Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not - March 4
Russell J. Moore, GoLocalProv MINDSETTER™
Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not - March 4
Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not - March 4
HOT
Karen Macbeth
The state legislator from Cumberland who chairs the House Oversight Committee deserves kudos for vowing to initiate a probe into allegations of heavy handedness by House leadership after learning of the resignation of Rhode Island Independent Contractors' Association Executive Director Bob Lafleur, who claims he was bullied by statehouse leadership during the truck tolls debate. House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello denies this, but it's good that Macbeth has reportedly said she'd take an impartial look at it.
HOT
John Igliozzi
The Providence City Council's Finance Chairman raised some interesting points in a GoLocal article on Tuesday. Igliozzi said the city spends too much time looking at scenarios far into the future based on assumptions and not enough time trying to solve immediate issues, like finishing the city's property assessment revaluations so that it can accurately craft a predictable, balanced budget.
HOT
Harry Adler
The owner of Adler's Hardware, which has been located on Wickenden Street for almost 100 years, is calling on the city to abandon plans to install parking meters on that side of the city. Good for Adler for speaking up since parking meters provide an incentive for people to avoid the city as opposed to going into it.
HOT
Twin River
A proposal that would put a question before state voters and voters in Tiverton to build new casino there is sailing through the state legislature amidst little to no opposition. The lack out outcry over the proposal is a good sign for Twin River's chances of opening as it looks to expand its reach in Rhode Island.
HOT
Dewayne Boo Hackney & Phyllis Huntley Evans
The two community activists were honored at Providence City Hall's 13th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Hall of Fame Awards last week for their efforts to improve the community for people of color. Hackey is the founder of "It's On Us", a citywide effort to end violence. Evans is a stalwart advocate and supporter of the children in the minority community.
HOT
Friars Basketball
The Providence College men's basketball team gutted out a gritty win at home against a scrappy Creighton team on Wednesday evening. Despite a disappointing February, the Friars still find themselves in the thick of the NCAA tournament projections. And in March, when hope springs eternal, that's all that matters.
NOT
Bob Lafleur
The former Rhode Island Independent Contractors' Association Executive Director Bob Lafleur said he stepped down on Monday after being subject to and blowing the whistle on intimidation taking place during the truck tolls debate. That may, or may not be true, but RIICA President Matt Olsen disputes it. Olsen also said that Lafleur engaged in name calling of truck toll proponents in the run up to the session-defining vote.
NOT
Jamie Doyle
The Valley Breeze reported that the state senator from Pawtucket has failed to pay a court ordered $6,843 debt to a woman who owns a medical billing company. The two previously did business together. The revelation cannot be pleasing to Doyle, who with an almost mocking tone, called on someone to challenge him in this year's election. He bragged about his margin of victory the last time he was challenged, shortly before voting for the truck toll legislation.
NOT
Delegate Diversity
Rhode Island went for President Barack Obama big in the last two Presidential elections, but that's not reflected in our delegate diversity. GoLocal reported this week that a new study by Wallethub.com shows that Blacks in Rhode Island rank the lowest for percentage of delegates for both parties per Black population of any state in the U.S. at recent conventions. Rhode Island must do better on political inclusiveness and diversity.
NOT
Flu
The Rhode Island Department of Health reports that the influenza virus is now "widespread" in Rhode Island and as a result, has called on all unvaccinated health care workers to wear surgical masks while on the job. Rhode Islanders would be wise to avoid shaking hands, and maybe even keep a safe distance from others until this virus runs its course.
NOT
David Quinn
The Providence Tax Assessor has failed to adequately explain to Teppco, a propane terminal operator that has been located in the city since 1971, why it was billed $1 million more in property taxes in 2015 than it was in 2014. If the city wants to grow its tax base, all city officials need to be as business friendly as possible, keeping in mind that businesses are the city's best customers.
NOT
Establishment Republicans
After Tuesday's Republican Primary results, billionaire businessman Donald Trump has won 10 of the party's 15 nominating contests and in states as intellectually diverse as Massachusetts and Georgia. Yet establishment Republicans like Mitt Romney are acting like the kid who lost the game so he's taking the ball and going home, threatening to steal the nomination at the convention, against the will of the people. Such a move would be a disaster for democracy and hand the election to the Democrats.
