Archive - Jul 2012

Curmudgeon's Corner: Health care decision will degrade quality of care (OPINION)

July 18, 2012

The recent U.S. Supreme Court 5-4 decision upholding that the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act -a/k/a “Obamacare”- is constitutional has been both praised and vilified. The non-partisan Kaiser Family Foundation claims that health care costs will be curbed when the law’s provisions become fully effective in 2014. Conversely, a partner with a New York City law firm specializing in employer benefit plans says, “As more of the requirements [of health care reform] develop, the cost of insurance will go up.”

West Greenwich tabs next police chief

July 17, 2012

WEST WARWICK — Major Richard Ramsay of the West Warwick Police Department has accepted a job offer as the new Police Chief of West Greenwich as he focuses on the advancement of his career.

Maj. Ramsay, who’s been with West Warwick for 23 years, began his career as an officer and worked his way up to the second highest position in the department.

“I love my job as a Major in charge of the patrol division, but being a Chief is a great opportunity,” he said. “When the application opened up I talked to my family and I thought it would be a good move professionally.”

Decor store moves to Quonset door

July 17, 2012

By MARTHA SMITH
Special to the Standard

NORTH KINGSTOWN – The Shops at Quonset Point, at the gateway to the redeveloped former Navy base, is adding a major anchor store at the corner nearest Post Road.
The New Boston Fund, Inc., a Boston-based private equity real estate investment, development and management firm, has leased 22,000 square feet of retail space to HomeGoods, Inc., a popular national chain featuring discounted interior design products and accessories.

Sewer facility in need of facelift

July 16, 2012

EAST GREENWICH — Every time he plans out his annual budget, East Greenwich Public Works director Joseph Duarte has to pretty much prepare for the worst when it comes to his sewage treatment facility.

Within the past calendar year, Duarte has had four huge disks near the rotating biological compactor, one of the more mechanical portions of the treatment plant, collapse because of the heavy corrosive environment where gas converts to acid in the condensation process.

GOP won't endorse Martin

July 16, 2012

Paul Martin will run for another term on the East Greenwich School Committee as a Republican this coming election year.

Just don’t expect the East Greenwich Republican Town Committee to offer its support for him.

Martin, who looks for another term on the School Committee, will not be endorsed by the Republican Town Committee – a committee he’s been a member of since 1996 – for his campaign because of his attendance, or lack thereof, at School Committee meetings in recent years.

Read all about it in the July 12 Pendulum.

Skills issue concerns Hoyer

July 16, 2012

EAST GREENWICH — Congressman Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) has always believed in the “American Dream” throughout his college years and well into his time in the U.S. House of Representatives, where hard work and innovation can create a thriving economy for all within the country.

It’s a philosophy that the No. 2 Democrat in the House still firmly believes in despite the dire economic downturn the United States has suffered – Rhode Island in particular – and has the confidence that, with a solid workforce in place, the country will once again rise from the depths of disparity.

Campaign 2012: Ehrhardt running for re-election on his record

July 16, 2012

By TRACEY O’NEILL
Special to The Standard

State Representative Laurence W. Ehrhardt says he will be running on his record, with an eye toward resolving the issues that remain outstanding from past administrations and getting the job done.
“It’s a continuation of the work I’ve been advocating for over the last eight years,” Ehrhardt said.
Ehrhardt spoke as to the frustration with bi-partisan politics as a causal effect stagnating growth and opportunity. “