HOT

Scott Avedisian

All the talk during the 2016 Presidential election is Rhode Island was centered on whether Governor Gina Raimondo would be offered a cabinet position when Hillary Clinton became President. Now that Donald Trump has prevailed, it’s reasonable to wonder whether Rhode Island’s highest elected Republican, Avedisian, will be offered a high-level position in the Trump administration. There’s no reason to think that the long-serving mayor, thanks to his experience running a large municipality, wouldn’t be an asset to the federal government (assuming he isn’t planning a run for Governor, that is)--especially considering he always wins reelection by massive majorities. 

HOT

Clay Pell

Given the electoral landscape in Rhode Island, based largely on the fact that Bernie Sanders beat Hillary Clinton by a large margin in the Presidential Primary here, there’s ample reason to believe that Pell could easily give Governor Gina Raimondo a run for her money in a Democratic primary in 2018. That fact alone gives Pell significant bargaining power and leverage as we move forward, even if the grandson of the legendary US Senator doesn’t decide to give a run for governor another go. 

HOT

Jo-Ann Ryan

The Providence city council’s Majority Whip presided over the opening of the new recreation center at Pleasant View Elementary--a long-term goal of residents in Providence’s fifth ward, whom she represents. Ryan has also quickly asserted herself as a voice of reason and moderation on the city council. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see her seek higher office in the near future.  

HOT

Robert Nardolillo

The Republican state representative from Cranston plans to introduce a bill that would prohibit individuals from standing on the medians of state roads. Nardolillo’s bill is a common sense plan that would enhance public safety and maintain the flow of traffic throughout the state by preventing people from clogging up the roadways. 

HOT

The Providence Center

Thanks to the Rhode Island Foundation, The Providence Center received an $80,000 grant to embed an additional, full-time clinician in the Providence Police Department (there was already one there previously) who will focus on the downtown area in an effort to keep folks who need mental health care out of the criminal justice system and in the health care system where they belong. This will help the Providence Center continue the excellent work and expand the vital services that the non-profit organization provides. 

HOT

The Electoral College

The American system of government was never intended to be a direct democracy, and the founding fathers of America sought to respect state’s rights. Without an electoral college, the rural and suburban portions of the would be practically meaningless in presidential elections and candidates would focus solely on big metropolitan areas. Cities would dominate American politics to a larger extent than they already do. Let’s not go changing the rules of the game just because some of us aren’t happy with the most recent outcome. 

NOT

Brett Smiley

The Chief of Staff for Governor Raimondo has a seemingly inappropriate, conflict-ridden relationship with Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza, since the fundraising and consulting company that Smiley owns also works for Elorza. The state sends huge amounts of aid to the City of Providence, and the fact that the Governor’s number one man owns a company that works for the Providence Mayor calls into question whether the state will give Providence more than it deserves. 

NOT

Sabina Matos

The Providence City Councilwoman is leading the charge against from Dusk Till Dawn, formerly Club Therapy, for apparently no reason whatsoever. The dance club serves liquor under a catering license, which allows the club to serve alcohol for up to a five-hour period. It’s all legal. And the club is not one of the locations that have been plagued by problems and violence. So why is the councilwoman going after a good corporate citizen instead of the nightclubs where violence is taking place, such as Club Euphoria and the Tropicana Bar, both of which had stabbings just last weekend?

NOT

URI Men’s Basketball

Surprisingly, the Rams find themselves in what seems like a must-win game heading into tomorrow’s inter-state war with the Providence College Friars. The highly-touted 21st ranked Rams were defeated on Tuesday by Valparaiso.

The Rams are stocked full of talented, veteran players like E.C. Matthews and Hassan Martin, while the Friars, let’s face it, are in a rebuilding year. The pressure is on the Rams tomorrow.  

NOT

Tower Naysayers

A New York developer named Jason Fane has proposed a massive project that would build three towers on the so-called 195 land. These towers could house anywhere up to 1,000 new residential units. The project would create hundreds of jobs at a time when we need it the most. Remember, a hallmark of Lincoln Chafee’s campaign for Governor in 2010 was the development of this land--yet so little has happened. Given all these facts, there’s still a chorus of naysayers arguing that the project doesn’t make sense. Last I checked, beggars cannot be choosers. 

NOT

Providence Pipeline Protesters

A group of protesters chained themselves to the local TD Bank branch in protest of the bank’s financial backing of the controversial Dakota Access Pipeline. Here’s the thing: Providence is nowhere near Dakota, and there’s no reason to take out the frustrations of the protesters on people trying to do business in Providence on a Wednesday morning by blocking traffic on Dorrance Street and Westminster Street.