This is an issue that we're all wrestling with. I've been persuaded by the argument that closing the Saunderstown station is a bad idea. If we just take the existing station we have, adequately staff it, find a way to get a truck down there, then that's probably what we have to do in the near term and probably what the growth pattern demands in the long term.

We see the passion of the neighborhood and their interest in this but we also know that money is tight.

They're going to have to convince people to go for this. It's to the benefit of the school department if we understand this.

I can't escape the conclusion that the recent interest in this change in the way our local government works has been brought about by frustration over current conditions in the school committee rather than by any measured consideration of the general process of government.