Letter: Media Coverage Hinders, not Helps Business Community

To the editor:

It is very sad that the Newport Daily News has chosen to sensationalize the sale of the Newport Yachting Center in its misleading headlines: “Noise Violations prompt sale of Yachting Center,” their editorial “Killing golden goose will cost city,” “Newport Leaders failed to support a vital business.” These headline grabbers will discourage other businesses from coming to Newport to employ our residents. These headlines are about ONE business. My website shows support from strong Newport businesses that understand that tourism venues and residents must work together for the economy to thrive. For example, many restaurants have been allowed to expand their serving areas and are most successful. They work with their neighbors. Their neighbors support them. Working together does get positive results—and benefits for all of Newport.

I choose to present other facts and comments regarding the sale of the Newport Yachting Center that demonstrate that the Newport City Council has demonstrated a willingness to work with the NYC and other local businesses to try and promote a healthy economic environment here.

1. Harry Winthrop and I met with Paul O’Reilly of the Newport Harbor Corporation and the Newport Yachting Center to help the Inn at Castle Hill with its desire to expand their terraces and outdoor kitchen facilities. That meeting culminated in the expansion of The Inn’s ability to serve its patrons and guests with the need to employ more staff.

2. I arranged for a meeting with Paul O’Reilly and heads of The Hill Association and Point Association to try and resolve the Newport Yachting Center complaints. Every representative of these Neighborhood Associations stated that there was no wish to close the Yachting Center. Their wish was to work WITH the company so that a balance could be achieved.

3. Paul O’Reilly stated that the Yachting Center was working on more noise mitigation and that the Yachting Center had spent over $100K, not “hundreds of thousands of dollars” as quoted by Jody Sullivan of the Chamber in her editorial. The desire was to work more to try and alleviate the noise decibel level. The noise mitigation effort stopped.

4. Newport Harbor Corporation purchased a 5-restaurant chain in Boston. This is a business decision to concentrate on the profitable businesses, I am told. The skating rink supposedly was not profitable.

5. The Yachting Center applied to the Newport City Council for a noise variance. The Yachting Center pulled it from the docket because it did not think it had the votes. It was not brought back for consideration. The Council suggested a workshop.

6. Paul O’Reilly has stated to me and other Council members that “The need for concerts to be profitable and grow requires bigger crowds and more concerts.” My suggestion was, as seen on my Facebook page, to look at other venues in town which I have listed. A longer season of concerts, maybe in an enclosed environment, may be the answer. No one on the City Council wanted to shut down a business that employs residents. We asked that we all work together---the Management, the Residents, and the City Council. Again a workshop was suggested.

I find it disturbing and problematic that the media coverage by Newport Daily News hinders rather than praises our dedicated business owners. It discourages bringing new businesses to Newport.

The grant for The Business Incubator at the Sheffield School is one effort that the Council has made and partnered with the State, Federal government, Chamber, and others to bring about a successful conclusion. The continued negotiation with the Navy to purchase land to bring more jobs and training to our residents is another example of being pro-active. Increasing school funding to offer students better educational opportunities for better futures has been another priority.

Whether we like it or not, Newport’s economic stability is a balancing act of businesses and residents working together. Sensationalism and negativism does not bring about positive results….very sad indeed.

Kathryn “Kate” Leonard