SMITHFIELD – Applauding the large turnout and public involvement in Tuesday night’s meeting, the Town Council voted to table 53 local zoning changes to give residents more time to discuss the effects of the updates with town officials.
Council President Suzy Alba proposed continuing the public hearing until March 16 and encouraged the more than 60 participants on the Zoom meeting to call Town Manager Randy Rossi, Town Planner Michael Phillips, or any councilor for answers to questions.
“Don’t save them until the next meeting two weeks from now,” Alba said, adding that Tuesday’s meeting was one of the most productive meetings she’s been a part of and that she was grateful for the participation.
SMITHFIELD – A second community meeting on racism will focus on the perspectives of youth and their experiences with racism and bullying in Smithfield, opening up a broader conversation about coming together and moving forward as a community after the discovery of racist graffiti graffiti two months ago.
Led by the Smithfield Youth Council, the forum is scheduled for Wednesday, March 10. Youth say they plan to further discuss plans for paintings to replace the graffiti.
Town Council President Suzy Alba met with the Youth Council following the discovery of racist comments on the pilings of the Route 116 overpass on the Scenic Stillwater Trail. She said the forum will focus on unity and tolerance around issues of race and equity and the youth response to the issues.
Youth forum will focus on unity valleybreeze.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from valleybreeze.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
SMITHFIELD – At the first of many planned community conversations about racism and prejudice in Smithfield last week, parents said the town and its schools have an ongoing pattern of sweeping racist incidents under the rug, often allowing abuse to go unpunished.
More than 120 residents connected to the virtual meeting, discussing racist incidents. Last Wednesday’s forum stemmed from resident Kim Ziegelmayer’s discovery of racist graffiti on concrete pilings under Route 116 on the Scenic Stillwater Trail in January. Three Smithfield youths were subsequently arrested related to that graffiti and referred to the Juvenile Hearing Board.
Ziegelmayer has since founded the Smithfield Anti-Hate Coalition on Facebook, inviting residents to respectfully but firmly keep pressure on town leaders to respond to this incident but also to work to combat racism and all types of hate and intolerance in town.
SMITHFIELD – Five Smithfield restaurants have been given until April to be in good standing with the Rhode Island Division of Taxation before their liquor licenses are revoked or suspended. The Town Council on Tuesday heard the hardships each business has suffered during COVID-19.
While restaurants have struggled to stay afloat during closures and limited dining, the R.I. Division of Taxation continued to collect sales taxes and penalties from them. Some restaurants failed to make tax payments on time, incurring penalties and fees.
Those restaurants, including Parma Ristorante, Ichiraku Ramen and Fusion, Lola’s Lounge, Bistecca Chop House and Yamato Steakhouse of Japan, need a letter of good standing from the Division of Taxation before renewing their Smithfield liquor licenses, which expired on Dec. 1, 2020, according to Town Manager Randy Rossi.