Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not - August 7, 2015
Russell J. Moore, GoLocalProv MINDSETTER™
Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not - August 7, 2015
Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not - August 7, 2015
HOT
Jorge Elorza
The Mayor of Providence scored a court victory this week when Superior Court Judge Jeffrey A. Lanphear refused to issue a restraining order blocking the platoon shift changes that Elorza believes will save the city millions in over-time costs. The mayor then went ahead and implemented his shift change plan this week. It remains to be seen whether the city's legal successes continue, but so far, implementation of the mayor's plan signals a good week for the administration.
HOT
Providence Firefighters
Despite the setback in their effort to stifle Mayor Elorza's plans to save money in the fire department by reducing the number of platoons, the firefighters of Providence deserve credit for their continued professionalism and dedication to serving Providence, despite their dissatisfaction with the recent reform. Providence firefighters have responded to a number of fires this week, three in a 24-hour period during already high summer temperatures outside. Providence firefighters should be aware that almost everyone who supports Elorza's reforms appreciates the continued hard work and dedication of the city's firefighters.
HOT
Brandon Bell
After landing himself on the "not" list the week prior, the Republican Chairman got himself back on the right track this week when he issued a press release that was critical of House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello (that must have really upset Republican Representative Joe Trillo!) and called for him to take a hard line bargaining stance with the owners of the Pawtucket Red Sox. "Worcester and New Bedford public officials were smart enough to figure out that the building of a new ballpark with taxpayer subsidies makes no economic sense. It is time Rhode Island public officials followed the lead of these communities and just say no to taxpayer subsidies for a new ballpark. Enough with the curve balls."
HOT
Gina Raimondo
The Governor has established an Overdose Prevention and Intervention Task Force, something that is much-needed considering that 239 people die of accidental drug overdose last year, and 94 people have already died this year. It's nice to see the Governor working to prevent what can only be described as a public health crisis.
HOT
Mike Martin
The Brown University Head Basketball Coach will be inducted to the New England Basketball Hall of Fame tomorrow at a ceremony at the DCU Center in Worcester. GoLocalProv reported that Martin will be inducted along with members of his family, including his father Mike, his uncle Buddy, cousins Colin and Sean Tabb and his grandfather William, who played at Providence College. Martin was an excellent player at Brown University, leading the team to four straight winning seasons in the early 2000s, and deserves the honor of being inducted to the New England Basketball Hall of Fame.
HOT
Soren Sorensen
The Rhode Island college professor and filmmaker will premier his new movie, "My Father's Vietman", a documentary, at the 19th annual FLICKERS: Rhode Island International Film Festival, on August 6 at 2:45 p.m. at URI's Paff Theatre on 80 Washington Street in Downtown Providence. The inspiration for the film came from Sorensen's dad, who volunteered for the war in 1968, when troop levels were increasing but support for the war was waning. The film is not only about the war, but the relationship between a father and son and certainly sounds like it's worth a viewing.
NOT
Cranston
Hopefully, the old saying "as Cranston goes, so goes Rhode Island", doesn't ring true as the City of Cranston hasn't had a good week--to put it mildly. First, the state police released a report detailing how, for years, the Cranston Police Department was devoid of leadership, starting with the mayor. Then a Cranston middle school principal was arrested at T.F Green Airport and charged with of possession of cocaine. And the storm on Tuesday morning left thousands with out power.
NOT
Pawtucket Red Sox Ownership
The new owners of the Pawtucket Red Sox failed to register as lobbyists with the City of Providence, despite having asked for free land and property tax breaks, in their initial proposal earlier this year. One would have hoped that the supposedly sophisticated, and wealthy owners of the minor league baseball team knew better.
NOT
Allan Fung
The state police report on the Cranston Police department didn't portray the Mayor of Cranston in a positive light--at all. The report basically states that the former leaders of the Cranston Police Department were running it as if as it was their own personal fiefdom, and Fung did nothing to rectify the situation until he was forced to by political pressure. Then, he worked to undermine the state police investigation. That's not impressive coming from someone who touted himself as Mr. Good Government during last year's gubernatorial campaign.
NOT
National Grid
Tens of thousands of Rhode Islanders were without power for the better part of two days after the thunderstorm that occurred on Tuesday morning. The company obviously did its best in responding to the events, but National Grid apparently needs to do more to make sure that the power lines are protected. Rhode Islanders shouldn't be losing power by the thousands every time we have relatively high winds.
NOT
Stephen Wright
GolocalProv first reported this week that the incoming chairman of the Rhode Island Trucker's Association was arrested for placing obscene or crank phone calls to Smithfield town officials last month. Wright was apparently upset over some issues pertaining to Smithfield politics, but that's no excuse for making inappropriate and harassing phone calls.
NOT
Pablo Sandoval
The high profile Red Sox off-season signing from last year, which will cost the Red Sox $95 million over 5-years, has been named the team's "least valuable player" by the PointAfter.com, a sports data website. Sandavol beat out some strong competition for being the team's least valuable player on this year's lousy team, but his horrible defense and low slugging percentage took the cake--assuming the overweight Sandoval hasn't already ate it.
