Archive - Jan 11, 2012

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January 11, 2012

EAST GREENWICH – Rolling Stones may not gather any moss, but at least one of them gathered at Besos Teahouse recently. That would be the high-powered Charlie Watts, drummer of the Rolling Stones.

Watts, former Gov. Don Carcieri and other Rhode Island dignitaries have discovered what East Greenwich residents are quickly coming to relish – the unique new eatery whose name means “kisses,” while smacking of great food.

TC approves school building project

January 11, 2012

EAST GREENWICH - The town’s $52 million school bond, approved by voters in 2008, turned out to be a bargain.

The Town Council wrapped up much of the bond’s financial business last night by formally approving a final school building improvement project budget in the amount of $48,787,600, well below the bonding authority granted by resident.

Town Manager William Sequino Jr. estimated that the town saved $2.6 million in interest and bond issuance costs, with School Building Systems, supervisor of the school project, realizing a $613,000 surplus.

Clergy asking state to help poor

January 11, 2012

PROVIDENCE — Not all of the lobbying at the Statehouse is done by people in dark suits on the House and Senate floors, committee rooms and legislative lounges.

A group of the state's religious leaders, spanning faiths from Judeo-Christian to Eastern, some in colorful liturgical robes, gathered in the main rotunda last Wednesday to stage the Rhode Island Interfaith Coalition's fourth annual “Fighting Poverty with Faith” vigil.

Two members of EGPD promoted

January 11, 2012

EAST GREENWICH — Two veteran East Greenwich Police Department officers received promotions in rank during ceremonies at Monday night's Town Council meeting at Town Hall.

Lt. Stanley Cirella was promoted from sergeant, and Sgt. Robert Siple was promoted from patrolman as they were sworn in by Town Clerk Leigh A. Botello, saluted by Police Chief Thomas Coyle and had their new badges pinned on by family members.

For more on the story, check out the Jan. 12 edition of the East Greenwich Pendulum.

Rhode Island Board of Governors discuss Dooley's retirement incentive program again

January 11, 2012

KINGSTON - The Rhode Island Board of Governors for Higher Education held their regular meeting on Monday evening, discussing a number of issues, including the newly proposed University Retirement Incentive Program (URIP) at the University of Rhode Island. Although no vote was taken for action, the plan will be discussed among many governmental parties, including the state Senate and the Governor’s office.

Local officials, former candidates cited for failure to file finance reports

January 11, 2012

SOUTH KINGSTOWN – Six South County elected officials or former candidates have been cited for failing to file campaign finance reports on time with some accruing thousands of dollars in fines for several years.

The latest quarterly report for December 2011 from the Rhode Island Board of Elections was released last week. According to the statistics, more than 200 current or former elected officials and candidates have failed to pay up, owing the state $1,191,175.

Preview today's Narragansett Times

January 11, 2012

In today's paper, we have the story of how the fishing vessel Elizabeth Helen capsized off the coast of Block Island. Coast Guard rescued the crew members Saturday on rafts.

This past Saturday the Matunuck commmunity banded together to get answers from the town of South Kingstown on what it is doing to prevent erosion along Matunuck Beach Road.

We also have the follow-up story on University of Rhode Island's President David M. Dooley's plan to create a retirement incentive program to rebalance the university's goals.

All and more inside, today's The Narragansett Times.

Politics as Usual: This year promises to be as big a battle as 2011 [OPINION]

January 11, 2012

n Given the absolutely lousy year he had in 2011, if Gov. Lincoln Chafee suffers a sophomore slump he just might shrink to a little soap bubble and – pop! – disappear altogether.
General Treasurer Gina Raimondo has the exact opposite problem. What’s she going to do for an encore? Somehow I don’t see her retreating to the normal obscurity of the general treasurer’s office.