The Rehoboth
Reporter
JANUARY 2011 VOLUME 23, NO. 1
Free
Serving the Residents of Rehoboth, Seekonk and Surrounding Communities Since 1989
New Year. New You. Your 2011 Health & Fitness Guide page 52
(below) Pack 2 Tiger Den 7 on a hike.
Rehoboth Selectmen Meeting Shocks Town McBride Resigns, Marciello Is Ousted
By Laura Calverley The board of selectmen started the New and I hope my resignation will increase pubYear off with a very eventful meeting on Janu- lic awareness, dialogue and action by all the ary 3. During that meeting, Selectmen Kevin citizens of this town that they become more McBride shocked the town with his resigna- focused and involved in their government tion, Town Administrator David Marciello because right now my opinion of our governlost his job when the board did not renew ment is that it is dysfunctional and chaotic,” his contract, the board decided not to take McBride said in a statement. McBride is an Iraq war veteran and Naany disciplinary action against Police Chief Stephen Enos for the incident that took place tional Guard Major General with more than last month, Building Inspector Tom Nerney 28 years of service. He said he decided to resigned, and finally, the board took heat resign at this time so that his position could for not yet acting on a recent town meeting be filled in the upcoming April election and decision to expand the board from three would not require a special election. He was elected to the board of selectmembers to five members. Selectman McBride said he was resign- men in 2009. Also at Monday’s meeting, the board ing due to “significant philosophical differences and because his participation on the declined to renew Town Administrator David board to serve the residents “has become Marciello’s contract. McBride motioned for a one-year extension, but neither Foley nor ineffective.” “I would like to extend my sincere Leffort seconded. Marciello was working under a monthgratitude and publicly thank all those citizens who diligently supported me for the last two to-month guaranteed contract until January years. This decision was not made easily 5 of this year. ...continued on page 4
Seekonk Kiwanis Club Sponsors the fifteenth annual
tAstE of the tOWn February 1st
at the Johnson & Wales Inn / Rt. 44 Seekonk • 6:00pm-9:00pm TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE from Lynn at 508-336-5 36 Edith at 508-336-8130 Bev at 508-336-9352 or the Town Clerk at 508-336-2920
There will be food tasting from many of the area’s finest restaurants and wine tasting offered by many wine vendors. Last year’s participants included Audrey’s, Applebee’s, Autumn’s Cafe, Bone Yard Barbeque, Chardonnay’s, Cold Stone Creamery, Country Kitchen, Davenport’s, Eleven Forty Nine East, Lemon & Oil Deli, Luxury Box, Ninety-nine, Old Grist Mill Tavern, Stop & Shop, Tai-Pan, Tito’s Cantina, Vino’s Café and Young’s Caterers. There will be a 50/50 cash raffle and a raffle of dinners and items from the vendors.
All proceed are to help children, their families and their communities
Third Time’s the Charm for Steven Howitt
by Laura Calverley Republican Steven Howitt, the new state representative for our area, is a third generation Seekonk resident and local business owner who is looking forward to working for the people of the district in the state legislature. Howitt beat Steve D’Amico, the two-term Democratic incumbent, after a hard-fought campaign. It was Howitt’s third run for the seat, which represents Seekonk, Rehoboth, Precinct 1 in Norton and four precincts in Swansea. Howitt says that many people encouraged him to run again and his platform struck a chord with voters and helped him win the election. “Everyone wanted to see a change,” Howitt said. ...continued on page 8