Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not - Oct. 16
Russell J. Moore, GoLocalProv MINDSETTER™
Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not - Oct. 16
Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not - Oct. 16
HOT
Jorge Elorza
One of the bright spots of the Mayor's first year in office has been his focus on city recreation programs to help keep kids off the streets, teach them discipline and other life skills that will serve them for decades. Recently, the mayor, in conjunction with the police and school departments, kicked off the Police After School Sports program. Providence Police Officers will serve as basketball and flag football coaches (and mentors) to middle school youngsters.
HOT
Mark Curtis
Formerly of WLNE ABC 6, started his new position this week in West Virginia, at West Virginia Media Holdings in Charleston, as the organization's Chief Political Reporter. Curtis was always a talented journalist, so it wasn't surprising to see him land a new position elsewhere relatively quickly. Rhode Island's loss will be West Virginia's gain.
HOT
Paul Suttell
The Rhode Island Supreme Court Justice, who is responsible for the administration of the state court system, announced this week that Newport will host the 2018 Conference of Chief Justices and the Conference of State Court Administrators. It was a good get for the not only Newport, but also the state of Rhode Island, as it will enhance tourism here.
HOT
Brown University
Golocal had the exclusive that Malia Obama, the President's oldest daughter, made her second visit to the school this year last weekend. The fact that she has visited the school twice signals that she's seriously considering the University, which would be a huge feather in the school's cap. Obama would be the third child of a U.S. President to attend the school, following in the footsteps of John F. Kennedy Junior and Amy Carter.
HOT
Kendra Borden
The English teacher at Samuel Slater Junior High in Pawtucket, was named the Rhode Island winner of the 2015 Milken Educator Award. The award carries and unrestricted cash award of $25,000, and is given to teachers who show a passion for education and an effectiveness to equal it. This award, coupled with Cumberland High School Principal Alan Tenreiro being named Principal of the Year last week, highlighted the fact that Rhode Island has some superb educators.
HOT
Kris Dunn
The superstar point guard for the Providence College Men's Basketball team continues to rack up preseason honors. This week, he was named Preseason Player of the Year, in the Big East Coach's Poll. Multiple publications have named him a first team all-American. Friars fans like myself are in for a fun year of watching this special player do his thing, and fortunate that Dunn didn't go straight to the NBA last year.
NOT
Lincoln Chafee
Unfortunately for the former Warwick Mayor, US Senator, and Rhode Island Governor, Chafee missed a major opportunity on the national stage during the first Democratic Primary Debate in Las Vegas, Nevada. Inexplicably, Chafee struggled mightily to explain his vote to repeal the Glass-Steagall Act, as well as his vote for the Patriot Act, two questions he should have anticipated and had excellent explanations--like Hillary Clinton did on her tough questions. Instead, Chafee had some truly baffling answers to those questions, seeming unprepared. Did Chafee do any preparation for such a crucial moment? In any event, it's hard to see how Chafee can salvage his Presidential campaign.
NOT
Nicholas Mattiello
The House Speaker has dismissed the Republican Policy Group's proposal to fund bridge repairs in Rhode Island without raising tolls, taxes, or borrowing money, calling it "a recycled proposal. A flawed plan." No, Mr. Speaker, but what are recycled plans and flawed proposals are those that raise and institute new taxes and borrow money in order to put off difficult decisions until another day--making those decisions more difficult as opposed to cutting wasteful spending. The Speaker's comments are discouraging considering that he promised to work together with Republicans when he was voted House Speaker over 2 years ago. That's definitely not hot!
NOT
Gina Raimondo
Golocal MINDSETTER and finance professional Michael Riley raises a very astute point in his most recent column about the state of municipal pension systems in Rhode Island. When Raimondo was a candidate for Governor, she said that the municipal pension plans would be a subject for the next Governor to address. With most of the state's pension plans, in worst shape than before the farcical Municipal Pension Commission disbanded, without accomplishing anything, of course, the time has come for serious municipal pension reforms. But where is the leadership on the issue now going to come from?
NOT
Anastasia Williams
New documents revealed this week show that if the State Representative from Providence had stepped down as Board Chairwoman of the John Hope Settlement House, the non-profit organization wouldn't have been excluded from receiving federal funds going forward. Williams, as well as Board Treasurer Walter Morgan, apparently refused to step down, and therefore the organization has been stripped of federal funding for lacking any proof that the funds were actually expended properly. The situation raises serious questions as to why Williams is still serving as Board Chairwoman.
NOT
Providence
Forbes Magazine has ranked the Providence Metro area as the 20th least affordable city in the United States. The high cost of housing, which is a persistent problem here, was listed as a key contributor to landing our capital city and neighboring area on this list of shame. It could be worse, however, as Boston was actually ranked second worst in the nation and New York City was ranked the worst.
NOT
Providence College Men's Basketball
The Friars have arguably the best men's basketball player in the nation (he was Blue Ribbon Magazine's, often referred to as college basketball's bible, Player of the Year) yet they're only picked to finish fifth--middle of the pack and mediocre--in the Big East conference, according to the recent coach's poll. That's concerning considering the fact that, let's face it, the Big East is now a glorified mid-major conference. The coaching staff has lots of work to do recruiting, and more importantly, retaining talent.
