Dear KN Group,

Many of you have already read the stories in the Providence Journal and the
Newport Daily News. Many of you are wondering just what the heck happened.
Before any of you start wandering off into conspiracy theories or taking credit
for a victory you had nothing to do with, here's how it went down:

When Councilor Napolitano confirmed her trip to Japan, many wheels spun imto
motion. By the way, the Hotel people were told from the beginning to avoid any
trips and the Budget period. Notice how well they listened. This trip had been
planned for some time and Councilor Napolitano should go.

Two parliamentary proposals to delay were rejected because they did not seem
fair and honest. I was asked to make sure Councilor O'Neill, through whatever
means necessary, would stay on board. I said "No." (I'll get to reasons in a
moment) Others were asked to complete this task and they said "No" as well.
Councilor O'Neill was to be left to his own conscience and this moring I called
him to support the position he has taken.

It was that next day, Wednesday, that I leaked the trial balloon on WADK. On
Thursday, I announced the deal, the worst kept political secret in Newport, to
be dead. Just this morning, the waterfront supporters emails have started to
show up. Don't you guys listen to the radio? (By the way, the Newport Daily
News says that I'm an activist or, worse yet, an operative. The Journal has me
as an insider. The Newport This Week has referred to me as a thug, a
mafia member and an attack dog for House leadership. What does it take
-obviously I'm kidding - for a guy to get some respect around here? I guess
beating David Carlin - now I'm not kidding - for Democratic City Chairman should
do it.)

I walked away, as many others did, for what I believe are the following 4
reasons:

1. The average citizen never liked the project. Let's face it, the project was
ugly. We need to do expansion. The Harbor walk is important. Taking pressure
of the 5th Ward is important but not this way. The average citizen never wanted
to support this even though it met those goals. We need to take these goals to
every Newporter before trying this again.

2. The Hospitality Commission and Harbor Hotel Management way underperformed.
Even taking out the "fake" emails from the obstructionist side, yes, even "no"
votes recognize them, emails and phone calls were running 100 to 1 against. It
can be said neither Hospitality nor Harbor Hotel reached out at all. This
behavior will not be rewarded.

3. Turner Scott. Some of us have a problem with him representing expansion one
time and then getting in the way of expansion the next. He should pick one side
or the other.

4. There will be a next time. However, that next time should coincide with the
Page Bronk memo on this topic. If you haven't read it, I think you should. By
the way, a lot of what Fairfield Communities wants (Long Wharf Timeshare
formally owned by Eastern Resorts) violates the memo. We do need to honor the
comprehensive land use plan, but with a program that builds consensus, not
division.

In short, mistakes were made, lessons were learned, it happens.

Take Care
Bobby Oliveira