We are delighted to receive word that the Rhode Island House of Representatives will be moving forward a bill from Rep. Joseph McNamara during a vote this week to allow one member of the Rhode Island Airport Corporation’s seven-member board of directors be appointed by the Mayor of Warwick.

After what appeared to be a brief power struggle back in April when this bill first went to the floor for discussion that involved Governor Dan McKee opposing the legislation — as the governor currently appoints all seven members of the board — it seems as though cooler, rational heads have prevailed; which is good news for Warwick.

While we previously have written that having one member of the board being appointed by the mayor won’t necessarily provide Warwick with the ability to influence the actual decisions of the board any more than they currently can, it at least provides the city that hosts the airport to have a literal seat at the table when discussing such decisions. Having that seat will (hopefully) provide Warwick residents with a figurehead and de facto spokesperson to share their concerns, their displeasures, and their general thoughts on the operations of the airport.

We hope that the first appointee (which also must be approved by the Rhode Island Senate) will take that responsibility seriously and strive to work on behalf of the residents of Warwick, as uncomfortable of a position as that might be as the new person coming into a room where others may not be open to receiving such feedback.

A strong airport that takes into considerations the wellbeing of its host community is good for all of Rhode Island, and this legislation — and kudos to Rep. McNamara, Speaker Joe Shekarchi, Senator Mark McKenney, and all other sponsors and supporters of the bill for pushing it forward — is a step in the right direction to make that relationship better, and stronger.