To the editor:

The irony of two back-to-back articles in the Aug. 16, 2023 Warren Times prompted me to write this letter. The first article was “A worthy day for Warren’s first philanthropist”, followed by “Pushback prompts backstroke on swimming restrictions”. The first article celebrating the life and generosity of a Warren resident, one Nicholas Campbell who participated in the historic Tea Party action prior to our War for Independence. The following article was about the Town Council’s attempt to impose restrictions about where and when someone can swim in the waters of Warren.

I found it ironic, because first we read about a man that had acted on a dream for the future of freedom and independence and the second article pushing for more restrictions on a person’s freedom to swim in the “town’s” waterways. Surely, the Town Council could better spend its time and efforts on things that truly would make life better for Warren’s citizens.

I was born in Rhode Island and lived in Warren most of the 80 years before I moved out. One of the main reasons for my leaving was the systematic overbearing progressive restrictions on one’s freedoms and another was the tax burden that just kept growing and growing. Rhode Island is a beautiful state, it is a shame that the citizens can’t always enjoy it to its fullest.

Raymond F. Palmieri Sr.
South Carolina