Press Releases
Chafee Calls on EDC for More Transparency, Further Delay on Closing of Risky 38 Studios Deal
August 27, 2010
Click here for PDF of press release.NEWS RELEASE
For Release: Immediate
Contact: Mike Trainor
(401) 252-1097
mtrainor@chafeeforgovernor.com
www.chafeeforgovernor.com
(Warren, Rhode Island, August 27, 2010) Lincoln Chafee, independent candidate for Governor, today held a press conference at which he called on Governor Carcieri and the other members of the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation (RIEDC) Board to push back the closing on its $75 million 38 Studios loan guarantee until after the election in November. Urging greater transparency, Chafee cited the two-week delay on the first phase of the loan guarantee, which only came to light yesterday, as yet another reason that Rhode Islanders "need to know more about how their taxpayer dollars being risked." The transfer of the first $15 million of the loan guarantee was originally scheduled for August 31st.
"I have said again and again that this deal is too much of a gamble for Rhode Island taxpayers to bear the burden of responsibility," Chafee said. "We're talking about $75 million of taxpayer money - 60% of our loan guarantee fund - to one unproven company in a risky industry segment, without seeking out any other firms or taking any other bids. Why the rush? And this delay of the first payment shows that we as Rhode Islanders deserve to know more about this deal before handing over millions."
At the press conference, which was held in Warren, Chafee cited Alfred Verrecchia's April 2009 report in criticizing the practices of the EDC. The report, Chafee said, called the EDC "fragmented, disjointed and lacking focus."
"This is a state department, promising away taxpayer money, that just isn't working right," Chafee said. "And given the economic times, this is the one agency we want to be working well."
Lincoln Chafee, former Mayor of Warwick and former US Senator, seeks to become the first independent Governor in Rhode Island history, running on a platform of honesty, proven experience and political independence.
Click here for PDF of press release.
Call For Transparency
Click here for PDF of press release.
Contact: Mike Trainor
(401) 252-1097
MTrainor@chafeeforgovernor.com
www.chafeeforgovernor.com
MEDIA ADVISORY
Lincoln Chafee, independent candidate for Governor, will hold a press conference today at 1:00 PM in front of TPI Composites to raise questions about the delay, beyond the announced date of August 31st, in closing the 38 Studios deal, and to call for more transparency at this critical juncture.
Where: TPI Composites, 373 Market Street, Warren, RI 02885
When: 1:00 PM, Friday, August 27
Who: Lincoln Chafee
Click here
for PDF of press release.
Chafee Campaign Announces Addition of Two Key Advisers
August 26, 2010
Click here for PDF of press release.NEWS RELEASE
For Release: Immediate
Contact: Mike Trainor
(401) 252-1097
mtrainor@chafeeforgovernor.com
www.chafeeforgovernor.com
Chafee Campaign Announces Addition of Two Key Advisers
(Warwick, Rhode Island, August 26, 2010) Lincoln Chafee, independent candidate for Governor, today announced the appointment of two key advisers to his campaign. Retired District Court Judge Stephen Erickson will come on board as Senior Legal Ad viser, while Jonathan Stevens will serve as Director of Policy.
"I am very excited and grateful to have these two exceptionally qualified individuals join my campaign," Chafee said. "Judge Erickson and Jon Stevens both bring a wide range of experience, knowledge and expertise that will prove invaluable to my efforts to become Rhode Island's next Governor."
As Senior Legal Adviser, Judge Erickson will provide legal representation to the campaign as needed and will serve as a member of the campaign leadership team. Stevens, as Director of Policy, is leading the development of the campaign platform and will also serve on the leadership team.
Judge Erickson recently retired after 20 years on the District Court bench, where he was noted for his expertise in mental health issues and played a vital role in developing the Kent County mental health clinical project. Prior to joining the District Court in 1990, Judge Erickson served for four years as Legislative Counsel in the Office of the Governor and for eight years represented parts of Aquidneck Island as a Republican state representative, where he was elected Minority Whip. He is a member of the Newport Hospital Ethics Committee and the External Advisory Council for the College of Arts and Sciences at URI, and has taught there, at Roger Williams University and at CCRI. Judge Erickson holds a bachelor's degree from URI and a law degree from Boston University.
Jonathan Stevens has served in a number of positions in local, state and federal government, including stints as Legislative Director in Senator Chafee's Washington office, Office Director of Senator Chafee's Newport office, Congressional Liaison to the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, Planning Director for the City of Warwick, Director of Economic Development for the City of Newport and District Press Secretary for US Rep. Claudine Schneider. He held senior staff positions on both of Chafee's campaigns for US Senate, as well as his campaigns for Mayor of Warwick. Stevens holds a bachelor's degree from Boston University, a master's degree in Community Planning from URI and has been an adjunct lecturer at Brown University.
Lincoln Chafee, former Mayor of Warwick and former US Senator, seeks to become the first independent Governor in Rhode Island history, running on a platform of honesty, proven experience and political independence.
Click here for PDF of press release.
