Marine Scientist/Advocate/Enthusiast | I like birds | she/her | Newport, RI hyperlocal | I pay too much attention for my own good | Opinions my own |
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Goodnight, friends. Samizdat, economic non-cooperation, culture jamming, silent protests, work-to-rule, guerilla art. These are just a few of the types of everyday resistance anyone can engage in. Learn something new and pledge to give it a try. I love you.
Murdering people in the Caribbean, declaring war on American cities … everything is fine and normal.
Again, it could not be more obvious that the president has declared war on the United States.
Thank you Congressman @amo.house.gov. We cannot give space to bullies.
🥲🥲🥲
Thank you, Congressman. We cannot give these folks an inch or let them rewrite history.
I had never really thought about the fact that The Lord of the Rings is the 500,000+ word version of “the master’s tools will never dismantle the master’s house” but here’s the explanation.
This plus the NY reps being arrested when trying to gain access to ICE facilities plus, you know, all the kidnapping - this is a fascist police system bent on terrorizing and subduing the public. Thank you @katmabu.bsky.social and others who continue to stand up. May we all be so brave.
Oh to be a small crab Digging her hole Investigating her new neighbor
ICE continues to assault us. We are peacefully protesting. They are kidnapping and hurting us.
Kat is still out there fighting four hours after this. I'm just fucking livid.
A must watch to calm the nervous system this morning
I’m so sick of waiting for democrats to grow a spine. Who cares that this is mostly symbolic - where’s the symbolic support for your LGBTQ+, immigrant, POC, etc etc constituents? You better believe my senators will be hearing from me.
RFK Jr. is objectively pro-disease, pro-illness and pro-child death.
I am v aligned with your wife
Thank you RI DOH and Gov for pushing for this. We must take care of our communities and their health.
I am 100% one of those weirdos who will go to a dog park with no dog of my own because I want to see all the good boys.
😭😭😭
Lots of great ideas, none of them include breaking the stick. I must know who the brown and white shaggy boy in the background is.
Oh I can tell. I bet they have very productive brainstorms.
😭😭😭 Branch manager and his co managers
SCOTUS: "Business owners who dislike homosexuals can refuse to bake a cake for a gay wedding." US DoJ: "Business owners who dislike Charlie Kirk cannot refuse to print materials memorializing him."
Political violence is evil, killing people is evil, a country with more guns in it than people is broken, and what the government is saying about political violence right now being a primarily leftwing phenomenon is factually, statistically untrue. They are using this moment to rewrite history.
OK folks. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices is meeting on Friday to discuss Covid vaccines. If it is possible, I do recommend getting a Covid vaccine before then. I know due to out of pocket costs and prescription requirements in some states it is easier said then done.
Passes unanimously and we adjourn. Short tonight but not too sweet. I am done with tardiness and rudeness. It's truly always something. (52/52)
We pass one ordinance on second reading and move to our final item, a single resolution: Naming of Public Places cityofnewport.granicus.com/MetaViewer.p... This directs City Staff to create a policy on naming public places with the support of Tree & Open Space. (51/52)
This is approved with Councilor Carlin in opposition. Carlin was allowed in this to berate a city employee who stuck to his guns quite well and was not shaken in his understanding and communication. Questioning is fine; this demeanor and treatment is unprofessional and demeaning. (50/?)
Councilor Smyth asks for further clarification on this - where is that saving going, budget wise? Director Schultz explains that all savings roll over to the subsequent year and will go to address the gap to previously underfunded infrastructure projects. (49/?)
This increased capacity of staff and reduced reliance on contract will allow us to respond quicker and address more infrastructure needs, saving us (+/- 20%) $500k. Director Schultz says all of that cost savings goes back to the residents, in response to Councilor Pinnock's question. (48/?)
I understand why this is confusing because it seems semantic and misleading - Director Schultz is saying that no appropriation is required for this position, so his current budget will allow for this hiring. There is no wool being pulled over constituents' eyes in this. (47/?)
Councilor Smyth says her impression was that when we voted against a position, that amount is removed from the underlying budget. And if that is not the case then we have to get some more information on the operation of that. (46/?)
