Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot & Who’s Not? - March 31, 2017
Russ Moore, GoLocalProv MINDSETTER™
Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot & Who’s Not? - March 31, 2017
Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot & Who’s Not? - March 31, 2017
HOT
Blake Filippi
The Republican Minority Whip has introduced legislation that would increase the transparency of the Rhode Island Pension Fund’s investments. This is excellent, common sense legislation, that the state desperately needs after former General Treasurer and current Governor Gina Raimondo sunk a massive portion of the state’s portfolio into highly speculative, opaque, and risky hedge fund investments. Kudos to Filippi for having the courage to take on this issue.
HOT
Andy Posner
The creator of the Capital Good Fund, one of Rhode Island’s true success stories, which seeks to use financial services to tackle endemic poverty, criticized the RI Commerce Corporation’s deal with eMoney Advisors. “Let's see, that's $33,000 per job created. Capital Good Fund is creating 10 jobs in Rhode Island this year and is seeking $0 in tax credits,” said Posner. Add Posner’s name to a growing list of Rhode Island business folks who are growing frustrated with the RI Commerce Corporation’s proclivity towards corporate welfare schemes.
HOT
Allan Fung
The Mayor of Cranston deserves credit for standing firm on his commitment to getting panhandlers and anyone else who blocks the roadways out of harm’s way. Despite protests from people who believe the proposal is an affront to the first amendment, Fung is fighting to make sure that no one is injured from standing in the roadways.
HOT
Larry Lucchino
The leader of the Pawtucket Red Sox ownership appears to have some momentum behind him. First, he genuflected before the press and the Providence Newspaper Guild a few weeks ago at the Journal’s annual “Follies” dinner, which seems to have increased his likability. Then, Lucchino met with new Senate President Dominick Ruggerio this week at the statehouse, who expressed optimism that the state could arrive at a deal with the team. For Lucchino, things appear to be looking up.
HOT
Boston Celtics
I don’t know how they’re doing it, since they’re not as talented as some of their rivals, but the Boston Celtics are currently contending for the number 1 seed in the NBA’s Eastern Conference. This sets Boston up for a very interesting playoff run a month from now. Coach Brad Stevens should be the unanimous selection for Coach of the Year in the NBA.
HOT
Miriam Hospital Total Joint Center
The hospital’s “Total Joint Center” recently became one of just three in New England to earn the Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval for Advanced Certification for Total Hip and Total Knee Replacement. The designation is another nice feather in the east side hospital’s cap.
NOT
Robin Muksian
The City of Providence’s Director of Administration resigned from the position earlier this week after a GoLocal investigation revealed that she recommended an individual to become the administrator for the board of licenses who lacked the necessary qualifications, including a bachelor’s degree. The candidate’s relative, however, did have a business relationship with Muksian, having sold her a horse a couple years ago. This is just another chapter of “who you know” in Rhode Island. Here’s another exhibit to show those folks who say they cannot understand the cynicism of so many Rhode Islanders! (Maybe the state bird should be an ostrich instead of a rooster?).
NOT
Cumulus Media
The massive media conglomerate’s stock--which owns WPRO AM/FM, HOT 106, LITE 105 and AM790--is in a free fall. Since last week, the stock has been hovering around .34 a share, down roughly 85 percent since late last year. Experts are predicting that bankruptcy looms. Here’s hoping the company can turn its fortunes around, quickly, as it employs so many quality people.
NOT
Manchester Power Plant
Based upon reports from first responders that there was a massive explosion at the Manchester Power Plant located on Allens Avenue on Wednesday night, traffic was diverted from major arteries like route 195 and folks were stuck in traffic for hours in some cases. National Grid denied reports from Providence EMA that an explosion occurred. In any events, it created a chaotic and somewhat hysterical scene. Fortunately, nobody was reported injured.
NOT
Broken Parking Meters
Maybe the Mayor Jorge Elorza should focus on fixing and maintaining the parking meters that City of Providence currently has instead of crusading to install more throughout neighborhoods across the capital? There are meters in the city these days that don’t visibly tell people that the meters are “out of order” and to “use another machine” until after the driver swipes his or her debit card. That means they get charged for parking and are told to park somewhere else. That’s not fair. The city should make the “out of order” notice visible before the person swipes their debit card!
NOT
Dan DaPonte
Robert Browning, the legendary 19th Century poet, once wrote “ah, but a man’s reach should exceed his grasp...”. That’s not a universal truth, however. Just ask, state senator Daniel DaPonte who must be having some second thoughts after he made an ill-fated attempt to become Senate Majority Leader, instead of Warwick Senator Michael McCaffrey, after Dominick Ruggerio lined up the votes to become Senate President. DaPonte’s reach exceeded his grasp, and he didn’t get the votes to become majority leader. For his efforts, he was stripped of his previous powerful position as Senate Finance Chairman.
NOT
Donald Trump
The President of the United States signed an executive order to gut Obama-era environmental protections. That’s a shortsighted move, which may benefit certain industries in the short term, but will damage the planet for future generations. This is myopic at best.
