To the editor:

It is time for 02871 to step up and rebuild the Stone Bridge abutment in Island Park. It is time for 02871 to step up and take control of Teddy’s Beach in Island Park.

To make this happen, I will present a detailed plan for the Town Council for their unanimous consent for a resolution to our State House.

Why?

RIDOT (R.I. Department of Transportation) did not restore the old abutment; they cheaped out, and it is an eyesore.

RIDEM (R.I. Department of Environmental Management) told the town recently, Teddy’s Beach is not under RIDEM control, indicating it is RIDOT’s property.

In March of 2015, then Town Councilor Jim Seveney received an approval to start a committee to look into these two sites. I am still investigating what happened since 2015 committee was formed. It is 2021 (and) time to re-invent the wheel to get this done.

Be advised, Tiverton voters approved to rebuild their side of the Stone Bridge abutment and take on Grinnell’s Beach in 2016. I was told yesterday it was completed late in 2017.

Island Park deserves a new Stone Bridge abutment and a really nice Teddy’s Beach.

Rep. Jay Edwards did tell me recently, while touring these sites, that Rhode Island is getting $1 billion in American Recovery Funds. Using diligence and intel from Tiverton, Portsmouth will have an easier time getting this completed. Sen. Seveney will carry the resolution to the State House with Rep. Edwards to get the initiate started.

Please join us at the Sept. 13 Town Council meeting to support all of the above.

Any question, comments? E-mail johnvit53@gmail.com.

John Vitkevich

119 Hummock Ave.

Portsmouth