Letter: Collaborative partnerships are important

Posted 1/30/19

To the editor:

I’d like to take this opportunity to reintroduce myself and provide a perspective about my unique qualifications for election to the Barrington Town Council on Tuesday, …

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Letter: Collaborative partnerships are important

Posted

To the editor:

I’d like to take this opportunity to reintroduce myself and provide a perspective about my unique qualifications for election to the Barrington Town Council on Tuesday, February 5.  

During my decade as a state legislator representing Barrington, I worked tirelessly to develop and navigate through myriad committee hearings, constituent meetings and consultations with major stakeholders to advocate for an agenda that would best serve Barrington.  

My 2010 co-sponsorship of the School Funding Formula brought not only additional funds to Barrington, but established a statewide education formula. I worked together with the RI Department of Transportation to ensure completion of the Barrington Bridge project and oversight of the White Church Bridge project; Barrington’s concerns about the White Church Bridge height were addressed with a change order for a higher bridge.  

I convened a community forum for the Nayatt Road Improvements Project to provide community members with the opportunity to discuss concerns with RIDOT directors; the outcome resulted in changes to the road improvements. I coordinated a stakeholder meeting at the RI Statehouse to advocate for inclusion of the Barrington Middle School project in the November School Buildings referendum; as a result, revised legislative language provided additional State funds for the project. I enjoy taking on challenges and defining a way forward with solutions.

Challenges and solutions are two words that exemplify the reason for my candidacy for the unexpired term on the Town Council.  

My 20 years in Barrington have introduced me to a wonderful community of smart, engaged residents who value education and share a desire to live in a beautiful waterfront community.  

A challenge… engaging and updating our residents about their municipal government in action to build and support a strong, informed community.   

Solutions: I believe that solutions include a well-designed, mobile friendly website that serves as an extension of the town’s vision, easy to navigate and inclusive of all the town services, including the schools; and town council meetings that are live streamed for immediate access. Collaboration with Barrington stakeholders will be a priority of mine.

A challenge… ensuring that the traffic patterns of all development projects, including Palmer Pointe, as well as County Road, are coordinated in such a way as to provide ease of travel, by car, bike and walking. A solution must involve collaboration and work with all stakeholders and it will remain a priority of mine.  

A challenge…finding enough athletic fields to accommodate the large numbers of athletes and teams poised to use them. A solution must include collaborative work with community, municipal, and schools stakeholders to confirm the available existing resources and explore opportunities for the development of additional resources.  I remain committed to collaborative partnerships to find solutions.

I believe that moving a community forward is about approaching issues with a yes rather than a quick no. I believe that my passion, my sense of optimism, and the strength of my proven collaborative skills make me uniquely qualified to serve on the town council. I ask for your support next Tuesday, Feb. 5.

Joy Hearn

Barrington

Ms. Hearn is running in the town council special election on Feb. 5.

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