Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not in RI Politics?
Friday, August 26, 2011
Who’s Hot
Angel Taveras & Michael Solomon -> It’s nice to see leadership in Providence step up in support of Mayoral Academies in their city. Solomon even came up with the most logical idea yet when it comes to the controversy surrounding Achievement First: If Cranston residents overwhelmingly appear to not want schools built in their town, why not just build them in Providence?
M. Teresa Paiva Weed -> Well, it would have been easier if she just didn’t allow a budget that included a tax on sightseeing tours in the first place, but kudos to the Senate President for realizing the potential impact on businesses throughout the state. And just wait until she gets a headache and needs a Tylenol. Then maybe that over-the-counter drug tax will be revoked as well.
Lisa Baldelli-Hunt -> Apparently the Woonsocket-based State Rep. is doing some polling in her tiny town as she weighs a possible Mayoral run. Putting aside the fact that town polling in RI is totally ineffective, Baldelli-Hunt would certainly be a formidable challenger for the job. She’s got a locally famous last name and could probably raise enough quick cash to compete.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTTerry Hassett, Jamie Doyle & Juan Pichardo -> Despite being over three years away, the race to design prettier ballots is on and just about everyone seems to want to throw their hat in the ring. It’s difficult to envision a clear-cut favorite at this point, but if both Providence guys run, Doyle may actually be able to pull it off.
Scott Avedisian -> The record sale of the Hoxsie Four Corners plaza was a big win for the Warwick Mayor, who was in need of a little good press. Now if he can help convince JetBlue to fly out of T.F. Green, his popularity may skyrocket.
RIPTA -> Word is RIPTA is going to reconsider its decision to scale back services at night and on the weekends. And while some routes may still be cut, it’s nice to know someone working second shift might actually still be able to catch a ride home now.
Sara Bourget -> Woonsocket has a Republican Mayor or the time being and now Ms. Bourget has resurrected the town’s GOP. It is unclear how much influence comes from being chair of the Woonsocket Republicans, but it’s always good to see more people getting involved in the political process.
Ed Cooley -> He hasn’t coached a single game and he’s already the most exciting coach at Providence College in years. It’s not very often PC can win a recruiting battle with UConn, but that’s exactly what happened this week. The countdown to the season opener is on.
Who’s Not
Cranston School Committee -> This “leave our schools alone” mentality is simply not working in Rhode Island public schools anymore. No one believes opening a handful of Mayoral Academies is going to close the achievement gap, but the idea that doing so will ruin the Cranston school district just makes no sense.
RI General Assembly -> A possible power shift? Neither the House nor the Senate had much of a say when it came to the Governor’s 195 Commission. Only John Kelly, who had the support of both Speaker Fox and Mayor Taveras, made the Governor’s final cut.
Lori Sergiacomi -> The scam artist/former radio personality got what she deserves for committing insurance fraud following last year’s floods. When you think about all the homes and businesses that were actually damaged, you have to wonder how someone could be so deceitful.
Christin Noel Griskie -> It’s never a good sign when you’re running for President and you don’t have a Wikipedia, but the Republican was in Warwick last night speaking to GOP volunteers. On one hand, Rhode Island will take any candidate it can get. On the other, this woman believes children of illegal aliens should pay $500 per year to go to school. Because, you know, the surefire way to end the cycle of poverty is to force poor children to pay for a basic education.
Nicholas Kettle -> He means well but his plan to introduce legislation that will allow new teachers to opt-out of unions is kind of pointless. If Rep. Jon Brien thinks he had a hard time with the unions, imagine what some 23 year old coming out of RIC will face if he/she decides to opt-out.
Hershey’s -> Shame on everyone’s favorite chocolate company for forcing Gregg’s to change the name of its Heath Bar Crunch Cake. That’s about as bad of a public relations move as you could make in Rhode Island.
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- Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not in RI Politics
- Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not in RI Politics
- Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not in RI Politics
- Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not in RI Politics
- Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not in RI Politics
- Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not in RI Politics
