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Oct
06
| Nov 4, Vote for Open Space! |
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| Monday, 06 October 2008 | |
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Here in Rhode Island, the national election race is getting a lot of attention, but let's not forget that when it comes to our local environment, local votes can make all the difference. A key bond issue will be on our local ballots next month, and the RI Land Trust Council wants to get the word out -- VOTE YES ON QUESTION 2 - OPEN SPACE BOND!! To ensure that our farms and forests will be preserved for the future. Click on "More..." for more details about this issue from the Land Trust Council.
Your Help IS Needed to Ensure Voter Support for: QUESTION 2 - OPEN SPACE BOND $2.5 million On Tuesday, November 4: VOTE to APPROVE Rhode Island voters are being asked to approve Question 2: OPEN SPACE AND RECREATIONAL DEVELOPMENT BOND to provide $2.5 million in funding for Rhode Island's land conservation programs. We need your help! Without this Bond, Rhode Island's land conservation programs will run out of funds and essentially shut down for the first time since 1985 when they were started. Without a bond, the state will lose $3- 5 million per year in federal funding from the national farmland protection program and other land conservation programs because we won't be able to provide the needed matching funds. Explain the importance of this bond to voters in your organization and your community. We need a high rate of voter approval to demonstrate to our elected officials in the statehouse that land conservation is important to you and other Rhode Islanders. The Secretary of State Voter's Guide that was mailed to all voters does not provide a good explanation for this Bond and its benefits. Please: - put an article in your organization's newsletter, - send a letter to the editor of your local newspapers, - put fliers about the bond in community gathering places like coffee shops, and - talk to your neighbors and friends about the importance of this bond to your community and our state. Why do we need this Bond? Bond funds will be used to permanently protect farmland and the other special open space lands in our communities! This Bond will protect places that we treasure! This bond will benefit our state and communities FOREVER! The Bond will enable future generations - children, parents and grandparents - to have the same opportunities to share and enjoy the sights, sounds, smells and feelings that make these places so special to us. Rhode Island has already lost 80% of our working farmland since 1945. Only 1/4 of the state's remaining farmland is currently protected. There are over 20 additional farmers who have applied to protect their working farmland and been approved by the state program. The state farmland protection program is out of funds and needs this bond to continue the program and provide some of the match to get millions of $ each year from the federal farmland protection program. Saving working farmland is an investment in Rhode Island's economy and quality of life. It helps us to keep local produce, farmer's markets, pick your own pumpkin patches, apple orchards, berry patches and corn mazes. Agriculture contributes $100 million to Rhode Island's economy. Bond funds also give the state the flexibility to jump at opportunities that arise like a new park at Rocky Point. Places like the shoreline at Rocky Point are an important part of our history, culture and stories. It is important that we can act quickly when the opportunities appear to save these special places as part of our heritage. Can we afford this Bond? In tough economic times, it is critical to make sound investments. Every one dollar ($1) in state bond funding for land conservation will attract three to four dollars ($3 - $4) in additional funding from federal programs, foundations, private contributions and municipalities. Results: $2.5 million in state bond funding will generate at least $10 million for protecting the farmland and places we love in communities across the state. This is an unbeatable investment: Rhode Island only pays 20% - 25% of the costs for the state's land conservation programs. Without the state bond funding, Rhode Island will lose much of these matching funds. The cost to Rhode Island's budget for this bond is less than $250,000 a year. This is a cost of only 25 cents per year for each Rhode Island resident. And this is a permanent investment. It does NOT GO AWAY OR NEED TO BE REPLACED in 20 Years like most other state and municipal capital investments. We can NOT afford to lose our remaining farmland, its contribution to the state's economy and our quality of life. And we can not afford to lose $3-5 million each year in non-state funding for our land conservation programs. Many studies document that investing money in land conservation saves municipalities and the state much more money in infrastructure costs and service costs that are incurred if land is unprotected and gets developed. Bond funding is a sound fiscal investment for Rhode Island and will save some of our special places forever - let's leave these places as a legacy for future generations to enjoy and treasure. Vote to APPROVE QUESTION 2: OPEN SPACE AND RECREATIONAL DEVELOPMENT BOND. Help us to build voter understanding about the importance of this Bond to your community! If you have questions about the Bond or want additional information, contact Rupert Friday, RI Land Trust Council 401-331-7110 x 39 This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it |
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