Councilor Carlin is just absolutely fucking berating Director Schultz, asking to be proven wrong when he says that the Council rejected the position and therefore the budget for that position. "I can't understand why we are pretending that something did not happen that happened." (45/?)
Schultz explains that we currently have a single point of failure and that this work still has to be done, so it will be done at a higher rate by contracted employees, not hired staff. (44/?)
Director Schultz explains that all funding mechanisms were approved but the ordinance to create the position was not. Therefore we have the money for the position but no actual position and the need still exists. Chair Holder asks for an explanation of this position's importance. (43/?)
Deputy CM says yes, this was rejected by the Council in the original budget discussion and Director Schultz can explain why we are back here. Councilor Carlin repeats for clarification that they are here requesting a position that was already rejected by Council. (42/?)
We are on Amendment to Chapter 3.12 - Classification Plan to Add Utilities GIS & Field Specialist: cityofnewport.granicus.com/MetaViewer.p... Councilor Carlin asks why this is before us, as did we not vote 4-3 as a Council not to fund this? (41/?)
This is grant funding! From the state and federal government! In cooperation with the municipality of Middletown! That we have discussed so many times before! How people stay so calm in these conversations is beyond me. (40/?)
Unsurprisingly, Councilor Carlin is the only one to vote against this, which is unhinged behavior IMO. (39/?)
Ok dude this is like the 4th time we have discussed and voted on something relating to this project. Director Crean returns to the mic to say that the City is the fiscal agent for this grant through the pandemic recovery office and all bids, steps have been in close communication with them. (38/?)
Carlin is explaining that when on the School Committee, they received information concerning all bidders and why the selection was made. When we're talking about the amount of money we are addressing, the Council should have more details, says Carlin. (37/?)
Councilor Carlin is alarmed that no one from the federal or state government was included in the selection process, and also that he doesn't see any information about the other bidders that weren't selected. ...does Councilor Carlin seriously want to be involved in all bid processes? (36/?)
I'm gonna be honest, my eyes are glazing over. Contracts are confusing and boring I SAID IT. Director Crean explains the process and grant construct to get us here and now one of the consultants? I think? involved in the bid process and budget is explaining how we got here. (35/?)
We are now discussing the Guaranteed Maximum Price for Construction Manager at Risk (CMaR) Services, Renovations to the Florence Gray Center: cityofnewport.granicus.com/MetaViewer.p... where Councilor Carlin is asking about numbers of bids and involved parties. (34/?)
We could, and it would potentially save us some money, but it is difficult to speculate on how much. This contract is currently budgeted, but the deputy director is not currently under discussion or budgeted. (33/?)
The department also would like to eventually hire a deputy director, which would allow the City more autonomy and less reliance on contracts for technological support. Councilor Smyth asks about whether we could perform these roles in house if appropriately staffed. (32/?)
Next item for the IT Director with same request for explanation is Award of Contract - IT Managed Services : cityofnewport.granicus.com/MetaViewer.p... This would provide IT support with 2 contracted technicians for dealing with ... you know, computers (31/?)
Councilor Xay thanks the Director for their work, and also acknowledges all the work the department is doing and has done to migrate us to a .gov site, which was emphasized by past Sec of State as a security need. (30/?)
The next is Award of Contract - VDI Environment Upgrade: cityofnewport.granicus.com/MetaViewer.p... which the IT Director explains is for cyber security purposes in allowing remote access to files, desktop, etc. which is basically nonnegotiable now. (29/?)
I don't think I've been saying but these are passing unanimously. Basically, Councilor Carlin wants an explanation of what is happening with these large approvals for the benefit of Council and residents. (28/?)
Councilor Smyth asks again how many contracts we have with this provider and why we are sole source with them? Due primarily to their intimate knowledge of the City infrastructure, but they are also on par price wise. (27/?)
Unfortunately, we do have to pay for software. The IT Director explains that this covers migration to the cloud, which is best practice for cyber security and other reasons. Councilor Carlin asks how this is budgeted: under the 26 approved budget CIP. (26/?)
Councilor Carlin has noted that for items 10 through 13 he would like a detailed explanation of what these items are, as they total about $8mill in expenditures for the City. The first is Configuring & Licensing - Office G365 Tenant: cityofnewport.granicus.com/MetaViewer.p... (25/?)
this is the vendor we have used for several years and they have done a good job, and are comparable with other vendors at the time. Also says going out to bid or changing service providers would be a heavy lift for staff. (24/?)
