Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not in RI Politics?

Friday, December 24, 2010

Dan McGowan, GoLocalProv MINDSETTER™

 

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Who’s Hot

James Diossa -> Leave it to a young person to be the voice of reason in Central Falls. The 4th Ward councilman penned an articulate letter in opposition to the proposed annexation of his town this week. Because of where his leadership could bring Central Falls, my present to him is the Jim Collins book, Good to Great.

Mayor James Doyle -> For his 40 years in public service, including 13 as Mayor of Pawtucket, Mayor Doyle gets the best gift of all: A first class ticket out of Rhode Island and down to Florida to celebrate an incredible career. No one deserves it more.

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Don Grebien -> You know that look of disappointment your child gets when he starts to unwrap a present and realizes it’s an ugly sweater from JC Penny? That’s the same face the Pawtucket Mayor-elect had when I presented his gift: Central Falls. Good luck, Mayor.

Angel Taveras -> Kudos to the Providence Mayor-elect for stepping up and having his team rescind the pension-bloating demotions at the Fire Department. His gift: A year’s supply of Gregg’s cake, because Death by Chocolate might be the only thing that gets him through the stress of the coming months. Also scotch.

David Cicilline -> Hiring Scott Fay as his chief of staff was a huge get for Cicilline. The longtime aide to Senator Kennedy is a rock star in DC and probably could have landed a job with any Democrat in town. My gift to the Congressman-elect is more of a tip: Eat the BBQ in the Longworth Cafeteria. It’s the best.

Daniel Connors -> Law prevents the former Senate Majority Leader from actually lobbying during his first year with the lobbying firm Advocacy Solutions, so his present is a comfy chair from LoveSac that he can sit back and collect his paycheck in. Next year: New Balances.

DADT -> The repeal of this discriminatory law came as a wonderful early Christmas present for so many across the country and throughout the world. It’s certainly a step in the right direction and here’s hoping Rhode Island takes the next step by finally allowing gay marriage in the next year.

Channel 12 -> While so many news outlets appear to be relying on AP-filler and cat-stuck-in-tree stories, Channel 12 has remained committed to excellent journalism. They have proved progressive on the Internet-front with their hiring of rising star reporter Ted Nesi and continued to lap the competition when it comes to investigative reporting with Tim White leading the way. Channel 12’s present is the title of "Best Local Television News Organization."

America’s Cup -> If the world’s most well known regatta decides to come to Rhode Island, I’ve got the perfect gift: Enough stuffy white people to keep the sailing industry afloat for years to come.

Joe Fernandez -> On a sad note, everyone at GoLocalProv sends their deepest condolences to the family of former Providence city solicitor Joe Fernandez, who passed away last weekend. He was 46. If you’d like to send a gift to his family, make a donation to The Coco and Phoebe College Fund, c/o 286 Doyle Ave., Providence, RI 02906.


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Who’s Not

Providence Fire Department -> Any firefighter attempting to scam the city by actively seeking a demotion receives a copy of Grand Theft Auto as their Christmas present this year. Really, guys? Have you not seen the dire situation your city is in?

Democracy Prep -> My gift to these profiteers is some much-needed image consulting with any of the nine million marketing firms Rhode Island has to offer. Just when education-reform starts to gain mainstream support, you decide it’s time to be greedy and ask for more money. Memo to Seth Andrews: This is why people don’t trust you.

Central Falls Teachers -> Also in need of image consulting. How does 21 percent of the workforce take the day off when AFT President Randi Weingarten comes to town?

Charles Lombardi -> I probably can’t afford another vacation, but if the North Providence city council has its way with Mayor Lombardi, I will give him a Greyhound ticket and tell him to meet Mayor Doyle down in Florida.

Scott Brown -> For voting against the DREAM Act, the junior Senator from our neighbor to the north gets a lump of coal.

Mark Pryor, Jon Tester, Max Baucus, Kay Hagan and Ben Nelson -> The five Democratic Senators who helped kill the DREAM Act are also deserving of a lump of coal. Note to anyone who uses the amnesty excuse: Amnesty is defined as “a general pardon for offenses.” Tell me exactly what offense a child who was brought here against his/her will that now wants to go to college or fight for this country has committed.

Dan McGowan can be reached at [email protected]
 

 

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