LETTER TO THE EDITOR
OCTOBER 3, 2008
I find it shameful that in his first press release, my opponent Joe Paiva chose to resort to lies, misrepresentations and fabrications about my actions concerning Twin River. Because of this, I would like to provide factual data as regards my record. In his press release dated October 2, 2008, my opponent states that I "voted to authorize slot expansion that turned the former Lincoln Park into the casino we have today." This is untrue and unfounded. The expansion of gambling hours and number of machines is controlled by the State Division of Lotteries and the General Assembly, not the Town; therefore this issue never came in front of the Town Council for a vote!
He also stated that I was in favor of the expanded hours. Once again, this is completely false. In November 2007, after the taxpayers resoundingly voted against the expansion of hours and types of gambling that will be allowed at Twin River, it was I who drafted and submitted Town Resolution 07-44 that was unanimously passed and sent to the General Assembly. When the House and Senate then scheduled their public hearings regarding the expanded hours, I was the ONLY Councilman who attended both hearings to provide both written and oral testimony against the expanded hours.
Realizing that the expansion of the hours was going to be inevitable, I then respectfully offered three suggestions that if included would minimize the negative effects of this expansion. They were to only have the increased hours on the weekends instead of seven days as week, to have an increase in the percentage of revenue that is paid to the Town during these hours, and lastly to have the legislation be enacted for only one year, so that we as a Town can study and review exactly what the impact of the expanded hours are. Thankfully all three of these suggestions were included in the legislation that passed.
I take my role and responsibility as an elected official very seriously, and as such it is my duty to be the voice of the taxpayers in District 3. That is why I have and will continue to represent them and their concerns to the best of my ability, recognizing that at times, there will be some issues that are not under the control of the Lincoln Town Counci.
At the August Council Meeting I put forth the following resolution that was unanimously adopted by the entire Council
RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COUNCIL OF LINCOLN
WHEREAS, the Town of Lincoln has always honored the sacrifice of the men and women in the Armed Forces, and
WHEREAS, the Silver Star Families of America was formed to make sure we remember the blood sacrifice of our wounded and ill by designing and manufacturing a Silver Star Banner and Flag, and
WHEREAS, to date the Silver Star Families of America has freely given thousands of Silver Star Banners to the wounded and their families, and
WHEREAS, the members of the Silver Star Families of America have worked tirelessly to provide the wounded of this Town and Country with Silver Star Banners, Flags and care packages, and
WHEREAS, the Silver Star Families of America's sole mission is that every time someone sees a Silver Star Banner in a window or a Silver Star Flag flying, that people remember the sacrifice that was made for this Town, State and Nation, and
WHEREAS, the Town Council of Lincoln RI wish that the sacrifice of so many in our Armed Forces never be forgotten,
NOW THEREFORE be it resolved that the Town Council show their appreciation of The Silver Star Families of America and honor their commitment to our wounded Armed Forces members. We hereby declare May 1st "SILVER STAR BANNER DAY" the permanent and official day to honor the wounded and ill soldiers of the Town of Lincoln and the State of Rhode Island.
Introduce by: Councilman Keith Macksoud