Chafee presents letter to Gov. Carcieri at EDC meeting
August 23, 2010
Click here for PDF of press release.Contact: Mike Trainor
(401) 252-1097
MTrainor@chafeeforgovernor.com
www.chafeeforgovernor.com
MEDIA ADVISORY
The below letter, written by Lincoln Chafee, independent candidate for Governor, was presented by the Chafee campaign this afternoon to Governor Carcieri at a meeting of the Board of the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation (RIEDC). In the letter, Chafee calls into question the notice for the Board meeting, which he believes may be in violation of the Open Meetings Law.
August 23, 2010
The Honorable Donald Carcieri
Office of the Governor
State of Rhode Island
State House, Room 115
Providence, RI 02903-1196
Dear Governor Carcieri:
I am in receipt of your correspondence concerning today's meeting of the Economic Development Corporation.
I have serious reservations about the notice for today's meeting. It appears that the item to enter executive session is defective. As such, it is very possible that any action taken at that executive session will later be contested in the courts.
R.I.G.L. ยง 42-46-5(a)(6), which you cited to justify entering executive session, provides that a meeting may be closed for "any discussions relating to or concerning a prospective business or industry locating in the state of Rhode Island when an open meeting would have a detrimental effect on the interest of the public". It is not enough for the matter to concern relocation, it must also be shown that an open meeting would have a "detrimental effect on the interest of the public". The effect on the company is not at issue, it is the interest of the public that is being protected.
I believe that you have a responsibility as Chair to place my request to address the Board on the agenda, not to summarily deny it.
I urge you to schedule a new meeting at which I and other members of the public will be free to speak about this important issue.
Sincerely,
Lincoln D. Chafee
Click here for PDF of press release.
Chafee Asks to Speak at RIEDC Meeting
August 19, 2010
Click here for PDF of press release.NEWS RELEASE
For Release: Immediate
Contact: Mike Trainor
(401) 252-1097
mtrainor@chafeeforgovernor.com
www.chafeeforgovernor.com
Lincoln Chafee, Standing Firm in Opposition to 38 Studios Deal, Asks to Speak at Meeting of RIEDC Board
(Warwick, Rhode Island, August 19, 2010) Lincoln Chafee, independent candidate for Governor, today requested that the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation (RIEDC) Executive Director Keith Stokes allow Chafee to address the Board at the group's August 23rd meeting. In the letter below, which was sent from campaign headquarters to Stokes this morning, Chafee repeated his call for a thorough review of the 38 Studios Deal.
"I am deeply troubled by the EDC's plans to enter into a transaction with 38 studios," Chafee wrote in the letter. "I wish to speak at Monday's meeting to again ask for a request-for-proposal (RFP) process that will ensure Rhode Island gets the best possible return on its investment...in terms of both job creation and business growth."
Please see the letter below.
Continue reading "Chafee Asks to Speak at RIEDC Meeting"
Lincoln Chafee Pushes MBTA to Increase Train Service
Click here to download PDF of press release.
NEWS RELEASE
For Release: Immediate
Contact: Mike Trainor
(401) 252-1097
mtrainor@chafeeforgovernor.com
www.chafeeforgovernor.com
Lincoln Chafee Pushes MBTA to Increase Train Service to Rhode Island, Cites Instrumental Role on Warwick Station Project
(Boston, Massachusetts, August 18, 2010) Lincoln Chafee, independent candidate for Governor, today will renew his call for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) to increase rail service to Rhode Island in the coming months. During a meeting in Boston with MBTA's Director of Railroad Operations Jody Ray, Chafee will discuss planned schedules for Massachusetts-Rhode Island commuter trains, which Chafee feels must visit the Ocean State's new Warwick and Wickford stations with greater frequency than currently planned. First as Mayor of Warwick and then as U.S. Senator, Chafee has been instrumental in bringing about the construction of the $267 million Warwick facility, which he cited as a crucial step in his vision to turn the area into a "transportation hub."
"For more than a decade, first as Mayor of Warwick, then as U.S. Senator, and more recently as a private citizen, I have worked tirelessly to make the Warwick Station Project a reality," Chafee said. "As Mayor, I oversaw the development of a Master Plan and worked with the Governor's office, the Rhode Island Department of Transportation and the Rhode Island Airport Corporation to secure development plans and permits. As Senator, I helped secure funding for the $267 million complex, which is the most innovative intermodal facility in the U.S. Today, the Warwick Station Project is almost completed, and we are on the cusp of transforming this area into a transportation hub and optimal economic redevelopment opportunity at a time when our state needs it most."
Lincoln Chafee, former Mayor of Warwick and former US Senator, seeks to become the first independent Governor in Rhode Island history, running on a platform of honesty, proven experience and political independence.
Click here to download PDF of press release.
Previous Page
Lincoln Chafee has forged a path of independence and he is now prepared, with your support, to bring his unquestioned integrity, proven record of working together for the common good, and ability to represent our state at the highest levels of business and government to the Governor's Office.
Archives
Wed., Sep. 8, 2010
'Get Involved' Party for Chafee for Governor
Please join us to learn about volunteer and internship opportunities for Lincoln Chafee's Independent Gubernatorial Campaign!
Location: Campaign Headquarters, 1800 Post Road, Suite #27 (under Staples, next to liquor store), Warwick RI 02886When: 5:30 PM
More Info
