Friday, January 30, 2009

state owned racino?

rappers

should rhode island buy twin river

there’s not much respect for the politicians’ ability to handle money, and jobsw…which is exactly why citizens shot down the casino initiative when it was put to a vote.  here’s what you had to say about the idea of lthe state buying the lincoln racino…

The state should buy twin river…...we can only benefit from it!
Steve, Providence

Ohmigosh NOOOOO!  We cannot afford to pay for basic services and now the World-Class Idiot Murphy wants to fatten his pocket by buying the casino? And yes, he’s going to get a cut.  He’s the main reason this State is corrupt!
Bill, Cranston
Are you serious????  This is just another way for the crooked politician in the General Assembly to employee their friends.  Who will they hire to run it….Steve Alves?  Oh wait…his father already works there!
Pete the WIzard
The State should not buy Twin River as there will be no bona fide benefit to the taxpayers. This administration is plagued with mismanagement and the desire to target public employee unions for concessions. With unemployment at a 30 year high and the economy continuing to worsen we should focus on actual money savings plans. The goal should be to streamline our local government and eliminate graft; not spending millions in attempt to purchase a quick fix or wage war on the working people of this State.
Kenneth. M, Coventry

We should take over the “casino” ???
Not that it means anything to our elected officials, but how many people think this is a good idea???
Are these people at the state house challenged?
Or are the people that voted for them again all lacking?
john,  narragansett
p.s. with few exceptions I voted AGAINST every incumbent.

The state buy Twin River slot parlor?  Hmmmm.  First I can say from experience during the 06 campaign that the last thing the public wanted was the state of Rhode Island to buy/run any gaming facility.  The big concern was that all the general assembly members could not be trusted and would hire all their friends and relatives. Second, the state would become liable if the facility were to close due to acts of God such as a category 5 hurricane or some other unknown reason.  Insurance does not cover everything especially when it comes to gambling, such as paying outstanding bills or payroll.  These are just a couple of reasons why there is not a state in the country that owns or operates a casino/slot parlor, it’s considered too risky for the tax payer.  Yes the state could hire a management company to run such a facility but at the end of the day it is still the tax payer who will be holding the bag.  If the facility is in financial difficulty, which some of us knew would occur because of the inadequacy to compete with Conn. casinos.  Then do one of two things,  put the facility and license out to bid change the state’s constitution and create a commission of various entities that would over see all aspects of the facility.  This process would call for hearings, an assembly vote, then a state wide public vote, and a simultaneous vote would have to pass in the chosen community.  This process could take 4 to 6 years.  Or secondly, reverse the Chafee amendment and work with the Narragansett Indian Tribe, I know that’s asking a lot, but that way the Tribe has its rights re-stored, the state would not have to, in Joe Larisa’s words ‘change our most sacred document for gaming’ and it would be run according to federal over sight and law known as the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, (IGRA).  This way the state and Tribe compact and compete effectively with our neighbors across the state lines while under federal law easing the concern of the those worried about to much state involvement.  As far as time frames, Chafee did his rider removing the Tribe from IGRA in one night.  So to reverse should not be that hard.  Just my two cents.
Matt T, Charlestown

What is wrong with our legislators?????  Last I heard the state didn’t have any money——-  but we have money to buy a slot parlor???? —-  and we can’t afford to keep bus monitors to protect the safety of our children?  ————and I wonder how many people know that we “OWN” all the slot machines at Twin River!!  Tonight on the news was the first time I heard of it!  I like to gamble but I don’t like the idea of using our money to support a slot parlor. 
CPT

Yo Rappster,
No, No, No. The state can’t afford money for cities and towns but it can afford to buy Twin Rivers? This place is just going to become a rat hole of Smith Hill patronage. Some legislators brother will run the gaming operation. Another legislator’s cousin will get the waste hauling contract, Yet another legislator’s relative will shake down the food vendors. The next thing we know, the place will start costing the state money and not making money. Then sleezeballs on Smith Hill will throw up their hands and say “We can’t sell it, we’ll never get our money back.“
GFW, Lincoln

Absolutely not. It would only give the less than honest politician more to skim off the top. Lord knows they do enough of that already. I strongly believe that state government should not get involved in gambling.
Lee,  Woonsocket

The concept is good but the timing is bad. The State can not afford to buy Twin Rivers right now. If they did the entire population would be up in arms!
Gagnet
Ye gods, all we need is the State owning a casino surely to be run by politico’s friends and relatives expecting a big fat pension when they retire. If that place isn’t corrupt now, it will be once the State takes it over.
Considering the Narragansetts got screwed over in their bid for a casino, I think the State ought to offer it to them for purchase and let them run it.
Susan, North Providence

You give your money to unemployment so that when times get hard it will be there for you. You give your money to social security so when you get old, it will be there for you; only to find those that took your money payed themselves a salary and didn’t factor in the future that one day that contract would need to be redeemed. Futures, derivatives, banking models designed to enrich insiders at the top of the enterprise while they pass the risk on to savers and taxpayers to absorb all the hits as legislators favor the house. I’m tired of gambling.

