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Obituary: Ruth Anderson, 87

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Ruth Anderson, 87, of Meredith Drive died, Tuesday, May 1, 2013 in the Scandinavian Home, Cranston.

She was the widow of Adolph N. Anderson, Jr., Esq. whom she married while he was in the service of the US Air Force in South Dakota.

She was born in Cranston, a daughter of the late John and Margaret (DelFino) Lyons and had been a resident of Cranston for most of her life.

Mrs. Anderson was a member of the 4H Club as teen and won a scholarship to URI for preserving fruits and baking. She had been employed by the former of New England Tel & Tel as a service representative for several years. She was past president of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Scandanivan Home and was presently a friend of the corporation. She was a past president of the Jaycettes of Cranston, past president and a founder of the Womens' Club of Cranston, past president and member presently of the Meshanticut Garden Club, member of the RI Federation of Garden Clubs, Inc. and also a life member National Garden Club, where she served as a master judge, member of the RI Judges Council, taught flower arranging and horticulture, both American and Ikebana. She was an avid bridge player.

She leaves a niece, Janet Holmes, two nephews, John and Jim Blaess, all of Portsmouth; seven great nephews and two great nieces as well as, many dear friends and neighbors to whom she was most devoted. She was the sister of the late Anne M. Blaess.

Funeral service Tuesday, May 7, 2013 at 10 am in the Woodridge Congregational Church, 546 Budlong Road, Cranston. Interment in the St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery in Warwick. Should friends desire, contributions to the Scandinavian Home, 1811 Broad Street, Cranston, RI 02905 or to the RI Judges Council will be appreciated


Don't Get Ticked This Season, Says URI Tick Expert

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Here's a startling fact: in 2012, the tick population in Rhode Island was 116 percent higher than the previous five-year average.

"In some settings, we saw increases as much as 1,800 percent over the previous year, which is a little bit scary actually," said Tom Mather last week at a press conference at Goddard Park. Mather would know. He's the director of URI’s Center for Vector-Borne Disease and the Tick Encounter Resource Center.

He's one of the people behind the state's new Get TickSmart/RI campaign, an effort backed by Sen. Jack Reed, who was at Goddard Park with Mather. Over the years, Reed has been able to get more than $1 million in federal funds to help URI researchers like Mather develop and implement tick-bite provention and education programs.

"One reason we're here today is to sound the warning in a pro-active way," Reed said. 

Mather outlined five actions people can take to stay "tick safe":

1. KNOW the kinds of ticks active throughout the year where you live.

2. PERFORM daily tick checks, especially below the waist. 

3. TURN play clothes and other outdoor clothing into tick-repellent clothes.

4. TREAT your yard with tick-killing insecticides.

5. PROTECT your pets using products with rapid kill or knockdown capability.

According to Mather, a tick can be as small as a poppy seed. People often don't believe that, so he brought along a poppy seed bagel with a few ticks on it for reporters to look at (see video attached here, or click here). Looking closely, with the aid of a microscope, you could see – sure enough, there was a poppy seed with legs, i.e. a tick. 

That's why, he said, it's important to check yourself and your children carefully. And he had a suggestion: check yourself any time you are sitting on the toilet. Most ticks will be found from the waist down, so that's a good time to get a good look.

As far as wearing tick-repellent clothing, that can get expensive. Mather said there is a cheaper alternative – sending your clothes to Insect Shield, the company that produces store-bought insect-repellent clothing, and it will use the same repellent on your existing clothing. According to Insect Shield, the repellent will last through 70 washings. The cost isn't huge: around $10 a piece, but cheaper the more items you send. Click here for an order form.

Protecting pets has gotten easier, if not cheaper. In addition to the monthly applications, there are now effective tick collars on the market, Mather said. Certifect, a new product from Frontline, is considered better because it starts working within six hours of application. 

Protecting your yard is a little more complicated because there are a lot of people out there promising to do the job. Mather said it's easy to get duped, so be sure to ask questions. 

There were other suggestions, like if you think you've been in a tick-infested area, throw your clothes in the dryer first. Ticks do not respond well to high heat. 

For more information – lots more – check out Mather's TickEncounter website here. The tick research taking place at URI is cutting edge, and it's right here in our own backyard.

Obituary: Leonard E. "Leo" Palizza, 83

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Leonard E. "Leo" Palizza, 83,of Cranston, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Thursday, May 2, 2013.

He was the beloved husband of the late Mary Lou (Weicker) Palizza for 40 years. 

