HOT

William F. Hutchinson

The Providence Police Patrolman organized a food drive for struggling veterans the department’s central station, which raised multiple trucks full of Thanksgiving food items as well as roughly $4,100.

The Providence Police Department was also assisted by the Providence Fire Department in making this drive a reality. Both deserve kudos, as well as Hutchinson, for their leadership in making this food drive for veterans a reality. 

HOT

Blake Filippi

The state representative from Block Island who also Charlestown and portions of South Kingstown and Westerly has been named the Republican House Minority Whip in just his second term in office. It’s a wise move for the GOP since Filippi has quickly made a name for himself as a thoughtful and reasonable state legislator. Don’t be surprised to see Filippi’s name bandied about as a possible Congressional candidate in the near future. 

HOT

Michael Flynn

President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Flynn, a Retired United States Army lieutenant general, and prominent Rhode Islander, as his National Security Advisor--a very prominent position within any president’s administration (recall how Condoleeza Rice went from being George W. Bush’s National Security Advisor to become Secretary of State). Flynn has come under criticism for his view on Islam, but in any event, the selection gives Rhode Island some much-needed pull inside Trump’s administration.

HOT

Eileen Naughton

The outgoing state representative from Warwick deserves credit for the good work she has done over the last two decades as a representative. Fortunately, that work was recognized last week as she was honored with two awards--the Legislator of the Year Award from the Childhood Lead Action Project, which recognized her leadership in working to eliminate childhood lead poisoning, and the Clarice Gothberg Award for Advocacy, by the Mental Health Association of Rhode Island for being a longtime advocate for individuals with disabilities. 

HOT

Billy Gilman

The Westerly, Rhode Island native is absolutely killing it on The Voice. This week, he has moved into the final top 10 contestants, covering Adele’s “All That I Ask”. Gilman has all of Rhode Island behind Gilman 100-percent as he seeks to close in on the win. 

HOT

Providence College Soccer

The Providence College men’s soccer team completed a thrilling comeback last Sunday to beat the top-ranked Maryland Terrapins and advance to the third round of the NCAA playoffs, by scoring four second half goals en route to victory. Soccer fans described it as one of the most thrilling victories in years, if ever. 

NOT

Gina Raimondo

A major aspect of Raimondo’s gubernatorial campaign from 2014 was her criticism that there were no “cranes in the (Providence) sky” or shovels in the ground. Now, it’s we’re just over a month away from 2017, and there still aren’t any. The Governor has three projects on the horizon for the 195 land, but they’ve yet to move forward...yet. That “should” change within the next year or so, however, experts are telling us. They better, if the Governor wants any shot at reelection. 

NOT

Jorge Elorza

The city of Providence has a $1 billion dollar unfunded liability for its health care liabilities since the city has promised to pay for health benefits for so many of its retirees. The city’s pension liabilities aren’t much better. And Mayor Elorza has done...nothing to address this problem. How can this mayor (not to mention the governor) claim to care about our capital city if he continues to ignore this fiscal time bomb that’s going explode and take down not only the city, but the rest of the state along with it?

NOT

National Influence

The state of Rhode Island has its weakest level of political pull in decades. The state’s federal delegation is completely Democratic, while Congress and the incoming President are Republicans. Further, folks like Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza and Senator Sheldon Whitehouse seem more interested in antagonizing the President than working to make inroads to best benefit Rhode Island

NOT

Nutcracker Thieves

Less than a month before the show was scheduled to begin at Providence Performing Arts Center, thieves broke into the Pawtucket Warehouse and stole the costumes that were going to be worn in the production. The loss represents a serious setback for the show, as each costume will be very costly to replace. Fortunately, the show will go on, as the producers have made arrangements for new costumes to be made. 

NOT

Black Friday

I know how important today is for our state and national economy, as so many large companies rely on massive sales to boost their profits. But it’s always a turnoff that the day after (actually, for many, the same day) everyone supposedly gives thanks for the important things they do have, such as family and friends.