North Smithfield Public Comment

Elizabeth Hammond and Sarah LaFontaine
  • 4.0 (4)
  • Government
  • Updated Monthly

Between school drop-offs and running businesses, who has three hours for a Town Council meeting? Stop sifting through social media rumors and dense agendas. Public Comment is the go-to podcast for North Smithfield news that actually impacts your life. Hosts Sarah and Elizabeth—moms and local business owners—do the heavy lifting for you. We track school funding, tax spending, zoning, and the environment, delivering clear facts for your morning commute. Stop guessing and start knowing. Local news, made for neighbors, by neighbors.

  1. 2d ago

    Episode Seventeen: Candidate Chat with Nelly Burdette

    In this episode, hosts Elizabeth Hammond and Sarah LaFontaine sit down with Nelly Burdette, a psychologist, working mom, and first-generation immigrant running for Rhode Island Senate District 17 (Lincoln, North Smithfield, and North Providence). Nelly shares why two decades in mental healthcare pushed her to run for office — not as a career politician, but as a community member determined to fix broken systems from the inside. We dig into the affordability crisis hitting Rhode Island families, the silos stalling mental health progress, what it takes to rebuild trust between communities and their government, and the door-to-door conversations that keep Nelly hopeful. Plus, Nelly answers our signature questions: if she had a magic wand on day one, what would she change? And what's the one question no one ever asks that she wishes they would? Topics covered: • Healthcare access & affordability in Rhode Island • Mental health system silos and stalled initiatives • Rebuilding community trust in local government • Nelly's immigrant story and what shaped her • "Little p" politics and why every conversation matters • The magic wand question: healthcare for all • What gives Nelly hope 🔗 Learn more about Nelly's campaign: electnelly.com 📧 Reach the show: nspubliccomment@gmail.com 🌐 nspubliccomment.com 📱 Instagram: @nspubliccomment 📘 Facebook: Public Comment North Smithfield If you like what we do, leave us a five-star review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts — it helps your neighbors find us.

  2. Oct 1

    Episode Sixteen: Candidate Chat with Veronicka Vega

    Veronica Vega is running for Rhode Island House District 49,representing Woonsocket and part of North Smithfield. We talk about economic development, school funding, infrastructure, clean energy, and what it really means to be an accessible representative. Veronica also shares her personal story — from experiencing homelessness to running for office. Public Comment: North Smithfield is local news by the neighbors, for the neighbors. We're two local moms and small business owners digging through the issues so you don't have to. Find us at nspubliccomment.com Email: nspubliccomment@gmail.com Instagram: @nspubliccomment Facebook: Public Comment North Smithfield Find Veronica at vegaforri.com on Facebook &Instagram

  3. Sep 24

    Episode Fifteen: Candidate Chat with Jon Brien

    Sarah and Elizabeth sit down with Rhode Island StateRepresentative Jon Brien, the only independent in the RI General Assembly, representing District 49 (Woonsocket & North Smithfield). Jon shares his remarkable political journey — from serving as a Democrat, to losing his seat by 50 votes, to returning a decade later and winning by the exact same marginas an independent. They dig into his landmark 340B prescription drug legislation that took on Big Pharma, Rhode Island's energy policy and why your bills keep rising, the broken two-party system, and what a three-party future could look like. Plus, Jon reveals the career he always wanted — and it involves a turntable, not a gavel. Public Comment is a hyper-local civic podcast hosted by Sarah LaFontaine and Elizabeth Hammond, two North Smithfield moms and small business owners doing the heavy lifting so you don't have to. Find us at nspubliccomment.com or on Facebook at PublicComment North Smithfield. Find Jon by phone (401-559-3999) or email (jondbriendistrict49@gmail.com)

  4. Sep 19

    Episode Fourteen: Public Comment After Dark with Guest Host Bryan Murray

    Sometimes following local politics is enough to drive you to drink - so that's what we did. Elizabeth and Sarah are joined by guest host Bryan Murray for the first-ever episode of Public Comment After Dark. They do a wine and tequila filled deep dive into the North Smithfield town council race. They unpack the pettiness of the local campaign season, from sign-stealing drama to Facebook feuds, and explore why nice neighbors seem to transform after they declare a candidacy. Then, the trio puts all eight town council candidates — Kevin Carriere, Rebecca DeCristofaro, Sean Fuller, Paul Jones, Ann Lilley, BethNewberry, Michael Plante, and David Punchak — through the "Google Test," searching to see what everyday voters can actually find online about each candidate's platform. From SEO-optimized websites to candidates with no digital presence at all, they leave no search result unturned. Plus, Bryan shares his vision for building communities that residents inherit, and we ask him the question no one ever asks. Pour yourself a glass of your favorite after-dark beverage and tune in.Find us: • Website: nspubliccomment.com • Email: nspubliccomment@gmail.com • Facebook: Public Comment North Smithfield (page and group) • Instagram: @nspubliccomment Find the Candidates: • Kevin Carriere: https://kevinforns.com/ • Rebecca DeCristofaro (incumbent): https://yourteamfornstc.com/ • Sean Fuller • Paul Jones: https://www.electpauljones.com/ • Ann Lilley: https://yourteamfornstc.com/ • Beth Newberry: https://yourteamfornstc.com/ • Michael Plante • David Punchak (incumbent): https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61563070934094

