:59 PM:
" Wrong forum "
Bradford Parent wrote on Aug 5, 2008 7:10 AM:
" watch the deal for westerly town manager next...??
it's a done deal from folks working at town hall--the staff is not happy "
it's a done deal from folks working at town hall--the staff is not happy "
Re: Regular wrote on Aug 4, 2008 9:40 PM:
" Are you serious, the Westerly Sun is incapable of conducting an investigation into the RISC, just as they are incapable of being unbiased as far as what posts show up on this website. I copy every post I write and can tell you that I have 24 seperate occasions where my posts have been WELL within the guidlines but have not appeared in the 'Talk Back' forums for some unknown reason. I wish someone would conduct an investigation of the Westerly Sun as to what role they play in the community!!!!! "
regular wrote on Aug 4, 2008 4:55 PM:
" I agree w/tommy. The Westerly Sun should do a investigation into RISC so we all can sepaarte fact from ficton. What's the real agenda? Are they all registered RI voters? Do they have voting rigths in other states? Who pays their bills? What campaigns have they donated to? Stuff like that. "
Re: Swamp Yankee wrote on Aug 4, 2008 2:21 PM:
" The RISC wants you to think that they are your champion in the fight against a casino and high taxes. The fact of the matter is, not including the casino issue cause Rhode Islanders keep voting that down, that the RISC in their ploy to have taxes reduced on their own beach front homes, pass their savings on to the commoner in the form of higher taxes!! You know... The age old Republican plan to tax the masses!!! "
Tommy wrote on Aug 4, 2008 1:17 PM:
" I would like to see the Westerly Sun say something informative about RISC for the benefit of Westerly Taxpayers. How about an investigative article(s) or a comprehensive editorial(s)? I don't think the average Taxpayer understands what all this RISC rhetoric is about and whether they should be concerned. Please inform us Westerly Sun. "
Everyman wrote on Aug 4, 2008 11:22 AM:
" Two RISC proteges for office are Caswell Cooke and his pal George Markham. Someone should take a good hard look at Cooke's Misquamicut Business Association as well. Look at the membership roster....most are not remotely connected with Misquamicut. What do they get for their dues, I wonder? "
SwampYankee wrote on Aug 4, 2008 11:16 AM:
" WOW - RISC is "RI-SCARY" all right - judging by these remarks there's a lot of teachers and other union members or casino developers are scared that they might see their gravy-train coming to an end.
Judging by these remarks alone - right out of the NEA and pro-Casino talking points - RISC must be doing something right.
I might not have a lot of money or own a beach home but I can't afford to have my taxes go any higher - and really don't want to see a new casino in South County. If you like the corruption and status quo in RI, then I'd definately recommend you form a group to oppose RISC - then again, I think those groups have been well formed and in control for decades - and that's clearly alarmed quite a few of these respondents.
That's clear for everyone to see by all these pro-casino pro-high taxes union members responding on this website.
"
Judging by these remarks alone - right out of the NEA and pro-Casino talking points - RISC must be doing something right.
I might not have a lot of money or own a beach home but I can't afford to have my taxes go any higher - and really don't want to see a new casino in South County. If you like the corruption and status quo in RI, then I'd definately recommend you form a group to oppose RISC - then again, I think those groups have been well formed and in control for decades - and that's clearly alarmed quite a few of these respondents.
That's clear for everyone to see by all these pro-casino pro-high taxes union members responding on this website.
"
SwampYankee wrote on Aug 4, 2008 10:43 AM:
" WOW - RISC is "RI-SCARY" all right - judging by these remarks there's a lot of teachers and other union members or casino developers are scared that they might see their gravy-train coming to an end.
Judging by these remarks alone - right out of the NEA and pro-Casino talking points - RISC must be doing something right.
I might not have a lot of money or own a beach home but I can't afford to have my taxes go any higher - and really don't want to see a new casino in South County. If you like the corruption and status quo in RI, then I'd definately recommend you form a group to oppose RISC - then again, I think those groups have been well formed and in control for decades - and that's clearly alarmed quite a few of these respondents.
That's clear for everyone to see by all these pro-casino pro-high taxes union members responding on this website.
