cumbri's blog

Senator Jack Reed, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, and Congressman Patrick J. Kennedy announced in a press release last week that, "Rhode Island is receiving $575,000 in federal funding for the Blackstone River Bikeway."

This is good news for those who take advantage of the Blackstone Bikeway. The funds from this grant will go towards the section of the bikeway that extends from Manville Hill Road in Lincoln to the Woonsocket Water Treatment Plant.

Last weeks Valley Breeze article entitled, "School boards endorse reform-centered 'Race to Top' but union support iffy for multi-million-dollar grant" was interesting.

According to the 2008 RI Department of Education report, Cumberland had one of the lowest graduation rates (80.7%) for suburban schools. Bristol Warren and Burrillville were the only other communities with a lower percentage.

This is a real sad story... The Boston Globe is reporting today that the couple was from Foxborough, MA.

"An elderly Massachusetts couple were killed in a two-vehicle collision Thursday in Cumberland, R.I., according to Cumberland police. Authorities identified the victims as Charles Langille, 87, and his wife, Laurette, 77, of Foxborough."

(Source: Boston Globe - Read Full Story)

Pratt Dam on September 28, 2008.

UPDATE 11/10/08: The 17 year old victim has been identified as William King IV, of Cumberland.

Turnto10.com:
Rescue crews recovered the body of a 17-year-old boy Sunday who drowned while canoeing with his father.

Rescue officials said the boy and his father were traveling down the Blackstone River near the Pratt Dam when their canoe capsized at the dam.

The two became trapped in a tube that carries water underneath the pedestrian bridge at the dam, Valley Falls Fire Chief Brian Jackvony told NBC 10.

The father was able to get out of the tube and was transported to Memorial Hospital, but his son remained trapped for several hours.

Rescue crews had trouble getting to the location due to the strong current of the river.

This is such a sad story, I have walked the bike path around the Pratt Dam many times. As you can see from the photo above, the water runs strong through the Pratt Dam. I believe I took this photo just after a big rain storm, it's not usually that stong, but I still can't imagine attempting it with a Canoe. I wonder if this was the planned route for the Father/Son team?

From the National Park Service Blackstone Guide:

Portaging at the Pratt Dam:
Paddlers can portage around the Pratt Dam by taking out on River Right and walking up to the bikeway that runs along the top of the dam. To continue downriver, turn to your left and carry your boat along the side of the bikeway downriver to the put-in at the steps that will be on your right. To take out, turn right and follow the bikeway across the Pratt Dam to the
Front Street Parking area for the Blackstone River Bikeway.

CAUTION: Do not attempt to paddle through the stone arches of Pratt Dam. Paddling through the arches is not recommended for anyone.

Return by the Blackstone Canal:
Take out on river right just above the Pratt Dam and portage over the dam on the bikeway to the Blackstone Canal. Cross the bikeway bridge and put in the Canal at the steps to head back up the Canal for a return trip to the Canal Museum.

Wide shot of the Pratt Dam and Bike Path Bridge. You can see the strong current in the distance, near the Pratt Dam tubes.

I wonder if there are any signs or warnings on the Blackstone River alerting canoes or other boats of the Pratt Dam danger? I also don't recall seeing any life rings or rope nearby or on the bridge above?

Sunday, 2:20pm
ScanRI Alerts is reporting that a canoe tipped over on in the Blackstone River with one person missing. Rescue teams have gathered behind Stop and Shop on Mendon Road. Dive teams have been requested.

Cumberland Election Results can be viewed here:

http://www.ri.gov/election/results/2008/general_election/cumberland/

The Valley Breeze article of 9/25/08, "Hikers report coyotes on nature trails" was a good caution for those who use the miles of nature trails in Cumberland, but Patricia Russell may have missed an opportunity to educate the community.

What would you do if you encountered a coyote on the trail system?

"At one point I was within 10 feet of it," he said, adding that while it never charged, "it did follow us for a ways."

