Marc Comtois

Nobel Peace Prize Jumps the Shark

By Marc Comtois | October 9, 2009 |

One could argue that having Yassar Arafat awarded the Nobel Peace Prize was the true “Jump the Shark” moment for the Nobel Peace Prize…or even that Al Gore winning for a Power Point presentation on Global Warming Climate Change. But at least Arafat had been involved in something–no matter how disingenuously–that looked like a peace…

AG: Warwick City Council Violated Open Meetings Law

By Marc Comtois | October 8, 2009 |

Flashback to June, during budget hearings held by the Warwick City Council: School Committee member Paul Cannistra has made good on his promise to file an open meetings violation complaint with Attorney General Patrick Lynch, and the AG has agreed to look into it. Cannistra was recently ejected from a City Council meeting in which…

“Judiciously Empathetic” Thompson Nominated to 1st Circuit

By Marc Comtois | October 7, 2009 |

President Obama has nominated O. Rogeriee Thompson to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. This is the same Judge Thompson, who, as Bob Kerr recently explained, “granted continuance after continuance as [Pocahontas] Cooley claimed various physical ailments or requested additional evidence…” in Cooley’s attempt to take over former-boyfriend Paul Kelly’s home. (Justin…

Socialists to Protest Beck

By Marc Comtois | October 3, 2009 |

I don’t watch or listen to Glenn Beck, but I do know he stirs up those on the left (and some Republicans). He’s going to be in Providence late this afternoon and the local branch of the International Socialist Organization is organizing a protest. Talk about playing to type and feeding the beast. (At least…

Patinkin’s First Hand Exposure to Failure of Communism

By Marc Comtois | October 3, 2009 |

I don’t usually associate ProJo lifestyle columnist with hefty political writing (that’s not a slam at Patinkin–I generally enjoy his columns–but politics isn’t his usual “beat”), so I was impressed with his Saturday column in which he writes about his first-hand observations on the failures of communism. Much of the 20th century was a contest…

Gambling to be Murphy’s Swan Song?

By Marc Comtois | October 1, 2009 |

Current RI House Speaker William Murphy announced his retirement and it sounds like he’d like to get gambling done before he exits the stage (via 7 to 7): A day after confirming his plans to leave the rostrum after next year, House Speaker William J. Murphy is saying the General Assembly needs to “revisit” casino…

Michigan: No Free Babysitting allowed!

By Marc Comtois | September 30, 2009 |

Common-sense government at work: Each day before the school bus comes to pick up the neighborhood’s children, Lisa Snyder did a favor for three of her fellow moms, welcoming their children into her home for about an hour before they left for school. Regulators who oversee child care, however, don’t see it as charity. Days…

RE: Warwick Crossing Guards – Contracts are Forever

By Marc Comtois | September 30, 2009 |

The Board, therefore, finds that the Employer has engaged in unfair labor practices by refusing to bargain in good faith and by unilateral implementation of terms and conditions of employment, and by failing to participate in statutory dispute resolution procedures. Thus has the RI State Labor Relations Board rendered its decision to reinstate the prior…

RI Labor Relations Board: Tie goes to the Warwick Crossing Guard Union

By Marc Comtois | September 29, 2009 |

As the ProJo is reporting the State Labor Relations Board has found in favor of the Warwick Crossing Guard union, 1 1/2 years after it appealed the City’s decision to make the position non-union (and non-benefit). Labor won with a 3-3 tie, with Chairman Walter J. Lanni (Representing Management), Frank Montanaro and John Copabianco (both…

Problem Teacher Had Won Arbitration

By Marc Comtois | September 29, 2009 |

Setting aside the question of why on earth is this woman teaching 7 year olds…. [Kathleen] Borgia arrested shortly after 9 a.m., after a police officer working a construction detail Monday morning noticed a white Mustang swerving in traffic and a witness called the police to report a white Mustang traveling erratically on Hope Street,…