990WBOB
  • WBOB Radio
  • Crush Cancer
  • Past Casts
  • Weather
  • Contact
  • About
    • WBOB Press Releases
    • Join Our Team!
    • CHARITY GALA

Dee DeQuattro: Pulse on Politics - Return of the Christmas Tree

12/5/2014

Comments

 
Picture
Dee DeQuattro

It’s a slow week as everyone winds down from a turkey hangover and gears up for holiday shopping…

The State House Christmas Tree lighting was the quietest it has been since Governor Chafee took office. In an effort to avoid the “Christmas Tree” controversy, Chafee passed the tree lighting privilege to Secretary of State Ralph Mollis for the second year in a row. The button was pressed, carols were sung, and Fox News stayed in New York and all was right and merry in the world; such a quiet end to a saga that plagued Chafee’s time in office.

Where were all the Christmas crusaders this year? A Christmas tree lighting is not enough to drag them out of their houses… but if it was a holiday tree, you better believe they would be there.
Pat-TREE-otic

Meanwhile, another notable tree in the State House was lit; the Heroes Tree honoring Rhode Island’s veterans. It’s worth noting as the situation in the Middle East is escalating and we are starting to see a new wave of brave men and women being deployed into war zones. It makes you thankful for what you have and who you have, especially since some people won’t be spending Christmas with their family this year. It’s sobering too because other Gold Star families will never have Christmas with their loved one again because they gave the ultimate sacrifice.

'Tis the season for inauguration 

While the holiday season is front and center in most peoples minds, the incoming elected officers are still working on their transitions.

Governor-Elect Gina Raimondo has tapped a Chief of Staff and in a surprise to some she found this person out of state. Raimondo has hired Stephen Neuman of Maryland to lead her office. Neuman currently serves as the director of public affair in the Office of Governor Martin O’Malley. Nationally, there is speculation that O’Malley could be a possible presidential or vice president pick for the Democrat party.

Interstate Commerce

If it’s true, O’Malley could be a powerful ally for our incoming governor.

The pick to go out of state for a chief of staff had some people raising eyebrows. At the same time it symbolized something; Raimondo is looking to make changes to the state and bring in new leadership.

But not all the top posts will be headed by new leaders. Raimondo announced that Janet Coit will remain as the head of the Department of Environmental Management and A.T. Wall will remain as the Director of the Department of Corrections, a move that the Rhode Island Brotherhood of Correctional Officers must have been less than pleased with. The group endorse Raimondo in the past election however they have been vocal about their issues with the leadership in the department.

Raimondo still has several other key appointments to make, including Director of Administration.
Rhode down the creek without a paddle

In other news, the RhodeMap Rhode Island plan is supposed to be voted on next week on Dec. 11. Opponent of the plan have been holding various meetings throughout the state and say they plan to attend next weeks meeting. The meeting was postponed after House Speaker Nick Matiello asked the state to put on the brakes so he and his staff could review the controversial plan.

Bad cop, good cops

It’s a bad time to be a police officer across the country, as nationwide protests are underway after the Ferguson Grand Jury decision and now the decision not to indict a cop in New York after a chokehold death of a suspect. While free speech is a good thing and everyone should be heard, people shouldn’t condemn all police officers. They need to take a look at the services local police officers provide to the community and remember times like the birthday of little Tyler Seddon.

Hours in absentia 

Speaking of police taking heat, Pawtucket Police Officer Major Moreau is under fire after a recent Hummel Report says the Major has been getting paid for hours when he was not on the job. Pawtucket Mayor Don Grebien was quick to get ahead of the situation calling on State Police for an independent investigation. If the State Police confirm the findings of Hummel investigation this could be a major problem for the city’s police department.

Unlucky number

Meanwhile, Providence could probably use a few more police officers as 2014 is shaping up to be one of the most violent years in the city since 2009. The murder count is now at 19.

18 and life to go

Lastly, 18 new lawmakers were at the State House this week for orientation. As the newly elected get ready to join the ranks of the Rhode Island political elite they are being briefed on how the State House works and on the state’s budget. Are they ready for the challenge? We will check back in a few weeks to find out.

That’s all for this week. Take it easy and enjoy your weekend!

More Pulse on Politics

Picture
Comments

    WBOB
    Original
    ​Reads

    Picture

    Unbiased, Unfiltered. WBOB's Original Reads feature our brightest and boldest personalities, offering their two-cents on the goings on of news, sports, politics, entertainment, and business. -- Are our opinions always PC? Nope. Are they always perfect? Nah. But, are they always 100% authentic? Absolutely!


    LISTEN
    ​TO WBOB ORIGINAL PODCASTS

    Picture
    Listen to
    ​Past BOBCasts

    WBOB 
    Best Reads
    Brought To You By
    TripAdvisor.com

    Picture

    Celebrating David Clyde: A Wild Passionate Friend To All


    Picture

    Search 
    The Archives


    Reads From Our Friends

    Picture

    The Best Game Development Tools: How to Make Your Own Game


    Contact Us
    [email protected]


    Archives

    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012

Search For Your Favorite WBOB Author,
​or BobCast

990WBOB 
An Independent Media Outlet.

The views opinions and thoughts expressed do not  reflect those of 990WBOB, its management or its staff. All Rights Reserved 990WBOB.com 2007-2020
​
Contact WBOB HERE
Photo from nzhamstar
  • WBOB Radio
  • Crush Cancer
  • Past Casts
  • Weather
  • Contact
  • About
    • WBOB Press Releases
    • Join Our Team!
    • CHARITY GALA