5 Things You Need To Know Today

Five Things: Senate Hearing On Fire District Legislation

Your guide for life in East Greenwich today, April 3.

Fire District Senate hearing: The Senate Finance Committee hearing on the Fire District legislation is scheduled to take place today at 2 p.m. in Room 211 at the State House. The public is invited to testify. In addition, the House Municipal Government Committee hearing the legislation is scheduled for Wednesday, April 10. Here are some recent articles about the Fire District legislation and the possible impact if it passes: Council Votes to Draft Fire District Merger Legislation; Savings, Costs Of Fire District Legislation; Fire Commissioners Won't Vote On Legislation To Abolish District; Union Will; Commercial Impact Fees Have Paid For $790,000 In Fire District Equipment The Great Books Debate – What’s Worth Reading? How do you know …

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Raptakis Remains Key Vote On Same Sex Marriage Bills

The EG senator says he hasn’t made a “firm decision” yet on voting to allow SSM legislation to be voted on by the full Senate.

State Sen. Lou Raptakis (D-Coventry, E.G., W.W.) has removed his name as a sponsor of legislation to hold a referendum on same sex marriage, but he’s stopped short of saying he will definitely support allowing a bill legalizing same sex marriage to be voted on by the full Senate. Raptakis is one of ten members of the Senate Judiciary Committee, the panel in control of the legislation right now. Senate Bill 708, sponsored by Sen. Frank A. Ciccone III (D-Providence), would put a referendum before voters, asking if they want to legalize same-sex marriage by adding language to the state Constitution that defines marriage as "the legally-recognized union of two people." Senate Bill 38, sponsored by Sen. Donna M. Nesselbush (D-Pawtucket), would…

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[VIDEO] General Assembly Sworn In; EG's Giarrusso Takes Seat

In a session full of pomp, circumstance, family and friends, the members of the 2013-14 General Assembly convene for the first time.

East Greenwich has a new state representative for the first time in 20 years, with the swearing in Tuesday of Anthony Giarrusso (R-E.G., W.G.) at the State House.  Giarrusso was one of 75 state representatives to be sworn in during the New Year's Day ceremony, but had the distinction of being the only newly elected Republican to the House. There are only six Republican state representatives. Rep. Gordon Fox (D-Providence) was returned to the House speakership by a vote of 66-6, with 3 abstentions.  Across the way, in the Senate chambers, 38 senators were sworn in, including Sen. Dawson Hodgson (R-E.G., N.K., S.K., Narr.), and Sen. Leonidas Raptakis (D-Coventry, E.G., W.G.). Sen. Teresa Paiva-Weed (D-Newport, Jamestown) regained the …

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House Dist. 30 Debate Highlights Contrasts Among Candidates

Moderated by ABC 6 newsman Mark Curtis, the debate centered on solving the state’s economic woes.

The three candidates vying to be the next state representative for District 30 met in debate Wednesday night at the Varnum Armory, moderated by ABC 6 newsman (and East Greenwich resident) Mark Curtis. Independent candidate Kevin McDonough emphasized his 30 years of business experience and his lack of party ties, while Republican Anthony Giarrusso spoke of the need for more jobs the state and few Democrats in the General Assembly, and Democrat Mark Schwager highlighted his years of town government experience and command of the issues. While the debate, sponsored by the Republican and Democratic town committees and East Greenwich Patch, was a largely friendly affair, there were moments of stark contrast between candidates. In one instance, …

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Hodgson Says Work Today Will Pay Off Years From Now

The Republican Senator for District 35 is running for re-election.

As a member of the small Republican minority in the state Senate, Dawson Hodgson said his job isn’t to rack up lots of big legislative accomplishments. Rather, Hodgson sees his role as setting the stage for fundamental change in Rhode Island state government. "The payoff for what I'm doing now is going to be long, long after I'm gone," he said. Hodgson, who is running for re-election to Senate Dist. 35 against Democrat Winters B. Hames III, lives in North Kingstown with his wife and two young sons on the farm that’s part of the family turf business, Sodco. A lawyer, he spent four years working in the state Attorney General’s office before deciding to run for state Senate two years ago. Today, he helps to manage the turf business. Senate …

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We Need Your EG Debate Questions!

The Great Debates (between candidates for state Senate (Dist. 33) and House (Dist. 30) take place this Wednesday!

The presidential debates have certainly been gripping, but on Wednesay, we in East Greenwich get a chance to be part of our own Great Debate.  The debate will feature candidates Dawson Hodgson and Winters B. Hames for state Senate District 33 and candidates Kevin McDonough, Mark Schwager, and Anthony Giarrusso for state Representative District 30, at the Varnum Armory, starting at 6:30 p.m. Mark Curtis will be moderating the House debate and I will be moderating the Senate debate. But we need your help – what issues do you want to hear the candidates address?  Are you concerned about pension reform? Do you want to hear how the candidates will try to improve the jobless rate in R.I.? Should the candidates talk about how to make the state …

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General Assembly Candidates To Debate Oct. 24

Mark Curtis of ABC 6 and EG Patch's Elizabeth McNamara will moderate debates between state House Dist. 30 candidates and state Senate 35 candidates at the Varnum Armory next Wednesday.

Candidates for the R.I. House District 30 and Senate District 35 General Assembly seats will meet Wednesday, Oct. 24, in a debate sponsored by East Greenwich’s Republican and Democratic town committees and East Greenwich Patch. The debate will be moderated by ABC-6 political reporter Mark Curtis, an East Greenwich resident, and EG Patch editor Elizabeth McNamara. “The Great Debate” is set for Varnum Armory, with the State Representative candidates Anthony Giarrusso, Mark Schwager and Kevin McDonough taking the stage at 6:30 p.m. and State Senate candidates Dawson Hodgson and Winter Hames taking their places an hour later. Admission is free. Town Committee chairs Tom Plunkett and Chuck Newton said the debate is an effort to stimulate voter…

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Leonidas Raptakis, Democratic Candidate for R.I. Senate District 33

Raptakis previously served 14 years in the state Senate.

Name : Mr. Leonidas Raptakis Also known as : Lou Date of birth : 18 November 1959 Place of residence : Coventry, Rhode Island Attended college : Yes College : Rhode Island College Degree : BA Year of graduation : 1985 Job titles held : Restaurant Owner/Operator Employers : Self-Employed Party affiliation : Democrat Running for a: State office Running for position: State Senate Chamber/district: Senate District 33 Incumbent: No First elected: 03 November 1992 Previous elective offices : RI State Representative (1992-1996); RI State Senator (1996-2010) Unsuccessful bids for elective offices : Secretary of State, 2010 Address: 2080 Nooseneck Hill Road Coventry RI 02816 Website : www.louraptakis.com Facebook : http://www.facebook.com/pages/…

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