Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not? - June 7, 2019

HOT

Worcester Bravehearts

On Wednesday, the Worcester Bravehearts had an overflow crowd of school children of nearly 5,000 at a daytime game.  In contrast, through 24 games this season, the PawSox claim attendance of 3,928 per game.

A GoLocal review last year found that the Pawtucket Red Sox were inflating their attendance by as much as 300 percent. A GoLocal review of the reported attendance versus the actual number of paid in-stadium fans raised questions about the financial viability of the financing scheme considered by the Rhode Island General Assembly -- before the deal fell flat. 

The PawSox reported attendance to the International League -- for that game last May -- was 2,328 for the game, and when pressed by GoLocal on the attendance number they were told by a PawSox spokesperson that the turnstile count was 1,444, but according to photos taken at McCoy, the attendance was approximately 400. PawSox officials refused to explain how the team's turnstile number could be 1,000 fans higher -- or more than 300 percent.

The Bravehearts -- the 2014, 2015 and 2018 champions of the Futures Collegiate Baseball League -- have a much different story -- and a very loyal following. 

“We actually oversold the ballpark, we had to bring in bleachers from Holy Cross and use benches from the dugouts,” said Dave Peterson, General Manager of the Bravehearts, of this week's numbers. 

HOT

Urban Greens

The Grand Opening of Urban Greens Co-Op Market in Providence will be held June 27-29 -- Urban Greens is open to all shoppers, whether they are members or not.

The Grand Opening celebration will feature free food samples from local vendors, live music, goodie bags, and dozens of special sales throughout the store. The store is located at 93 Cranston Street in Providence and is open from 8am-8pm daily.

"Urban Greens fills a missing link in Rhode Island’s food economy by supporting local farmers and producers year-round; increasing the consistent availability of local, culturally-appropriate produce and products; creating local jobs; and reinvesting the profits locally," says the company.

Watch more about Urban Greens in their appearance on GoLocal LIVE. 
 

HOT

Jay-Z

Jay-Z Is rap's first billionaire.

Besides music, a report from Forbes says Hov's fortune has been amassed through many investments.

Throughout his career, Jay-Z has helped start Roc-A-Fella Records, Roc Nation and Tidal. He also originated Rocawear, a business he sold for just over $200 million. Forbes adds that Jay-Z's art collection by itself is a $70 million investment.

Another $50 million comes from real estate in New York and California. Liquor is also a big part of Jay-Z's money-making empire. According to Forbes, he has over $400 million invested in D'USSÉ and Armand de Brignac.

PHOTO: Joella Marano

HOT

Jeff Deckman

The former Rhode Island Republican Party Executive Director and leadership consultant's new book -- "Developing the Conscious Leadership Mindset for the 21st Century: Insight for Leading Change, Improving Employee Engagement, and Achieving Extraordinary Results" -- was selected from over 4,000 entries in the American Business Awards as both the Gold "Stevie" Winner for the Best E-Book and the Bronze Stevie Winner for the Best Business book of 2019.

Deckman will be going to NY to pick up the awards next week.  At a time when RI is often at the bottom of business rankings, it's good to know there are individual Rhode Islanders who are excelling on the national stage -- and have the potential to bring the state forward. 

To learn more about the "Stevies" -- go HERE. 

 

HOT

President Donald Trumps D-Day Speech

If you have not seen it, it is worth watching.

The President's speech was appropriate and inspiring. Now if all his speeches could be this way.

NOT

Mob Rule...Mob Rule

Narragansett Library advocates charge that the current Narragansett Town Council majority — Matthew Mannix, Jill Lawler and Richard Lema —  are “spiteful and vindictive” after they voted to slash the budget of the Maury Loontjens Memorial Library by more than 50%.

As the crowd voiced disapproval after the vote, Mannix stormed out of the meeting repeating yelling “Mob Rule…Mob Rule.”

MUST SEE VIDEO HERE

Advocates claim that the Town’s cut will mean a loss of $181,000 in state matching funds and will likely force the library to furlough employees, reduce library hour, and reduce library services for the residents of Narragansett.

“I’ve been involved in Narragansett politics for a long time, but I never thought I’d see the day when the Town Council would intentionally vote to hurt one of our town’s most important institutions,” said library champion and former Town Council President Susan Cicilline Buonanno. “There is no drastic budget shortfall or any other logical reason for tonight’s vote to hobble our library. The only reason is outright spite from Councilors Mannix, Lawler, and Lema who cannot stand the fact that so many Narragansett residents have had the audacity to demand that the Council follow the will of the town’s voters by allowing our library to move into the former Belmont building, as was approved by 68% of voters in 2016. This outrage will not stand, and I can guarantee that the vocal majority of Narragansett residents who have shown up at nearly every Town Council meeting for the past six months, will vote this Council majority out of office come 2020.”

