Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not - April 15, 2016
Friday, April 15, 2016
Russ Moore, GoLocalProv MINDSETTER™
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 - April 15, 2016
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HOT
Michael Solomon: The former Providence City Council President and 2014 mayoral candidate (who sources say is considering another bid) called Mayor Jorge Elorza "divisive" for placing the blame for the city's financial woes on his predecessors. Solomon is correct. Leadership isn't about placing blame. It's about working collaboratively with stakeholders to find reasonable solutions.
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HOT
Dennis Franczak: Franczak's firm, Fuseideas, an advertising agency with offices in Boston and Providence, was one of the five finalists for the RI state tourism account last October. It didn't get the accound. But Fuseideas recently won a top award for the Outstanding Tourism Campaign of the Year for their work on Visit Big Sky in Montana. The benefit of hindsight always makes criticism easier, but the fact that Rhode Island failed to select this firm was a mistake.
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HOT
Christina Contreras Fox: The First Vice President of the Young Democrats of America told GoLocal this week that she will support a peaceful protest against Donald Trump if he does, in fact, visit the state before this month's Presidential Primary. That's encouraging since, as Fox points out, Rhode Island was founded as a haven for religious liberty, and Trump supports banning Muslims from entering America. It's nice to see rationality would be represented by at least part of our state.
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Stan Lee: Get you calendars out all of you comic book fans. The co-creator of Spider-Man and so many other iconic comic book characters will be attending Rhode Island Comic Con this November. Rhode Island comic Con 2016 (which was a huge success last year) will take place from November 11th to the 13th at the Rhode Island Convention and Dunkin' Donuts Center.
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HOT
James Diossa: The Mayor of Central Falls recently tells GoLocal that parking meters in Central Falls were eliminated about 20 years ago, and the mom and pop businesses there are very happy with their removal. Diossa said that he doesn't envision the city reinstalling them any time soon. Perhaps Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza should take a page out of is Diossa's book given the opposition from Wickenden Street businesses to any new meters.
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HOT
Paul Adler: Lifespan, which includes Rhode Island Hospital and its Hasbro Children’s Hospital; The Miriam Hospital; and Bradley Hospital, the nation’s first psychiatric hospital for children, has named Paul Adler as Senior Vice President and General Counsel. The appointment will take effect on June 1. Best of luck to Adler and here's hoping he makes adequate staffing levels of nurses and support staff a priority.
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HOT
James Sheehan: The state senator from North Kingstown deserves credit for his continued advocacy to pass an ethics reform bill that would give voters a chance to restore the Rhode Island Ethics Commission's power to police the General Assembly. Sheehan came under fire from House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello last weekend, who criticized his ethics bill, saying it was the "worst" he has ever seen. But readers should remember that Sheehan is a staunch advocate of good government causes like ethics reform.
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NOT
Peter Alviti: The director of the Rhode Island Department of Transportation was caught on video being very unprofessional with a member of the public who was asking about alternatives to the 6-10 connector repair. "Let me tell you something, pal", Alviti barked at the audience member. The last few weeks have shot some serious holes into Governor Gina Raimondo's assertion that she hires the best, brightest, and most professional people.
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NOT
Verizon: The telecommunications giant is playing hardball with both of its workers unions--the IBEW and the Communications Workers of America. Union leaders say the company has threatened to transfer workers to remote locations for weeks at a time, offshore jobs, and close down call centers if their demands aren't met. Keep in mind, Verizon is one of the most profitable companies in the country. This is the antithesis of hot.
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NOT
Elizabeth Warren: The US Senator from Massachusetts seems to publicly hold many of the same "progressive" ideological positions as Presidential candidate Bernie Sanders. Both advocate for policies that they believe would strengthen the middle class--regulating big banks, progressive income taxes, and a higher minimum wage. Yet for some reason, Warren hasn't endorsed Sanders. Many believe that lack of support cost him victory in the Massachusetts primary, which he lost by a razor thin margin. Standing on the sideline with your mouth shut isn't leadership. Warren's inaction must be frustrating to some progressives.
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NOT
Pawtucket Red Sox: It's a small sample size and the weather has been cold, so hopefully it doesn't portend problems the rest of the year, but attendance at the Pawtucket Red Sox's first 6 games is down 50 percent from last year. It wouldn't hurt their cause if Red Sox Chairman Larry Lucccino would consent to an interview with GoLocal so that he can discuss his vision for the team.
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NOT
Providence Teachers Union: The Providence Teachers union has been experiencing some infighting, and the rhetoric has heightened ahead of its election on May 11th. Challenger Melissa Cimini, a 19-year special education teacher, alleges that current leadership has advocated for enough support staff in the classroom, to the detriment of students and is running for President. Meanwhile, current President Maribeth Calabro argues that current leadership has advocated effectively for the needs of teachers and students. Can't we all just get along?
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NOT
Boston Bruins: For the second year in a row, the Boston Bruins have missed the playoffs. What makes matters worse is that they collapsed down the stretch--again. What's clear is that the team needs to make changes everywhere from the players up to the front office. Bruins fans, one of the most devoted fan bases in the country, deserve better.
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