Directing a portion of the settlement funds towards the town's groundwater resources at Saw Mill Pond would greatly benefit North Kingstown's groundwater resource.

Not only do we have to combat overtime use but we also have 19 members of the department eligible for retirement. We've had bulk retirements in the past. This year there are four who are going to make some move in the next six to eight months.

Offshore drilling could turn our beaches and coastal waters into an industrial zone. Rather than auction off our valuable coastline to oil and gas companies, Virginia should be leading the way with energy solutions that will sustain our energy needs and our economy far into the future.

No other state is asking for this. One state could effectively undermine the entire federal moratorium.

From an environmental perspective, we should be responsible for our own waste.

We still have concerns that this legislation could lead to hot spots of mercury pollution in the state.