"
Judging by these remarks alone - right out of the NEA and pro-Casino talking points - RISC must be doing something right.
I might not have a lot of money or own a beach home but I can't afford to have my taxes go any higher - and really don't want to see a new casino in South County. If you like the corruption and status quo in RI, then I'd definately recommend you form a group to oppose RISC - then again, I think those groups have been well formed and in control for decades - and that's clearly alarmed quite a few of these respondents.
That's clear for everyone to see by all these pro-casino pro-high taxes union members responding on this website.
"
YES! wrote on Aug 4, 2008 8:08 AM:
" More interesting yet, how many RISC members are shoreline residents OR property owners along the shore in Rhode Island? Anthony and Richmond, both RISC members, are running for public office in Westerly, Anthony for Town Council and Richmond for Rep. Beale sat on Westerly's Charter Revision Commission. Richard Smith sits on Westerly's Finance Board and Comprehensive Plan Committee. WESTERLY MUST STAY ON ITS TOES before they find themselves in the same boat as Charlestown. I have heard Staley angrily proclaim that RISC is not a PAC. Yet, I believe I read in the Journal - his own words, but not verbatim, that too many assembly seats are unopposed and that "we" I assume he means RISC, "can do better." Isn't that part of a PAC's agenda, to find and support candidates for public office? Also, I'd like to know who RISC will hire as their office manager? Will it be a relative of Staley's? RISC supports the CCA, the group in Charlestown causing alot of the disturbance there. It's not ALL Mageau's fault. It usually takes 2 to cause problems like Charlestown's. WATCH OUT WESTERLY! "
Hater of Carpetbaggers wrote on Aug 3, 2008 8:50 PM:
" From the RISC Website, a list of the board of directors:
Richard C. Anthony, Westerly
Robert P. Arruda, East Greenwich
Thomas M. Battista, Charlestown
James T. Beale, Jr., Westerly
Roy Bonner, Little Compton
Muriel Camarra, North Kingstown
Finn M. W. Caspersen, Jr., Westerly
Richard Croke, East Providence
Thomas C. DePatie, Charlestown
Lawrence J. Fitzmorris, Portsmouth
Thomas G. Frost, Charlestown
Martha Hosp, Charlestown
Roy F. Jeffrey, Westerly
Kallie Jurgens, Charlestown
Kernan King, Saunderstown
Sandra Lewinski, Cumberland
Harriet S. Lloyd, Westerly
Thomas M. Lloyd, Jr., Westerly
Beatrice Lombardo, Westerly
Gail Mallard, Westerly
Lloyd Monroe, Rumford
William Murphy, East Providence
Frances Myszka, Westerly
Edward O'Neill, Lincoln
Anne Stout Parsells, Charlestown
Hollis Petersen, Westerly
Nancy Richmond, Westerly
Alfred Sculco, Westerly
Richard A. Smith, Westerly
Thomas Shawyer, Charlestown
Grant G. Simmons, Westerly
Harry L. Staley, Westerly
Jayne R. Staley, Westerly
Ronald Mark Stewart, M.D., Lincoln
James H. Thorp, Westerly
Antone Viveiros, Middletown
Thomas C. Wigand, Middletown
EMERITUS DIRECTORS
Howard M. Fry, Westerly
Robert K. Gable, Charlestown
Hayward H. Gatch, Westerly
Norman McLeod, Wakefield
Edward J. Murphy, Westerly
Robert L. Prosser, Westerly
I would be interested to know how many of these people are actually registered voters of RI.
