New Elementary School Supporters Extend their Efforts to the Web

With less than two months before the Nov. 2 election, those trying to build support for the proposed Claiborne D. Pell Elementary School have taken to the web to expand their reach.

The "Let's Build Pell" Committee launched a website—www.letsbuildpell.com—on Tuesday that aims to further convince Newport residents that they should support the $30 million bond referendum come election day.

"If we don't get the information out to the voters, they're not going to know about it," said Lynn Ceglie, a member of "Let's Build Pell" and a School Committee candidate. Ceglie said she built and funded the website herself as part of her contributions to the outreach effort. She's also built a Facebook page.

The website includes a lot of the basic information Newporters have been hearing from supporters over the past few months, including how the new school "eliminates required costly renovation to existing buildings" and "returns existing buildings to the private sector and city tax rolls." The site details the reported cost benefits associated with the new design and the state's 42 percent reimbursement. It also outlines the reported operational savings involved from reducing staffing, utilities costs and transportation.

Ceglie says the "Let's Build Pell" Committee knows it has its work cut out for it in the coming weeks, from reaching voters who don't know much about the plans to attempting to change the minds of those who are already against it. The group, made up of some School Committee members and other active supporters, plans to take to the streets next Tuesday, Primary Day, and reach voters at the polls with fliers and brochures. The committee is currently working to raise more funds to support their PR efforts. Ceglie said it would be ideal to raise about $5,000 to pay for more pamphlets, buttons and possibly a billboard in town. They're looking to local residents, she said, who are willing to give whatever they can to the cause.

"It's also talking to people," Ceglie said. "Everybody I talk to who's a Newport resident, I bring up the conversation. And that's what we have to do. Sometimes it's a little bit painful—these old schools mean a lot to people, whether they have children in them now or went to them themselves. For some people it's a difficult conversation, but it's a conversation we have to have. We need schools that are ready for the 21st century."

The Alliance for a Livable Newport has scheduled an Oct. 19 public forum at the Newport Public Library to discuss the bond referendum. The group is currently soliciting opposition views from residents to help balance the forum. Those thoughts can be submitted to Ron Becker via ronjohanna@cox.net, by phone at 401-846-0577, or by letter to P.O. Box 2636, Newport, RI 02840. ALN says those who wish to remain anonymous may do so.

The "Let's Build Pell" committee, which according to Ceglie has about 20 active participants, meets weekly at the school district's administration building at Rogers. Those meetings are open to the public. The group typically meets on Tuesdays at 4 p.m., but will meet at 4:30 p.m. next Wednesday due to the primary the day before.