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Jessica, Joan and Jim Halley |
Family
My wife Joan and I have lived in North Kingstown since 1995 and we've been married since 1967. We are true New Englanders - I'm originally from Canton, Massachusetts and Joan is from Milton. Before moving to North Kingstown we lived in Spain, Germany and Japan where I served in the U. S. Navy and taught with the Department of Defense Dependent Schools. Our daughter, Jessica was born in Germany. She graduated from North Kingstown High School in 2000 then, attended Smith College and Rhode Island School of Design. She is now beginning a career as an artist. We love our community and we love living in Rhode Island. North Kingstown has been very good to us and now it's time for me to give back and serve my community in a different public service manner - as your State Representative from District 31. Our current Representative has served in this position for over 18 years, and frankly, that's just too long! We need someone who can lead the way to a better Rhode Island..
Community
Both Joan and I have always been active members of the communities in which we live. Joan is an active member of the Rhode Island Quilting community. She has served on the board of directors and as president of the Narragansett Bay Quilter's Association and has chaired the Quilt Show committee over several years. She works with several women in developing their quilting skills.
I served the families, children and community members of North Kingstown as School Superintendent for twelve years. A listing of my accomplishments can be found under qualifications. I am proud to have led the North Kingstown schools to a very high level of student achievement with a per pupil expenditure below the state average. I feel pride every time I enter the North Kingstown High School building which was constructed and opened during the time I was Superintendent.
I have been very active as a volunteer in the North Kingstown Community. I currently serve as treasurer for the NK Rotary club. I served two terms as president and have been a member of the board for over ten years. I have been recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow. I have been a long time member of the North Kingstown Chamber of Commerce. I served on the board of directors for a number of years and chaired several committees. I am currently serving as an Ambassador.
Commitment
My commitment to the citizens of Rhode Island goes well beyond North Kingstown. I have been a member of the executive board for Narragansett Bay Council of Boy Scouts of America for over a decade. I was a board member and chair of the Southern Rhode Island Collaborative Council. I served as a board member and President of the Rhode Island School Superintendents Association. I currently serve on the board and am a past chair of the Education Alliance at Brown's Northeast Superintendents Leadership Council. I have testified before the General Assembly and participated on statewide task forces on a variety of issues including education, taxes and economic development. At the national level, I have served on the board of directors of the National Parent Teacher Association and as a consultant to the American Association of School Administrators.
I have always been committed to serving the best interests of the most people and will continue to do so as your District 31 Representative.
My promise to you
As Your Representative I will
· Advocate for government and laws that serve all citizens
· Reform the benefits and retirement packages for state employees including elected officials – streamline and simplify the operations of government
· Advocate for tax reform - lower dependence on property tax
· Consolidate and improve educational programs for all children
· Support development of small businesses through decreased regulations and incentives
· Create opportunities for highly trained young people to keep them in Rhode Island - end the brain drain
