My name is Jeremy Allen and I am running for Little Compton Town Council to better protect the environment of our town.

The current Town Council has spent the past four years not making an easy decision that land that the taxpayers of Little Compton spent over $2.25 million to preserve cannot be a parking lot. This inaction has led to a costly lawsuit that has cost the taxpayers $224,800 over what is customarily spent on legal fees.

I asked the Little Compton Town Council president directly, in a meeting, if he had it to do all over again would he change anything and he said no.  The legal fees could have been used to pave roads or put in ramp access to the town hall or even to cut taxes. If you want to stop wasting money on lawyers and preserve the gem that is Little Compton vote for the five Democrats running in November.

Jeremy Allen
Democratic candidate for Little Compton Town Council

Agriculture remains an important foundation of Little Compton’s economy and identity.

Through the Agricultural Conservancy Trust, the town has invested tens of millions of dollars to preserve Compton’s productive farmlands. The challenge of supporting the activities of local farmers while maintaining the integrity of residential neighborhoods can’t be addressed passively or arbitrarily.

In the town’s two zoning districts —Residential and Business — agriculture is a permitted use by right. No matter the outcome of the pending litigation surrounding Carolyn’s Sakonnet Vineyard, the next Town Council will need to review the zoning ordinance regarding accessory agricultural uses. Such a process must encourage ample involvement from the town’s citizens, including its active farmers.

An amended and consistently applied ordinance should ensure that legitimate agricultural enterprises can operate: 1) in an economically and environmentally sustainable manner; 2) with respect for landowner property rights; 3) in conformance with the state Right to Farm Act; and 4) with due consideration for neighboring residents and property owners. Achieving such a balance will be a challenging task. But it is, I believe, a necessary one in order to sustain agricultural activities that benefit all the community, by providing food, employment, income, and the open spaces we all enjoy.

Larry Anderson

Democratic candidate for Little Compton Town Council

My name is Rita Kenahan and I am running for School Committee in Little Compton to continue to enhance and reinforce the good work being done by our current School Committee.

I am quite pleased with the actions they have taken to investigate measures that can be implemented to secure our school. The School Safety and Security Committee has done thorough research and delivered meaningful recommendations. Critical decisions must now be made to take the appropriate actions for our students, teachers, administration and community. I look forward to contributing to this process.

Rita A. Kenahan, RN, EdD

Democratic Candidate for Little Compton School Committee