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Wickford Art Association Celebrates Its Best

GoLocal's art contributor Michael Rose has a great take on an exhibit by the folks in Wickford:

Small, local art associations are important spaces for emerging artists and art enthusiasts to hone their craft and share their work. The Wickford Art Association, a longtime fixture in the state, is an example of the value such organizations bring to artists and their communities. The Association is currently hosting a show which asked its members to share their best work. The show, which wraps up on February 4, features a range of work and highlights the breadth of talents that make up Wickford’s membership and highlights the vibrancy of the group.

Founded in 1962 as an outgrowth of the popular Wickford Art Festival, which it still administers, the Wickford Art Association has been located in its current gallery at 36 Beach Street in North Kingstown for over thirty years. In addition to exhibitions, it hosts classes, workshops, demonstrations, and lectures, bringing art to the local community in the process. READ MORE

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Rhodywood

Another day, another movie being shot in Rhode Island.

Rhode Island Film and Television Office Executive Director Steve Feinberg welcomed director James Brooks, actors Jame Lee Curtis, Woody Harrelson, Emma Mackey and elected officials to the Rhode Island State House on Thursday to kick off the filming of “Ella McCay.”

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U.S. Department of Justice Investigation

The demand letter from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) tells of some things about the initial scope of the federal government’s investigation into the Washington Bridge failure, the Rhode Island Department of Transportation, and its contractors.

Here is a breakdown of some key aspects of the 8-page demand letter.

1) Rhode Island Led — Not Washington

The letter was derived from the Rhode Island District of the U.S. Department of Justice — the office headed by Zachary Cunha.

2) False Claim Act investigation

The demand letter by the DOJ to the McKee Administration was filed under the False Claims Act.

One recent False Claims Act in Rhode Island was the DOJ's investigation into the actions by Barletta Heavy Division, the lead contractor on the state of Rhode Island 6/10 project. That action was sparked by a whistleblower, and led to a non-prosecution agreement between the federal government and Barletta, and a payment by the company of $1.5 million.

Presently, Barletta is the lead contractor on the Washington Bridge.

“The False Claims Act [FCA] provides that any person who knowingly submits, or causes to submit, false claims to the government is liable for three times the government’s damages plus a penalty that is linked to inflation.  FCA liability can arise in other situations, such as when someone knowingly uses a false record material to a false claim or improperly avoids an obligation to pay the government.  Conspiring to commit any of these acts also is a violation of the FCA,” according to the Department of Justice.

“In addition to allowing the United States to pursue perpetrators of fraud on its own, the FCA allows private citizens to file suits on behalf of the government (called 'qui tam' suits) against those who have defrauded the government.  Private citizens who successfully bring qui tam actions may receive a portion of the government’s recovery,” states the DOJ.

In the case of the 6/10 contamination, James White, President of Local 57 of the International Union of Operating Engineers, filed the qui tam suit. READ MORE

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She's Back

Helena Foulkes, the former top CVS executive who narrowly lost to Dan McKee in the last Democratic primary for governor, raised $116,000 in the fourth quarter. She ends the year with $120,295.96.

She outnetted both incumbent McKee and Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha — who has stated he is a potential candidate for governor in 2026.

Foulkes' campaign account still owes more than $1.8 million to her and her husband for her failed campaign in 2022. She lost to McKee by less than 4,000 votes in a crowded five-way Democratic primary.

McKee only captured 32.8% of the vote and Foulkes 29.9%.

Big Name Donors

Foulkes scored $1,000 donations in the fourth quarter of 2023 from investor Malcolm Chace, construction CEO Brad Dimeo, her uncle and former U.S. Senator Chris Dodd, ad exec and Textron executive Jon and Julia Duffy, former Caesars CEO Gary Loveman, Hugo Mainelli of Aetna Bridge (one of the Washington Bridge contractors), Donna Paolino of Paolino Properties, former Hasbro CEO Al Verrecchia, to name a few.

Nearly all of the Foulkes donations were for $1,000.

Foulkes has been meeting regularly with a group of top supporters in an effort to get an earlier start for a gubernatorial run in 2026.

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A Little Decency

Legislation sponsored by Rep. Jennifer Stewart (D-59) would give Rhode Islander renters more notice when their landlord plans to raise their rent.

