Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not in RI Politics?

Friday, July 19, 2013

Dan Lawlor, GoLocalProv MINDSETTER™

 

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Police Chief Hugh T. Clements Jr. acted quickly and decisively for justice following the death of 12-year-old Aynis Vargas.

Every Friday, Dan Lawlor breaks down who's rising and who's falling in the world of Rhode Island politics. Check out who made the lists this week.

Who's Hot

Mayor Joseph Polisena: Good Work to Johnston Mayor Polisena for his swift action following the gas explosion in the Broadrock Renewables plant at the Central Landfill. Mismanagement by Broadrock has caused safety violations in the past. Polisena is working to get a safe, square deal for the town and hold Broadrock accountable.

Police Chief Hugh T. Clements Jr.: Kudos to the chief and the department for swift arrests following the death of 12 year old Aynis Vargas, an honors student killed at a Hartford Park birthday party this June. May the rest of July bring peace and safe families to the city.

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"Cake Boss" Buddy Valastro: Thanks to BJ's, the Hoboken baker and TLC star brought thousands and thousands of free cakes to Kennedy Plaza! Did you get one? Gordon Fox should have this person on speed dial.

48 Hour Film Project: Could you make a movie in two days? Kudos to the dozens of local film makers who participated in this year's sleep deprived festival! Initial screenings of the short films were held at Cinema World in Lincoln, and the winning films will be shown at the Columbus Theater in Providence on August 17.

Tom Falcone: Credit where credit is due: Good work from Mr. Falcone of the Joint Legislative Services Committee and the folks at Capitol TV for leading the way in making RI government accessible online through streaming and an easily navigable website.

Brett Smiley: Joining Victor Capellan, Michael Solomon, Sabina Matos, Anthony Sionni, Jorge Elorza, and a good group of others considering, Brett Smiley has formally created an exploratory committee for the Mayor's office (if Angel Taveras does not seek re-election). Smiley has backing from Myrth York and Taveras campaign manager Lauren Nocera.

Providence Preservation Society: In the next twenty years, dozens of historic churches in Rhode Island, and all the community work done in them, are on track to closing. The Providence Preservation Society is working with Partners for Sacred Places and the RI Foundation to help local congregations strategize ways to keep faith communities and their buildings vibrant.

Who's Not

Lincoln Chafee: Licht, Fogarty, Costantino, Montalbano and now Mancuso? If an organization is doing well, hiring folks from the inside makes sense. Rhode Island, however, is not doing well, and does not need more of the same.

Warwick School Board: The Warwick School Board has voted to eliminate advanced learning programs in all Warwick elementary schools. Doesn't seem like a race to the top.

Stand Your Ground Laws: The death of a young teenage boy, Trayvon Martin, and the subsequent Zimmerman acquittal led to protests across the country. Reflecting on the death of Trayvon, Bishop Stacy Saul of the Episcopal Church wrote, "Have we learned anything at all? And this one has a corollary. What are we going to do about it?"

David Igliozzi: Are there truly no other interested and qualified lawyers in the state to serve as a part-time city solicitor for Providence? Do we really need a city government that's all in the family? Igliozzi, a one time candidate for Mayor and former city solicitor, has a brother, John, who serves on the city council.

Proccacianti Group: The Providence City Council is looking to cut the municipal tax breaks for the owners of the Renaissance Hotel unless workers are given the right to unionize, receive better working conditions and higher wages. Can't be a fun week for the group.

Westboro Baptist Church: August 1 will be a day to celebrate equal marriage under the law. On that day, this small, sad, hateful group of folks will be protesting at various city halls across the state. Kudos to the couples and the marriage clerks–you know you're doing something wonderful when folks like Westboro protest against you!

Downcity Gallery Closings: Picture This Gallery, still open on the East Side and Wakefield, is closing its downtown doors at the end of the month. Picture This writes, "Even though there are several development project downtown scheduled in the future, we feel it is best not to renew our lease at this time." Picture This follows Po Gallery and One Way Gallery in shutting their doors.

 

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