Yes on Question 7 for clean water, healthy towns

To the Editor:
As the members of the core group of advocates in support of Question 7 – Clean Water, Open Space and Healthy Communities – we were disappointed to read the Providence Business News editorial (“No on Question 7, but the issues shouldn’t die,” Oct. 20-26, 2014).
We are in complete agreement that infrastructure investment is something the state needs and feel that all the elements of Question 7 would contribute significantly to the state’s economic and environmental health. We are not alone in support of this position, The Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce, The Northern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce and the Newport County Chamber of Commerce have all endorsed Question 7.
In addition, many labor organizations have pledged their support, notably, the AFL-CIO and Build RI, because they understand the funds allocated in this bond will go toward projects that will put people back to work.
The two largest beneficiaries of the bond, the R.I. Clean Water Finance Agency and Roger Williams Park Zoo (with 71 percent of the bond proceeds between them) both have shovel-ready projects with immediate and long-term economic impact for the state. The additional funds for RICWFA will enable it to meet the current wastewater project demand and also allow for the agency to loan up to four times the $20 million allocated through the referendum because of the leveraging component with federal and private funds.
The zoo plans to use the entire $15 million for infrastructure projects that include the construction of a new tropical rainforest building and education center and the conversion of the existing education center to New England’s first and only reptile house.
These new projects will result in approximately 125 new construction jobs over a four-year period, and the new facilities will result in more than 54,000 new out-of-state tourists coming to Rhode Island and stimulating this very important sector of our economy.
The remaining funds in the bond will assist cities and towns to pay for the creation or improvement of recreational facilities in an effort to improve the quality of life for its citizens.
Funding for the municipal planning of flood mitigation will enable cities and towns to protect communities from the natural disasters that are more prevalent due to the impact brought upon by climate change.
The provision to provide up to 80 percent matching grants to brownfield-remediation projects will not only clean up the hundreds of industrial contaminate sites that sit idle across the state but also allow for the “recycling” of existing property and preserve 4 acres of current open space from being developed for commercial use.
Finally, the money available for the acquisition and preservation of working farmland is long overdue. The rising consumer demand for fresh, local produce and the emerging segment of small businesses in the Rhode Island agricultural sector are examples of the need to maintain and preserve viable farmland.
The lack of support for an important investment in Clean Water, Open Space and Healthy Communities based on what could happen in the future threatens the ability to make responsible and long-term investments that will appreciate in value over time and assist in making a permanent contribution to the state and local economy.
We respectfully request the support of Rhode Islanders for Question 7 on Nov. 4. •
Jeremy Goodman
Roger Williams Park Zoo executive director
Jonathan Stone
Save The Bay executive director

No posts to display