NORTH SMITHFIELD TOWN COUNCIL MEETING 11 7 16 007

The Electoral College Still Makes Sense Because We’re Not A Democracy

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

The Electoral College Balances Voting Power

The purpose of the Electoral College is to balance voting power across states so no one region of the country can gain too much control. If a president is elected by a simple majority of votes, a candidate who is wildly popular in one region (e.g., Ted Cruz in Texas, Mitt Romney in Utah) can ignore smaller regions and campaign only where large majorities are possible. Or a candidate who kills in California and New York can write off “flyover country” completely.
If, however, the Electoral College elects a president, a candidate who is wildly popular in one region must also prevail in a number of sub-elections to win. The Electoral College ensures a better result for the country as a whole than the democratic power play wherein 51 percent of us matter and 49 percent of us don’t.
Think of the Electoral College like the World Series. One person-one vote equates to the World Series Champions being determined by total number of runs scored. If the Dodgers win the first game 10-0, and the Yankees win the next four games 1-0, the Dodgers win the series. Even though the Yankees bested the Dodgers in four games, it doesn’t matter because the Dodgers scored 10 runs to their 4. One anomalous game decides the whole series. Without the Electoral College, a few heavily populated states decide the whole election.

Final Dist. 47 State Representative Total after Paper Ballot Count in Providence

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

The final tally after the write in paper ballot count in Providence on Thursday Nov.10 added to the incumbents total in the hotly contested Burrillville/Glocester Dist. 47 House seat.
  After Tuesday's election Democrat Cale Keable held a slim 60 vote lead 2899 to 2839 over current Town Council Republican member David Place. This was the closest race in all Northern Rhode Island. Rep. Keable has quietly moved up the State Democrat ladder to about number 3 in the State House rankings. House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello was hanging by a thread over Steven Frias before the write in paper ballot count and amazing as it seams, Rep. Cale Keable could have either been the new Speaker of the House or out of office. This was not reported anywhere else but here in all the Rhode Island media outlets.

  The final tally has Cale Keable Dem. at 2935 votes and 51.2 %
  David Place Rep. 2812 and 48.5%   a difference of 123 votes
  Write-In Votes              19 and .03%

First time Dist. 47 Rep. candidate David Place won Glocester and other polling locations but lost the election at Beckwith Lodge by 150 votes. Place will now return to the Burrillville Town Council to fulfill the remaining two years left of his 2014 election win. State Rep. Cale Keable will return to the RI.Statehouse in either the number three or fourth position in the Speakers nominated

leadership roles for the next two years.

Burrillville Vote Results 11-9-16

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

Town Council Town of Burrillville

3 to elect

Candidate	Total votes	Pct
Raymond J. Trinque (REP)	3315	19.8%
John F. Pacheco, III (REP)	2953	17.6%
Jeremy P. Bailey (DEM)	2535	15.1%
John Anthony Scott (Ind)	1974	11.8%
James Harrison Libby (Ind)	1881	11.2%
Michael J. Dutilly (DEM)	1615	9.6%
James H. Alix (DEM)	1478	8.8%
David J. LaCroix, Jr. (Ind)	979	5.8%
WRITE-IN	29	0.2%

Non-Partisan School Committee Town of Burrillville

4 to elect

Candidate	Total votes	Pct
Dorothy A. Cardon	3571	18.4%
Mark S. Brizard	3427	17.7%
John Michael Karmozyn, Jr.	3378	17.4%
Donison L. Allen	3157	16.3%
Mary Margaret Karmozyn	3011	15.5%
Victor Bevilacqua, Jr.	2762	14.3%
WRITE-IN	68	0.4

Unofficial

Presidential

Donald J. Trump (REP)	3950	58.0%
Hillary Clinton (DEM)	2333	34.2%
Gary Johnson (Lib)	270	4.0%
WRITE-IN	148	2.2%
Jill Stein (Grn)	101	1.5%
"Rocky" Roque De La Fuente (AMD)	11	0.2%

2016-11-03 Tax Treaty signed

Beauty's Edge Salon

Posted by Wayne G. Barber


Where: Beauty's Edge Salon  35 East Avenue, Harrisville, RI 02830  401--309-2849

When:   November, 2016

Let's welcome Emily Gelinas to our staff.

Homeowners & Pet Owners Bears are here to stay.

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

How to make your yard and neighborhood less attractive to bears.

It’s all about food! When bears find sources of food in residential areas, they tend to spend more time in neighborhoods where a meal may be easily found. This can result in a bear losing its fear of people (habituation) and in some cases, can lead to bears breaking into sheds, cages and even homes in search of food. You can help keep bears wild and wary of people by following the suggestions below. To be effective, it's important for entire neighborhoods to follow these guidelines. Share this information with your neighbors!
Bears that are frequently fed, either directly or indirectly through bird feeders or garbage, may completely lose their fear of people. If a bear then behaves in a way that is a threat to public safety it may be euthanized.

Bird Feeders and Bears

• If you live in an area with bears, it is best to avoid bird feeders altogether. Bears finding a bird feeder, bird seed, corn or other bird food will often revisit that site, month after month, year after year.  Bird feeders draw bears closer to people, resulting in bears losing their fear of people, a process called habituation. It’s not safe for bears or people to be close to one another. If you choose to put out feeders, doing so in the winter when bears are denned may decrease the chances of a bear coming to your feeder. In general, most bears are denned from mid-December through February. Although most bears in Rhode Island enter winter dens at some point, MassWildlife biologists have tracked bears that remained active for some or all of the winter if food is available. It is important that you remove the entire feeder at the first sign of bear activity.
• For those people who enjoy birds in their yard, the Outdoor Scene Web-Site suggests growing native plants, shrubs, and trees to attract birds. Adding a water feature is a big draw for birds.  Taking these actions may increase the diversity of birds you see and will prevent the unnatural feeding of bears and other kinds of neighborhood wildlife.
• Some bears have learned to simply empty bird feeders without destroying the feeder. DO NOT continue to fill a feeder.
• Do not leave empty feeders out.  Residual smell and the sight of feeders can still attract bears.

Garbage and Compost

• Store all garbage in closed containers in a garage or outbuilding. Do not leave your garbage barrels outside overnight; put them by the roadside just before pickup. Using double bags or sprinkling with ammonia will help reduce odors. Bears and other wild and domestic animals will tip cans and scatter garbage. Bears may be attracted by smelly cans even if there isn’t anything in them, so store garbage cans inside.
• Compost Responsibly -- Do not throw meat scraps, greasy, oily or sweet materials in your compost pile. Bears and other animals are attracted to these kinds of food.
• Bear-proof garbage cans may be available from municipalities or waste management contractors. In communities where bears are more common, bear-proof dumpsters are recommended for apartments, condos and campgrounds.    

Other Attractants

• Feed Pets Indoors -- Pet food is a tasty treat for bears—don’t leave pet food outdoors.
• Clean greasy barbecues and grills after each use. Do not leave food scraps, grease containers or spilled grease in your yard.

Share these tips with your friends and neighbors and help keep wildlife wild!