It made a "howling and yipping type of noise," he said.

Beausoleil told his wife to take their dog and run ahead while he stayed behind. He picked up a stick to wave at it while he continued to yell at it, too.

Before retreating and cutting through the woods, the coyote gave a "threatening bark," Beausoleil said.

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management has publish the following recommendations:

Some things you should do to avoid or eliminate problems with coyotes:

Do not leave garbage containers open or accessible to animals.

Do not feed your pets outside. If you must, remove all uneaten food immediately.

Never intentionally feed coyotes or other wild animals.

Keep small pets, especially cats indoors, a coyote will not make a distinction between your house cat and any other small mammal.

Keep your pets vaccinations and heartworm prevention up to date.

Inform young children never to approach any wild animals.

Protect vulnerable domestic fowl and livestock in enclosures, particularly during birthing season. Properly dispose of carcasses. Consult with the Division of Fish and Wildlife for ways to protect livestock from coyotes and other predators.

Use loud noises such as whistles, air horns, shouting or whatever is available to discourage coyotes from taking shortcuts or frequenting backyards.

Inform local or DEM officials of any contacts between coyotes and pets or people.

Source: RIDEM Link - PDF

The community has been invited to tour the Cumberland High School this weekend, September 27th and 28th.  

The polls are closed and the votes are in, Mayor Dan McKee is the big winner in Cumberland with 65% of the vote. 

On Tuesday WJAR was reporting low voter turnout throughout the state.  The Mayoral race in Cumberland was one of the few key races of interest around the state. 

Many felt this election was in some ways a referendum on Incumbent Mayor Daniel McKee’s Mayoral Academies.   Although there were many other issues, there is no question this became the central and controversial issue.  In the past week the Federation of Teachers and Health Professionals and the National Education Association Rhode Island both came out in support of David Iwuc over this issue.

Opponent David Iwuc himself referred to the Mayoral Academies as “…another misadventure…” and “…the McKee experiment.” last Saturday while reading a prepared statement on WOON 1240 AM radio. 

The election results show the so-called experiment has not turned out to be a political misadventure, at least not yet.

Even before Mayor McKee went public with the Mayoral Academy proposal he knew it would likely become a “third rail” issue for his political career. 

In June 2008 WPRO-AM talk show host Dan Yorke said,

Going back to December 2007, Superintendent Donna Morelle responded to the Mayoral Academy and was quoted in the ProJo saying

The Campaign
In 2006, after losing to Iwuc in the 2004 race, McKee said to the Providence Journal,

2008 was no different; from the beginning it was clear that Mayor Dan McKee was taking this election very seriously.  The campaign quickly setup fundraising events, a website, and he established a campaign headquarters.  Weekly press releases were submitted and challenges for a series of debates with his opponent were presented.

His opponent, David Iwuc on the other hand seemed to have a slow start.  Other than visable lawn signs, Iwuc was quiet until late August.  David Iwuc also never responded to numerous requests for debate by McKee. 

    

SENATOR IN CONGRESS

REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS DISTRICT 1

SENATOR IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY DISTRICT 16

SENATOR IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY DISTRICT 19

SENATOR IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY DISTRICT 20

REPRESENTATIVE IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY DISTRICT 45

REPRESENTATIVE IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY DISTRICT 52

REPRESENTATIVE IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY DISTRICT 57

MAYOR TOWN OF CUMBERLAND

TOWN COUNCIL AT-LARGE TOWN OF CUMBERLAND

TOWN COUNCIL CUMBERLAND DISTRICT 1

TOWN COUNCIL CUMBERLAND DISTRICT 3

TOWN COUNCIL CUMBERLAND DISTRICT 5

SENATORIAL DISTRICT COMMITTEE DISTRICT 16

REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT COMMITTEE DISTRICT 52

SENATOR IN CONGRESS

REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS DISTRICT 1

TOWN COUNCIL CUMBERLAND DISTRICT 5