Born in Providence, a son of the late Luigi and Alba (Vicari) Palizza, and brother of the late Louis Palizza, he grew up in the Elmhurst section of Providence. A graduate of LaSalle Academy, Class of 1947, he was the President of his senior class and played quarterback for the great LaSalle teams of the 1940's, coached by the legendary Jack Cronin. Leo was a member of the 1946 undefeated team that traveled to New Orleans to play Holy Cross High School in the Sugar Bowl. He was a past president of the LaSalle Alumni Association, and organized all the class reunions including last year's 65th. He also introduced and organized monthly "reunion" lunches held over the past few years. LaSalle always held a special place in Leo's heart.

Leo attended Brown University and graduated from Providence College. While at Brown, he played football for coach Rip Engle. He also played quarterback for the semi-pro Bristol Colts.

After college, Leo began a lifelong career as an architectural representative for various manufacturing companies. One of his first positions was as a sales manager for Terrafloor and Terrawall which produced Terrazo products. Leo sold the products that are still part of the walls and floors of JFK Airport in NYC. Leo won numerous awards for his salesmanship. He was also a nine year veteran of the Naval Reserves.

He was a communicant of St. Mark Church in Garden City and usher for over 50 years. 

Leo's legacy is the example he set for his children, grandchildren and all who knew him. He was a man of great honor and integrity. Known for his humor, wisdom and compassion, Leo served as a counselor to many members of his extended family and several friends as well.

Leo leaves four children, Leonard E. Palizza, Jr. (Phyllis) of Cranston, Andrew B. Palizza (Denise) of Warwick, Terry M. Corvese (Arthur) and Linda A. Connors (Joseph) both of North Providence; seven grandchildren – Lenny and Christopher Palizza, Katie (Palizza) Johnson, Maria and Christina Corvese, Jay and Erin Connors; and two great-grandchildren – Leah Palizza and Luke Johnson. Leo also leaves his loving companion of 19 years, Linda McGee of Warwick.

His funeral was Tuesday at  the Thomas & Walter Quinn Funeral Home, 2435 Warwick Ave., Warwick with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 AM in St. Mark Church, Garden City, Cranston. Burial will be in St. Ann Cemetery, Cranston. In lieu of flowers, contributions to LSA Athletic Dept, 612 Academy Ave, Providence, RI 02908 would be appreciated

Local Musicians Cover "Just Give Me a Reason"

Arlington Reading Room to Close for Renovations

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The Arlington Reading Room will be getting a much-needed makeover this summer.

The only downside: the library will be closed for the summer.

The closure begins on May 8 and should reopen by early September, said Cranston Public Library Director Ed Garcia.

The renovation is to "better serve the users of the Cranston Senior Center and the residents of the Arlington neighborhood," Garcia said.

Funding for this project was secured through an Housing and Urban Development Grant from Senator Jack Reed. Users of the Arlington location can be directed to one of the other five Cranston Public Library locations for the duration of this project. For more information please visit www.cranstonlibrary.org

Council Adds Grant Writer to Budget

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One of the amendements made to the budget at last week's final budget meeting was to insert a $40,000 line item for grant writing services.

The measure was offered by Councilman Richard Santamaria, who said the time has come for the city to have dedicated resources to secure grants to help the city find money without raising taxes or fees.

The measure passed unanimously and the money was carved out of the budget in part by increasing expected state aid by $150,000. Some council members felt the mayor and finance director were overly conservative with their figures.

There was some debate as to whether the $40,000 would cover a city job or whether the money would be used to outsource grant writing work. Finance Director Robert Strom didn't quite object to the idea of a full-time staffer, but he suggested it would require more oversight on his part.

In the end, the council opted to label the line item as "grant writing services," which means the work will be outsourced to a company or individual, freeing the city of paying benefits and maintaining another city job.

In an interview, Santamaria said the idea is part of the "zero sum budgeting" concept. 

"The person will write one grant and it pays for itself," he said.

Not everyone thinks the City Council is on the right page.

School Committee Member Paula B. McFarland said the council's idea of spending budget money on a grant writer is "so 1990s."

"We do it ourselves on the School Committee," she said. "In this day and age, grant writing is something people do in the day-to-day course of their jobs. The City Council has nobody with the skills to write their own grants?"

LOST: Max, Brown and White Dog

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Have you seen Max?

He's brown and white, weighs about 75 pounds and has been missing since Friday around 1 p.m.

He was last seen in the Eden Park area off of Pontiac Avenue.

If you have any information, call 401-465-5306.