We approve items 6 through 8 and are onto the Award of Contract - Lease of Copiers, Printers & Supplies, where Councilor Smyth asks if this is a sole source and why we aren't going out to bid? Basically, IT evaluated this this year and we do not intend to have it not competitive but... (23/?)
Also states that time is of the essence, as this is a long and arduous and important process, so we need these folks to get in place. Anyway the long and short of it is that Council wants to vote on appointees and we move on. (22/?)
I failed to capture Chair Holder's comments when he made them, but he shared the same concern over appointment and had previously spoken with Director Reynolds, who he says feels quite strongly on this, and that with a large Committee, any bias will be diluted. (21/?)
There is more back and forth but is still hesitation from some Councilors. We move receipt and this passes 5-2, with Councilors Smyth and Pinnock opposed. The general agreement is that this is important and timely but that there are concerns over appointment by Councilors. (20/?)
Solicitor Behan also says that the most we can do is vote to receive this but that does not mean that we fully condone the contents. He agrees that the Council should vote on the appointees, and confirms that that is what he hears coming from the Council tonight. (19/?)
Solicitor Behan agrees but says that the feedback from the Council is needed in order to shape the process, as Councilors are not allowed to discuss any given topic amongst themselves because of open meetings act. Therefore this conversation is valuable in future changes. (18/?)
Councilors Smyth and Ceglie seem poised to reject this, saying that they are not comfortable with the risk of bias in appointing their own choices. Councilor Carlin says that we should accept this memo, as we are not voting on the process, but just receiving the concept. (17/?)
Councilor Pinnock asks whether we will still be voting on the appointment of each nomination as a Council - each Councilor can nominate a person and then are they automatically on the Committee? The answer seems to be the Council will have to confirm appointees but there is some back and forth. 16/?
Councilor Smyth asks what the process is to prevent overlap in the work of the consultant and committee. Director Crean says in her experience, the committee will not be writing the plan. (15/?)
if the Council wishes. Councilor Xay asks for comparison to other municipalities. I am behind so I don't have the municipalities, but she lists examples of different ways that municipalities have approached this, with or without Council appointments. (14/?)
Director Crean says there is no one way to do this, but there will be 20-25 people on the committee; other cities have taken this approach or have had staff appointments or a mixed approach. She says that staff may come up with a short list for Council to review, but also that we can revisit... 13/?
Councilor Smyth expresses concern over the direction that Councilors will each select one member of this Committee, saying that this may introduce bias. Councilor Ceglie agrees, saying that we should seek applications and do interviews. (12/?)
say "I didn't know about this" after the fact. Councilor Smyth also asks why this is being done instead of engaging members of existing commissions. Certainly, members of this committee can include existing members of our commissions, but should represent a broader swath of the community. (11/?)
The consultant is doing a lot of heavy lifting of designing and producing the plan, but these folks are not necessarily Newport residents, and the committee will keep the word grounded in the community and our values, desires, and goals. We want lots of involvement and for no one to ... (10/?)
Director Crean of Resilience & Sustainability is speaking to the memo in lieu of Director Reynolds of planning, who had to be at a CRMC meeting today. Councilor Smyth asks why this committee is being established when we have a hired consultant to work on this? (9/?)
We are discussing "Memorandum from the City Manager RE: Request for Council Nominations for the 2027 Comprehensive Plan Update Advisory Committee" : cityofnewport.granicus.com/MetaViewer.p... (8/?)
I do find, though, that people are not always aware of the rules of meetings and may think they were summarily dismissed when the rules were followed. Anyway we approve a bunch of board and commission members and move onto discussion of the comprehensive plan. (7/?)
problems that can be found with any proposal. The complaints are chiefly traffic and pedestrian safety, but also the timing and treatment allowed for public testimony. This is interesting and should be looked into, as public input is essential. (6/?)
We approve the consent calendar, license and permits, and the consent calendar as the board of license commissioners. I didn't detail the testimony on the development proposal recently approved by the planning board, but I do find it interesting. We need more housing and there are always...(5/?)
