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

Friday, July 18, 2014

Dan Lawlor, GoLocalProv MINDSETTER™

 

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.

View Larger +

Hot this week: Lorne Adrain

Hot

Lorne Adrain: "This was a tough decision for me, but the right choice for Providence," said Adrain, as he bowed out of the capital city's Mayoral race. Adrain, an Independent and businessman with a history of civic engagement,  feared his candidacy would splinter the general election vote and risk Cianci's return to office. As he noted, "Let’s all vote to move our city forward and work together to achieve our potential - a Providence we can be proud of."

DARE/Direct Action for Rights and Equality: City ordinances require that any companies which receive $25,000 or more in public investment give Providence residents first opportunity to access any and all job openings. As GoLocal broke, "out of 1,110 new job openings reported by companies covered under the law, only 41 have been filled with First Source referrals." In response, DARE is suing the city to enforce the law. "Why does the City choose to enforce rules against everyday people but lets big business off the hook?" asks Fred Ordonez, DARE's executive director.

GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST

Lisa Ranglin/RI Black Business Association: As Jim Vincent, head of the local NAACP chapter reminds, "The unemployment rate here is over 40% for youth of color ages 18 to 24. You have folks that need opportunities, and and need hope ...." Focusing on "economic equity, security and opportunities," the RI Black Business Association is hosting a gubernatorial forum on July 29 at 6pm at Ebenezer Baptist Church. As Ranglin notes, "let your voice be heard!" If you have a question for the candidates (all Democrats and Republican contenders will be in attendance), please send questions to [email protected].

Sheldon Whitehouse – Senator Whitehouse joined 13 other Senators to support continued "Net Neutrality," where all internet service providers treat content on the internet with equal access, regardless of what website it originates from. The FCC is considering changes that would result in different levels of internet speed based on the source of the content. Make your voice heard. Will Senator Reed support this initiative?

Tony Affigne/Green Party: Environmentalists across the state are demanding the state DEM hold a public hearing on a proposed natural gas pipeline expansion sponsored by the energy company Spectra. Tony Affigne notes, "Rhode Islanders will pay a hefty price, in money and poor health, just so Spectra can reap billions in new profits, piping toxic fracking-gas ... If a risk this extreme doesn't demand a public hearing, I don't know what does." This petition calls on the Governor, DEM director Janet Coit, and air quality chief Doug McVay, to convene a public hearing on the pipeline expansion.

Dorothy, Aaron and Rachael Jungels/Everett Dance Company:  "A company, stage, and school...Everett explores complex social issues through a combination of theater, dance, music and video." Everett is a dynamic, caring organization in Mt Hope that makes a real difference in the lives youth each month. Become a supporter!

Not

Angel Taveras: It seems no matter the decade, the city always finds money to support re-development projects downtown - promising that massive downcity investments will result in new tax revenue, better services and jobs for all people. For the bargain to work, ordinances like First Source must be enforced. While the vertical land of the skyscrapers gets the most attention, there are plenty of empty horizontal buildings across the main streets of the city.

350: For some historic perspective, Providence's 1950s urban renewal and high construction projects, promising prosperity and wealth, displaced 350 businesses between 1954-1959. A 1964 study found one third permanently closed, and 60% reported a decline in income.

Ken Block: At the end of the RI Public Radio GOP gubernatorial debate, Ken Block was asked by Ian Donnis, "What current elected official in Rhode Island do you most admire and why?"  He replied, "I can't think of one."  We have many problems, but if you can't name one person, Democrat, Republican or Independent, in the entire General Assembly that you admire, then I have no idea how you will be an effective governor.

Gina Raimondo: The Non-Profit Quarterly notes "a cautionary tale this week about a Rhode Island homeless shelter that may be getting too close to a candidate for governor who is a high-profile supporter and board member." Raimondo is vice chair of the board of Crossroads RI, and concerns are being raised about her use of the non-profit in a campaign ad. NPQ reports, "The request was granted by both the shelter’s CEO and board chair, whose wife is a donor to Raimondo’s campaign."

7,930: In 2013, police in RI responded to calls related to domestic violence 7,390 times. 7,390. Sojourner House, the RI Coalition Against Domestic Abuse, and Day One do important work each day to help overcome and prevent this trauma in our community. Support their work.

Jim Langevin: The short story writer Eileen Chang once wrote, "Mr. Mai was in import-export, and like all business people, delighted in making political friends." She was writing about wheelers and dealers in 1940s Shanghai, but could have been writing about the drone manufacturer Northrop Gumman, which donated $10,000 to Rep. Langevin, who is on the House Intelligence Committee that has oversight of drone policy.

 

Related Articles

 

Enjoy this post? Share it with others.

 
 

Sign Up for the Daily Eblast

I want to follow on Twitter

I want to Like on Facebook