Well the Policy makers certainly know how to work the Stockholm syndrome. (a psychological response sometimes seen in abducted hostages, in which the hostage shows signs of loyalty to the hostage-taker.)They got a game they need to continue.
Will the Casino have an “aggregator Bad bank” slot to pour our bad bets into that get bought by the salary we pay our Policy makers?

Can we privatize our gain and pass our losses on to those who stifled Labour and protected corporate privileges? Can we Play like the Wall street Corporate financial giants that planned the systematic dismantling of regulation and gamed the little people on main street; to reward their mismanagement and corruption. Dare we gamble that more credit, more spending, more borrowing with no increase in productivity is sustainable?
Zuke

Here is the State again talking like a big spender with money,
when they don’t even send out tax return forms to save money.
Mr. “Big Business” governor likes to talk big with nothing to show for the last six years.
First he says Twin River is no good and it’s their own fault.
So he lets it go down the drain, then wants to buy it cheap.
Meanwhile URI builds another 50 million masterpiece. With another bond.
Even if people graduate from URI they don’t stay around here, there’s no jobs.
Here’s Carcieri’s record:
Old Stone Bank - dead
Cookson Company - dead
Rhode Island - almost dead
Stuckinri

WELL BILL
        THEY ARE THINKING IT’S A WAY TO HELP BALANCE THE BUDGET, BY GETTING MORE MONEY IN THE STATE COFFERS.
        I SEE IT AS BECOMING A LIABILITY TO THE TAXPAYERS WHEN SOMETHING HAPPENS AND THE MONEY MYSTERIOUSLY
        STARTS VANISHING…OOPS,MONEY STARTS GETTING TIGHT….LETS LEAVE WELL ENOUGH ALONE…YOU MEAN TO TELL ME
        WE OR THEY CANNOT FIND A LEGITIMATE ENTERPRISE TO RUN A GAMBLING ESTABLISHMENT AND MAKE MONEY?????
        WHAT KIND OF STATE ARE WE??????? GENTLEMEN LETS STICK TO TRYING TO RUN STATE GOVERNMENT, AND NOT LOOK TO
        TRYING TO LINE OUR POCKETS WITH MORE, ESPECIALLY WITH THE EMPLOYMENT PICTURE THE WAY IT IS.
        GEE BILL THAT FELT GOOD TO GET OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
        AS ALWAYS
        A LOYAL RAPPER
        LARRY
        SMITHFIELD

The legislature is infamously famous for not being able to manage the assets the state already has not to mention its reputation for sticky fingers; it’s a disaster looming on the horizon! if not a cloud already above us. Perhaps they should spend more time trying to create a tax code, etc. that would make our great state more competitive with the other 49 and entice businesses and citizens to stay and/or settle here. But, then, there is the old adage, Citizens deserve the people they elect! Doesn’t speak much for us, does it?
Bobby Bee, Providence

The state can not afford to let Twin River “go down the river”.
The state must do every thing possible to prevent any lose of revenue from Twin River.
The problem that I have with a state take over of Twin River is the state running Twin River themselves.
Where in the past has the state demonstrated that they could run Twin River—just look at the sad state of affairs that Rhode Island in is now. You can only wonder how many investigations the Feds would be doing to see who stole money , how much they stole or whose friends stole the money.
Joe f.

Friday, January 23, 2009

Cold Day

rappers

cancel school?

when school was cancelled in most of rhode Island’s largest school districts last week…some wondered whether it was neccessary…here are the comments from the rapp session.
In some cases it schools should close. In the cases we’ve had recently in RI, I’d have to say no! Cold is not enough to close schools. Icy, snowy, slippery conditions, now that’s another story.

Jae
I think it is ridiculous to cancel school because of the cold!  We live in New England where we have snow, ice and COLD!
Shaunette
I think this is absolutely absurd.  We live in New England!  Just because it’s cold outside, it does not neccessitate school cancellations.  If this trend continues, when will these kids get out of the classroom?  I don’t understand the logic behind it all.

Keri A.
Fall River, MA.
I don’t think that they are only closing schools because of the cold.  They are closing schools because the buses can’t start, because of the diesel fuel.  Diesel fuel turns to sludge and prevents vehicles from starting in extreme cold weather.  I don’t think school districts ever really want to close.
A Rhode Island teacher

