Celebrate bond vote

To the Editor,

On behalf of the Taxpayers for East Greenwich Schools advocacy group, we sincerely want to thank [the voters] for passing Question 4, the school bond referendum, on Nov. 4 with a resounding 63 percent of the vote.  Because of you, our town will now be able to provide its children with the world-class facilities they need to get the quality 21^st-century education they deserve.

Now that the bond issue has passed, work can begin on building a new Cole Middle School to replace the current unsafe and out-of-date building.  We will also improve security and update the science lab at the high school to ensure our accreditation, and make safety and space improvements at all four of the town’s elementary schools.  All of this will be done with a $14 million reimbursement from the state.

There are so many individuals to thank for making this happen, as it was truly a community effort.  We want to show special appreciation to David Preston, who guided us through a successful campaign, the Boyarsky family for all of our printed materials, all of the schools’ Parent Teacher Groups for their participating and every person (and there are many) who donated money and/or volunteered his or her time to the cause.  We cannot forget our friends and families, without whose support, this would not have been possible.

You can all be proud to live in East Greenwich, a community that supports its children, looks to the future and is not afraid to invest in both.  We’ll see you at the ribbon-cutting ceremony!

Tricia Colgan & Patti DePriest

Co-Chairs, Taxpayers for East Greenwich Schools

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Guliano gives a nod for lively political campaign

To the Editor:

I hope that we, as candidates, lived up to your expectations. Politics can be a tough business. Yet, public service is its own reward. As John F. Kennedy once said, "One person can make a difference, and every person should try." I believe that. I also believe that those who run and serve do so because they genuinely want to give something back to their community. I hope you agree that East Greenwich has some outstanding people who ran and who will serve us well.

My campaign for state representative was a truly rewarding experience. Although I did not win the election, I am so deeply appreciative for the tremendous amount of support I received from everyone. I congratulated Rep. [Bob] Watson (R-Dist. 30) on his win, and will do whatever I can to help him as he serves us in the House. I am personally grateful to the members of the East Greenwich Democratic Town Committee, the Moderate Party of Rhode Island, my friends, my family and especially my two sons, Neil and James (who are very proud of their mom). Please know that I will continue to be a strong advocate for good government, fiscal accountability/transparency and education reform.

I am looking forward to continuing my service as a member of the East Greenwich School Committee as I complete my term over the next two years. Together, with our newly elected members, I believe we can set an example for the rest of the state in academic achievement, sensible fiscal policy and uniting the community around improving educational outcomes for our children.

The School Committee has many challenges ahead, including:

1. Proposing fiscally and educationally sound budgets

2. Negotiating a fair and fiscally prudent teacher contract

3. Working with the Building Committee, school and town administration and the Town Council to fulfill our obligation to the community to flawlessly execute the construction of a new middle school and the other approved renovations

4. Funding for the timely and adequate ongoing maintenance of all facilities

5. Improving upon our high standard of academic excellence

It is my belief that the entire community can, and will, play a huge part in achieving these goals by staying engaged, volunteering time and energy and renewing a commitment to making education a top priority in East Greenwich. We are all in this together.

To each and every resident: Never forget that we, your elected officials, work for you. You elected us to serve you and we are accountable to you. Stay involved, ask questions and hold each of us accountable. It isn't always easy to make the difficult decisions and shoulder the criticism. But, those of us who choose to serve, whether elected or appointed, do so out of love for our community and realize that being accountable is a part of that responsibility. I also believe that each of us entrusted to serve will do so to the best of our abilities with honesty, honor and respect.

Jean Ann W. Guliano

East Greenwich

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