"
Richard C. Anthony, Westerly
Robert P. Arruda, East Greenwich
Thomas M. Battista, Charlestown
James T. Beale, Jr., Westerly
Roy Bonner, Little Compton
Muriel Camarra, North Kingstown
Finn M. W. Caspersen, Jr., Westerly
Richard Croke, East Providence
Thomas C. DePatie, Charlestown
Lawrence J. Fitzmorris, Portsmouth
Thomas G. Frost, Charlestown
Martha Hosp, Charlestown
Roy F. Jeffrey, Westerly
Kallie Jurgens, Charlestown
Kernan King, Saunderstown
Sandra Lewinski, Cumberland
Harriet S. Lloyd, Westerly
Thomas M. Lloyd, Jr., Westerly
Beatrice Lombardo, Westerly
Gail Mallard, Westerly
Lloyd Monroe, Rumford
William Murphy, East Providence
Frances Myszka, Westerly
Edward O'Neill, Lincoln
Anne Stout Parsells, Charlestown
Hollis Petersen, Westerly
Nancy Richmond, Westerly
Alfred Sculco, Westerly
Richard A. Smith, Westerly
Thomas Shawyer, Charlestown
Grant G. Simmons, Westerly
Harry L. Staley, Westerly
Jayne R. Staley, Westerly
Ronald Mark Stewart, M.D., Lincoln
James H. Thorp, Westerly
Antone Viveiros, Middletown
Thomas C. Wigand, Middletown
EMERITUS DIRECTORS
Howard M. Fry, Westerly
Robert K. Gable, Charlestown
Hayward H. Gatch, Westerly
Norman McLeod, Wakefield
Edward J. Murphy, Westerly
Robert L. Prosser, Westerly
I would be interested to know how many of these people are actually registered voters of RI.
"
been on vacay, but a regular wrote on Aug 3, 2008 7:21 PM:
" Get it right, Sun Staff Writer.
RISC is NOT "a non-profit group" (a la a 501c3) Nope. Not a chance. It's a Political Action Committee with a political agenda. "
RISC is NOT "a non-profit group" (a la a 501c3) Nope. Not a chance. It's a Political Action Committee with a political agenda. "
RISC is Smart wrote on Aug 3, 2008 5:57 PM:
" I am opposed to RISC but they are organzed, motivated and with resources. Instead of people complaining why doesnt another group get organized and oppose RISC policies and initiaitives that are worth opposing. I would encourage the good folks of Westerly and surrounding communities to vote against any politician that supports or solicits funds from RISC- at the end of the day they are only powerful if they can change laws and influence policies- so stop complaining on this blog and start going to you local and state politicians and oppose any laws that prevent funding for affordable housing, quality education, equal access to all beaches, parks, etc and preserve the beauthy and quality of life for South County- we dont need New York Lawyers and people who can afford a $250,000.00 golf course telling us how to run our communities- unless they let all of us golf and eat at Shelter Harbor for free-kidding "
Harry wrote on Aug 3, 2008 4:54 PM:
" When is RISC a PAC going to send their budget to the state of RI as required by state law "
Re: Joesixpack wrote on Aug 3, 2008 4:47 PM:
" Mr. Brainwashed, The anti-casino and anti-high taxes movement has not nominated the RISC as their champion in this fight. The public will fight for anti-casino and anti-high taxes on their own by electing individuals to the state legislature that share their ideals. The RISC is a vehicle designed to advocate the positions of the wealthy on our southern shores. The changed their name and granted membership to anyone in a ruse to mislead the average Westerly Resident. The RISC is comprised mainly of the Quarterly Elite and a few of their non-shore wealthy friends. It is their goal to reduce the amount of taxes that they pay on what they feel are over-valued mansions on the Atlantic Ocean, the tax breaks that they would recieve would be picked up by the common folk of Westerly. These people want the right to vote in Westerly despite the fact that they are not citizens of the town, Presumably to question the way we run things in Westerly. The RISC is not to be trusted, their organization was designed to deceive, cheat and subjugate the citizens of Westerly and Charlestown. "
RISCARY wrote on Aug 3, 2008 3:39 PM:
" Did anyone else happen to notice the backs of the heads in the audience of the RISCary meeting photo in this article?? Well, there's your sign! "
JoeSixPack wrote on Aug 3, 2008 2:26 PM:
" My gosh - looking at the above comments it seems like some pro-casino folks have left comments masquerading as average citizens. RISC is anti-casino and anti-high taxes and you view that as a "threat to your way of life" or pro-wealthy? What's wrong with you people?
Casinos prey on the low income and those with low incomes are the least able to see their taxes go up. The only "threat to our way of life" is evidenced by the above people who are clearly pro-casino and pro-taxes, who clearly want to make a profit on the back of an average Joe.
