Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not? - August 30, 2019

HOT

La Salle Sports

Sorry Hawks.

La Salle Academy is the best high school in Rhode Island for sports, according to rankings by Stadium Talk.

“The United States has over 37,000 high schools, and broadcast access to games and events for some high schools rivals that of collegiate programs. Just think: Forty years ago, the NBA Finals were aired on tape delay. Now, you can stream a live junior varsity archery contest between high school teams,” writes Stadium Talk.

Stadium Talk lists La Salle’s enrollment at 1,560 students and tuition at $15,400.

HOT

Boston Energy 

Governor Gina Raimondo on Monday night announced that Boston Energy, a global wind turbine maintenance company, will make Rhode Island the home of its U.S operations.

Boston Energy, which will be based at the Cambridge Innovation Center (CIC) in the Wexford complex in Providence, promises to locate 50 employees in Rhode Island in exchange for a series of subsidies.

“Rhode Island is a leader in offshore wind,” said Raimondo. “This development is further proof that we’re well-positioned to be the hub for this growing industry as we approach our renewable energy goal. Clean energy jobs are jobs of tomorrow, and I’m thrilled that yet another company in the wind sector supply chain is choosing to make the Ocean State home.”

HOT

Rhode Island Views

Three Rhode Island restaurants have been named to OpenTable's list of the 100 most scenic restaurants in the U.S.

The three RI restaurants are The Mooring, Boat House Waterfront Dining and Coast Guard House.

“This year’s list features winning restaurants in 24 states and Washington, D.C. – all offering picturesque sights. This year, California remains the top honoree with 24 restaurants, followed by Florida with 15 winners and New York with six," writes OpenTable about the list. 

Blake Filippi

The GOP House Minority Leader is a comer.

His appearance this week on GoLocal LIVE reinforces the emergency perspective that he is the future of the Republican Party in Rhode Island.

HOT

Norman Bird Sanctuary

Norman Bird Sanctuary announced the launch of its inaugural artist residency series in September titled “Mabel Residency.”

“The Mabel Residency seeks to provide the time and space for artists of exceptional talent to make work inspired by the rich history and stunning landscape of the iconic area in Middletown known as Paradise Valley during their two-week rotational stay,” says Norman Bird Sanctuary in their press release.

The Residency will feature four events in September to celebrate ten artists from around the world.

NOT

Lack of Hard Work

A new study paints a bleak picture of the Rhode Island workforce.

Rhode Island workers rank 49th for hard work — only West Virginia ranks lower.

The study's findings are consistent with Bryant Professor of Economics Matthew Tebaldi who wrote in a recent column published in GoLocal, "The state’s population is not only getting older, but it also lacking the skills needed to succeed in the digital economy, thus further investment in a well-educated population is crucial. Rhode Island’s labor force is suffering from the fact that, like much of the country, our population is stagnant and aging. And unlike our peers around New England, our proportion of people with at least a high school diploma is disproportionally low."

NOT

More National Embarrassment

First, the Wall Street Journal editorial board dubbed Providence schools “An Education Horror Show.”

Now, the influential global business news organization is doubling down on criticizing Providence's failed educational system and specifically Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza.

On Thursday, America’s leading business newspaper published a blistering editorial attacking Elorza’s policies and his efforts to block the expansion of educational alternative for Providence families.

“The mayor is holding the children and charter schools hostage while he tries to squeeze more money from the state for his failing schools. Ms. Infante-Green shouldn’t pay his blackmail. The Governor and Legislature can strip him of his power over charters before he does more harm to children,” writes the Wall Street Journal.

In addition, the paper writes, “But now Mayor Elorza is threatening to block an expansion of Rhode Island’s top-performing Achievement First charter network. About four times as many students at Achievement First schools meet or exceed state English standards than at traditional Providence schools. Achievement First’s newest school last year ranked number one in the state—despite spending about $1,700 less per pupil than traditional schools.”

NO

Lagging Environmental Enforcement

Let's get this straight:

1) A facility's permit has expired.

2) It has been flagged by DEM for multiple violations.

3) And, it goes on and on -- without being shutdown.

A controversial transfer station in Rhode Island has been operating without a new permit from the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) since 2018 — and a city councilor is raising questions about liability, among other issues.

Pawtucket Mayor Donald Grebien once described the facility as contaminated and rodent-infested.

DEM has cited the facility for numerous violations, but the facility continues to operate and operate without a proper remediation plan. The plan required in now ten months late, but yet the facility continues to operate. 

According to RI DEM, the transfer station on Grotto Avenue in Pawtucket has been operating under the conditions of the old permit which expired in May 2018 — and DEM will not issue a new permit until improvements are made at the facility. 

“If it were any other business, if they didn’t have a permit, they would have been shut down by now,” said Pawtucket City Council Tim Rudd. “The area continues to be overrun by rats."

The findings by DEM in 2018. The city said steps have been taken to address the issues -- but a new permit has not been issued.

NOT

RISD Student Center

Architectural critic Will Morgan takes the newly unveiled RISD Student Center to the proverbial woodshed.

Morgan writes, "What one immediately notices are the orange color accents. Why orange?  Home Depot? A phone store in a mall? A retro 1970s vibe?"

READ THE REST OF HIS COLUMN HERE

The main entrance presents visitors with an awkward processional shift. Does anyone sit on these carpeted steps?

NOT

Johnson & Johnson

In a landmark lawsuit, an Oklahoma judge ordered Johnson & Johnson to pay $572 million for contributing to the state’s opioid-addiction crisis, a verdict that could have massive implications for lawsuits now pending across the country relating to the opioid epidemic.

A group headed by Purdue Pharma agreed to pay $270 million, while a group headed by Teva Pharmaceuticals USA Inc., agreed to pay $85 million.

More than 2,000 cases brought by state and local municipalities seek to hold drugmakers, retail pharmacy chains and distributors accountable for widespread opioid abuse that began gaining public attention in the early 2000s. That flood of litigation coincides with intensifying efforts by the Justice Department to use data to investigate over-prescription of opioids by doctors.

In Rhode Island, Johnson & Johnson was awarded millions in incentives, subsidies and tax credits to build out new space on Ship Street in Providence and create 75 high tech healthcare jobs. It was supposed to be the beginning of potentially something much bigger for Rhode Island.

The package approved by Rhode Island Commerce Corporation in January of 2017, was robust, "incentives up to $4,425,860 in foregone state revenue, up to $1 million in renovation and fit-out costs at 1 Ship Street, and up to $700,000 in workforce services and talent attraction grant funds.”

In total, it was a more than $6.1 million package for 75 jobs -- $81,333 in subsidies per job.