USS Saratoga Museum Foundation, Inc.

NOTE: This copyrighted article originally appeared in the Rhode Island newspaper The Standard Times on 27 December, 2001. The editorial cartoon (click on the image to view at full size) appeared in the 3 January 2002 edition. Both are reprinted here with the permission of the publisher.

The Almond Administration, which despite its rhetorical smokescreen is hell-bent-for-leather to impose a container port on us, is trying to scuttle the Saratoga Museum project.

Last week, the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation (EDC) voted 5-5 on a motion to extend the conditional lease for the project, in effect denying the lease extension.

The vote is curious in one major aspect. The conditional lease that the Saratoga project had at the Quonset Point/Davisville Port and Commerce Park contained a 30-day cancellation clause that would have allowed the EDC to oust the Saratoga project if another more viable tenant wanted the property. In short continuing the conditional lease beyond the Dec. 31 termination date that it has would not have tied up the EDC anymore than it has been since the lease was first granted more than two years ago.

Thus it is obvious, the Almond Administration and its lackeys on the EDC board simply want the Saratoga project to go away. The EDC obviously wants to clear the decks so it can have clearer sailing to its ultimate goal-bring a container port to Quonset.

It is also obvious that the EDC is simply scrounging for ways to scuttle the Saratoga project without actually coming out and saying the project is not welcome.

The rationale some EDC members had for turning down the extension was the perception that the Saratoga Museum Foundation lacks collateral and that the state could be affected should the project fail and default on debt insurance. The foundation requested debt insurance but the RI Industrial-Recreational Building Authority took no action, citing the possibility of federal national emergency reverter laws that would not allow the project to more forward. But the Navy recently said the reversion statues do not apply in this case.

The project is a laudable one-bring the mothballed aircraft carrier Saratoga from across the bay, moor it at Quonset and convert it into a museum that can be tied in with a host of other activities with educational and tourism spinoffs. The supporters of the project think the project will be a big economic boost for the state in revenue and jobs.

Obviously the Almond Administration doesn't share this view. The Almondites involved in the EDC must consider the Saratoga project a pie-in-the-sky plan and it is painfully obvious, despite all their denials over the existence of a hidden agenda in the QP/D Master Plan process, they are pursuing the port as if it were the Holy Grail.

So the question now arises: What now for the Saratoga project? Fortunately, Frank Lennon, the charismatic and well-qualified president of the Saratoga Museum Foundation is not a quitter. He plans to steam ahead at flank speed to raise the money needed to pull it off.

"This is a setback," Lennon said recently. But he has no intention of backing off.

In reality, all the Saratoga project needs to do is to stay alive for 11 more months. Because next November the Almond Administration fortunately will be history and so far every potential gubernatorial candidate has publicly backed the Saratoga project.

The foundation needs $8.5 million of which $1 million has been raised in unconditional guarantees and about $2.5 million in conditional pledges.

Since, obviously the Saratoga project won't get much support from Almond and his henchmen, it's up to the public to come to the rescue. Pledges in any amounts are welcome and each pledge, no matter how small, is a vote of confidence in the project. Rhode Island history is rife with episodes where the elected and appointed leaders are out of touch with the majority of the populace. Now is the time for the people to come to the rescue of a worthwhile project.

Donations to the USS Saratoga Museum Foundation Inc., can be mailed to PO Box 845, North Kingstown RI 02852 or donations can be made on the foundation's website http://www.saratogamuseum.org.

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Last Updated:
1/10/02