    Episode Fourteen: Public Comment After Dark with Guest Host Bryan Murray

  5. Sep 17

    Episode 13: Candidate Chat with Mark Fasano

    In this episode of Public Comment, Elizabeth and Sarahwelcome Mark Fasano, candidate for North Smithfield School Committee. Mark talks about his 20 years as a North Smithfield resident, his work building the town's youth softball program, and his goals for the school system if elected. It's a conversation about community, kids, and what it means to serve your town. Public Comment is a local news podcast covering NorthSmithfield, Rhode Island — by the neighbors, for the neighbors. Mark's website is https://fasanofornorthsmithfield.weebly.com Follow us: Facebook at Public Comment North Smithfield| Instagram at @nspubliccomment

  6. Sep 10

    Episode Twelve: Candidate Chat with Ken Block

    This week on Public Comment, we sit down with Ken Block —independent candidate for Rhode Island governor — for a deep, no-talking-points conversation about the state's biggest problems and what it actually takes to fix them. Ken gets into it all: why housing affordability is one ofthe hardest problems Rhode Island faces and why there are no easy answers. Why he believes bus fares should be eliminated; the education crisis in Rhode Island's urban districts, and why fixing K through 3 is the key to everything else. He shares the remarkable story behind his book — how he was hired by the Trump 2020 campaign to investigate voter fraud, found none, and ended up subpoenaed by multiple grand juries. Plus: why Rhode Island's 911 system is dangerously slow, how the Washington Bridge failed because of clogged drains, why $44,000-a-year health insurance is crushing the state, and his plan for a regional insurance marketplace across New England. We also ask Ken our traditional closing question — what'sthe one thing he'd fix with a magic wand? His answer might surprise you. Find Ken at kenblock.com. Find us at nspubliccomment.com, onInstagram @nspubliccomment, and on Facebook at Public Comment North Smithfield.

  7. Aug 31

    Episode Eleven: Candidate Chat with Xay Khamsyvoravong

    Former Newport mayor Xay Khamsyvoravong joins Elizabeth and Sarah to discuss his run for Rhode Island Lieutenant Governor. The conversation covers his family's immigrant story, the real responsibilities of the LG office, and why workforce is the through line connecting every major challenge facing the state — from housing construction and healthcare access to infrastructure and education. Topics include the NSPTO's impact on local schools, thehealthcare provider shortage and billing paperwork crisis, mental health support for kids, Flock camera privacy concerns, Rhode Island's billion-dollar infrastructure liabilities, and why proactive local government is essential tokeeping communities thriving. Xay also shares advice for first-time town council candidates, lessons from fighting to keep Newport's birthing center open, and the question he wishes more people would ask him. Find Xay at xayforri.com or @xayforri on social media. Find us at nspubliccomment.com or@PublicCommentNorthSmithfield on Facebook and Instagram.

  8. Aug 27

    Episode Ten: Candidate Chat with Michael Plante

    Michael Plante, candidate for North Smithfield Town Council,joins Elizabeth and Sarah to talk about why he's trading a 43-year real estate career for local government. From contaminated school water that's gone unfixed for years, to budget waste hiding in plain sight, to his fiduciary-firstphilosophy — Michael makes the case that local politics needs more business sense and fewer cheerleaders. Plus: the quarry dispute, flock cameras, solar farms, zoning reform, and the teachers and Boy Scout leaders who shaped him. Find us at nspubliccomment.com or email nspubliccomment@gmail.com. Follow Public Comment North Smithfield on Facebook and Instagram (@NSPublicComment). Contact Michael at 401-487-7600.

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Ratings & Reviews

4
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Between school drop-offs and running businesses, who has three hours for a Town Council meeting? Stop sifting through social media rumors and dense agendas. Public Comment is the go-to podcast for North Smithfield news that actually impacts your life. Hosts Sarah and Elizabeth—moms and local business owners—do the heavy lifting for you. We track school funding, tax spending, zoning, and the environment, delivering clear facts for your morning commute. Stop guessing and start knowing. Local news, made for neighbors, by neighbors.

Information

  • Creator
    Elizabeth Hammond and Sarah LaFontaine
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    17
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Elizabeth Hammond and Sarah LaFontaine
  • Show Website
    North Smithfield Public Comment