Max's picture was posted on the RI LOST PETS Facebook Page.

You can follow Cranston Patch on Facebook, too.

And if you have an update, please send a note to mark.schieldrop@patch.com or post a comment to this story.

Obituary: Lea L. (Faraone) McDermott, 93

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Lea L. (Faraone) McDermott, 93, of Cranston, passed away on Thursday May 2, 2013 at the Woodpecker Hill Health Center, Coventry. 

She was the beloved wife of the late John T. McDermott.  Born in Providence, she was the daughter of the late Themistocles and Maria (Fiore) Faraone.  Lea worked as a payroll manager at the former Outlet Company in Providence which included WJAR Television and radio for 20 years.  Subsequently she worked at the Rhode Island State Library until her retirement.

She is survived by her loving sons, Raymond McDermott of Sarasota, FL and Thomas McDermott of North Oxford, MA.  She was the mother of the late John McDermott.  She is also survived by her grandchildren Kerry, Jonathan, Joshua, and Kirk McDermott and her 6 great-grandchildren.  She was the sister of the late Themistocles and Ralph Faraone, Lola DelSesto, and Mary Stawicki.

Funeral from the NARDOLILLO FUNERAL HOME & Crematory 1278 Park Avenue, Cranston on Friday at 9:45 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. in the Church of St. Mark, 9 Garden Ct., Cranston.  Interment will be in St. Ann Cemetery, Cranston.  VISITING HOURS will be Thursday from 4-7 p.m. 


Obituary: Anna Russo, 86

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Anna Russo, 86, of Quincy, MA, formerly of Cottage St., Cranston, RI, passed away on Saturday, May 4, 2013 at her home. 

She was the beloved wife of the late Pasquale A. Russo. Anna was born in Providence, and was the daughter of the late Augustino and Celestine (Bova) Cannata. Anna was the devoted mother of Ann M. Russo of Qunicy, MA and the late Donna Marie Russo. She was the dear sister of Frances Cusano of North Providence, Anthony Cannata of Cranston, Theresa Dolce of NJ, and the late Lena Calise, Rosa Troia, Rocco Cannata, Natale Cannata, Mary Fera and Josephine Petrucci. 
Her funeral is Thursday at 9:30 a.m. from ''WOODLAWN'' Funeral Home 600 Pontiac Ave. Cranston, followed by a Memorial Mass at 10 a.m. in St. Matthew's Church, Cranston. Burial will follow in St. Ann's Cemetery. VISITATION THURSDAY MORNING 8:30 - 9:30 A.M. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Home and Hospice Care of Rhode Island, 1085 North Main St. Providence, 02904.

Cranston Girl Wins Art Contest

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Alexandra Smith, a Junior at Cranston High School West, took this year’s top honors in U.S. Sen. Jack Reed's 2013 annual High School Arts Competition.

Her pen and ink on illustration board “Baegon My Grandma” will be displayed in Senator Reed’s Washington, DC office for the next year to help showcase Rhode Island’s artistic talent to visitors from across the country. 

The second place winner is Sophomore Annelise Freund of Mount Saint Charles Academy for her pen and ink/color pencil “Birds and Vases.”  Shannon Puerini, a senior at Middletown High School, rounded out the top three with her work of pen and ink “Hands Reaching.”  All entries were reviewed by a panel of volunteer judges.

“I congratulate Alexandra and all the students for their creativity and passion,” said Senator Reed.  “Rhode Island has produced many great artists over the years and our arts community is vital to our economy.  I am pleased to have the opportunity to help showcase the hard work and talent of these aspiring young artists.”

This year’s statewide competition drew entries from 24 different public, private, and parochial high schools.  This year’s panel of judges included: Chris Chabot of Chabot Gallery, as well as Dan Mechnig and David DePetrillo of the Providence Art Club.    

The winning artwork will be framed by Picture This Framing Center in Providence and will be prominently displayed in Senator Reed’s Washington, DC office for one year.  The second and third place winners will have their artwork displayed in the Senator’s Cranston and Providence offices.  The winners will also receive $100, $50, and $25 gift certificates courtesy of the Warwick Mall.

Honorable Mention awards were given to six students, including: Sandra Lopez, Cranston High School East; Meika Matook, Cranston High School West; Andrew Kulik, East Greenwich High School; Anthony Anderson, LaSalle Academy; Joel Dunn, Pilgrim High School; and Haley Yaw, Portsmouth High School. 

Additionally, Austin Porto of Mount Hope High School was chosen as the “Reed staff pick.”

