Ex-mayor vetoes bag-ban motion

Charlie Plybon of the Surfrider Foundation was the featured speaker at the Sept. 27 meeting of the Newport Plastic Bag Community Task Force. Plybon gave a 30-minute presentation on the effects of bag bans around the globe, saying they have gained their best traction in third-world nations with poorly developed sewer systems.(Photo by Rick Beasley)

NEWPORT - Citing meeting rules and questions over committee membership, former mayor Mark Jones derailed a motion to eliminate plastic shopping bags here during a Thursday, Sept. 27 meeting of the Plastic Bag Community Task Force.

Jones, co-chair of the committee, argued that the motion was out of order after bag opponents said they were weary of talking about the issue and were ready to send a recommendation to the city council. The group, comprised of citizens, environmentalists and retailers, has met five times for often-passionate debates since being appointed by the city council in April. The committee, which has studied outright bans, bag fees, public education and voluntary measures to curb use of one-time shopping bags, has until Nov. 5 to send a proposal to the city council.

For the complete article see the 10-03-2012 issue.

Click here to purchase an electronic version of the 10-03-2012 paper.

Share on Facebook