I am writing to express a deep concern over the highly controversial plan being imposed upon every Rhode Islander by the RI Division of Planning.  There seems to be a major disconnect between the idea of a growing and prosperous economy for everyone, and an agenda intended to make decisions based upon everything but sound economic principles.

The most striking statistic about this plan is the sheer number of times phrases that have little to do with economic growth appear in the document: 

• "Social Equity" 27 times
• "Race and ethnicity" 4 times
• "Segregation and racism" 3 times

Consider that 27 times a plan that is supposedly intended to lift up all Rhode Island citizens, uses the term "social equity" in its description of policies and implementation strategy.  Why would anyone consider such factors when developing an economic plan that is supposed to make a better life for everyone in our state?  Is the implication here that somehow people's identities make them better suited to live in certain areas than others? 

What a horrible concept to consider.

I am very concerned about the RI Division of Planning's RhodeMap RI "economic development plan," particularly the language surrounding our local zoning requirements found in the document. 

According to the plan, "the widespread dominance of single family homes played an enormous role in creating an income and equity gradient " in Rhode Island that resulted in a "pattern of segregation" of "predominantly people of color" throughout our state.

Do you agree with this conclusion by the Division of Planning;  that because many of us have achieved the American Dream by owning our own home coupled with our zoning laws, we have willfully selected certain people of particular identities and segregated them from others?

I find this to be a huge insult to all citizens of Rhode Island.  Our ability to plan and zone our communities has never been based upon any particular demographic.  If you disagree with this conclusion, I would respectfully ask that you prove me and my neighbors are somehow intending to segregate others in our society.

It is evident to any objective person that the RhodeMap RI plan is nothing more than an attempt to take the rights of every community in order to impose the obviously misguided and ignorant view of a few people.

It is time to wake up!  If RhodeMap RI is accepted in only weeks, our elected officials will lose their power to make decisions on our behalf.  RhodeMap RI comes with many strings attached.   Once the money in the form of grants from, HUD, DOT, & the EPA are accepted, these federal agencies will have control of our towns, cities, and state.

It has already happened in East Greenwich, RI . . .