As I write this article on Monday morning, March 2nd, it is not at all clear what the results of our local election will be by tomorrow evening.
Regardless of how the election goes tomorrow — and in particular how the citizens of Newport vote on the issue of the proposed Charter — I want to remind all of us about the long distance we have traveled as a community over the last year.
Our City Council can point to many important achievements, but in my judgment our greatest success has been in shifting the culture of local politics from one of divisiveness, fearfulness, and fighting to one that encourages community engagement, thoughtfulness, and dialog.
I believe in the Newport that is making a choice to leave behind a decade characterized by hidden political agendas, disrespect, name-calling, and poor fiscal oversight — not to mention the actual fraud and dysfunction of the EB-5 scandal.
This last year has marked a new beginning and a clear effort to reclaim civility and respect as core values. No matter what happens in the heated debates about challenging issues, I stand ready to work with everyone in this community who shares those values.
One way or another, we are going to have to work together to build Newport’s future. Let’s reach for the best in one another in our shared effort to create — some would say recreate — the Newport we all dream of.
Rick Ufford-Chase
Mayor, City of Newport
