Providence

Another (Potentially) Huge Development

By Justin Katz | February 19, 2009 |

Here comes another historic, philosophical battle, this time in Providence: Education Commissioner Peter McWalters has ordered the city schools to begin filling teacher vacancies based on qualifications rather than seniority, an order that could fly in the face of the teachers’ contract. McWalters, in a no-nonsense letter yesterday to Supt. Tom Brady, said the district…

Municipal Fines: Their Purpose Clarified

By Monique Chartier | February 17, 2009 |

… by the administration of Mayor David Cicilline. Some city officials think Caprio and the three other Municipal Court judges might be a little too forgiving to those who come before them, and it is costing the city money. Mayor David N. Cicilline’s director of administration, Richard I. Kerbel, says the court — which deals…

Former Tax Collector Speaks out; Mayor Responds In Advance

By Monique Chartier | February 1, 2009 |

Former Providence Tax Collector Robert Ceprano talks about his termination and events leading up to it in today’s front page ProJo story by Mike Stanton. And below is the text of a press release issued yesterday by Mayor David Cicilline responding to the story ahead of time. Two items stick out from Stanton’s story. One…

The Leadership Dance

By Justin Katz | February 1, 2009 |

Part 2 of Tim White’s investigation into misuse of public resources and time in the Providence Sewer Department mainly concerned supervisor Algot Abrahamson’s use of a city truck for a spin to a known gambling house. More intriguing, in my opinion, is the similarity in some of the supervisor’s phrasing to that of Mayor David…

A Penny Taxed, a Penny Wasted

By Justin Katz | January 29, 2009 |

Channel 12 reporter Tim White did some surveillance of the Providence Sewer Department and in part 1 revealed some observations that certainly wouldn’t seem to have involved isolated incidents, this one in particular: His name – Anthony Cipriano, Jr. Records show Cipriano is a heavy equipment operator for the sewer department, and a shop steward…

Losing That Old-Time New England Feel

By Justin Katz | January 1, 2009 |

Damien Baldino worries that Obama “stimulus” largesse may spell disaster for Providence’s character: Once Barack Obama is sworn in as President of the United States, his first priority will be a stimulus package to help the economy. I’ve seen amounts ranging from $600 billion to $1.3 trillion, but the most common estimate seems to be…