Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not? - March 1, 2024

HOT

Pallet Houses 

Rhode Island has a serious housing shortage and a troublesome homelessness issue.

Pallet houses should be tried in Providence and other communities in Rhode Island. Homelessness has many causes, including economic, substance abuse, mental health and other societal problems.

The distance between a middle-class lifestyle and homelessness too often is a very short one. A health issue, a financial crisis, or a tragedy can change people's circumstances overnight. 

These types of homes have been successfully deployed across the country, and kudos to Providence for being the first to host the need. It would be great if each community stepped up and did its fair share.

HOT

National Economy

Inflation is below 3%.

Nasdaq hit a record high.

Employment remains at a near record high.

HOT

No One Is Hotter

Tonight, Coach Cosgrove and her undefeated Rhode Island College women's basketball team host an NCAA playoff game at the Murray Center.

The team is 27-0.

HOT

Just the Memories

Dr. Ed Iannuccilli does it again. Another brilliant column that takes us to a wonderful place:

This morning, I looked out at the dusting of snow and had a very brief urge to get to the cellar and take the Flexible Flyer off the hook. Yes, it is still there, waiting, beckoning, but to no avail. There it will stay. I will never part with it; not to my kids, not to anyone. There are too many memories in its blades.

The first sled I had was a Speedway, which I hated because it was difficult to maneuver the rigid handlebars. To experience the excitement of a quick turn was necessary for sledding, and it was in The Flexible’s handlebars that excitement lived. The Speedway demanded too many weight shifts. I was thrilled the year I saw The Flyer under the Christmas tree.

“It’s snowing!” On went the snow pants, jacket, and clumsy, too-many-buckles boots. On went the toque. “Don’t forget your mittens.” Ugh. I hated them.

I have an aversion to cold and a fear of injury these days. But those days were different. Sledding was vital and save for sticking your tongue on the sled’s metal, mostly risk-free. The only question to answer was where to sled and the only hesitation we had was cold feet. Yes, those cold feet; the ones where your toes itch like crazy when you take off the boots and wet socks to hold your feet against the hissing radiator.

The sandbank was a favorite after-school place. Roger Williams Park was for a Sunday morning.

It was cold. With snow snapping at my face. I stood at the top of the hill and looked at the inviting trails drenched with the splendor of white that led to Valley Street below. Which trail to take and how fast I could zig-zag now that I had The Flyer were the most important decisions. Initially, the powder was too fluffy, so it would take some runs to pack it for speed. It may have become an icy deathtrap, but we never gave it a thought. It was about speed and winning.

The race ended at the plowed street below with a screeching stop and sparks flying from the runners. Breathless at the bottom; now to trundle back to the top. We did it, over and over. The cold was creeping through to my feet, the most vulnerable target that defined time.

In a few hours (maybe), I was worn out, cold, and hungry. It was my last run. The hill seemed more vertical on this final trudge. Home.

I pushed the bulky door to the entry, shook off the snow, turned, sat, unbuckled the frozen resistants, and squeezed off my boots. I dropped the coat and mittens on the way to our third floor, opened the door to our cozy tenement, headed for the hissing radiator, lay on the floor, unfurled the socks and toasted my feet under its warmth.

“Edward, would you like a hot chocolate?”  Would I?

It was a good old-fashioned sledding day, and I was tired. Oh, but those innocent 50s with The Flyer.

PHOTO: US Army

HOT

Obamacare

MINDSETTER™ Rob Horowitz has a smart take on the success of Obamacare.

Here is what Horowitz writes:

A record number of Americans—more than 21 million—used the Obamacare marketplaces to obtain health insurance in the most recent signup period, which closed for most residents in January. Over the past four years, signups have doubled. This marked increase has been driven in large measure by the Biden Administration putting in place enhanced subsidies.

Since Obamacare was adopted nearly 14 years ago, the percentage of Americans without health insurance has been cut in more than half.  More than 9-in-10 Americans are now insured. “Health coverage, including public coverage, is important for financial security, dramatically improves health outcomes, and has wide-ranging and long-term benefits for children,” the White House accurately summarizes.

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NOT

Mass Exodus

Top executives at Commerce Rhode Island, the State of Rhode Island’s economic development agency, have resigned at an alarming rate in the past two years.

In just the past 24 months, multiple top-tier executives have resigned, and in some top positions, the job has been turned over multiple times.

The turnover correlates with the last two years of Dan McKee’s governorship. And, much of the exodus has occurred since Liz Tanner took over as Secretary of Commerce beginning in June of 2022.

In the past two years, Commerce has had 3 presidents and is now searching for its 4th TOP ROW Saglio, Fagan BOTTOM ROW: Ash

Revolving Door in the President's Position

The President’s position at Commerce was held by Jesse Saglio for seven years, and then he resigned in February of 2022. Hilary Fagan took over as President, and then she resigned in December of 2022. Since then, Bill Ash has served as “acting” president.

Now, Ash has announced his departure. The President’s position will be vacant again.

Ash, before his tenure at Commerce, had more than 25 years of experience working with businesses as a lender, consultant, and investor. Previously, he held positions as managing director of M & A at Oppenheimer & Co. and was a senior managing director of The Tron Group — a Boston-based turnaround and business advisory firm.

Now, under McKee, Commerce will be looking for its fourth President in two years.

In an interview with Tanner, she said the departures do not reflect on the agency. "We are 100% stable," said Tanner.

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NOT

Trouble in Kingston

Archie Miller, the head coach of the University of Rhode Island men's basketball team, is seeing his season turn into a mess.

The Rams have lost 10 of their last 12 games.

In each of the past two years, nearly the entire roster has turned over.

The Rhode Island program appears to be rudderless.

NOT

Office of Housing

Most Rhode Islanders want to support the effort to help the homeless.

The McKee administration would be well served to build support by answering questions and concerns of neighbors, the public, and the media.