Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot & Who’s Not? - August 12, 2016

HOT

Jeffrey Osborne

There are few Rhode Islanders that raise more money for charities, have no administrative costs for their foundation, and bring to Rhode Island such an amazing collection of superstars.

This week, Osborne raised hundreds of thousands for a range of Rhode Island charities and brought the likes of Magic Johnson, Smokey Robinson, and dozen of other entertainment and sports superstars together to the benefit of Rhode Island.

HOT

Gina Raimondo

It has not been a wonderfully coherent strategy, and it is ever changing, but Raimondo may actually now be supporting the release of the 38 Studios investigation documents.

She has had three different positions and seems to be following the crowd of more than 30 organizations, elected officials and civic organizations already calling for the release of the documents. Welcome to the chorus.

HOT

Tim Kaine and Mike Pence

While Donald Trump seems to insult most everyone in America and Hillary Clinton seems to lie about just about everything, it is refreshing to see two political pros clean up their respective political messes with coherent comments.

Forget political ideologies, it is to late for a Kaine - Pence ticket?

HOT

Herb Weiss

Rhode Island’s Weiss seems to be everywhere. An advocate for Pawtucket, the arts, and most of all pushing for greater understanding about strategies for quality of life of older Americans, Weiss spans a range of issues of importance to Rhode Islanders. Now he has written a book, “Taking Charge: Collected Stories on Aging Boldly.”

Kudos to Weiss for never stop educating and advocating.

HOT

WPRI Investigation of Carnevale

WPRI did just what news organizations are supposed to do — look into an issue, report on it and keep at it until there is a resolution.

Rep. John Carnevale’s story of where he lives was not clear, reasonable or believable. Now, he has withdrawn and may have to deal with legal issues.  WPRI, from soup to nuts, did the leg work, followed through, and made a difference. 

HOT

Kenny Rix

Warwick North Little League's Kenny Rix hit a walk off grand slam to lift Rhode Island over Massachusetts 10-7 and into the New England Regional Championship game. 

Does it get better than that?

RI now plays in the New England Championship on Saturday with a chance to advance to the Little League World Series. This 13-year-old is living the dream.

HOT

Bill Belisle

Here is what the Hockey Hall of Fame wrote:

Head coach at Mount Saint Charles since 1975, Belisle’s remarkable run to date has included many significant milestones, among them: 26 consecutive state titles (1978-2003); 32 state championships in 41 years at the helm; 990 wins entering the 2016-17 campaign; two first overall NHL draft picks, including Brian Lawton, the first-ever American to be selected first overall in 1983 and Bryan Berard in 1995; and more than 20 Mounties who have gone on to be drafted by NHL clubs, including 2015 U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame inductee Mathieu Schneider.

Here is what GoLocal wrote: 

What took you so long?  It's about time. Congratulations, Belisle. 

NOT

Peter Kilmartin, Part I

Where to start? Let’s see. First, a 4 year investigation and no charges of 38 Studios. Then, he claims he can’t release records because the investigation is inactive, but not closed.  Hmmm.

How about close the investigation and release the records.  Dozens of Rhode Island leaders are demanding them. Any other case that's closed, could always be reopned.  Why is this any different? There doesn't seem to be quiet the chorus -- or anyone -- defending Kilmartin. 

NOT

Peter Kilmartin Part II 

Read this article, then you decide how the Attorney General is doing protecting Rhode Islanders.

NOT

Elizabeth Warren 

She may be right or wrong in her tweet. "@realDonaldTrump makes death threats because he's a pathetic coward who can’t handle the fact that he’s losing to a girl.”

But, please don’t start calling women “girls” for your political expediency. It sets women back and opens the door that has taken a long time to close.

NOT

RI Education

So the rankings are out from Newsweek magazine of the best 500 public high schools in America. Kudos to East Greenwich High School for making the list at #259, but that it is the only high school in RI that made the list. To put it in perspective, West Virginia had two on the list.

Can’t we do just a little bit better?

NOT

Cat Killer

As GoLocal was first to report, the RI DEM had to issue an unusual warning about previously convicted cat killer Anthony Stravato and his girlfriend Alyssa Lamountain. 

In 2014, Stravato was convicted of brutally killing his mother’s cat. He burnt the cat and gouged one of its eyes. Stravato was sentenced in the summer of 2015 after he sent threatening communications to a 15-year-old girl online.

See Kilmartin Part II to understand this man’s criminal record.

NOT

Gina Raimondo

Raimondo is having a tough time as Governor, but one thing she is pretty good at is fundraising. She can set a higher ethical standard by refusing to accept contributions from state and quasi-state agency workers.  It would remove any appearance of impropriety.

Raimondo has received over $30,000 in donations from state employees since first running for the Office of General Treasurer in 2010 — and Common Cause Rhode Island said that it does not support the practice.

A GoLocal review of Raimondo’s second quarter campaign finance report showed that she received $3,600 from state employees from April through the end of June alone.  Mayors, including Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza, have pledged not to take donations from municipal employees. Raimondo raises millions already. 

Jorge Elorza

Well, the one thing you can say is that the Mayor now has a clean slate. As his entire senior staff has resigned in the first 20 months, there is an opportunity to start anew.

Let's hope the new staff leadership can help to set a vision for Providence because right now it is difficult to identify a coherent vision for the City of Providence.

The one thing the Mayor has been great at has been increasing overtime spending in the Fire Department.