Tony Jones is Running for Town Council

NORTH KINGSTOWN, RI—The majority/minority dynamic between Democrats and Republicans on the North Kingstown Town Council has created some tense moments of friction since its members were sworn in in December, 2014.

This November, voters looking to shake up the make-up of the council will have a third option. Not a D, or an R, but an L.

Tony Jones, the state director for Gary Johnson's 2016 campaign for President, has announced he's in the running for a Town Council seat as a Libertarian.

Jones said his goal is to repeal ordinances that require unnecessary permits and licenses, or as he puts it, bureaucratic red tape.

“I want to make the town as business-friendly as possible, and that means looking at existing town ordinances with an eye toward repealing the ones that impose unnecessary burdens, permits and licenses,” Jones said.

He also said his priority is to improve communication between elected officials and residents.

"When taxpayers voice their concerns and ideas, they deserve to know they are being heard and represented. I am committed to better constituent services than we are currently getting," he said.

He also said that he would help develop a strong volunteer base for the town and emphasize the promotion of the town as an arts, culture and food destination.

Jones, a lifelong Rhode Islander, is a real estate agent and former operations supervisor with General Dynamics Electric Boat Corporation. He's also the owner of Tony Jones Omnimedia and the founder and host of the nonprofit RI Free Radio network.

Anyone involved in the community for some length of time is well-aware of Jones' presence in the community. After moving from East Greenwich to North Kingstown several years ago, the Town Council there publicly thanked him for his volunteerism with a formal citation that was read aloud in council chambers.

Since moving to North Kingstown, he's become a dedicated member of the North Kingstown Arts Council. He's also a member of the Mount Vernon Lodge No. 4 Free and Accepted Masons.

Many Rhode Islanders also know Jones as a former candidate for Lieutenant Governor. In 2014, with the blessing of the late Robert Healey, Jones sought to abolish the office as Healey did so many times, arguing the position was merely ceremonial and the more-than $1 million budget could be better spent.

Now, Jones is serving as state director for Libertarian Gary Johnston's 2016 presidential campaign.