Nat'l Association of Black Law Enforcement Officers Urges Raimondo to Keep Pledge
GoLocalProv News Team
Nat'l Association of Black Law Enforcement Officers Urges Raimondo to Keep Pledge
The letter for Wilson to Raimondo sent Wednesday states:
We encourage you to follow through on this measure (Raimondo’s promise to conduct a national search) . While, indeed, I am personally familiar with not less than four (4) highly qualified professionals of color within Rhode Island, and a minimum of twice that number from surrounding states, there is no absolute guarantee that any of these individuals will either be interested or would actively seek to apply for the position of Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police. And seeking to constrain this appointment to an internal candidate will only serve to further perpetuate the already dismal lack of diversity that exists within the Rhode Island law enforcement community. Consequently, it may only be through the conduct of a nationally intensive, comprehensive search for this position that you may ensure a process that is adequately diverse in nature and intent.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTAs well, we strongly urge that senior members of the minority law enforcement community within the state, as well as members of the community, be an integral part of the anticipated review process once candidates for the position have been identified. It is only through their active participation that the process of choosing a successor will be considered to be both transparent and legitimate.
This is not the only action by the NABLEO, in August, Wilson wrote a letter to the Governor:
The head of the National Association of Black Law Enforcement Officers (NABLEO) is urging Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo take action, stating that it was "woefully disappointing" that the most recent Rhode Island State Police (RISP) class had "not even one African American included among the recent graduates."
In a letter dated August 5, NABLEO Chairman Lt. Charles Wilson urges the RISP to "redouble" its efforts to recruit persons of color, after he said out of 1,500 applicants, one Hispanic male and one white female were the only exceptions to the nearly all-white male graduating class. READ THE REST OF THE ARTICLE HERE
5 Economic Projects - Can Raimondo Get Them Done?
#5 Wexford-CV Properties
The Raimondo administration continues to work with the 195 Commission to seal the deal with the Baltimore-based Wexford Science and Technology for development of prime real estate on the former highway land. While a proposal was made back in June for a mixed-use project, the negotiations between the state and the life sciences have been mostly behind the scenes, with a key vote taken on the proposal taking place Monday night -- in closed session.
"It is important to note that a P&S while an important milestone, is still just a step in the development process," said Commission spokesperson Dyana Koelsch. You can see the plan as presented on the Jewelry District's website HERE. Will we see shovels shortly?
#4 General Electric
Reports that the Connecticut giant is eyeing a move elsewhere — with Rhode Island on that short list — has many a Ocean Stater excited at the possibility. The Boston Globe not surprisingly made the case that their state should top the list (taking a dig at the others), saying that the "Boston area is on the short list of contenders for the headquarters and its 800 people, as GE’s search focuses on high-cost states in the Northeast. In relation to those states, Massachusetts compares favorably on its business tax climate."
However a Connecticut State Rep told the Hartford Courant a month earlier that Rhode Island as an option “wouldn’t surprise him.” Said State Rep John Frey in November, “It's been expressed to me by a couple of people at GE that they've been impressed by what the governor has done with state employee liabilities." To say a GE coup by Raimondo would be monumental for Rhode Island would be an understatement.
#3 Citizens' Campus
The Rhode Island-based banking powerhouse has indicated that is looking for a vacant location state as a potential new campus for 4,000 + of its employees — while maintaining its headquarters downtown at One Citizens Plaza. There is little indication at this time however of consideration of a vacant parcel of prime Providence real estate just to its HQ's south (that being the Industrial National Bank “Superman” building); the bank is indicating that keeping its support facility in Cranston is still an option.
“The lease for our service and support facility in Cranston expires in 2018. We are exploring several opportunities ranging from renewal to potentially consolidating some of our staff and back office functions at a new location in Rhode Island," said Citizens spokesperson Jim Hughes. Watch to see how Citizens moves forward -- and what, if any, role Raimondo has in the process -- and outcome.
#2 Superman Building
The arguably most iconic building in Providence — and Rhode Island’s - skyline lost its last tenant in 2013, and a year later an appraiser deemed it to have “zero value.” A failed effort to utilized tax credits and public investment by High Rock Development has left watchers asking if and when anything is going to move into the historic (if slightly aging) building.
Former Mayor and real estate developer Joseph Paolino, who has been a vocal supporter of trying to get Citizens Bank into Superman, told GoLocal, “I think the biggest problem [in the city] is Superman, because it depresses everything around it. Paolino, who bought three properties nearby downtown back in 2014 — said the revelation that the Industrial National Bank building was empty had cost him a mortgage with a major lender.
Whether there is an opportunity for a Citizens Bank move, or a new developer to re-package a viable mixed-use proposal, if the Superman building is still empty in several years' time, that is not a win for anyone -- not the city, not the state, and not the Governor.
#1 195 Rollout
When Raimondo took office, she understandably made a number of changes on the 195 Commission. A tax stabilization agreement (TSA) structure was finalized this past summer, and the Commission has the Wexford biotech proposal moving forward — but how much more development, and how soon, will the Raimondo administration be able to accomplish what it pledged it would do?
Raimondo called for the 195 land to be a manufacturing hub during her campaign — and while year one might have been setting the stage, the next years are critical for the state — and Governor. Will she usher through her proposed Innovation Institute?
