EDITORIAL

Summer storms rattle R.I.

Posted 8/11/15

Late July and early August are typically thought of as a quiet time of year, the slow summer days before the back-to-school buildup.

In Rhode Island, recent weeks have proven to be anything but …

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EDITORIAL

Summer storms rattle R.I.

Posted

Late July and early August are typically thought of as a quiet time of year, the slow summer days before the back-to-school buildup.

In Rhode Island, recent weeks have proven to be anything but quiet. Last week, an unprecedented, unexpected early-morning storm left a path of destruction and disruption across the state, with Warwick and Cranston in particular bearing the brunt of its fury.

Thousands were without power for extended periods, and many saw their homes or vehicles badly damaged. Thankfully, and somewhat miraculously, the human toll was not extensive. But the full cleanup and recovery will take months.

Another kind of storm has descended on Cranston, with Rhode Island State Police making public a scathing report detailing their assessment of the Cranston Police Department. The document comes down particularly hard on Mayor Allan Fung, who is accused of “secretive” and “political” interference in police matters, and former Chief of Police Col. Marco Palombo Jr.

Fung, who still harbors hopes of seeking higher office following his loss in the governor’s race last year, now finds his political future, even in Cranston, very much in doubt. The response from members of the public and elected officials has ranged from disappointment to outrage. And while the Cranston Police Department appears to be now heading in the right direction, the allegations and various investigations outlined in the state police report aren’t going away anytime soon.

On top of all this, we learned last week that state leaders and members of the Pawtucket Red Sox ownership group are apparently close to a new agreement for a waterfront stadium in Providence.

“We are very close to reaching a renegotiated proposal,” House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello of Cranston said, calling the pact “significantly improved for taxpayers.” Larry Lucchino, a managing partner of the PawSox who recently left his role with the Boston Red Sox, also told members of the media of a new deal in the works while visiting Durham Bulls Athletic Park in North Carolina.

Earlier this year, the new ownership of the PawSox, determined to move the team from its longtime home at McCoy Stadium, sought a $150 million commitment from taxpayers for the new capital city stadium. That proposal, rightfully, was met with strong opposition.

The speaker said he anticipates the details of the new arrangement to be available within weeks. He is also eying a special session of lawmakers to address the stadium situation – and Gov. Gina Raimondo’s controversial proposal for truck tolls to finance bridge repairs – in late September or early October.

Until then, another storm will be brewing, this time on Smith Hill.

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  • falina

    In a time when everybody is struggling,the taxpayers have made it pretty clear they do not want to be burned again on another public/ private partnership, especially one as frivolous as a ballpark. Our roads and bridges need urgent, critical repair. Our schools are in terrible shape, and many people are living paycheck to paycheck. There are no jobs. The governor who campaigned on the promise of employment opportunities for many, seems to think temporary construction is the only job for which Rhode Islanders are capable of, as that is the only job suggestion she has made to date. Our state is literally crumbling before our eyes...physically, intellectually and metaphorically. Just what will it take for the fools on Smith Hill to realize that a baseball stadium is the very last thing that should be on our state government's agenda? These people were elected to represent the best interests of their constituents, not the millionaire out of state owners of a minor league sports team. Sounds like it's time for Gina and Mattiello to go.

    Tuesday, August 11, 2015 Report this