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

Friday, February 11, 2011

Dan McGowan, GoLocalProv MINDSETTER™

 

Who’s Hot

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Scott Avedisian -> Unlike many impatient Republicans obsessed with immediate cuts, the potential Senate candidate in 2012 has introduced a logical plan to reform the pension system in his city that won’t attack the pensions of those who have already put in their time as city workers. At this point, there might not be a better mayor in the state.

Chris Blazejewski -> After a nice profile in the Journal, the first-term state rep is sponsoring a bill that would prevent probation violations from carrying longer sentences than the amount of time remaining on probation. This Progressive leader is clearly picking up where David Segal left off.

Mike Ritz -> Anyone who wants to throw a party celebrating all that is good about Providence deserves recognition in my book. Too often we spend our time criticizing the Capital City and it’s nice to see someone lead the way on a positive project.

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Angela Romans -> Mayor Taveras’ new Education Adviser was an early supporter of his on the campaign trail and it looks like the Mayor has returned the favor. It is worth wondering what kind of relationship Romans and Superintendent Tom Brady will have in the coming months.

Ken McKay -> As expected, McKay is likely to be the next chairman of Rhode Island’s GOP. He’s proven to be very successful in leadership positions in the past, so it will be interesting to see what he can do for a party that was unable to use the Republican national momentum to their advantage last November.

Christine Hunsinger -> Another encouraging hire by Governor Chafee, proving once again that he’s at least willing to work with those who have opposed him in the past.

Emilie Aries -> The former Rhode Island Director for Organizing for America will now serve as Lead Organizer for Ocean State Action. With the addition of Aries and Kate Brock, OSA is poised to remain a major factor in Rhode Island for years to come.

Who’s Not

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Chief Esserman -> It is unclear whether the Chief was joking when he threatened one of his officers last week, but poor reputation among rank-and-file members of the Police Department and the citizens of Providence appear to finally be catching up with him.

Nick Kettle -> In a tasteless e-mail, the young state senator urged supporters to attend a homelessness hearing at the State House to “help me ask why this homeless person has better clothes than I?” Grow up kiddo.

Jack Reed -> Never a good sign when a company you helped secure millions in earmarks for is accused of cheating the Navy. The usually squeaky-clean senior Senator doesn’t look good in this case.

Terry Gorman –> It’s one thing to hate immigrants; it’s another to flat out lie about what they cost the state. Kudos to the Journal for taking him to task this week.

Chris Plante -> Speaking of lying to further your cause, the Executive Director Rhode Island’s National Organization for Marriage, decided to claim that Massachusetts teaches kindergarteners about gay marriage in his hateful efforts to prevent Rhode Island from being the next state to allow same sex marriage.

Democratic Leadership Council -> R.I.P. to a group that spent so much time conforming to Republican ideas that it completely abandoned its own party. Something tells me the DLC won’t be missed much.

Valley Street -> I know there are plenty of streets filled with crater-sized potholes in the city of Providence, but I guarantee there isn’t a worse area in all of New England than Valley Street. Mayor Taveras, please get on this.
 

 

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