You’re listening to the Westerly Sun’s podcast, where we talk about the best local events, new job postings, obituaries, and more.

First, a bit of Rhode Island trivia. Today’s trivia is brought to you by Perennial. Perennial’s new plant-based drink “Daily Gut & Brain” is a blend of easily digestible nutrients crafted for gut and brain health. A convenient mini-meal, Daily Gut & Brain” is available now at the CVS Pharmacy in Wakefield.

Now for some trivia. Did you know that Rhode Island native, James Siwy is a former pro baseball player and police officer? A right-handed pitcher, Siwy had a brief Major League Baseball career with the Chicago White Sox, playing in two games for the club in 1982 and another in 1984. His seven-year career in the minor leagues started in 1981 and ended in 1987. After his baseball career ended, Siwy worked with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department for over 20 years.

Now, for our feature story:

Republican members of the state's bipartisan redistricting commission want the Connecticut Supreme Court to reconsider its decision to tap a Stanford University law professor to help redraw congressional districts after the group couldn’t reach a bipartisan agreement and missed its deadline this week.

The four commission members, all state legislators, filed a motion that requests Nathaniel Persily not serve as the court-appointed expert or special master and that two special masters instead be appointed “to preserve the public’s confidence in the fairness of the redistricting process.”

The motion came hours after the state's highest court issued a notice announcing it had appointed Persily, who previously served as special master in 2011 during the last reapportionment process when Connecticut lawmakers also couldn’t reach a bipartisan agreement on congressional district boundaries.

The Republicans noted that Persily's name was not on the list of three possible special masters they had submitted for the court to consider. However, he was mentioned publicly by Democratic Senate President Martin Looney as someone the Democrats would recommend to the court. Ultimately, the Democrats did not submit any names.

The court has not yet responded to the Republicans' motion.

According to a notice issued Thursday by the State Supreme Court, Persily is ultimately required to submit his plan to the justices on or before Jan. 18. The court will then accept submissions up until Jan. 24 and a hearing before the court is planned for Jan. 27. The court is expected to file its redistricting plan with the Office of the Secretary of the State by Feb. 15.

For more information on jobs and employment, check out this story and more at thewesterlysun.com

Today we’re remembering the life of Helen Perreault of Westerly.

Helen was a graduate of Westerly High School in 1947, with aspirations of attending the Rhode Island School of Design.

After working a couple of years at Moore's in Westerly, she then married her husband, the late Roland Perreault, Sr. 

Helen was a communicant at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Hope Valley, RI, where she was a very active in the Rosary and Alter Society. She was known for her hard work and frank opinions and her smile was always contagious! She served her community by being a Girl Scout leader in Richmond, a member of Women's Business Organizations in Naparee and Chariho, and from time to time a volunteer at Westerly Hospital.

She was a devoted mother to her 3 surviving children, as well as her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, siblings, and nieces and nephews.

Helen lived on Switch Rd. since 1949 and was an essential part of her family farm for over 50 years.

Thank you for taking a moment with us today to remember and celebrate Helen’s life.

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