Candidates for Warren Town Council face questions at League of Women Voters forum
Town finances, short-term rentals, climate mitigation and housing were just a few of the issues covered.
The League of Women Voters - Rhode Island held a forum featuring candidates for the Warren Town Council at the Warren Town Hall Monday evening. The three candidates were, from left to right, Independent Timothy White and Democrats Derrik Trombley and Louis Rego. Scott Pickering, General Manager at East Bay Newspapers, moderated.
Here's the video, followed by links to each question asked and the candidate's responses. The video begins with opening statements.
Question 1: If elected to serve, you will spend four years in leadership of the town of Warren. What is one thing you hope to accomplish during that four-year term? Something that would have a lasting impact on the town of Warren?
Question 2: A recent lawsuit settlement showed the important role of the town council in overseeing a responsible budget and building a healthy fund balance for the town. Are you confident you can handle the responsibility of managing a municipal budget?
Question 3: Did you approve or disapprove of last year's $200 million school bond, and why?
Question 4: The AARP Network of Age-Friendly Communities identifies key features of these communities as [having] safe walkable streets, better housing and transportation options, access to key services, and opportunities for residents to participate in community activities. Is Warren age-friendly? How could it be more age-friendly?
Question 5: The growth of the Warren restaurant scene has been one of the great local stories of the past decade, throughout the downtown district and particularly along Water Street. There are thousands of people dining every night, many of them traveling by car from out of town. As a result, the surrounding areas, mostly residential, are often congested with limited public parking options. Should Warren be doing more to respond to this situation? What could be done?
Question 6: In 2023, the Warren Town Council passed an ordinance regulating short-term rentals, including placing a cap on the total number of units allowed in the town. Do you agree with this regulation? Do you have any sense of whether the short-term rental regulations are having an impact?
Question 7: Would you support removing the word "voluntary" from the Warren Voluntary Historic District Commission?
Question 8: What could or should the town have done differently regarding the controversial development proposals at Bettencourt Farm, Penny Lane, and Liberty Street?
Question 9: Does the Warren Town Council have a role to play in setting policies in response to climate change, rising water levels, or any other environmental challenges? Is there anything you would hope to accomplish?
Question 10: Is there anything else you'd like to talk about that we have not talked about yet?