COVENTRY, RI – WPRI Local News: The ongoing dispute between the owners of a Coventry pond and the residents who live around it has made its way to the R.I. State House. Johnson’s Pond has been a point of contention for residents since it was purchased by Soscia Holdings, LLC - last year… In an effort to intervene, Senator Lou Raptakis introduced a bill that would give the town control of the water levels.

Raptakis said Soscia Holdings is “taking drastic actions to manipulate water levels as a means of punishing residents who dare to complain about the company’s actions.”

“They’ve sought to limit residents’ access to the area by putting up gates, called the police to try to stop people from enjoying the pond, filed frivolous suits and even threatened to turn the pond into a solar panel farm,” Raptakis said. “There’s not a wetlands area this company wouldn’t trash if it meant putting money in their pockets.” Read the full article posted by: Sarah Doiron and Anita Baffoni - Click/Tap Here

COVENTRY, RI (WJAR) ...State Senator Lou Raptakis, has suggested- "The General Assembly could be helpful in solving a growing rift between the pond's new owners and the town. ...People use the pond for fishing, boating, recreation, it's part of Coventry. To have some developer come there and try to use this as a money grab is absolutely unacceptable." Read the full, original, article at 10WJAR.

SEPT. 11, 2020 – COVENTRY, RI – "Coventry State Senator Leonidas Raptakis is again calling for schools to have the option to have a moment of silence to commemorate the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks. On the 19th anniversary on Friday, Raptakis announced his plans to reintroduce the legislation in the upcoming legislation session. Because of the coronavirus pandemic, the legislation, introduced last year, did not come to a vote during this session. The new legislative session is set to begin in January.

After the New York law was brought to my attention, I thought this policy would also be useful in Rhode Island’s classrooms," Raptakis explained. "September 11th was one of the most seminal events in our country’s history and as each anniversary of the event goes by, it’s important that we impress the significance of the attack on our students to not only memorialize all that were lost and sacrificed during the attacks, but also to help engage in conversations with students about the impact and history of that terrible day." Read more of Rachel Nunes' Patch story - click/tap here.

RI State Senator Lou Raptakis (District 33, Coventry, E Greenwich, & W Greenwich) joined ABC's "In the Arena" Paolino Properties - Joe Paolino in discussing legislative efforts to raise awareness about:

• Impacts to small businesses regarding the raise of the minimum wage
  
• Lou's efforts to increase penalties for driving under the influence, and
• The national politics climate

The National Herald, by TNH Staff: "COVENTRY, RI – Greek-American Rhode Island State Senator Leonidas Raptakis is calling on Congressmen Jim Langevin and Davic Cicilline, as well as Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse, to support sanctions against the Turkish government for their recent incursion into northern Syria.

Raptakis said the Turkish invasion threatens to turn into a genocide against the Kurdish people who had established a stable area where some two million Kurdish citizens were able to reside in relative peace compared to the rest of the troubled country." Read the full article at The National Herald.

"STATE HOUSE – Sen. Leonidas P. Raptakis (D-Dist. 33, Coventry, East Greenwich, West Greenwich) and Rep. Patricia A. Serpa (D-Dist. 27, West Warwick, Coventry, Warwick) are highlighting the release of Auditor General Dennis Hoyle’s report on the long-troubled Coventry sewer program and the high costs being levied on Coventry’s taxpayers. The Auditor General completed the report at the request of Senator Raptakis, Representative Serpa, and other members of the Coventry delegation in the General Assembly.

The report lays out a detailed analysis of the operations and implementation of the controversial sewer project and offers several recommendations to rectify concerns about the program, as well as, recommendations to ensure the project’s short-term and long-term financial viability and success." Read full report... Click/tap here.