The bill would require that landlords give tenants 90 days’ notice of any rent increase, or 120 days if the tenant is over age 62.

The current law requires only 30 days’ notice and 60 days for tenants over 62.

“Imagine living paycheck-to-paycheck, already rent-burdened, and receiving notice of a big rent increase to start the following month. Our current law does not recognize today’s rental conditions in which it is so hard to find affordable apartments and in which families are faced with double-digit percentage rent increases,” said Stewart.

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RIDOT Chief of Staff Slammed for Taking Campaign Money From Agency Employees

John Igliozzi, the chief-of-staff to RIDOT director Peter Alviti and an active political candidate for Rhode Island Attorney General, raised about a little less than $20,000 in the fourth quarter, according to his campaign finance report released on Wednesday.

Among the donors were registered State House lobbyists and a multitude of private attorneys. 

Two donors were RIDOT employees — the agency where Igliozzi sits high on the organizational chart.

According to Igliozzi’s campaign finance report, Stephen Almago, Assistant Director of Administrative Services, donated $500.

And, RIDOT’s Ronald Ricci, Administrator in Real Estate, donated $150 to Igliozzi.

Igliozzi was served with a U.S. Justice Department demand letter last Friday for RIDOT records regarding the Washington Bridge failure.

Donations from RIDOT Officials Draw Comments from RI Common Cause

John Marion, the executive director of Common Cause Rhode Island, told GoLocal, "It's not illegal for Igliozzi to take campaign donations from RIDOT employees, but it doesn't show good judgment. People enjoy a First Amendment right to make donations to the candidate of their choice, but candidates are under no obligation to accept them.”

“Rhode Island has an ugly history of elected officials soliciting campaign donations from employees — most notably Buddy Cianci — which is why that practice is now illegal,” said Marion.

“Several high-profile officials have been sanctioned for soliciting donations from subordinates, including Don Carcieri and Ralph Mollis. Even if Igliozzi didn't solicit these donations, he shouldn't have accepted them,” Marion added.

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9 Months of Cranston GOP Brawl

Get ready. 

Cranston Mayor Kenneth J. Hopkins is claiming he “has the unified support of the three incumbent Republican members on the City Council, several school committee members and party leaders.”

He is expected to be challenged in the Republican primary for Mayor by State Representative Barbara Ann Fenton-Fung (District-15).

Council Member Citywide Nicole Renzulli and Councilmembers Richard D. Campopiano (Ward 4) and Christopher G. Paplauskas (Ward 5), as well Cranston School Committee Chair Michael A. Traficante (Citywide), Frank J. Ritz, Jr. (Ward 4), Earl J. "Buddy" Croft III (Ward 5) and Anthony Melillo (Ward 6) are all supporting Hopkins claims his campaign's announcement.

Hopkins also has been endorsed by John Colasante, the new Chairperson of the Cranston Republican City Committee.

"I am honored to extend my wholehearted support to Mayor Ken Hopkins in the upcoming 2024 mayoral election," said Councilwoman Nicole Renzulli, who serves as Council Minority Leader.

"Taking office during the pandemic, the most challenging time in recent history, Mayor Hopkins has proven himself as a steadfast leader," she said. "Ken Hopkins's lifelong dedication to Cranston, encompassing roles as an educator, administrator, council member, and now as Mayor, underscores his profound commitment to public service. This endorsement reflects not only my satisfaction but also my anticipation of a close and productive partnership with Mayor Hopkins over the next four years,” she said.

Former Cranston Mayor and School Committee Chairperson Michael A. Traficante said, "As a former Mayor, I know firsthand the challenges a mayor faces. Ken Hopkins has shown he has the experience, maturity, and temperament to be an effective chief executive for Cranston.”

Traficante highlighted Hopkins' almost 30-year career in education and his support for Cranston schools. "In the last three years, the Mayor has been a strong advocate for our schools and is the right choice to continue Cranston on its path towards a 21st-century education for all grades and school pupils".

Melillo said, "Ken Hopkins is the most qualified candidate for mayor this year and deserves re-election."

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Costco a No-Go

Costco has pulled the plug on opening a warehouse store in Rhode Island.

Not a great sign for the economy or doing business in Rhode Island. 

PHOTO: Marcus Reubenstein, Unsplash