Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not in RI Politics?
Friday, May 10, 2013
New Bedford native and Brown undergrad Justin Braga is hot this week for his election as leader of RI's College Republicans.
Who's Hot
Lincoln Chafee: He's the least popular executive in the country, but he sticks by his conscience. Cheers to the governor for signing an executive order to bring more diversity to the state's workforce.
Gorton Junior High School: Families, faculty and students are fighting to keep this Warwick Junior High School open. Their peers in Providence failed to stop the closure of Bridgham and Perry Middle Schools in the past few years, but maybe Warwick will listen. Best of luck in as folks struggle for small class sizes and a community school!
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTJustin Braga: This Brown undergrad and New Bedford native was elected as leader of Rhode Island's College Republicans. Can the group help win hearts and minds?
New Leadership Council: With a goal of "Revitalizing Rhode Island," the local chapter of the New Leaders Council, a progressive leadership outfit, gathering in Pawtucket to honor Suzy Alba of the Smithfield Town Council, Bobby Britto-Oliviero of URI's Talent Development Program, Brad Fesmire of Riverzedge in Woonsocket, and Calvin Jones of Johnson and Wales. Congrats to the honorees!
Ban the Box Campaign: What do Republican Mike Chippendale and Democrat Scott Slater have in common? Both are hoping to give felons a second chance by eliminating the question "Have you ever been convicted of a crime?" from job applications. Of course, the question is something to discuss in an interview, but this bill prevents discriminatory pre-screenings. As Slater says, "No judge has ever sentenced anyone to a lifetime of unemployment." Watch the Ban the Box video, here.
Brenda Brock: Brock, founder of Farmaesthetics, an herbal skincare company, was declared Rhode Island's Small Business Person of the Year. Kudos for her good work - perhaps the General Assembly can ask her for some tips! (Read more about Brock right here.)
Jan Brodie: Formerly of the Armory Revival Co. in the West End, and most recently of a real estate development firm up in Boston, Brodie has been hired as the new executive director of the I-195 redevelopment commission. Best of luck - when will construction start?
Rhody Fresh Milk: The nine farm co-op responsible for locally produced "Rhody Fresh" milk just received a grant from the US government to improve their facilities. Good work!
Who's Not
Master Lever: It's time to end this confusing ballot option. Ending documented voter confusion is a simple good government change that House and Senate leadership can embrace.
RI Mayoral Academies: Advocating to re-write environmental safety laws to open a school building on a site with toxic vapors is unsettling. The leaders at Mayoral Academies should be embrace reform, not imitate district practices of poor maintenance and health risk.
Daniel Doyle: The former executive director of the Institute for International Sport at URI was arraigned on 18 counts, including embezzlement and forgery.
Deepwater Wind: After a contentious meeting, the Narragansett Town Council has voted to suspend negotiations with the off-shore wind company until June 6.
Gina Raimondo: From the return of Caprio to criticism for her moving parts of the state pension into hedge funds, the future of Rhode Island's Margaret Thatcher is murky—unless you count her out of state fundraising.
David Cicilline: Another falling star is Hizzoner, Congressman David Cicilline. The federal government is requiring Providence to pay back over $600,000 due to the misuse of HUD funds, the majority dating to Cicilline's tenure as Mayor. Sounds like a pretty creative use of capital.
