Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not - Nov. 6
Russell J. Moore, GoLocalProv MINDSETTER™
Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not - Nov. 6
Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not - Nov. 6
HOT
Jorge Elorza
Say what you want about Mayor Elorza, but thus far into his tenure, his administration has been decidedly pro-transparency. Elorza's press office is always willing and able to field difficult press inquiries directly, and handles open records requests in a timely manner. That's not something you can say about every city administration or statewide officeholder in Rhode Island, and Elorza deserves recognition for that.
HOT
Karen MacBeth
The state representative from Cumberland finds herself in the spotlight as chairwoman of the suddenly more powerful House Oversight Committee as the committee conducts hearings into what exactly led to the 38 Studio's debacle. MacBeth earned praise this week when she called for an investigation into the fee paid to Gordon Fox ally Joe Corso for the 38 Studio's transaction.
HOT
Robert Boehm
The new President of the Providence Police Department is off to a good start in his new position. Boehm told GoLocalProv earlier this week that "[Police] are concerned about the city’s finances. The [new] contract’s not going to mean anything if the city goes bust.” Boehm sounded like a level-headed leader who will take a big picture view of the interests of his union with those comments. Here's hoping that his sensible sounding rhetoric is backed up by similar action.
HOT
Representative Joe Almeida
The state representative has called on Mayor Jorge Elorza to appoint a black police officer as a new major in the Providence Police Department. Let's face it: the time has come for the leadership of the department to start to better reflect the diversity of our city.
HOT
RI Comic Con
After months of highs and lows anticipation, including an attempt at media censorship by the convention organizers that was eventually rescinded, and the announcement of A list celebrities like Lou Ferrigno attending, the event finally begins today. Here's hoping it's a complete success and a good time had by all. The event is an important event for the Rhode Island tourism industry.
HOT
Foodies
The website Gogobot has ranked Providence the third best "mid-sized" city for foodies in the nation, thanks to its diversity of food, restaurants, farmer's markets, fast food joints, and food trucks. The capital ranked lower than only Cambridge and San Mateo. I've never been to San Mateo, but Providence has much better food than Cambridge!
NOT
Gina Raimondo
The Governor needs to get serious about transparency. Since her inauguration, her office and the majority of the state government departments have been difficult to reach and respond to open records requests the way Bill Belichick would if someone asked for a copy of his playbook. The people of Rhode Island deserve and demand better. The Governor would be wise to emulate some of her allies and proteges--namely, Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza and State Treasurer Seth Magaziner--who, despite their own flaws, are good on transparency.
NOT
Rhode Island Commerce Corporation
GoLocal reported that a memo sent from Helena Foulkes, a highly respected CVS executive, and signed by two other board members in 2012, highlighted the problems in the RI Economic Development Corporation--including dysfunctional management, petty politics blocking important initiatives, and needless procrastination. Of course, the memo was ignored. Roughly 3 years later, the current Governor has made the organization (which has since been renamed the RI Commerce Corporation), a centerpiece of her plan to create job growth. That shouldn't exactly engender confidence in Rhode Islanders since the organization has never been effective.
NOT
WPRO
The hits keep coming for Rhode Island's local all-day political talk radio station. Earlier this year, the station lost its General Manager Barbara Haynes, and highly respected sales manager Joe Lembo was let go from the organization. Last week, it was announced that highly respected young reporters Kim Kalunian and Andrew Augustus were departing. The station still boasts a highly respected talk radio lineup, anchored by Providence political living legend Buddy Cianci, but the losses do seem to be piling up.
NOT
Fenway Partners
The private equity firm, which manages $30 million in Rhode Island pension fund money, was charged by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) this week for failing to disclose conflicts of interests. The company, it's affiliates, and its executives agreed to pay roughly $10 million in restitution, which will be placed into a fund to help harmed investors, according to the SEC.
NOT
Providence Pension System
GoLocalProv reported this week that roughly half of the Providence Police Department is eligible for retirement as of right now. That's a frightening thought because it would put another huge strain on the already incredibly frail city pension system. As time goes by, it's looking more and more like former Mayor Angel Taveras's pension reform did nothing but give city residents and workers a false sense of security.
NOT
Boston Bruins
Despite a bad start to the season, the Bruins have been winning more games as of late. However, watching NHL superstar Tyler Seguin, whom the Bruins traded in the summer of 2013, score three goals against his old team on Tuesday night was nauseating for the fans of the home team.
