Articles by: Pat Ford

Woonsocket: Council President Ward Applies The Brakes? On Controversial Valerie Gonzalez Money Grab

  Woonsocket City Council President weighed in last night (Friday January 5) on the burgeoning Warming Center Controversy. With the Mendon Road Deal still fresh in the minds of well, everyone, Mr. Ward brought attention to the advise/consent provided, in Charter, by the Woonsocket City Council. Of interest? Potential issues[Read More…]

by January 6, 2024

Woonsocket: Woonsocket Councilor Gonzalez to Provide Municipal Homeless Support Initiative-Winter Emergency Hub?

  Preliminary reports indicate that Community Care Alliance, and the Vida Church have entered into an “arrangement” to provide a warming facility & shelter for weather events impacting the unhoused, in Woonsocket. The cost to provide these services will be underwritten by the Rhode Island Department of Housing, primarily via[Read More…]

by January 6, 2024

From The Docket: Pawtucket City Council To Vote On Dramatic Salary Increases For Mayor, City Council President, & City Council Memberships

  Flash! On the docket for the January 10, 2024 City Council Meeting? A proposed salary increase for Pawtucket Mayor Donald Grebien, from $80,000 to $150,000. The City Council President would see his salary increase to $15,000 from $8,000, and “regular” City Council Members from $13,000 from $7,000. What. Say.[Read More…]

by January 5, 2024

RIDOT: ANNOUNCES LAST DAY OF SERVICE FOR TEMPORARY BRISTOL TO PROVIDENCE FERRY

Ridership data shows it is the appropriate time to wind down the temporary service From The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT): The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) today announced that Friday, January 19 will be the last day of service for the temporary Bristol to Providence ferry. Ridership[Read More…]

by January 5, 2024

Rhode Island ACLU: NINE COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS CALL FOR POLICE REFORM TO BE A PRIORITY IN 2024 GENERAL ASSEMBLY SESSION

      Press Release: Rhode Island American Civil Liberties Union   Nine Rhode Island organizations have sent a letter to the Rhode Island House and Senate leadership and legislators on the first day of the 2024 legislative session, urging them to prioritize this year the passage of police reform bills beyond[Read More…]

by January 3, 2024

With All The Media Finger Pointing Over Reporting On The Mask Lawsuit? Here Is Some “ReReporting” Coalition Style

    There appears to be a bit o’ confusion about the reporting on the Southwell v. McKee lawsuit ultimately, after years of contentious litigation, won, in settlement (retreat) by Rhode Island Parents. So, to clarify, here is the Press Release issued by the Parents/Attorney, and our interview on the[Read More…]

by January 2, 2024

This Week In NATO: NATO Intercepted Russian Military Aircraft Over 300 Times in 2023 / UK to Lead NATO’s 2024 Rapid Response Force

This Week In NATO: A Compendium of NATO Statements NATO Intercepted Russian Military Aircraft Over 300 Times in 2023 In 2023, NATO air forces across Europe scrambled well over 300 times to intercept Russian military aircraft approaching Alliance airspace, with most intercepts occurring over the Baltic Sea. NATO has standing[Read More…]

by January 1, 2024

Rhode Island’s OpenDoors Opens New Supportive Housing Program for Women & Children

  Fresh off the success of their recently opened 24 Hour “Warming & Cooling Center” in Pawtucket, Nick Horton, Co-Executive Director of OpenDoors brings word of a new facility designed to meet the exploding needs for shelter, as well as transitional housing in Rhode Island. Editorial Note: The Coalition would[Read More…]

by December 31, 2023

ACLU Lawsuit Challenges Landlord’s Retaliatory Conduct Against Tenants Seeking to Organize with Tenant Civil Rights Advocates Reclaim RI

From the RI ACLU: Attorneys for the R.I. Center for Justice and the American Civil Liberties Union of RI today filed a lawsuit on behalf of four low-income tenants in Pawtucket and West Warwick who have been threatened with eviction for associating with Reclaim RI, a non-profit agency that organizes[Read More…]

by December 30, 2023

Mass Transportation Alert! Ferry Shuttle Service! RIPTA New Years Day Schedule!

  NO SHUTTLE SERVICE IN BRISTOL FOR FERRY ON SATURDAY If you’re planning on taking the ferry from Providence to Bristol this weekend, the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) is alerting you of a schedule change. Although the ferry will be available to carry passengers both Saturday and Sunday, no shuttle[Read More…]

by December 29, 2023