Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not - March 18
Russ Moore, GoLocalProv MINDSETTER™
Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not - March 18
Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not - March 18
HOT
Gina Raimondo
The Governor had a good week in the news after announcing that she would support a referendum asking the people of Rhode Island if they agree with the legalization of marijuana. It's a great idea appeal to directly to the electorate on this issue and then act on their wishes one way or another.
HOT
STEAM Box
If you missed GoLocalTV this week, this non-profit organization engages Providence students by helping them learn and apply lessons in science, technology, engineering, arts and math to build cool projects like "hover boards," digital applications, and coding for websites. In a time when leaders are looking to engage kids in what interests them, this organization has figured it out. Steam Box is looking to take students on a trip to Japan this year, and is trying to raise money to make the dream a reality. Visit their GoFundMe page at if you'd like to help.
HOT
Brandon Bell
Let's give the Chairman of the Rhode Island Republican Party credit for speaking out against the General Assembly's legislative grant program in light of the news that the Mayforth Group, which employs former Rhode Island Development Corporation Executive Director Keith Stokes, was on the receiving end of grant money--proving that when you're connected, you're always connected. Bell is right to speak out against the state legislature's pork barrel program.
HOT
Philip McKendall
Providence resident, and former city council candidate, Phil McKendall is marketing a meatball mix from his top secret recipe. The tasty "Nana's Original Italian Meatball Mix", is a family recipe that's easy to use. While he hopes it will soon be available on a national level, it is currently being offered at East Side Market. It's nice to see innovation taking place here in Little Rhody.
HOT
International Tennis Hall of Fame
The Newport Tennis Club has refused to cut ties with superstar tennis player Maria Sharapova after admitted to testing positive for the banned substance meldonium, which is a legal drug prescribed to treat heart conditions. Several other of her sponsors including Nike, have since cut ties. But good for the Tennis Hall of Fame, for remaining loyal. It's never fair to judge someone by their worst moments (within reason) and there's no reason why Sharapova cannot make amends for this kind of infraction. It's not like she committed a capital offense.
HOT
NCAA Tourney
The tournament's return to Providence means only good things for the city, and thus the state. Besides a good time had by all the sports fans, it's a great chance to showcase the capital city and bring in some much-needed revenue by way of sales tax dollars.
NOT
Ava Anderson
In January, GoLocalProv reported that Matthew Michael, the Director of Compliance and Enforcement Division of the USDA’s National Organic Program, found that the company marketed its Essential Oil product as organic, in violation of the USDA organic regulations. Now, questions have arisen as to what the newly re-branded company "Pure Haven" have done to rectify the problems that were brought to light in January--namely proving that the products are, in fact, organic There have also been some product labeling issues that have been brought to light recently. Hopefully, the company will work to make sure those problems are resolved.
NOT
Keith Stokes
The former Executive Director of the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation recently came to a settlement with the Securities & Exchange Commission over fraud charges related to the issuance of the failed 38 Studios Bonds. Earlier this week, the Providence Journal reported that the state legislature issued $225,000 in state grants to the Newport Chamber of Commerce in recent years, which also spent nearly half that amount paying the politically connected lobbying firm, The Mayforth Group, where Stokes is employed. The whole situation sheds light on corrupting influence of state grants.
NOT
Jorge Elorza
The Providence City Council discovered that there were two people working in the Providence Fire Department under the same line item and under the same job description. When the issue was brought to the attention of the Mayor's office, it responded by assigning one of them, former Rhode Island State Trooper William Trinque, to the administration's office, with a pay raise. That doesn't look like the actions of someone concerned with saving taxpayer dollars.
NOT
5th Highest
Rhode Island has the 5th highest overall tax burden in the nation according to a recent study by Wallethub.com. As the study points out, "differences in state tax obligations — as well as the services for which tax dollars are allocated — can drive residents out of or draw them in to a state and thus impact the strength of local economies." The state needs to learn to reduce spending if it will ever wants to have a lower tax burden.
NOT
Parking Meters
The city administration has said repeatedly that Providence needs to grow, not tax, its way out of its budget problems. That makes sense. So why is the city installing additional parking meters all over the city, which will discourage people from coming here and hurt small businesses located where the additional meters are being installed.
NOT
Productivity
The NCAA Tournament is like Christmas to college basketball fanatics, and even casual sports fans. With the basketball games on during this and yesterday afternoon, one study, by Challenger, Gray, and Christmas Inc., expects that company's across the country will lose out on $1.3 billion in productivity. That doesn't mean companies should police it, however, but should instead be understanding of the temptation to enjoy a few minutes of hoop at the company expense.
