Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot & Who’s Not? - June 16, 2017

HOT

Kiel James Patrick

The Rhode Island-based clothing brand opened up its flagship store yesterday on Bowen’s Wharf in Newport, one of the coolest places in Rhode Island. Kiel James Patrick made its mark on social media, translating the concept of a lifestyle brand onto social media and accruing roughly half-a-million followers on Instagram in the process.

The store will include an expanded line of men and women’s clothing that feature classic New England looks. 

HOT

Spencer Sullivan

The former staffer to Congressman Steve Scalise, who happens to have grown up in Cumberland and graduated from Bishop Hendricken, spoke to GoLocal LIVE about his former boss, who was critically injured by a deranged gunman at a baseball practice for the annual Congressional baseball game.

Sullivan made a point that we often forget--whether a person is a Democrat or a Republican, they’re almost supporting what they think is best for America. There needs to be less partisanship and more of a realization that we’re all Americans first and foremost. 

HOT

Capri Catanzaro

At least somebody keeps it real around here. The Political Director of Rhode Island Progressive Democrats criticized Governor Gina Raimondo in a GoLocal article this week for taking positions significantly more conservative than those Hillary Clinton took during her presidential run last year. Catanzaro points out that Raimondo has pushed for Medicaid cuts, abortion coverage restrictions, and also has ties to corporate interests (ie, corporate welfare programs).

HOT

Anthony DeRose

The Rhode Island-based drag queen who has won numerous drag pageants across the country under his “Jacqueline Dimera” female persona, stopped into GoLocal and recorded a very informative session about his advocacy on behalf of the gay community in advance of this weekend’s Pride Festival. DeRose is also chairman of the Democratic Party LGBT Equality Caucus, and works with government officials to raise awareness of local LGBT issues.

HOT

Jorge Elorza

The city council approved Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza’s budget, which contains no tax increase this year for the city’s beleaguered taxpayers. That’s a big win for the mayor, particularly if he’s able to duplicate this feat again next year. Further, the mayor signed the Community Safety Act into law, which will further solidify his support with progressives--a major voting block in the city.

HOT

Chris Hess and Robert Henry

The former North Kingstown High standout athlete who played baseball at URI was selected by the New York Yankees, perhaps the most prestigious organization in sports, in the 17th round this week. Meanwhile, Brown University’s Robert Henry-a Cranston native and former Bishop Hendricken star--was also drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 37th round.

NOT

Ramon Perez

The freshman state representative whose district encompasses portions of Providence and Johnston made national news last week when he passed out a document that contained a screenshot of a computer screen containing open tabs of pornography websites. Perez maintains that he didn’t actually view the pornography, and we’ll give him the benefit of the doubt. But any week in which you need to take to the House Floor to assert “I am not a pervert” isn’t a good one.

NOT

Gina Raimondo

The Governor signed an executive order this week affirming Rhode Island’s commitment to meet the environmental goals of the Paris Accord. Isn’t it nice that she’s such a strong environmentalist? But wait, if that’s true, why hasn’t she announced her opposition to the proposed fossil-fuel burning Burrillville Power Plant? The plant is strongly opposed by people from villages like Mapleville, Harrisville, and others across Rhode Island. Personally, I’m actually wondering if Raimondo is really the environmentalist that she purports herself to be.

NOT

Frank Montanaro Jr.

WPRI reported this week that the former state representative who worked at Rhode Island College before being appointed as the Executive Director of the Joint Legislative Services Committee still managed to garner free tuition for one individual described as his child and another that is guardian of, all while being employed by the state legislature and not the school.

This was possible because Montanaro was only “on-leave” from the school, because he wasn’t sure if he’d like his new $155,000 a year job and might want to go back to the school. Wow, it sure is nice to know the right people in Rhode Island!

Photo: Linkedin

NOT

Donna Nesselbush

The Democrat state senator from Pawtucket has a message for us: sugar is evil. Yeah, she said that. To combat this grave injustice in the world, she wants us to, of course, pay more taxes. Nesselbush has proposed a new 2 cent per ounce tax on sugary drinks. That’s because those of us who like sugar are clearly engaging in evil when we consume it, and we need to be punished by paying more in taxes for our errant ways. Ah, the nanny state is alive and well here in Little Rhody.

NOT

Providence Ferry

The federal funding for the Providence to Newport Ferry is slated to expire at the end of this year. That means, if nothing is done, the cost of the ferry ride will spike from $10 to $50 for a one-way ticket. Yeah, no that’s not going to work out.

NOT

Gun Violence

The nation was struck, yet again, by a senseless act of gun violence this week when a deranged madman opened fire on the Congressional baseball game practice and shot House Majority Whip Steve Scalise, Matt Mika, a lobbyist, a Congressional staffer, Zach Barth was also shot as well as two members of the Capitol Police--Crystal Griner and David Bailey. It was another sad reminder that gun violence can happen upon anyone at any moment.