Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not - Nov. 13

Friday, November 13, 2015

Russell J. Moore, GoLocalProv MINDSETTER™

 

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Russ Moore

Every Friday, GoLocalProv's Russ Moore breaks down who is rising and who is falling in RI politics, business, and sports. Moore has worked on both sides of the desk in Rhode Island media, both for newspapers and on political campaigns. Send him email at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @russmoore713

 

Related Slideshow: Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not - Nov. 13

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HOT

Donald Grebien

The Mayor of Pawtucket is teaching us a valuable lesson: persistence pays off. For several months, the new Pawtucket Red Sox ownership has insisted that they would be moving the team out of McCoy Stadium regardless of whether or not a deal in Providence could be brokered. But the group softened its rhetoric this week and even indicated a willingness to stay put. That's a big momentum swing in Grebien's favor, who has been steadfast in making the case that the team's best bet is to stay put. 
 

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HOT

Cyd McKenna:

The MIT and Harvard graduate who has been seen on photoshoots with Elizabeth Hurley and once wrote a book with Giovanni Feroce for Alex and Ani, has taken a job with the Providence City Council as it's Chief of Staff. McKenna has previously worked for the City of Providence and for former Mayor Buddy Cianci's campaign. McKenna is a solid hire for the city council as it adds someone with multi-dimensional experience to the office. 
 

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HOT

Blake Filippi

The state representative from Block Island plans to introduce legislation that would ban the tolling of passenger cars on Rhode Island highways. I take Governor Gina Raimondo at her word when she says she will never seek to implement tolls on cars. So it follows logically that the governor and the other legislators should support Filippi's idea since we all agree that passenger cars shouldn't be tolled. It's nice to see some legislators do take the initiative to protect Rhode Islanders!
 

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HOT

RI Economy

It's been a long time coming, but this year, the Rhode Island economy is finally showing some signs of life, according to University of Rhode Island Economics Professor Leonard Lardaro. "At this point, it is very clear that the pace of Rhode Island’s current recovery that began to accelerate in the second quarter gained further momentum throughout the third quarter," Lardaro wrote. The labor participation rate is still below pre-recession levels, but the state does appear to be moving in the right direction.
 

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HOT

Buy Nothing Day

In an age of vapid consumerism that almost all of us fall trap to at one point or another, Buy Nothing Day is a good opportunity to remember what matters most--helping those in need. It takes place on Friday, November 27, the day after Thanksgiving, and there will feature 10 sites throughout Rhode Island collecting coats for those in need. I hope you'll join me in donating a coat. 
 

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HOT

Providence College Men's Hockey

For the first time since 1983, the undefeated Providence Friars Men's Hockey team is ranked first in both national polls. That ranking will be on the line tonight as they take on Boston University in a rematch of last year's national championship game. Go Friars!
 

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NOT

Erik Wallin

With all due respect to Wallin (and plenty is due), and with the utmost appreciation for the work he will continue to do for homeless veterans at Operation Stand Down Rhode Island as it's executive director, it's hard to not to see the group's withdrawal from the Rhode Island Coalition for the homeless as an overreaction. Wallin argues that the Coalition for the Homeless has overstated the progress that is being made to help the state's homeless veterans. But even if Wallin's claim is true, why withdraw from a group that otherwise does so much good for our state and the cause of eliminating homelessness? Not to be cliche, but don't throw out the baby with the bathwater.

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NOT

Dan McKee

Another week goes by, and it's another week of silence on the 38 Studio's issue from Lieutenant Governor Dan McKee. It's funny that he was so outspoken during the campaign about the issue, calling for an independent investigation into the issue, but now that he's in the cozy confines of the Lieutenant Governor's office, he's no longer leading the charge. It's sad, since he does have a bully pulpit to do so. 
 

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NOT

Mediterraneo

Once one of the hottest and most chic restaurants in the state of Rhode Island, the Federal Eatery closed its doors for good earlier this week. Owner Gianfranco Marrocco said he received an offer too lucrative to refuse and sold the property. To Marrocco's credit, all of the employee's at the restaurant have been offered jobs at other establishments that he also owns. (And Marrocco will also open up a new Biergarten restaurant, which should be a fanatic addition to the city's character. )
 

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NOT

Pawtucket Red Sox Ownership

The new ownership group of the Pawtucket Red Sox, led by former Red Sox executive Larry Luccino and Charles Steinberg, look like the gang who can't shoot straight. First, they tell us that they're definitely moving the team. Now, they're backing off that guarantee. The threats to move the team have irked Rhode Islanders and diminished the once beloved Rhode Island brand, as evidenced by the fact that the team posted its worst attendance rate since 1993 this year. 

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NOT

Rhode Island GOP

Robert Paquin, the former Executive Director of the Rhode Island GOP who was let go earlier this year thanks to pathetic fundraising by the state party, had some harsh words on social media for his former employer. Paquin said he was mismanaged by the former GOP Chairman, harassed by other members of state GOP leadership, and was criticized by rank-and-file racist and homophobic party members. Hopefully, the party gets its act together, because the state desperately needs a two-party system and the intellectual diversity that it encourages. 
 

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NOT

Friday the 13th

Today is the day that the superstitious among us fear the most. Here's wishing everyone nothing but the best of luck on this supposedly cursed day! Throw some salt over your shoulder if all else fails!
 

 

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