Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not? - May 17, 2019

HOT

Senator Jack Reed

It was just like our Congressional delegation used to do.

At a press conference at T.F. Green last Friday morning, U.S. Senator Jack Reed, the Ranking Member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development and Related Agencies (T-HUD), announced a new $30 million Airport Improvement Program (AIP) grant to the Rhode Island Airport Corporation (RIAC) for safety and efficiency improvements.

“T.F. Green Airport is an important economic engine for Rhode Island and these federal funds will ensure it has the modern aviation infrastructure to help reach new heights and even more destinations.  This grant will literally help pave the way for a safer, smoother runway and a more efficient airfield,” said Senator Reed, who has helped direct over $200 million in federal funds over the last decade to make capital improvements to the airport.

HOT

John Howell

The 77-year-old publisher of the Warwick Beacon is breaking stories and still facing the pettiness of politicians.

Embattled Warwick Mayor Joe Solomon has cut the city’s advertising as well as access to city departments for the Warwick Beacon, according to multiple sources and confirmed by Beacon Publisher Howell.

The move is believed to be punishment by the Solomon administration for the newspaper's coverage of the mayor and numerous emerging contentious issues.

Howell bought the Beacon in 1969 for $40,000 and is considered the dean of the Rhode Island press. He has covered mayors in Warwick for fifty years — Democrats and Republicans, but GoLocal has been told that the paper has only once before faced this type of retribution.

"This [political retribution] has not happened with a Mayor since the 1970s," said Howell.

"My response to the City when officials were blackballed from talking to staff at the Beacon then was to start a column called 'The Way I Heard It,' which gave voice to sources in the city," said Howell

Solomon, who previously served as Warwick Council President, has been engaged in a series of ongoing controversies since becoming Mayor.

"I have a call into the Mayor (Solomon) today, but he has not called me back," said Howell.

HOT

PPS

The Providence Preservation Society announced that its capital campaign, The Power of Preservation Education, has raised over $1 million towards its $1.3 million goal.

“Successful advocacy always starts with education. Those who fully understand the value of preservation and why it matters will be prepared to lead us into the future. The Power of Preservation Education: A Campaign for the Future of Providence will provide the resources to create that future. After more than 60 years of service to the community, PPS remains vibrant, relevant, and firmly committed to promoting the value of historic preservation,” said Executive Director Brent Runyon.

PHOTO: Warren Jagger

HOT

Bipartisan Library Supporters

The Narragansett Democratic and Republican Town Committees issued a joint statement calling on Town Council members Matthew Mannix, Jill Lawler, and Richard Lema to level fund the Maury Loontjens Memorial Library.

They are also calling for the library to move into a new home in the former Belmont Market Building, as was approved by voters in 2016.

“We may disagree on just about everything else, but when it comes to our library, Narragansett’s Democratic and Republican Town Committees agree that it is a cherished non-partisan institution that deserves our full support. It is unacceptable to both of our parties that the will of Narragansett voters is being ignored and that Councilors Mannix, Lawler and Lema are proposing budget cuts that will cause our library to lose state aid, reduce hours and reduce services,” said Win Hames, Chair of the Narragansett Democratic Town Committee. 

Michael Riley, Chair of the Narragansett Republican Town Committee added, “The Maury Lootjens Memorial Library is a vital and beloved institution in the Town of Narragansett. These three councilors are intent on dismantling the Library through a vicious and spiteful abuse of power. Elected officials should follow the will of the people. That is why our Republican and Democratic Town Committees are united in calling on Councilors Mannix, Lawler and Lema to level fund the library’s budget and to follow the clear will of the town’s voters by allowing the library to move into the Belmont building, as was approved by 67.9% of voters in 2016.”

HOT

Jobs

Rhode Island finally got some good news on the job front. 

Rhode Island added 4,200 jobs in the month of April, bringing the total number of jobs to 500,300, according to the Department of Labor and Training (DLT).

This is the first positive month for jobs in 2019 for Rhode Island.

“We’re continuing to make key investments in the fundamentals of our economy, and this report is another sign that our strategy is working. We’ve trained thousands of workers, recruited dozens of new companies, supported hundreds of small businesses, and invested millions in roads, bridges and schools," said Governor Gina Raimondo.

"These efforts have resulted in record job numbers and the lowest unemployment rate in three decades. We need to build on this momentum by doubling down on the job training and economic development programs that have helped turned our economy around,” she added.

HOT

Jamal Gomes

Bishop Hendricken has announced Jamal Gomes as the new Athletic Director.

Gomes will take over for Paul Alianiello who, after a 45-year career, has announced his retirement effective at the end of the school year.

He will be only the third Athletic Director for Bishop Hendricken since 1971.

About Gomes

Gomes came onto the Hendricken basketball scene in his senior year earning the honor of R.I. Gatorade Basketball Player of the Year, as well as a Converse High School All-American in 1991. 

He went on to play at Stonehill College where he became a captain and 1,000-point scorer.  He followed his college years with a professional basketball career in Ireland.

Gomes began his 21-year Hendricken career as a physical education and health instructor in 1998, and evolved into his current role as a school counselor. 

In 2000 he was named the school’s varsity head basketball coach and has since become an 11-time Rhode Island state championship head coach with over 350 victories. 

His other accomplishments include being named a two-time Rhode Island Basketball Coaches Association (RIBCA) Coach of the Year, a six-time RIBCA Championship Coach of the Year, a USA Today Rhode Island Boys Basketball Coach of the Year, and a member of the Bishop Hendricken Athletic Hall of Fame. 

He has coached countless student-athletes who have gone on to compete at the collegiate and professional levels.

HOT

Boston Bruins

The Bruins dominated the Carolina Hurricanes and swept their way back into the Stanley Cup Finals.

Tuukka Rask had a .956 save percentage in the series against the Hurricane.

He was 3-0 with a .990 save percentage (95 saves on 96 shots) in games this postseason with a chance to eliminate opponents.

HOT

RI's Young Men

The annual Stages of Freedom's Bow Ties for Boys event packed the University Club last Saturday morning.

The event sponsored by Awoken Apparel, Starbucks, the University Club, Franklin Rogers, and GoLocalProv.com provides young boys of color an opportunity to learn important skills that will enable them to accomplish their goals and be successful in life. 

More than a dozen mentors assisted the boys in learning skills like shaking hands, introducing themselves, and tying a bow tie.

"Each boy leaves with his very own classy bow tie," said Stages of Freedom co-founder Ray Rickman.

NOT

RI's Serious Drug Problem

Rhode Island is ranked among states with the biggest drug problems.

According to a recent study completed by WalletHub, RI has the 11th biggest drug problem in the U.S.

Within the numbers, RI has the highest percentage of teenage drug users in U.S. In addition, Rhode Island is ranked sixth in the country for drug use and addiction.

“Drug abuse has a long and storied history in the United States, and we’ve been 'at war' with it since 1971 under the Nixon administration. But no matter who is in office, the federal drug budget continues to increase. It’s moved from $23.8 billion in 2013 to over $27.7 billion in 2018,” said WalletHub.

RI’s Rankings

6th - Drug Use & Addiction
45th - Law Enforcement
6th - Drug Health Issues and Rehab
1st - Highest % of Teenage Drug Users
5th - Highest % of Adult Drug Users
46th - Fewest Drug Arrests per Capita

NOT

Recession Fears

URI economist Len Lardaro said in an email to GoLocal, "I continue to remain unable to reject the possibility that Rhode Island has entered the earliest stages of a recession."