Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not? - January 15, 2020
Analysis
Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not? - January 15, 2020
This week's list features American political turmoil nationally and locally, RI Department of Health's continued struggle with the basics, and who is really making a difference.
Now, we are expanding the list, the political perspectives, and we are going to a GoLocal team approach while encouraging readers to suggest nominees for who is "HOT" and who is "NOT."
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Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not? - January 15, 2021
HOT
Can't Get Much Hotter
Dan McKee will soon be the new man in charge -- and he couldn't be more different than departing Governor Gina Raimondo.
He is the anti-Gina.
Small town, approachable, and focused on small business.
RI's Men -- and Woman -- of the Year
One could say it took three men to match Dr. Megan Ranney, but each of those men did extraordinary things this year.
This year GoLocal recognizes three men who made an extraordinary impact on the state of Rhode Island in 2020.
We deem them the Doc, the Mensch, and the Whistleblower.
Last week, GoLocal unveiled its Rhode Island Woman of the Year — Dr. Ranney.
These three men helped to transform Rhode Island. Each battled, did the unexpected and fought fights that others simply were not willing to.
HOT
PC's Business School
The Providence College School of Business (PCSB) has again been ranked one of the “top 50 undergraduate business schools in the US” by Poets&Quants.
PCSB has been steadily climbing in this ranking over the last few years, and cracked the top 50 for the first time in 2020.
“This continued recognition as a Top 50 program is a credit to our faculty and to all our colleagues who strive to provide Providence College business majors with an outstanding business education steeped in the liberal arts,” said Dr. Sylvia Maxfield, the school’s dean.
“This independent verification – based in part on the perspectives of our graduates – affirms our belief in the direction and trajectory of PCSB," she added.
HOT
International Effort on Smith Street
Over the summer, three La Salle Academy students formed the LSA Mask Task Force. The project, which brought together Cranston's Tianli Jiang '21, Tianyi (Peter) Cheng '21, and Gianni Diarbi '22, resulted in seven local nonprofits receiving 4,000 medical face masks
PHOTO: Gianni Diarbi '22, Peter Cheng '21, Tianli Jiang '21
In the spring, Chinese exchange student Tianli Jiang watched as a deadly virus spread across his country. Unable to help due to travel restrictions and safety concerns, he decided to make a difference here in Rhode Island. Jiang asked Rosanne Trissler, La Salle's head librarian, to serve as an advisor before recruiting Gianni Diarbi, a junior, and fellow exchange student Tianyi Chen, a senior.
"Tianli told me that he was reaching out to companies in China to see if they'd donate masks," explained Trissler. "I told him it was a great idea." China's Hongcheng Public Ltd. donated 4,000 masks, of which Jiang distributed 800 to McAuley Ministries, 800 to Tides Family Services, 800 to House of Hope, 600 to the Scalabrini Dukcevich Center, 500 to San Miguel School, 250 to Ocean Tides, and 250 to St. Patrick's Mary House Soup Kitchen.
HOT
Bill Belichick
New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick said he will not accept the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Donald Trump.
“Recently, I was offered the opportunity to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, which I was flattered by out of respect for what the honor represents and admiration for prior recipients,” Belichick said in a statement.
“Subsequently, the tragic events of last week occurred and the decision has been made not to move forward with the award," he added.
Belichick has over the years spoken about their friendship. In 2018, Belichick was named to President Trump’s Council on Sport, Fitness, and Nutrition, according to The White House.
HOT
Joe Rodio, Jr.
Incoming Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee announced on Tuesday the selection of Joseph Rodio Jr. as Chairman of his transition team.
Rodio is an attorney at the Providence-based law firm, Rodio & Ursillo. Rodio currently serves as legal counsel to the Lt. Governor’s Office and previously worked with McKee during his time as Mayor of Cumberland.
Rodio’s father was the highly respected Joe Rodio, Sr. who unexpectedly died in October of 2015.
The junior Rodio is a graduate of Penn State and Northeastern University Law School.
HOT
Congressman David Cicilline
Rhode Islands's David Cicilline helped floor manage the impeachment of Donald Trump.
Whether you were for or against -- it was the most bi-partisan impeachment in U.S. history, and Cicilline was leading the charge.
The events over the past eight days have been among the darkest in U.S.history.
NOT
Governor Gina Raimondo
Her decision to no longer answer press questions at her briefings about the coronavirus raises lots of questions.
But, hey, if you governed a state that consistently
-- has the highest infection rate in the country -- sometimes the worst in the world
-- has the 4th highest per capita death rate in the US
-- has used only 50% plus of the vaccine it has received
Well, you probably wouldn't want to answer any questions either as you look to leave RI in the rearview.
NOT
Seth Magaziner's Big Announcement
On Wednesday, the House of Representatives was impeaching the President of the United States.
Rhode Island was -- and is -- in the midst of a transfer of power due to the departure of Governor Gina Raimondo to the Biden administration. Rhode Island continues to struggle with its response to the virus and developing a functional vaccination program. There were 17 more deaths related to the virus.
A press release out of Magaziner's General Treasurer's office announced, "Treasurer Magaziner Urges Walmart to Reduce Dangerous Hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) Emissions."
Timing is everything.
NOT
The Lowest of the Low
Video secured by GoLocal shows protesters attacking workers and owner Chris Morris of Antonelli’s Poultry Co. located on Federal Hill at DePasquale Plaza in Providence.
Morris, who according to sources is in his 70s, is seen being pushed and a blood-like liquid is poured on him repeatedly.
The incident took place at approximately 3:30 PM on Saturday afternoon.
According to sources who witnessed the attack, pepper spray was also used on Morris and workers.
This is not the first attack on Morris. Businesses on Federal Hill have been decimated by the pandemic. And, numerous restaurants have closed.
NOT
Rep. Justin Price
He admittedly was down in Washington, D.C. at the pro-Trump protest.
Did he or didn't he (go inside the Capitol) aside -- blaming it on Antifa (and then deleting Tweets) and supporting the domestic terrorists now being arrested by the FBI, he still has some explaining to do.
NOT
RI Department of Health
The RIDOH continues to struggle with every aspect of the coronavirus. RI ranks among the worst for every measure. Now, the agency is becoming more and more insulary.
At a time when transparency is critical, the Department refuses to answer how many people in the state need to be vaccinated -- the most basic question.
NOT
President Donald J. Trump
The attack on the U.S. Capitol was one of the lowest points in American history.
The President called his supporters and told them he was going to march with them to Congress.
The rest is a sad and disturbing time in American history.
