Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not - July 17, 2015
Russell J. Moore, GoLocalProv MINDSETTER™
Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not - July 17, 2015
Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not - July 17, 2015
HOT
Ken Wagner
The new RI Commissioner of Education seems to have all the right tools in his arsenal to improve education in our state--an impressive resume including experience in New York's Department of Education, and a belief in the need for objective standards to assess student performance. But will he hold firm against the forces that stand in the way of education reform in a state that needs it?
HOT
RI-ACLU
The ACLU is suing the City of Providence due to the fact that it has arrested Manuel Pombo, a musician who frequently plays on public streets, on one occasion and threatened him with arrest several other times. Last I checked, America is supposed to be a free country, and that should mean that Pombo has the right to play his saxophone on the city streets. Kudos to the ACLU for standing up for freedom of expression.
HOT
RI Beauty Queens
Olivia Culpo, the former Miss Universe from Rhode Island, took a principled stance against Donald Trump's extremely insensitive comments about Mexican immigrants by refusing to participate in this year's Miss USA pageant as a judge. Then, 20-year old Cranston native Anea Garcia finished third in the pageant, which was held Sunday night.
HOT
Memory of Dave Barber
The former talk show host who later went on to host "Straight from the Gavel", a state legislature produced program that features legislators talking about what they believe to be their accomplishments in the statehouse, passed away last week after suffering a stroke about two weeks prior. Barber, a Michigan native who made RI his home, was a gifted interviewer and always comported himself as a perfect gentleman. He'll be missed.
HOT
New England Patriots
This week provided some good news for New England Patriots fans. First, reports surfaced that Tom Brady will take the fight to federal court if his 4-game suspension isn't reduced to 0. Brady obviously leaked the information in order to send a strong message to the NFL Commissioner that unless the NFL wants to go to court, they best reduce his suspension. Then the team signed superstar place kicker Stephen Gostkowski to a 4-year extension.
NOT
Nellie Gorbea
The Secretary of State's Office sent a chummy congratulations letter to the owners of the Pawtucket Red Sox in February over the issue of lobbying registration, but the opponents of a new, taxpayer-funded stadium got a letter with a much harsher tone over the same issue. What's more, Gorbea is so tone deaf she didn't even see the difference between the two letters. Once again, the message is clear: in Rhode Island, if you're well-financed with connections to the state government, politicians will treat you like family. If you're a grassroots outsider trying to do what's best for the state, you'll be treated like an outcast.
NOT
Seth Magaziner
When he was a candidate for the job, the General Treasurer said on numerous occasions that when he was in office, he would fire the state's financial adviser, First Southwest, since the state is suing the firm for fraud, along with other serious charges for its role in the 38 Studios debacle. Yet Magaziner is Treasurer, and First Southwest continues its role as the state's financial adviser. Did Magaziner think we'd all have post-campaign amnesia?
NOT
Legislative Grants
Cranston got about twice the money in legislative grants from the House of Representatives for recreation programs than Providence, despite the fact that Providence has a outnumbers Cranston in youngsters by 2.5-1, and poverty level is three times lower than that of Providence. Gee, isn't it a coincidence that the RI Speaker of the House is from...Cranston! If you didn't know better, I bet you'd have never guessed!
NOT
Agnes Keating
The co-chair of Newport Polo has refused to answer questions about the condition of a horse that was severely injured during a match last Saturday. Keating only responded with generalities when asked about the condition of the horse, keeping polo fans and people who care about the welfare of animals in the dark. Yes, accidents do happen, but being opaque about them does nothing good for the sport.
NOT
Salty Brine Beach Explosion
The mysterious explosion took place last Saturday afternoon, yet there's still no information that's been released detailing what exactly caused the explosion. It's looking like we may never know exactly what caused that unsettling blast, but here's hoping it never happens again.
NOT
Pawtucket School Department
The Pawtucket Breeze's Ethan Shorey reports that the Shea High School is under investigation after irregularities arose regarding data pertaining to the school's graduation rate. Folders went missing, and attendance data was erased, according to The Breeze. The development is discouraging since Shea was once considered a bright spot of the state's education reform efforts since recent data showed an increase in graduation rates after it's "transformation" process in recent years.
