To the Editor,

Rhode Island Airport Corporation’s President, Iftikhar Ahmad, PE, rarely puts himself before a public body that can say no to his demands for airport expansion and make it stick, believe me.

The Mayor’s Facebook page shows that he has been battling Mr. Ahmad for three years with limited success.

Now, the Warwick City Council will stand in as judge and jury on August 19, 2024, listening to Mr. Ahmad’s argument that nobody uses Bunker Street in the minipark off of Palace Avenue to walk their dogs anymore.

City Council members will not be legislating anything. They won’t be voting for airport expansion or an airport haircut on behalf of their wards. No, they will be the triers of fact: Does the public use Bunker Street, or is it true, as Mr. Ahmad reports, the people have gone away?

So, you,

1. who walk your dogs down Bunker Street or want to go there but are put off by the signs,

2. who own homes on Palace Avenue or nearby streets worth $400,000 or more (they are all worth that),

3. who could see your property values plunge if Mr. Ahmad convinces the City Council that you don’t want to walk down Bunker Street anymore,

4. and, that you are not cool with overarching CVS, Textron, Citizens Bank, or worse yet, Boston venture capital corporate jet hangars in your back yards which will drive the value of your homes into the swamp,

You need to come to the City Council on August 19, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. or write official letters saying you walk, or want to walk, down Bunker Street in the minipark to walk your dog or whatever.

It’s as simple as that. You tell your version of the truth. It does not matter whether you support the airport or not.

If you walk down, or want to walk down, Bunker Street, let it be known. Speak up, or you may get an unexpected back door neighbor: CVS, Textron, or Citizens Bank corporate flight operations. And your nest egg may wither.

What will the City Council do? I see them listening to you and telling Mr. Ahmad that evidence shows that Bunker Street is still a public street, and the City Council is against his Jersey Barriers, his no trespassing signs, and the dorky orange fences.

If you want to keep CVS from building a hangar behind your house, if you want to prevent a plunge in your home’s value, you will take the time to write to Mr. Howe, your Councilperson. Content:

Dear Councilperson Howe:

Please recognize that Bunker Street has not become useless to the public.

Our real estate values depend on you finding that Bunker Street is still a very useful public street that adds value to our home.

If you say “no,” our real estate values will plummet when RIAC builds hangars, or whatever, there. We could lose $50,000 or $100,000 in home value if you do not find that we (want to) walk down Bunker Street (with our pooch).

Please help us present the message to the City Council - That Bunker Street remains a public highway where we can continue to walk our dog.

Thank you,

Best address to write to make sure your opinion is known:

C/O Lynn D’Abrosca, Warwick City Clerk, 3275 Post Road, Warwick RI 02886

Or put the letter in an email to the City Clerk; lynn.dabrosca@warwickri.gov requesting verification of receipt.

Better yet, come to the hearing on August 19th at 7:00 p.m. Warwick City Council Chambers. When Mr. Ahmad lies that nobody uses Bunker Street anymore, he loses.

Richard Langseth
Warwick