Tell Us: What’s the Goal You Are Working on Right Now?

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What's Your Mountain, Chicago?

About this sponsorship: Patch has teamed up with Grape-Nuts cereal on this "What’s Your Mountain” campaign to find inspirational stories in our towns and celebrate folks who have affected positive change in their lives and communities.

A life without goals is like a journey without a destination.

In May 1953, Sir Edmund Hillary aimed high: the top of Mount Everest, Earth’s tallest mountain. Then he famously became one of the first climbers to reach the summit. To commemorate the 60th anniversary of Hillary’s epic goal achievement, Patch has partnered with Grape-Nuts’ “What’s Your Mountain?” campaign, inspiring today’s adventurers to strive to reach their own goals.

Setting a goal is the first step towards achieving your ideal future. Want to look great at your high-school reunion next fall? Maybe your goal is to start a three-day-a-week exercise regimen, or to get back to your high school dress size. 

Whatever your big-picture vision, experts agree that having a clearly defined goal is necessary for lasting change: A goal gives you something to work for, and something to celebrate. 

So whether you are trying to get fit, vowing to read more or maybe spending less, we want to know about it! What summits are you trying to reach? 

Share your goals in the comments section below or upload a photo that shows us how you are getting there. 

Olneyville NY System Ranked No. 5 Best Dog by USA Today

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When you bite into a wiener at Olneyville NY System on Reservoir Avenue, you're eating the fifth best hot dog in the United States.

At least, that's according to USA Today.

The newspaper printed a list of the 10 best hot dogs in the United States recently and Olneyville, with three locations in Providence, North Providence and Cranston, landed at No. 5.

Olneyville claims to serve the state's best wieners, the paper said, "and while that will always remain a point of contention, they're certainly the most legendary."

Do you agree? Cranston is arguably a NY System wiener mecca with plenty of choices, including Stykee's and Wein-O-Rama.

Stykee's actually was named one of the state's 10 best places to get a NY System wiener by Fork in the Rhode, a local food blog.

And Wein-O-Rama was chosen by Patch readers as the best NY System place in Cranston.

So however you slice it, Cranston is easily top dog when it comes to getting your NY System all the way.

RIDE to Expand State Pre-K System in Several Communities

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The R.I. Department of Education announced the availability of funds and requests Letters of Interest from qualified vendors to expand the Rhode Island Pre-Kindergarten Program, with the goal of building and sustaining the expansion of a diverse delivery system of high-quality, state-funded prekindergarten programs across the state.

Eligible organizations or entities include licensed child-care centers, Head Start programs, public schools, and nonpublic schools able to operate a classroom meeting RIDE Comprehensive Early Childhood Education Program Approval Standards in the following Rhode Island communities: Bristol, Burrillville, Central Falls, Cranston, East Providence, Johnston, Middletown, Providence, Pawtucket, Newport, North Providence, Warren, Warwick, Westerly, West Warwick, and Woonsocket.

The award of grant funds is contingent upon the inclusion of the anticipated Rhode Island Pre-Kindergarten Program funds in the Fiscal Year 2014 state budget. The Rhode Island Funding Formula for aid to education includes an expansion plan for the Rhode Island Pre-Kindergarten Program, increasing the state investment each year for 10 years by up to $10 million per year.

The 2013-14 State Pre-Kindergarten Application is available online.

Two Cranstonians Make PC Honor Society

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Providence College

Two local students at Providence College have been inducted into the National Honor Society, the Catholic liberal arts college announced.

Mark Singleton II, a resident of Cranston and a member of the class of 2013 at PC, was inducted into Phi Alpha Theta, the national honor society for History. Singleton II is pursuing a degree in History.

Brianna Branch, a resident of Cranston and a member of the class of 2015 at PC, was inducted into Alpha Epsilon Delta, the national honor society for Premed. Branch is pursuing a degree in Biology - Optometry.

Providence College is the only college or university in the United States administered by the Dominican Friars. The Catholic, liberal arts college has an undergraduate enrollment of approximately 3,900 students and offers degrees in 49 academic majors. Since 1997, Providence College has consistently been ranked among the top five regional universities in the north according to U.S. News' America's Best Colleges.

Lynch Bill Creating Repealer Committee Passes Senate

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Rhode Island State House

The Rhode Island Senate has passed legisaltion sponsored by Sen. Erin P. Lynch (D-Dist. 31, Warwick, Cranston) that would establish within the General Assembly a new Joint Committee of the Repealer, whose job it would be to comb through Rhode Island’s laws and suggest outdated statutes to be repealed.

