Those who have visited the State House and examined the statue of Thomas Wilson Dorr marvel at its detail, carved from one piece of wood by Joe A. Avarista of Johnston, RI.

It’s remarkable that Assembly leaders have honored the memory of OCG’s rebel hero, Thomas Wilson Dorr with this lifelike wooden statue now on display in the State House. He was the leader of what history books call “Dorr’s Rebellion” in 1842. He was the impatient lawyer who led the movement to give all citizens the vote in 1841. In his day, the only voters were men who owned $134 worth of land. However, at the time, Rhode Island was filling with factory workers. So in October of 1841 Dorr’s party called a constitutional convention, while the legislature did the same, allowing some concessions. Both conventions were extralegal and Federal government refused to intervene. Dorr’s party resorted to arms and assaulted the Providence armory, for which Dorr was indicted for high treason and sentenced in 1844 to solitary confinement at hard labor for life. The harshness of the sentence was widely condemned and he was released in 1845, but his health was broken, and he died in 1854. Rhode Island’s constitution owes much to Thomas Wilson Dorr’s efforts although we still fight an oppressive legislature. [return]

During the past month the campaign to bring Voter Initiative to Rhode Island took several steps forward. OCG held a membership forum on April 23 explaining what Voter Initiative is and then a group met and a name for a new coalition was selected: Voter Initiative Alliance. Further meetings are planned and membership is being broadened. A petition drive has started to collect 20,000 signatures of voters requesting that the question for Voter Initiative be on the 2006 ballot. These petitions will be presented to the General Assembly early in January 2006. [return]

Operation Clean Government is seeing a sharp rise in renewals and new members. Coordinator June Spink (of URI) finds her work satisfying because of the inspiring remarks that come in with the checks. For example:

• “You are doing a great job. Thanks!”
• “Keep up the good work” (a frequent note)
• “Great work!”
• “Thank you for the work you do.”
• “Many thanks for the great efforts!”
• “Congratulations to all!”
• “Keep fighting. R.I. is a disgrace!”

On the subject of volunteering June reports these comments: “Someday – right now my time is limited!” (with a sad face drawing).

Another: “I’m sorry I can’t volunteer – am going to be babysitting a new grandchild! (this with a happy face drawing)

June was ‘touched’ by the lady who wrote that she was legally blind and elderly so she could not do volunteer work, but was interested in all the activities and wishes the group well.

June Spink concluded her report with the comment that: “I look forward to each batch of mail and the sweet notes that may be attached.” [return]

Some people watching ‘Bev’ Clay testify at State House hearings assume she is a lawyer -- her mastery of legislation under study is so complete. Others, noticing her recall of events long past, wondered if she has a photographic memory. Then, there’s the squirrel factor...she has complete files of everything OCG has ever done.

Well, she may be all of those...but what she is (or was) is a retired math teacher from the Somerset (MA) school system.

The most noticeable thing about Bev is just plain dogged determination. She spends countless hours patiently nurturing legislation in the State House when she could be home enjoying the “dream house” she and husband Bill designed and built themselves on the RI/CT border in West Greenwich. Her home is about 45 minutes from the State House...a trip she’s been known to make twice in the same day!

As editor of the OCG newspaper RI Citizen Alert and other publications, Bev is the final stop for the accuracy of everything printed by OCG. Her favorite relaxation is walking the back yard woods with her two black labs, throwing sticks for them fetch – with her cell phone ready to resolve any question. Here is OCG’s beating heart. [return]