March 3, 2012
Mayor Taveras and the Retirees
Rhode Island's Twitter corps has once again provided the public with excellent as-it's-happening coverage of public developments in Providence's fiscal crisis, in this case the meeting held this morning between Providence Mayor Angel Taveras and city retirees. Here's a brief compilation that captures the flavor of the meeting...
Ted Nesi (WPRI, CBS 12):
The Taveras proposal is: 20% health co-pays for retirees under 65; Medicare + supplement plan for 65+; no COLAs till pension fund hits 70%.Ian Donnis (Rhode Island Public Radio):
Applause when D'Amico cites how judge blocked move of healthcare to Medicare for retireesDerek Silva (Prov FF, independent tweeter):D'Amico: we have $1M against $1.2 BILLION in retiree healthcare obligations #providence
Retiree is tough to hear but basically stated Brown needs to pay and water supply board has to be part of the solution.Dan McGowan (GoLocalProv):
Sounds like selling of water supply board is an unrealistic option just being pushed on talk radio.Erika Niedowski (Associated Press):
Taveras: 'People are looking for easy solutions to get out of this. There are no easy solutions to this problem.'Derek Silva:One retiree told the mayor he fulfilled his end of bargain. He had nothing to negotiate. 'You're going to do whatever the hell you want.'
Mayor: I can't guarantee what will happen when I'm not mayor but I will guarantee that if nothing is done it will be worse
Traditional news stories written by Ted Nesi , Erika Niedowski, and Ian Donnis are already available. (Note: This paragraph updated, since original post).
Also, in a replay of events from early February, former Providence Mayor David Cicilline offered a tweet of his own, as major events impacting the City of Providence were playing out in a public forum...
Reading "Horton Hears a Who." http://lockerz.com/s/189192112
Is there a video available? I picked up some kettle corn and coca colas this morning. After warning the unions for 4 years that this day was coming and being screamed at and told that I had no idea what I was talking about in response, I would like to take some time this afternoon to savor the vindication, as well as mark the beginning of Providence's long-overdue return to fiscal sanity.
Posted by: Dan at March 3, 2012 2:20 PMGood catch on the Horton thing. Similarly, last night I checked Twitter to see if anybody was writing about the Laffey premier, and I came across this, randomly, from Texas:
"Flat: KSU'S Larissa Laffey defeats Lia Chafee 90-75, 7-6 KSU"
Andrew, I know you're into the "Twitter corps" thing, but I have to wonder: does the market need a half-dozen paid reporters all tweeting from the same event?
Posted by: Justin Katz at March 3, 2012 5:00 PMLets get one thing straight - the city of Providence has no right to sell the "water supply." They do not own it, so just stop the stupid-talk.
Posted by: Mike Cappelli at March 3, 2012 5:48 PM"former Providence Mayor David Cicilline offered a tweet of his own, as major events impacting the City of Providence were playing out in a public forum...
Reading "Horton Hears a Who.""
Yes, excellent catch, Andrew.
These were benefits that you reaffirmed in your official capacity, Congressman. Now it turns out that the city cannot afford them. Could you be a little more aware of, if not sensitive to, the situation?
These were benefits that you reaffirmed in your official capacity, Congressman. Now it turns out that the city cannot afford them. Could you be a little more aware of, if not sensitive to, the situation?
Posted by Monique at March 3, 2012 7:29 PM
Yeah but don't forget that just last fall "I'm no Angel" gave out contracts with-------compounded Cola's and then gave raises to non-union workers.
He's a snake just like Cicilline and Cianci but he's left holding the hot potato so he comes across, to some, as the hero.
Don't buy it-his true colors will show.