Over the years, Rhode Island’s General Laws have become littered with statutes that may be hindering business development. Senator Lynch hopes this new committee will help to ensure that economic growth is not being held back by outdated laws.

“There are reams of outdated laws on the books that could be slowing our economic development,” Senator Lynch said. “The new Joint Committee will be a big step forward to ensuring that the state’s laws are adapted to the 21st century, and that no statute from the 1950s is hurting us in 2013.”

The Joint Committee of the Repealer would have the formal power to compile a list of statutes, regulations, and executive orders that it recommends be repealed based on suggestions received from citizens, agencies, and the business community

The committee’s membership would consist of three appointed lawmakers each from the House of Representatives and the Senate (six total), with no more than two members from each House and Senate political party. The Committee would expire on December 31, 2018, unless extended by the General Assembly.

The idea for the Joint Committee comes from a similar initiative taken by Governor Sam Brownback of Kansas in 2011, who established an Office of the Repealer to vet the state’s outdated or redundant laws for repeal. Senator Lynch hopes that with the passage of her bill in the Senate, Rhode Island will adapt the idea to its own economic needs and ensure that businesses are not restrained by unnecessary and out-of-date legislation.

“I think this committee is just what Rhode Island needs,” said Senator Lynch. “If we can clean up our outdated laws and ease the burden on our businesses, we’re definitely on the right track.”

The bill, 2013-S 0682, was cosponsored in the Senate by Sen. Michael J. McCaffrey (D-Dist 29, Warwick). A companion bill was introduced in the House by Rep. John G. Edwards (D-Dist. 70, Portsmouth, Tiverton).


Sacco Makes Berklee Deans List

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Berklee College of Music

Berklee College of Music announces that Steven Sacco of Cranston has earned placement on the Dean's List for the fall semester of the 2012 academic year.

To be eligible for this honor, a full-time student must achieve a grade point average of 3.4 or above; a part-time student must achieve a grade point average of 3.6 or above.

The Berklee curriculum focuses on practical career preparation for today's music industry. Four-year degrees are offered in Performance, Jazz Composition, Music Production & Engineering, Film Scoring, Music Business/Management, Composition, Music Synthesis, Contemporary Writing & Production, Music Education, Songwriting, Music Therapy, and Professional Music.

Berklee College of Music was founded on the revolutionary principle that the best way to prepare students for careers in music was through the study and practice of contemporary music. For over half a century, the college has evolved constantly to reflect the state of the art of music and the music business. With over a dozen performance and nonperformance majors, a diverse and talented student body representing over 70 countries, and a music industry "who's who" of alumni, Berklee is the world's premier learning lab for the music of today -- and tomorrow.

Book Drive Exceeds Goal

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Thanks to the generosity of its customers and staff, BankRI’s recent month-long book drive in partnership with Books Are Wings exceeded its goal; collecting more than 2,300 books for distribution to local children.

Thanks to an outpouring of generosity from Bank Rhode Island (BankRI) customers and staff, the bank’s book drive in partnership with Books Are Wings was an overwhelming success.

Throughout the entire month of March, members of the community were asked to visit any of BankRI’s 18 branches across the state to donate new and gently used children’s books. The results: 2,372 books for local children.

The collection marked the third consecutive year BankRI has partnered with Books Are Wings to support their efforts to promote the importance of literacy by putting free books in the hands of children. After collecting 1,400 books last year, this year’s drive set a goal of 2,000 books; which was easily surpassed. In total, the collaboration has collected more than 5,000 books since inception.

All of the books collected will be distributed to students in Central Falls during a special 3-day book fair being coordinated by BankRI and Books Are Wings for June. The effort will allow children to start building their own personal libraries at home to remain engaged in reading during the summer months.

“As a bank that takes pride in a long history of giving back to the community, our customers and staff are instrumental in everything we do – they’re extremely generous,” said Mark J. Meiklejohn, President and CEO of BankRI. “Making sure every child in our state has books at home helps to foster a love of reading that leads to success in school; a goal we should all embrace.”

Ahlquist Wins Playboy First Amendment Award

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Jessica Ahlquist at the gazebo in Garden City

Jessica Ahlquist, the teenage atheist who successfully sued the Cranston School District and got a prayer banner that hung in the auditorium at Cranston High School West removed, will be at the Playboy Mansion on May 22 to recieve an award.

The Hugh Hefner First Amendment Award is given to indiviuals who "have made significant contributions in the vital effort to protect and enhance the First Amendment rights for all Americans," according to a release.

