FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 7, 2002

Contact: Frank Lennon
      (401) 831-8696

      John Martin
      (401) 247-9243

Former EDC Communications Director Joins Saratoga Museum Effort

John Martin on board as consultant

"We are delighted to acquire the experience and expertise of John Martin," said Saratoga Foundation President Frank Lennon. "His guidance will help us in government relations, marketing and effective use of the media.

"In view of the EDC Board's recent tie vote that denied the extension of our conditional access agreement, we must reassess the obstacles that face us," added Lennon. "Examining the history of other projects at Quonset we must ask, 'Is there a double standard at work here? Are we being held to different criteria than other Quonset tenants? If so, why? How do we get past such a mindset?' Those are some of the questions John can help us answer," he concluded.

Martin will perform consulting services to assist the Foundation, with emphasis on advancing the Foundation's efforts to convince the EDC and the State of Rhode Island that Narragansett Bay should be the Saratoga's permanent home as the centerpiece of a non-profit Air, Land & Sea Heritage and Technology Park.

As the project's Communications Director, Martin will engineer strategies for improved marketing efforts, including the creation of a national publicity campaign, optimizing the Foundation's already effective Web site (www.saratogamuseum.com) and addressing the needs of local media. At the EDC, he was in charge of all media, public and community relations efforts. Martin's experience as an online marketer will allow the Foundation to better utilize the Internet as a cost-effective means of gathering support.

He will be part of a team that will develop innovative fund-raising strategies and gain the support necessary to turn the Saratoga Foundation's vision into reality.

"John Martin's appointment in February of 1999 brought a breath of fresh air to the EDC," added Lennon. "His experience as a journalist and his non-political perspective helped shed a different light on a number of issues within EDC, including ours. His voice of reason and objectivity helped focus internal attention on how a successful Saratoga project could enhance Quonset's image and gain the former Naval Air Station more positive recognition.

"His background in radio and at the Providence Journal caused him to be more sensitive than most about the value of public opinion and the power of grass roots support."

"With scores of dedicated volunteers and most of the state's political leadership solidly behind the Foundation's efforts, this project will move forward," Martin said. "We will concentrate on giving Saratoga Museum supporters an even stronger voice. In these times of heightened national security, people in Rhode Island and around the nation appreciate the importance of preserving this piece of history and honoring those who stood on her decks in defense of freedom throughout the world."

"This marvelous opportunity must not be squandered," said Bill Sheridan, who retired earlier this year from a career in Statewide Planning and is now Deputy Director of the Saratoga project.

"A few years ago, the Quonset-Davisville Management Corporation advisory board and the EDC board of directors approved a park vision plan that accommodated cultural and recreational uses. They felt this would provide balance to industrial use and would fulfill their obligations to be good neighbors. The development of an Air, Land & Sea Heritage and Technology Park is consistent with that balance. It is time to put aside the political wrangling that has kept the project from coming to fruition."

Added Lennon, "The overwhelming support by legislative members of the Quonset and EDC boards on the recent vote on extending our conditional lease is one of many strong indicators of public support. It is time for the people to be heard, and that is why we are fortifying our effort to get that message across to the current administration.

"Foundation leadership is still puzzled by the EDC decision, which seemed to go against every indication that an extension would be granted, especially in light of the September terrorist attacks.

"We made a presentation to both the Quonset board and the EDC board in November, stating quite frankly that the terrorist attacks had slowed our progress considerably, both technically and financially," said Lennon. "At that time, the reception to our extension request seemed to be quite supportive and sympathetic."

Foundation officials pointed out that in the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks, fundraising resources have been mobilized as never before to provide aid to the victims and their families. Admirable as that effort has been, it has had a chilling effect on the fund raising efforts of most other non-profit efforts nationwide - and the Saratoga Museum project was no exception.

Joseph White of Nixon Peabody LLC, counsel to the Foundation, expressed his concerns about the EDC vote to deny the extension. "Is this the message we as Rhode Islanders want to send to the rest of the nation? Are we really willing to walk away from such a project, which has generated such broad grass roots support and which holds so much potential in so many different areas?"

"Those areas include educational, social and quality of life benefits in addition to the potential $30 million in annual economic impact," White continued. "According to the Foundation, the project creates more than 500 jobs (directly and indirectly) and adds $1.6 million in new direct tax revenues to the state coffers."

In addition, successful acquisition and relocation of the carrier offers significant opportunities for educational enhancements, after school "safe haven" activities and vocational training programs designed to make the unemployed/underemployed more productive citizens.

The USS Saratoga Museum Foundation, Inc., an all-volunteer group, created this vision of a major non-profit museum/memorial, educational center and family attraction, and has worked for more than 40 months to turn that vision into reality.

Against all odds, this volunteer group has brought the project to the brink of fruition. Labor unions, environmentalists, businessmen, and veterans have joined a bi-partisan, grass roots effort to see this project through. The North Kingstown Planning and Harbor Management Commissions, as well as the Town Council have endorsed the Park. Ten other City/Town Councils from Providence to Warwick to Glocester have echoed these endorsements. The Providence Journal, Providence Business News and a host of local newspapers also have endorsed the project in editorials.

"In the wake of the September 11 attacks on America, this country needs projects such as ours more than ever. We look forward to John's help to make it happen," concluded Lennon.

John Martin

John Martin served as EDC Associate Director of Corporate Communications. He left state government to become Vice-President of Marketing for BX.COM, a Providence-based Internet company that provides Web Site development technologies and marketing assistance to major corporations and institutions. Martin was media columnist for the Providence Journal from 1987-1999, and during that time also wrote a daily television column syndicated nationally by the New York Times. Prior to joining the journal, he was a WEAN Radio talk show host. In radio, he worked for CBS and was a regular contributor to National Public Radio. Martin served as press secretary to former Governor Bruce Sundlun in his 1986 campaign. Most recently, he has worked as a marketing and communications consultant, with clients in New York City and Providence. A Missouri native, Martin is a graduate of the University of Missouri School of Journalism and Brown University. He resides in Barrington with his wife and two children.

• Back to the Saratoga Museum Foundation Home Page

Last Updated:
1/7/02