Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not?
Friday, November 28, 2014
Hot
Teresa Paiva-Weed: The Senate President deserves some serious kudos this week after she told the Providence Central Chamber of Commerce that she is in favor of exploring a statewide teacher's contract. A statewide contract would cut down on administrative costs, create savings through economies of scale, and promote transparency by reducing 36 teachers contracts to 1. That's real progress and the epitome of hot.
Commissioner Steven Pare, Providence and State Police: State and Providence law enforcement are due a serious hat tip for their handling of a potential powder keg this week when protesters took to the streets (and some blocked traffic on route 95). The fact that the police were able to diffuse such a dangerous situation without serious incident speaks to a job well-done.
Councilman Luis Aponte: While his path to become city council president has become murky as of late, Aponte will continue to be a strong voice for all Providence residents. This week, Aponte spoke out against the continued removal of properties from the city tax rolls by non-profits like Brown University and RISD.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTALS Association: On Saturday, December 6, at 10 a.m. at Kirkbrae Country Club in Lincoln, students from across Rhode Island will host a fashion show comprised of outfits that they sewed. Everyone is welcome and all of the proceeds will go to benefit the ALS Association of Rhode Island, which seeks to raise awareness and work towards a cure for the degenerative, and fatal disease.
RI Men's college basketball: Could Rhode Island be entering a new golden age of college men's basketball? Last week, Providence College won the Hall of Fame Tip Off tournament, dispatching two ACC opponents in the process and earned a spot in the top 25 in the national Coaches Poll. Meanwhile, URI knocked off a top 25 ranked opponent in Nebraska.
Thanksgiving: Here's hoping everyone, even those who disagree with your humble author, had a great Thanksgiving with family and close friends. There's plenty to complain about here in Rhode Island, but there's also a lot to be thankful for.
Not
Jack Reed: Rhode Island's senior Senator will lose the chance to be Chairman of the Armed Services committee when Republicans take control of the Senate this January. Reed has also stated that he has no interest in becoming the nation's next Secretary of Defense after Chuck Hagel stepped down. All of that means is his influence is declining, not increasing.
Ferguson Rioters/Providence traffic blockers: Peaceful protest is the bedrock of American civil liberties, but to riot, steal, and block traffic is no way to make a point. The answer to injustice is not more injustice.
3rd: Rhode Island had the 3rd highest unemployment rate in the nation as of October, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. That's unacceptable and makes President Obama's visit here in November, in which he told us how great and progressive we are, seem like some kind of a bad joke.
TF Green Airport: According to the most recent numbers on the airport's website, passenger traffic is down over 6 percent for both the month and the year. The dismal RI economy is probably to blame, but there has to be something the airport can do to increase traffic.
Providence Inequality: A review by Golocalprov shows that Mayor Elect Jorge Elorza has his work cut out for him if he's going to make his "One Providence" vision a reality. The city of Providence is on of the most unequal cities in the nation with income differences being 550 percent between the most affluent and poorest sections.
Route 195 land: Back during the 2010 statewide campaigns, one of the major themes was how the 195 land would lead to economic development in the capital city. Fast forward four years later, and there's been nothing accomplished other than a horrific proposal that would build residential units there and give them a tax stabilization agreement that would give those developers and renters an unfair tax break. For some reason, that prime real estate is not hot.
Russell Moore, a lifelong Rhode Islander, and avid politics and sports fanatic has worked on both sides of the desk in Rhode Island media, in both newspapers and on political campaigns. Follow him on twitter @russmoore713.
Related Slideshow: 5 Ways Taveras Could Have Grown Jobs in Providence
During Angel Taveras' tenure as Mayor of Providence, the unemployment rate ballooned. According, to US Department of Labor statistics, Providence hit a 12.5% unemployment level in the spring on 2014.
Hispanic unemployment is among the worst in the United States. GoLocal looked at tangible, revenue neutral ways Taveras' Administration could have grown jobs.
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