Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not - June 3, 2016
Thursday, June 02, 2016
Russ Moore, GoLocalProv MINDSETTER™
Related Slideshow: Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not - May 27, 2016
HOT
Viola Davis
In GoLocal's estimation, the superstar actress who rose from childhood poverty in Central Falls to become one of the most well-respected actresses in the world is the greatest living Rhode Islander. And it's hard to argue. Davis has won two Tony awards, an Emmy and a SAG award and has been nominated for an Oscar. But what really impresses me is how much she gives back. Davis is a big fundraiser for several Rhode Island causes including donations to Central Falls High School.
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HOT
Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn (RET)
The New York Post is reporting that Middletown-native Gen. Mike Flynn is on the short list of Vice Presidential candidates for Donald Trump. It's a long shot that the 33-year military man who is an Afghanistan Veteran would be tapped as Trump's nominee for Vice President, but it's good press for Rhode Island that's he is being considered.
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HOT
Dollars For Scholars
A group of volunteers, Hope High School graduates all, held their annual scholarship dinner and handed out thousands of dollars scholarships to hard working, and in most cases, underprivileged students who achieve excellence in their studies in spite of their difficult circumstances and backgrounds. Kudos to this organization for lending a helping hand to hardworking students.
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HOT
Patricia Morgan
The Republican state legislator shouldn't have accepted or requested grants herself, but Morgan deserves credit for vehemently fighting against legislative grants in the present. Morgan correctly points out that the grants are nothing more than a political slush fund used by legislative leadership to keep representatives in line. While they fund some good causes, there are much better mechanisms to get the money to those programs.
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HOT
Scott Avedisian
The Mayor of Warwick was in the news this week for resigning as Chairman of RIPTA. The agency has been plagued by some accidents, 3 deaths and dozens injured over the two years. But don't expect this to negatively affect "The Teflon Don of Warwick", who is up for reelection this year, but will be a heavy favorite in the city against his opponent, Democrat Richard Corrente. Avedisian enjoys broad support from both Warwick Democrats and Republicans, so don't be surprised next November, "why doesn't Avedisian ever run for higher office."
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HOT
RI Oral Health Foundation
The Rhode Island Oral Health Foundation will hold its 5th annual Mission of Mercy free dental clinic on Saturday, June 4th and Sunday, June 5th at the CCRI Flanagan Campus in Lincoln. The program, now in its 5th year of existence, is an effort to provide dental services to those who otherwise couldn't afford them. Thank you to all the dentists and their volunteers who make this a reality!
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HOT
Ben Bentil
The sophomore superstar basketball player from Providence College has disappointed some fans with his decision to leave the school to enter the NBA draft. But Bentil is making the correct decision based on is remarkable season last year. He showed that he deserves to play in the NBA, and if scouts are wise, he should be selected in the first round.
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NOT
The Providence Journal
The state's biggest newspaper made a big mistake by criticizing Representative Carlos Tobon for failing to make it to a legislative hearing about the highly controversial community service grants. It would have been nice to see the Projo apologize so that everyone could move on. That would have taken away the fodder for the holier than thou speeches from House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello and Representative Anastasia Williams that we all had to suffer through on Tuesday.
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NOT
Nicholas Mattiello
What's the old saying about throwing stones and glass houses? Yes, the Providence Journal made a big mistake. But boy does the RI Speaker of the House of Representatives have some nerve taking to the rostrum and berating others for their mistakes. Let me remind you that this is the man who claims he knew nothing about 38 Studios, despite being House Majority Leader (number 2 in command, at the time), knew nothing about former Representative Ray Gallison's past ethical mishaps, despite the fact that they were publicized, and urged Governor Gina Raimondo to hire former Representative Donald Lally, whose hiring has led to an Ethics Commission investigation.
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NOT
Gina Raimondo
The Governor is undeniably an incredibly intelligent woman. That, however, is what makes some of her decisions and blunders so frustrating. The Governor had to know that hiring Donald Lally last year shortly after leaving the state legislature was going to not only cause a controversy, but in all likelihood, also violate the state code of ethics. So it was no surprise that when the RI Ethics Commission announced this week that it found probable cause that the hiring did. Raimondo needs to shy away from making political decisions to appease the General Assembly and instead do the right thing. If the state legislature pushes back, she should use the bully pulpit and the press to counter their political attacks.
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NOT
Donald Lally
The Rhode Island Ethics Commission on Tuesday found probable cause that former Rhode Island State Representative Donald Lally violated state revolving door provisions, just like all the folks who understand good government said he was doing before this happened. Lally should have known better so it's hard to feel sorry for him.
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NOT
Hillary Clinton
A state department audit has revealed that the Democratic Presidential candidate violated federal records rules pertaining to the preservation of private email servers while she was secretary of state. This isn't a good sign for Clinton, as it will add to the notion that she engages in corruption. Further, a few polls came out last week showing Republican nominee Donald Trump ahead of her for the first time in months.
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NOT
Hateful Graffiti
A miscreant, or a group of them, painted a swastika, on the sign of the Kollel Center for Jewish Studies, Pawtucket's only synagogue. Wouldn't it be nice if illogical hatred didn't exist?
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