LT. Gov. Roberts announces launch of Buy Local RI, a Statewide initiative to support local businesses

From the press release of 11/18/2008

PROVIDENCE—Lt. Gov. Elizabeth Roberts, Chairwoman of the Small Business Advocacy Council (SBAC) announced this morning the launch of Buy Local RI, a new economic development initiative to support local businesses. The initial phase of Buy Local RI will be a public awareness campaign encouraging Rhode Islanders to support our local businesses by shopping locally for the holidays.

“The economy in Rhode Island is struggling,” Roberts said. “As we look at our economy turning down, we need to invest our dollars here in Rhode Island. One of the best things we can do is to support local businesses. We know that Rhode Island is home to thousands of unique artists, artisans, retailers, manufacturers, cafes, restaurants and farmers whose small businesses are locally owned and crucial to our neighborhoods, our quality of life, and Rhode Island’s overall economy.”

Roberts and members of the Small Business Advocacy Council were joined by Providence Mayor David Cicilline, members of local Chambers of Commerce, local business owners and Doug Hammond, a national expert in building local first initiatives. “Many communities throughout the state have already begun to embrace the idea through local initiatives from Newport County and South County, to the Blackstone Valley and Providence,” Roberts said. “Through Buy Local RI I have committed to serve as the catalyst to connect these existing efforts and help raise their visibility.”

Roberts announced a series of “Main Street” events she will hold across the state which will build on existing local initiatives and highlight the opportunities and benefits of choosing to Buy Local RI during the holiday season. “In the next few weeks, as you shop for the holidays,” Roberts said, “think about your local merchant first.” The first “Main Street” event is scheduled for Wednesday, November 19th in downtown Westerly. Additional “Main Street” events include Greenville, Providence, Wickford, Warren and Newport, among others. The Buy Local RI initiative will extend beyond the holiday season with the creation of a working group, to include members of the Small Business Advocacy Council and key BuyRI constituencies, to develop a network organization and a website dedicated to expanding the market for local businesses and products by connecting people to Rhode Island businesses.

Lt. Governor’s web site is http://www.ltgov.state.ri.us/

Meet author John R. MacArthur, November 20th at 6:30

You are invited to meet John R. MacArthur, author of “You Can’t Be President: The Outrageous Barriers to Democracy in America” and publisher of Harper’s Magazine.

He will be appearing at Green Valley Country Club in Portsmouth on Thursday evening, November 20th from 6:30pm -8:30pm.

Our community is the subject of a chapter in his book where we fought Big Box development and WON! We are showcased as part of the “positive democratic process” that can happen in this country.

His book will be for sale; making a great gift, and refreshments will be available. Come check it out…

For a small sampling go the below link. Make sure you scroll down to the bottom of the first page!!

http://www.alternet.org/democracy/103977/you_can

Spring Get together at Greenvale Vineyards, Thursday, May 8th

Preserve Portsmouth is inviting you to Greenvale Vineyards,

Wapping Rd. this coming Thursday, May 8th at 6:00 p.m.

Let’s celebrate Spring, get together and share recent developments.

Please let us know if you can attend. Reply to info@preserveportsmouth.org.

Town of Portsmouth passes Commerical Building Cap

At the Town Council Meeting, Monday, February 4th a size cap of 45,000 sq ft was passed. Thank you to Connie Harding, other members of Preserve Portsmouth and residents of Portsmouth that have participated in the meetings this fall and winter.

For additional details about the Town Council Meeting and the size cap see the Newport Daily News article:

http://www.newportdailynews.com/articles/2008/02/07/

portsmouth/doc47a88a01874da091122517.txt

Town Council meeting, Monday February 4th 700PM

Next Town Council meeting is Monday February 4^th at 7:00 p.m. in the Town Council Chamber’s.

WE NEED YOU THERE!!

We are asking our Town Council, the folks that “we” elected to implement a 35,000 square foot retail buiding size cap.

What this means is that no single use retailer shall be larger than 35,000 square feet.

We all know that Portsmouth as well as other communities need to increase their commercial tax bases. What we’ve learned is that this type of commercial business, large retail, puts other small businesses out. It’s rarely a net gain in jobs or tax revenues,because extra services are needed.

Please feel free to contact Preserve Portsmouth if you’d like to discuss this further.

Moratorium extended until March 1st, 2008

The current building moratorium is extended until March 1, 2008.

Please stay abreast of developments on this and how you can help.

Check the Meetings/Calendar section on this site for dates and times of town council and planning boards meetings.

Moratorium ends February 1st, 2008

The current building moratorium will end on Friday, February 1, 2008.

Make sure that you voice is heard in this matter by attending the town council and planning board meetings in November, December and January.

See the Meetings/Calendar section on this site for dates and times.

Upcoming meetings in Portsmouth

Progress is being made, during the moratorium of business above 50,000 sq ft, to assess the current ordinances.  Check the Meetings/Calendar section for a schedule of upcoming meetings.  Public participation in these meetings is encouraged.

Town Wide Meeting of the Minds….

What an exciting few weeks it has been for our town and the people who have stood up against a Goliath and won!!! Quotes have been flying in the newspaper’s, and blogs that this is : “Democracy at it’s finest” I don’t believe that we are agitators, we simply took a stand.

The other exciting news is that the town is hosting a Charette. There will be a dozen round tables, where people can have intimate discussions and decide what they’re willing to live with as far as retail development in our lovely town. We all need to be at this Charette and have our views and concerns heard. PLEASE SAVE THE DATE!!! THURSDAY, AUGUST 23rd, 7:00pm at the Senior Center on Bristol Ferry Road in Portsmouth. They can hold up to 200 people.

Preserve Portsmouth is hosting an event at Green Valley Country Club on Thursday, Sept. 13th at 6:30 p.m.
Stacy Mitchell from www.newrules.org, and the Institute for Local Self Reliance will be coming to Portsmouth and presenting her studies in regards to retail development in America. Check out her website or go and purchase her books Hometown Advantage, Big Box Swindle, and get better informed before the Charette meeting!!!!

To enjoy the natural beauty of our island we are encouraging folks to take their NO signs down. Store them in your garages and hopefully when the planning and zoning is amended in January we can then throw them away!!

It’s Official – No Target at Corner of Union and West Main!

Dear Friends of Preserve Portsmouth,

It is official!! TARGET has withdrawn their special use permit and will not be building a BIG-BOX store on the corner of West Main and Union Street after all!!

KUDOS to EVERYONE who has supported and guided us in the effort to educate the community!!! It really is true that “people can make a difference” when the right positive energy is combined.

Please make sure that we as a community continue to have a say in how our town should develop in the future. Don’t forget to attend the moratorium meeting August 1st, at 7:00pm at the Portsmouth Middle School. It is vital to show the Town Council that we still care deeply about other projects that are bound to come Portsmouth’s way and we NEED TO BE PREPARED as a community.

Thank you all!!
Preserve Portsmouth