House To Debate Early Release Bill; Adult Softball Team Holding Tryouts

1. The House Judiciary Committee this week will take up bills involving racial profiling, early release of prisoners for good behavior, digital technology crimes and other criminal matters.

On Wednesday, April 6, the committee will meet at the rise of the House session in Room 313 on the third floor of the State House. Among the bills scheduled for hearings at that time are:

  2011-H – 5990 – Sponsored by Sen. Teresa Tanzi (D-Dist. 34, South Kingstown, Narragansett), this bill would restrict early release for good behavior from prisoners convicted of certain violent crimes. Sponsored on behalf of the Attorney General, it was filed in response to the expected release of child-murderer Michael Woodmansee, whose imprisonment has been shortened by 12 years for ”good time.”

2011-H 5094 – Sponsored by Rep. Peter Martin (D-Dist. 75, Newport), this bill would prohibit “sexting” by minors and specify that prosecutions for that offense be handled by Family Court and that minors convicted of it not be subject to sex offender registration requirements.

2011-H 5093 – Also sponsored by Representative Martin, this act would allow Internet service providers to be subpoenaed for information about customers in child pornography, exploitation or enticement investigations.

2011-H 5366 – Sponsored by Rep. Donna M. Walsh (D-Dist. 36, Charlestown, Westerly, South Kingstown, New Shoreham), this bill would require the electronic recording of custodial interrogations in their entirety in cases where the potential sentence is one of life imprisonment.

2011-H 5506 – Also sponsored by Representative Walsh, this bill would require the use of ignition interlock systems by those convicted of drunken driving.

2011-H 5092 – This bill sponsored by Rep. Daniel Patrick Reilly (D-Dist. 72, Portsmouth, Middletown, Newport) would check the immigration status of each incarcerated person who goes to court for any hearing related to a criminal matter.

2. According to a release issued Monday, During the month of April Curves of Wakefield will participate in the 13th Annual Curves Food Drive to collect non-perishable food and  cash donations to benefit their local food bank.  Current members who make a $30 donation or an equivalent donation of food are eligible to receive a Curves reusable Food Drive grocery bag. And, from April 4-17, Curves will waive the membership fee for new members who donate a bag of non-perishable food or make a minimum donation of $30.

In addition to the food and monetary donations that each gym collects, Curves International is offering gyms the opportunity to win cash prizes for their local food banks. Prizes will be awarded to clubs with the most food collected, clubs who beat their 2010 donation level by the largest amount and to two randomly selected clubs drawn from all the clubs who enter the contest. Curves clubs have donated more than 61 million pounds of food in the U.S. and Canada since 2004.

For more information about Curves of Wakefield, located at 730 Kingstown Rd, and the 2011 Curves Food Drive, contact a Curves of Wakefield staff member at 783-5485 or skcurves@gmail.com.  

3. Tomassi Law Men's B Softball Team will hold tryouts this  Wednesday, April 6 at 5:30 p.m. at West Kingston Fields on Route 138. Any former Baseball players 18+ and experienced softball veterans who want to join a friendly, competitive team are welcome to drop in. Games are most Tuesday nights starting at 6 – 8 p.m. May 1 through Sept. 6 and Fridays for make-ups when necessary.

 4. In a release issued by the University of Rhode Island, Governor Lincoln Chafee, Senate President M. Teresa Paiva Weed and House Speaker Gordon Fox are leading a “Wake-Up Call to Action” Transportation Forum to discuss Rhode Island's transportation funding issues in the national context.

Moderated by Grow Smart Rhode Island Executive Director Scott Wolf, the Forum will be held on Wednesday, April 6 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at the Rotunda Room on the third floor of the Rhode Island Convention Center at One Sabin Street in Providence.   A panel of national, State and local leaders will provide the background to assess the pertinent issues and begin implementing steps to ensure a more sustainable future for transportation funding.

Panel members include:  Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) Director Michael P. Lewis; American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Chief Operating Officer Jack Basso; former Secretary of the Pennsylvania DOT and Past President of AASHTO, Allen Biehler; former Governor of Maryland and President of the Smart Growth America Leadership Institute, the Honorable Parris Glendening; Executive Director of the Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council (RIPEC), John Simmons; and Co-Chair of the Coalition for Transportation Choices (CTC), Sheila Dormody.

Forum sponsors include the University of Rhode Island Transportation Center (URITC), the Coalition for Transportation Choices (CTC), and the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT).

5.  Several meetings are on tap this week at the town hall and other meeting areas.  On Wednesday, April 5 at 7:00 p.m. the Historic District Commission meets at the Council Chambers of the Town Hall.  View their meeting agenda here.  The Conservation Commission will meet on Wednesday, April 7 at 7:00 p.m. at the Building Official’s Office, their agenda can be found here.  The town’s Economic Development Corporation will also meet on Thursday, April 8 at the Council Chambers of the Town Hall at 7:00 p.m.  Their agenda can be found here.