Letter to the editor

​My fellow citizens and friends in Portsmouth, Bristol and Tiverton - I’m writing to thank you for getting out to vote in the Democratic Primary on December 1st, and to remind you that the Special Election will be upon us right after the holidays, on Tuesday, January 5th.  

I believe in public service and as a local elected official for the past 15 years, I have found it very fulfilling. Over this time our town has accomplished much, resolving or making significant progress on many issues.  I have worked closely with outgoing Senator Chris Ottiano on many of these, and he has been very supportive of my candidacy. On Nov. 19, Dr. Ottiano told the Newport Daily News, “I have a lot of respect for his ethics, his work ethic and his decision-making processes. I’ve been extremely impressed working with him and, to me, he seems like an outstanding option for the position.”
I believe our district and our state have great opportunities for improved economic wellbeing, healthy growth, and better circumstances for our working families. I will pursue these through a number of priority goals:

• Fix our roads and bridges
• Oppose any tolls on cars, or in the East Bay, or on the Sakonnet and Mount Hope Bridges
• Support incentives for small business growth and new job creation
• Support high quality public education, and improve the state funding formula

My opponent, has been questioning my opposition to tolls because I refuse to address the issue with “just say no” soundbites.  For the record,  I do not support tolls.   I was a leader in the fight against tolls on the Sakonnet River Bridge. Our Council strongly supported the grassroots organizations fighting the tolls. I was the Town Council President who, with unanimous Council support, initiated a federal lawsuit — supported by the Bristol and Tiverton Councils — arguing that the tolls were illegal. That lawsuit is still in process.  

Let me be clear -  we have a significant public safety issue with our 200+ “deficient” bridges, and we are obligated to fix them before something tragic happens.   I’ve reviewed the Governor’s RhodeWorks plan, and it’s a start, but I’m not willing to support it yet.  Nor will I prematurely eliminate any potential options — including increased diesel taxes, or tolls for interstate trucks.  That said, I will not support tolls on cars, nor any tolling at all in the East Bay on our Sakonnet and Mount Hope bridges.  The issue is keeping people safe, and I will not lose focus on that imperative. 
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I’m ready to step up to this challenges and I ask the citizens of District 11 for your vote and the opportunity to serve you.

Jim Seveney
Democratic candidate for RI Senate District 11
401-626-7227