Shame on you. The true special interests in the state - especially the Union leaders who profit from their own membership - HATE what RISC is doing and would prefer to sell off RI to the highest casino bidder.
Keep up the good work RISC. "
Casinos prey on the low income and those with low incomes are the least able to see their taxes go up. The only "threat to our way of life" is evidenced by the above people who are clearly pro-casino and pro-taxes, who clearly want to make a profit on the back of an average Joe.
Shame on you. The true special interests in the state - especially the Union leaders who profit from their own membership - HATE what RISC is doing and would prefer to sell off RI to the highest casino bidder.
Keep up the good work RISC. "
Concerned wrote on Aug 3, 2008 12:28 PM:
" "The Rhode Island Statewide Coalition is NOT a charitable, tax-exempt organization. Membership dues and other contributions are not tax deductible. This is to preserve the ability of the organization to engage in political activity, including lobbying, if the advancement of its mission and the interests of its members so dictate." (From the RISC website.)
Why is the Lattner Foundation making 'grants' to an organization not charitable or tax exempt? Isn't that illegal? "
Why is the Lattner Foundation making 'grants' to an organization not charitable or tax exempt? Isn't that illegal? "
Hater of Carpetbaggers wrote on Aug 3, 2008 12:22 PM:
" They are targeting Westerly first because that's where their precious Watch Hill and Weekapaug homes are! RISC is a threat to the yearround south county resident. They want to turn the entire RI coastline into a gated seasonal community for America's ultra wealthy. If they changed their name to the RI Statewide Coalition, why do they still have their annual meetings at Shelter Harbor Golf Club? I'd like to see next year's meeting at the Crowne Plaza in Warwick. Why do they constantly target the town of Westerly & Charlestown with their concerns? Why don't they start their transparency project in Providence and the state government? It would probably be of more benefit to the residents of the State of RI. Oh, but wait, it's really not about the state as a whole. It's only about the shoreline. They should've kept their old name. "
The meeting was where?? wrote on Aug 3, 2008 10:23 AM:
" The very place the RISC held their meeting, The Shelter Harbor Golf Course, reeks of elitism. The public mist fight this group tooth and nail to ensure that they do not gain a foothold in our society. It's time to take the fight to them, instead of always being on the defensive. SAY NO TO THE RISC AND THEIR PIPE DREAMS! "
Contracts Available wrote on Aug 3, 2008 9:28 AM:
" A group called Ospri (ocean state policy research institute) has already put contracts and budgets and other government information on the internet. I found it when doing research on Chariho's spending. Not sure if Risc offers some differet documents or not but the Ospri people have done a great job making info available. "
WESTERLY A TARGET! wrote on Aug 3, 2008 9:17 AM:
" Why does RISC always target WESTERLY first? Also, since he is a lawyer, I'm certain that Mr. Carroll must have been smart enough to purchase owner's title insurance on his property, thereby protecting his land and his precious "castle." The above article leaves me only with a very bad taste in my mouth and a worse feeling in my stomach! Good Word - RI-SCARY! "
Please Help the Common Person wrote on Aug 3, 2008 8:51 AM:
" The Forrest C. Lattner Foundation's objectives are cited online as: "The Lattner Foundation’s primary objectives are to benefit a large number of persons either directly or indirectly in the areas of education, health and social services, including research, and the arts and humanities". How do the Foundation's objectives fit with funding a $300,000 office manager for ultra-wealthy people??? Shame on you. "
Stamp them out wrote on Aug 3, 2008 8:27 AM:
" The RISC is a special interest group who's very existance is a threat to our way of life. While they do have a few beneficial arguments, that whould benefit the Town as a whole, the majority of their positions favor the wealthy Quarterly Elite, who are the major benefactor of the RISC "
RISCARY wrote on Aug 3, 2008 7:39 AM:
" $300,000 for an office manager??? "
Fire District owner-John wrote on Aug 3, 2008 7:31 AM:
" who attended from westerly town council and state legislators..??
no one tells us anymore "
no one tells us anymore "
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