Ahlquist was chosen for her "courageous and successful lawsuit over a prayer banner in her high school, a clear violation of the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment," the release stated.

The enormous banner had hung in this Rhode Island high school since 1963. It begins with the phrase "Our Heavenly Father" and ends with "Amen," and hung in place for decades before it became the center of controversy. Ahlquist, who objected to the banner's presence, sued the district with the help of the ACLU, and in January of 2012 a judge ordered that the banner be removed.

The ACLU raised the issue in July of 2010 after a complaint from a parent. In a letter to the district at the time, Steven Brown, executive director of the ACLU, wrote "there can be no question that the school auditorium’s prayer display violates a core principle of the First Amendment."

In April of 2011, Ahlquist, a then-16-year-old Cranston West student and self-described atheist, filed suit to have the banner removed. She was called "an evil little thing," a "clapping seal" and a "pawn star" by a state representative on a local radio station.

David Bradley, the author of the prayer and a graduate of the class of 1963, said he was tasked to write the prayer and the creed as a student council member in 1960 at the request of his adviser and the school administration.

The 21st century church and state debate brought media from around the country and the world to Cranston.

For a list of all stories about the mural issue, which will give you a detailed play-by-play of the lengthy and contentious public debate, click HERE.

Cilantro Mexican Grill Coming to Reservoir Ave.

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If you think Cranston needs a new place to get a burrito or some tacos, here's a bit of good news.

Cilanto Mexican Grill is coming to Reservoir Avenue.

A sign is up outside the former Efendi's restaurant and the store is looking for line servers and counter help. 

The store is expected to open in June.

A help wanted ad on craigslist indicates the shop will be open from 9:30 a.m. until 11:30 p.m. Prospective employees should have "a good attitude and be able to work at a fast pace," according to the ad.

Employees must be over 18 because the store sells alcohol.

Handy Bill would Let Voters Revoke Corporate Personhood in RI

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Rep. Arthur Handy (D-Dist. 18).

Former Presidential candidate Mitt Romney famously told a man at a campaign stop that "corporations are people, my friend."

According to the law, he's right, but in Rhode Island, corporations could see their personhood status revoked if a bill by Cranston Rep. Arthur Handy goes through.

Rhode Island will be the first state in the country to consider legislation that would give voters the right to revoke corporate personhood.

“Everyone knows that a corporation is not a person. How could unlimited corporate money in politics benefit real human people? Rhode Islanders have a powerful desire for independence and we have overwhelming popular support for overturning Citizens United. It’s time to take a stand for common sense and democracy,” Handy said in a release.

According to the release, in 2012, the General Assembly unanimously passed a resolution calling on leaders in  Washington to reverse the effects of the Citizens United vs. FEC Supreme Court decision, which enshrined corporations as people and their spending of money in elections as protected free speech. Rhode Island is one of twelve states to take such action alongside at least another dozen who are contemplating similar non-binding legislative action. Meanwhile, hundreds of municipalities around the country have passed resolutions likewise calling for the reversal of Citizens United, including Providence. Rhode Island also enjoys leadership on this important issue at the federal level from Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, who has spearheaded the initiative to amend the U.S. Constitution.

An affiliate of the Move To Amend (MTA) coalition has sprung up to push RI to take the next logical step and amend its own Constitution. Representative Art Handy of Cranston (18) has introduced legislation on behalf of the new grassroots group that would put the question of whether to amend Rhode Island’s Constitution on next year’s ballot (H6051) for the people to decide.

MTA RI started an online petition in support of the bill on May 3rd that has already surpassed 500 signatures.

Abel Collins, who chairs the fledgling MTA RI affiliate and who ran a grassroots campaign for Congress in Rhode Island’s 2nd District with a prominent call for getting the money out of politics, said “Rhode Islanders know that corporate money is drowning out our voice in government, and we want an opportunity to reclaim our democracy. The general assembly should give us that chance by passing the bill.”

If the bill is passed and voters approve of the “We The People” amendment, Rhode Island lawmakers would once again have the ability to regulate corporate and other special interest spending in elections. “It’s a good first step in the fight to end the cronyism that results in policies like taxpayer funded bailouts, unwarranted subsidies, and massive no bid contracts,” continued Collins.

The ultimate fate of the RI amendment is hard to predict, as it might face a court challenge. If it is brought before the Supreme Court, MTA hopes that the justices will use the opportunity to reverse the mistake they made in Citizens United. If not, more fuel will be thrown on the fire and there will be more and louder calls for a national amendment.

 

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