Melvoid “Mel” Benson, a Democratic candidate for the North Kingstown School Committee, says that providing the town’s children with a good education is a priority.

In a statement, she said, “As a former educator, I have a clear understanding of what a good education is. Looking forward I can see what is needed to continue to provide a first-rate public education. Education is entering a new day. Public education begins with preschool and continues through grade 12. It is crucial that all citizens of our town have a high level of engagement and connection with our schools and educating the youth of North Kingstown.

“My goal as a North Kingstown School Committee member will be to continue to provide the best education to our students with the least amount of burden on the taxpayers of North Kingstown.”

Sen. James Sheehan (D-Dist. 36, Narragansett, North Kingstown) says he is concerned about the recent decision to curb bus service to Narragansett and North Kingstown, and has expressed his concerns in a letter to the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority.

In a statement, he said, “RIPTA provides an essential service to the people of my district and the state of Rhode Island. Both senior citizens and people feeling the pinch at the gas pump may be left in the lurch without any means of transport if these changes go through.”

The transit authority recently announced proposed cuts in its bus service, including the elimination of the Flex Service, which serves strictly Narragansett. “These proposed service cuts hurt South County communities,” Sheehan said. “I have written to RIPTA to review their methodology for cutting in South County, namely, might their calculations be biased toward short-haul, inner-city routes with frequent turnover?”