Kate Leonard: Improving Quality of Life

Available by phone and email 24/7, Kate ALWAYS responds offering solutions to constituent problems and needs

• Negotiated personally with then Fleet Bank to gain the site for the Thames Street Police sub-station, keeping the neighborhood safe
• Lobbied and voted to create 2 new deputy zoning officer positions to promote peace and control,  eliminate over-crowding, thus making life better for all of us
• Fought to relieve traffic congestion in residential neighborhoods

*sponsored ordinance changes to disallow buses in residential neighborhoods; 
*expanded ordinances for residential sticker parking

• Fought to protect residential quality of Newport Green
• Co-sponsored the resolution to extend the lease of the King Senior Center
• Helped Harrison Avenue residents to remove the “stink” from private sewer line
• Sponsored the resolution to limit the number of telephone poles and protect historic lighting fixtures
• Raised private funds to restore historic lighting at Touro Park
• Found benefactor to restore historic fencing to the Newport entry on Marlboro Street

• Participates in neighborhood organizations: Bellevue Ochre Point Association, The Hill Association, Lower Thames Business Assoc., Castle Hill Association, etc.
• Works with RI D.E.M.  State park officials to maintain good residential relationships

 Kate Leonard: Working for Newport Families

• Acquired private funding for numerous projects:
• Fifth Ward Little League Bleachers
• Rogers High School Horticulture Program - created, organized, the program to provide students mentoring and summer jobs (10 years)
• NIMFEST - King Park Summer Concert Series - every Sunday/all summer
• Student Exchange Program - organized program to provide local students opportunity to travel to Ireland, Japan, and Italy
• Installed historic fencing around Aquidneck Park to protect children
• Worked diligently to protect and preserve Fort Adams State Park from developers who would have curtailed public use
• *local residents can continue to use mooring around park

*families can still swim at Fort Adams State Park
*Rugby players utilize the fields
*Sail Newport can still operate at Fort Adams location offering affordable Public sailing and instruction and attract new sailors
*The Newport Museum of Yachting can continue to promote the culture and heritage of yachting
Kate Leonard: Demanding Financial Accountability

• Voted repeatedly to revise City Budget to keep taxes stable               
• Privatized the sewers
• Instituted capital road improvements
• Co-sponsored resolutions for good fiscal accountability

                                    - Stopped borrowing between tax bill collections
                                     - Identified OPEB/Pension Obligation Liabilities

• Sponsored resolution to request an analysis of city’s indebtedness for future stability
• Continues to fight to eliminate No Bid contracts
• Sponsored resolution to work with Federal legislators to acquire excess Navy property for economic development/job creation
• Pushed for development of State acquired Connell Highway land for future job and business development
• Worked with sailing groups to bring sail races/regattas to Newport to improve economy

Kate Leonard: Improving Local Business

• Participated in Navy meetings to gain access to Navy surplus properties
• Attends Lower Thames Business Meetings to improve business climate of Lower Thames Street, sponsoring resolutions for Thursdays on Thames, Valet Parking, Better Communication during sewer work projects
• Communicates with Chamber of Commerce, RI Economic Development Commission to enhance business opportunities
• Uses small business experience to assist and address the needs of local small businesses
• Sponsored resolution to allow better signage for business promotion

Kate Leonard: Working to Protect our Waterfront and Open Space

• Partnered with Friends of the Waterfront to protect public access, including Washington Street Extension and 26 rights of way to the water
• Identified and repaired leaking bathhouse sewer pipes at King Park that were leaking into the harbor
• Voted to update Harbor Management Plan for better use of harbor and more moorings
• Lobbied to renovate the King Park bathrooms
• Raised private funds to create the King Park Harbor Walk
• Partnered with the Newport Preservation Society to renovate King Park gazebo
• Partnered with the Prince Foundation and Aquidneck Island Land Trust to purchase the land surrounding Almy Park and to protect it from development
• Approved City Planning Board’s update of the Comprehensive Land Use Plan
• Sponsored resolutions to expand Fisherman Parking designated areas
• Co-sponsored resolution to enhance the role of the Tree Commission in protecting open space   
• Sponsored resolution to establish Critical Area Review Committee to protect open space