Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not? - November 2, 2018

HOT

Billy Hunt

In a time of endless partisan bickering, William Hunt Jr., the Libertarian candidate for Rhode Island House of Representatives in District 68, announced he has earned the endorsement of two Democrat and two Republican leaders from Warren and Bristol.

The announcement was made Tuesday night at the League of Women Voters of RI Bristol Candidate Forum. Hunt presented a letter co-authored and signed by Kenneth Marshall (Democratic Representative for District 68), Thomas Carroll (chairman of the Bristol Republican Town Committee), Mark Smiley (chairman of the Warren Republican Town Committee and former chairman of the State GOP), and Jan Malik (former Democratic Representative for District 67).

“This bipartisan letter of endorsement sends a clear message denouncing the far-left Progressive ideologues’ attempt to overtake the East Bay,” Hunt said. “The extreme partisanship of contentious mid-term elections across the country makes this united endorsement in this state even more significant. This act of unity reinforces the message to voters that their best, most informed choice for the most qualified candidate goes beyond voting for someone based solely on the letter following the name on the ballot."

HOT

Carolyn Rafaelian

The Alex and Ani CEO garnered her latest recognition from People magazine for the company's Charity by Design.

“The law of the universe is the more you have, the more you have to give," said Rafaelian on her philanthropic business model. which has provided more than $50 million to charities in Rhode Island and across the globe.

See more about her upcoming feature here.

HOT

RI's Community Response to the Pittsburgh Shooting

An interfaith vigil was held in Providence on Monday in honor the victims of the shooting a Pittsburgh synagogue on Saturday.

The shooting resulted in the death of 11 people and six others were wounded.

The vigil was organized by the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island, the Board of Rabbis of Greater Rhode Island, and representatives from the interfaith community.

The community event was named a "Community-Wide Prayer and Action Vigil."

HOT

STEM Grant

Rhode Island is one of six states to be awarded a STEM apprenticeship grant from the U.S. Department of Education, the RI Department of Education (RIDE) announced on Tuesday.

The $500,000 grant will fund the launch of the Rhode Island Youth Apprenticeship Program.

“The Rhode Island Youth Apprenticeship Program is an important addition to our portfolio of options because it will allow students to explore an exciting and growing career pathway in a deep, meaningful way that can directly lead to opportunities after graduation. We know that STEM careers are on the rise in Rhode Island and beyond, and our students will be better positioned for those opportunities thanks to this grant,” said Ken Wagner, Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education.

HOT

First Sign of Light

Over the past 14 months, the members of the St. Joseph pension fund have faced nearly an endless string of bad news — ranging from the potential of a 40 percent cut to their pensions to endless court hearings and delays.

The total shortfall for the failed pension fund is an estimated $118 million.

On Monday, Rhode Island Superior Court Judge Brian Stern issued a ruling that may pave the way for the recovery of a minimum of $12 million, but what could be upwards of $30 to $40 million or more. As a result of Stern’s ruling the now-defunct pension plan could own 15 percent of Prospect CharterCARE in Rhode Island.

The decision by Stern now needs to be approved by his judicial counterpart in federal court, Judge Will Smith.

The dual jurisdiction is set up as such as the receivership of the pension fund and one major fraud lawsuit are in state court, and a related federally-filed fraud suit is now pending in federal court.

“We are pleased with the decision by [Judge Stern] we received today in state court and now need to get approval in federal court,” said attorney Max Wistow on Monday.

HOT

Boston Red Sox

The Boston Red Sox won their fourth Wolrd Series Championship of the 21st Century.

Boston teams have won 11 Championships since 2000.

Patriots 5

Red Sox 4

Bruins 1

Celtics 1

NOT

Invenergy

The Rhode Island Energy Siting Board (EFSB) voted to reject the two-year-old Public Utilities Commission advisory opinion that said there was a need for the proposed Invenergy power plant.

“We are pleased with the Board’s common sense decision. The Town is painstakingly making the case that building a new power plant in Rhode Island is not justified,”  said Burrillville Town Manager Michael Wood.

The EFSB will no longer take into consideration the earlier PUC opinion on this issue. Instead, the EFSB will decide the issue of need based on all the evidence presented, included updated testimony that will be filed by the parties.

NOT

Projo Ad on Synagogue Massacre Story

The Providence Journal on Sunday featured a front-page ad for The Sporting Shoppe — a gun store that this month features sales on rifles and handguns and a “special offer” of $25 off a purchase of $500 on a handgun.

The ad for The Sporting Shoppe was a ‘post-it’ style ad and it was placed just above a front page article written by the Associated Press. On the backside of the sticker is an offer for "Free Ammo."

The website for The Sporting Shoppe says, “Thank you for visiting TheSportingShoppe.com where you’ll find the largest inventory and lowest prices on guns and ammo, and more!"

"We have recently greatly expanded our offerings. We thank you for your patience as we continue daily to add new products to our online inventory.  If you don’t see what you’re looking for please call 401-247-GUNS.”

NOT

Hate

In Rhode Island, hate crimes have increased 1,300 percent according to the most recent study by the ADL. SEE THE DATA HERE.

“ADL identified 1,986 anti-Semitic incidents perpetrated throughout the United States in 2017. This is an increase of 57% over the 1,267 incidents reported in 2016. For the first time since at least 2010, an incident occurred in every US state,” said the ADL in its report.

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Vandalism at Pawtucket Temple

According to the Southern Poverty Law Center (SCLC), Rhode Island has three organized hate groups. SCLC identifies Vanguard America as a NEO-NAZI group; Gallows Tree Wotansvolk Alliance a NEO-VOLKISCH; and Traditionalist Worker Party as a NEO-NAZI/TRADITIONALIST WORKER PARTY group. 

“The Rhode Island State Police takes this type of crime seriously. If we receive any threat or report of a hate crime in our state, we will respond swiftly, investigate fully and arrest any individual who threatens or commits a hate crime,” said Colonel Ann C. Assumpico, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police and Director of the Department of Public Safety in an email to GoLocal on Saturday night.

“Fortunately, these types of crimes don’t often occur in Rhode Island. We are not aware of any increase in threats or reports of this nature at this time,” said Assumpico.

But on Saturday, State Senator-elect Sam Bell has taken to social media alleging that he and his partner have been targeted by individuals with ties to NeoNazis.

Bell says he went public after Saturday’s shooting at a synagogue in Pittsburgh, PA in which 11 were murdered and 6 were wounded.

“The NeoNazi website Stormfront has started a thread featuring me and Samantha. They don't like that we identify as Jewish and bisexual, and they have truly gross things to say. They also make absolutely disgusting comments about my friend Mel DuPont. An activist and constituent who has been the subject of revolting online harassment from NeoNazis, Katherine Wela Bogen, was mentioned in it, and she alerted us to this thread. Katherine and Mel both told us they were okay with being identified here, and we would like to thank them for both their bravery and their activism,” wrote Bell.