Middletown Talks: Life After the DMV, Cream Cheese, Medical Pot, Cyberbullying, State Champs and More

Here's a look back at the recent week in Middletown, through the different perspectives of our friends, neighbors and elected officials:

"We found out that Cream Cheese's new name is 'Abby' and she does respond to that name." Patch user Caleb Cook, offering a community tip to help a local pet owner find their missing beagle, who was last seen near the YMCA and Sea Whale Motel.

“Looking at our numbers, we have literally doubled what we were doing in December and January. We are up by 100 percent for that one location.” Lloyd Albert, spokesperson for the Rhode Island AAA Southern New England branches, explaining the surge in business seen at the Middletown AAA office since the Middletown DMV closed in February. 

“After a thorough and thoughtful review of all applications, HEALTH determined that these three applicant(s) were best able to offer safe, conveniently located options for patients currently enrolled in the medical marijuana program.” Interim Director of Health Dr. Michael Fine, after the state Department of Health approved Middletown Doctor Seth Bock’s application to open a medical marijuana center or "compassion center" in Portsmouth.

“We came together when we needed to. We were all on the same page. We all saw our hard work pay off. We all had the mentality that we knew we could win, that we had to win.” Middletown High School's Lauren Paiva, after the Islanders won the Division III Girls Basketball State Championship and Paiva was named tournament MVP.

“Social media and technology have changed the landscape of bullying. It’s no longer something that happens just at school.” State Representative Deborah Ruggiero (D-Dist. 74, Jamestown, Middletown) on Tuesday, after introducing legislation that calls for a statewide policy on bullying prevention that all school districts in Rhode Island would follow.

“Whenever I look outside and see how cold it is or complain about how tired I am before a run, all I have to do is remember how strong Arieana has been through her ordeal with chemotherapy.  If she can get through that and still make it through a cycling training, then the least I can do is get up and run.” Middletown's Audrey Wilkins, who's training for a marathon to benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and on Friday held a “Shop for a Cause” fundraiser.

"I might be a bit cynical, and I'd love to be proven wrong, but they've been saying for years that they'd love to see that location closed." State Representative Daniel P. Reilly (R-Dist. 72 Portsmouth, Middletown, Newport) who said he remains somewhat skeptical that a new DMV location will reopen on Aquidneck Island. Last week, Reilly also introduced House Bill No. 5708 that, if made into law, would enable town and city halls to offer some DMV services.

“It is disappointing. June 28 is very late.” Vice Chairperson Theresa M. Silveira Spengler at Thursday night’s School Committee meeting, reacting to news that the state denied Middletown’s request to extend the length of school days instead of adding four makeup days to the end of the school year.

"This was one of the most difficult budgets to have to put together." Middletown Public School Superintendent Rosemarie Kraeger, as the School Committee voted to submit her to the town for the annual budget review process and she described the challenges of facing drastic funding cuts from the state and federal governments this year.