NOT

Bishop Thomas Tobin

Give the guy credit, he certainly knows how to energize his base -- and divide people.

As GoLocal first reported on Saturday morning the Bishop of the Diocese of Providence Thomas Tobin took to Twitter on Saturday morning and Tweeted, "A reminder that Catholics should not support or attend LGBTQ 'Pride Month' events held in June. They promote a culture and encourage activities that are contrary to Catholic faith and morals. They are especially harmful for children"

The Tweet drew support and has been liked more than 1,000 times as of Saturday morning -- as well as condemnation.

Tobin has been controversial, and the Diocese is now being sued for fraud tied to the collapse of the St. Joseph Pension Fund.

Previously, Tobin had "quit" Twitter, calling it an "occasion of sin" in July 2018. He has since rejoined the social media platform. 

NOT

Lead in the Water at Providence Libraries

A GoLocal review of the Providence Water Supply's database finds that at least two of the city’s Public Libraries have lead pipes. And, three others have copper pipes that are likely to have lead solder or flux. Lead and flux were two leading bonding agents used with copper piping and have been banned by federal law.

That ban went into effect more than 30 years ago.

Lead poisoning in children is linked to developmental issues and in severe cases kidney and brain damage.

“In 1996 Congress further amended the Safe Drinking Water Act, requiring plumbing fittings and fixtures (endpoint devices) to be in compliance with voluntary lead leaching standards. The amendments also prohibited the introduction into commerce of any pipe, pipe or plumbing fitting or fixture that is not lead free,” according to the EPA.

Library officials were unaware of the potential contamination issues.

“We want to keep people safe and want to make every effort to ensure that children are protected,” said Cheryl Space, Library Director of the Providence Community Libraries in learning of the potential lead contamination issues.

According to the GoLocal review, both the Washington Park Library located at 1316 Broad Street and the Wanskuck Library located at 233 Veazie Street are found to have 1" copper pipes and “Suspected LEAD” pipes according to Providence Water’s data.

In addition, three other libraries have copper piping and may have lead solder or flux on the incoming pipes.

- Knight Library has 1.5" copper piping going to and into the building.

- Rochambeau Branch has 1” copper coming into the building.

- South Providence Branch has 1” copper

NOT

Projo's Parent Closed 32 Newspapers in New England

The parent company of the Providence Journal and the Newport Daily News has announced that 50 community newspapers in New England will be merged into just 18. 

The reality is there are now 32 less news sources.

The announcement was made by the Providence Journal’s publisher Peter Meyer and fellow GateHouse executive Lisa Strattan.

“Our readers will continue to receive the same in-depth local news coverage of their town plus additional reporting from nearby communities giving them up-to-date news on what’s happening in their region. Our advertisers will receive increased print market reach, simplified buy execution and enhanced digital opportunities,” writes Meyer and Strattan.

NOT

CO2 Levels

The planet's CO2 levels are continuing to climb.

The Mauna Loa Observatory in Hawaii says last month it measured record levels --  data found 414.8 parts per million of CO2.

This is a peak not seen for millions of years. It is also 3.5 parts per million higher than the Hawaii complex recorded a year ago.

In May, levels of the gas are typically at their highest. When the fall season hits, they then drop due to plants absorbing CO2. Carbon dioxide has been named the biggest culprit for the Earth's global warming issue.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration over 60% of global warming from greenhouse gases is from CO2. Over the past two decades, its rise had led to Earth's overall temperature increasing two-thirds of a degree.

NOT

RI Economic Growth

New rankings were released on Monday morning scoring the strength of each state’s economy.

Massachusetts ranks 3rd and Rhode Island ranked 43rd.

Most disturbing for Rhode Island is the state ranks 50th for “economic activity.”

And, Rhode Island ranks 48th for growth of GDP.

Rhode Island ranks last in New England.

“U.S. economic growth depends heavily on the performance of individual states. But some contribute more than others. California, for instance, blossomed in 2017 as the fifth largest economy in the world, boasting a GDP larger than that of countries like the U.K., France and India. Meanwhile, Alaska, a state with valuable natural resources, is struggling with the highest unemployment rate in the country, at 6.5%,” reports WalletHub.