Oh good, it's 6:37 and Councilor Carlin has just arrived. If he is arriving approximately ten minutes late to meetings now, he is not only missing testimony and potentially votes, but also the pre meeting where there is important discussion of the agenda items. I don't like tardiness. (4/?)
and then just stands there. Chair Holder and Vice Chair Ceglie have to say ... are you going to ... say something...? This is the citizens' forum, so there should be a statement and no response or back and forth with the Council, but this often doesn't happen. (3/?)
We start with the Citizens' Forum, where a resident comes forward to ask for the Council and City to reconsider the recently approved building at 525 Broadway, on the grounds of traffic and safety concerned. There is a weird moment where he shares a written testimony...(2/?)
How am I already behind? Welcome to #CityCouncil #NewportRI but this time at Pell Elementary because we are rescheduled from last week, when we had an elevator SNAFU. We are on the agenda that we were unable to address last week: cityofnewport.granicus.com/GeneratedAge... (1/?)
Corporation for Public Broadcasting: "In times of cultural regression they remind us of what's at stake & what can still be achieved. Neutrality is not enough. Let's make sure storytelling is not a platform for the privileged, but a public good for all." Cris Abrego, Television Academy Chair #Emmys
Ok I’m rewatching Stranger Things in preparation for the final season and damn this show is good. And pretty frickin scary😳
Hell yeah Boston. More of this.
Our societal failure to consider clean air a human right is hurting us all. FAA doesn’t care about your fume-caused TBI. OSHA doesn’t have clean air standards. People are being disabled by COVID repeatedly acquired in hospitals & schools. Firefighters are denied PPE. Mask up & demand clean air.
It feels so fucking insane to be scolded about how leftists need to tone down our rhetoric while the world's richest man endorses this shit
Rescheduled City Council is TOMORROW, Monday, 9/15 at 6:30pm at Pell Elementary. Same agenda. See you there! If you come in person, bring your own seat or cushion. Your butt will thank you.
🙏🙏🙏 Got mine this past week. I hope everyone gets their flu and covid shots as easily.
Here it is. Thank you @govdanmckee.bsky.social and the state infrastructure that pushed for this. Everyone go get your vaccines and boosters please.
This is the last day for the Murderbot + Witch King and my other fantasy Humble Book Bundle: www.humblebundle.com/books/martha... We've raised $89,000 in donations for World Central Kitchen so far!
Spread calm. Tell the truth. Defend vulnerable people who are under attack. Getting stuck in a reactive mode is exhausting, and exhaustion can make us weak.
*I feel obligated to tell you that legally this is not true but it sure does feel true.
Fun fact - turkeys run the city of cambridge*.
Got my Covid booster and flu shot at CVS today. Go book an appointment.
It's noon ET. Have you had a high-protein meal today? Drank a glass of water? Taken your meds? Are you slouching? Gently pull your head up, roll your shoulders back, and slowly rotate your head left and right (3x). Now take a deep breath, and then slowly let it out. Repeat at least five times.
It's always remarkable when we get to see through the pretense to whose lives matter and which ones power mourns, humanizes, and validates in its response to violence, but I'm not sure we've ever seen anything this transparent.
it’s a beautiful day to shut the fuck up
The Powers that Be said - that girl needs rest - and broke the elevator.
Share the news!
As always, be careful what you say on the internet. We don’t need to go to the gulag today
🚨ALERT🚨 There will be NO council meeting tonight due to an issue with the city hall elevator. All meetings must be accessible and location cannot be changed within 48hr because of open meeting laws. Reschedule info will likely be posted soon.
Political violence disproportionately hurts people with less power, not people with more power. Political violence will disproportionately hurt people of color and women and LGBTQ people. It’s not fair, but that’s the way it works. Celebrating political violence means at best indifference to that.
🫶🫶 I don’t even know what’s on the agenda. Coming back from another time zone gets me so discombobulated!
Breaking: Missouri House passes new gerrymandered US House map giving GOP 90% of seats in state Trump won with 58% of vote. Destroys district held by Black Rep Emanuel Cleaver, one of 2 Dems in state Texas was just start of Trump’s sweeping plan to rig midterms www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
I am leaning towards watching online because I am still totally wiped from my work travel. I will still be following along even if I’m not in person. Sorry @savanaish.bsky.social !