As a teacher I wasn’t happy that Providence Schools were closed, but I do understand the rationale. Our high school students must use RIPTA, there is no “free” yellow bus like in the suburbs. So, if they are lucky enough to afford it, or live more than three miles from school and qualify for a free bus pass, they ride RIPTA. However, MANY of my students walk, because they cannot afford the fare. Of these walkers, most do not have warm clothes and shoes that would protect them against the frigid temperatures we’ve had. Also, many families do not have cars, and there is no carpool. I am sure the decision to close was not made lightly, and these special circumstances of “our” students were part of that decision. PS… As I’ve been home these last two days, I have been WORKING on IEP’s and curriculum. Imagine that!
Sharon
No they should not have closed the schools yesterday and yet today they went to school. They wouldn’t close schools in June or July if the temperatures were over 80 degrees and a lot of the schools do nothave air conditioning.  I think they need to stop panicking everytime snow is mentioned and get back to reality WE LIVE IN NEW ENGLAND PEOPLE GET REAL.
Jo-ann
Closing the schools due to cold weather is just foolish.I walked to school every day in all sorts of weather.Kids today are just too spoiled.Stop coddling your children.Teach them to dress for warmth, not style, and send them on their way.
Janice
Cranston
WHEN I WAS IN ANY GRADE OF SCHOOL, WE NEVER SAW THESE KIND OF CANCELLATIONS. GRANTED, I AM 51 YEARS OLD, BUT THINGS HAVE CHANGED SO VERY MUCH, WITH ALL THE SPRINGS, WINTER VACATIONS.
WE NEVER HAD IT SOO GOOD.
MY SISTER AND I WALKED UP TO 2+ MILES EVERY DAY TO GO TO SCHOOL, AND IN THOSE DAYS WE COULD NOT AFFORD SCHOOL LUNCHES.
THESE KIDS HAVE TO PAY FOR IT IN JULY, SO WHAT? JUST LIKE YOU SAID,: BACK IN THE DAY” , THEY WILL NEVER KNOW WHAT WE WENT THROUGH.
SUCK IT UP….......... THAT’S LIFE AND IT ONLY GETS HARDER THE OLDER YOU GET.
LINDA D, CRANSTON

I believe the urban districts should cancel school due to the extreme cold because many young children that walk or wait for a bus and are exposed to the bitter wind chill while doing so are not dressed appropriately for such weather.  I have taught in an urban district for 15 years and have witnessed so many children coming to school in frigid weather with simply a t-shirt—-which at six years old is no fault of their own.  I actually opened a clothing bank after seeing a first grader get dismissed on a day of a snowstorm having only a short-sleeved t-shirt to walk home in.  (Ofcourse, the school gave him a coat to walk home in that day).  I also witnessed a child wearing skates to school—with the blade removed—- and no socks.  The skate boots had holes—it was awful!  Maybe, if all children are given the appropriate clothing in which to stay safe and warm in this type of weather, schools would not have to cancel.  But, we all know, basic needs need to be met before learning can happen.
Beth D, Pawtucket

While I think the safety of our children is foremost on everyone’s mind, closing schools due to cold weather is ridicules.  We were only expected to get 2 inches of snow yesterday as well.  I never remember schools closing for the cold when I was younger, and we all got to school just fine.  I think it teaches our children to be crybabies.  Many people I know had to take the day out of work due to this, and loose a days pay, (in tough economic times such as these, that can be devastating to a family).  Sometimes I don’t think these school officials think.  The schools did not need to be closed.
Carol C, Warwick

Well all I can say is I’m 71 years old and besides going to school in the cold, we had to walk.  The children are probably happy now, but they won’t be to happy going to school in the hot weather.
Carol, Cranston
I thought it was pathetic when administrators canceled school, usually a day ahead of the “storm”, and the storms never materialized.  That was nothing compared to canceling school “due to the cold”!!!  I’m glad the Town I work for didn’t panic and follow suit.  Summers go fast enough for the children without having to make up senseless days at the end of June.  What are they teaching our children . . .
JoAnn, Warwick

It is chaos and/or costs money.  Not convenient to say the least.  Can understand if we have a blizzard or if it is dangerous, but silly because its cold.  What are we teaching our kids?  Can’t go to school/work because its cold?  Dress in layers!  90% of the kids are not waiting out in the cold anyways…they are in a car from what I can see. 
I thought I was the only one who that it was ridiculous…thanks for touching on it!
Shaunette

NO!! I went to school in colder temps than these, plus I was a ‘walker’! My children all went to school in cold temps! What is it with these Teacher’s Unions, they are getting lazier and lazier every year, and don’t tell me it was the school departments that ordered these closings, you can get better odds it was the union that was concerned that the teachers might get frostbite in their Gucci loafers (apt description for them, the teachers, not the shoes), walking from the parking lot to the building. I saw plenty of Warwick school kids outside walking around during the day on Thursday and Friday, many in shirtsleeves and no coats on. So who are school departments fooling??
Bill in Warwick

Yes, it certainly is cold.
Maybe my advanced years are showing here but I don’t remember ever having school close due to cold weather.
I grew up in rural western mass and had to walk down a country road about 6 tenths of a mile to a state road to wait for the bus.  Rarely was school closed due to weather.
Even today in that part of mass school is mostly in session.
Of course I can’t believe that school buses stop at EVERY drive way on a street cause the kids can;t manage to get across the yard to the neighbors yard to wait for the bus.
But, hey, this is RI.  And, then the bus has to wait for the little darlings to wander out of the house there by backing traffic up in both directions even more.
Judith, Coventry

The officials who started this silly trend are nothing but wimps. What do they do in Alaska? They send the kids to school. This only creates big problems for parents who may have to lose time at work and look for sitters. What a big fiasco.
Al, North Smithfield

War is peace, debt is wealth.
Freedom is Servitude
of main street to Wall street.
Ignorance is Strength.
Going into debt and devaluing
the dollar is good for
the health of our country.
Don’t learn to work
with the elements.
Zuke

I do not believe in cold days. First of all kids will probably be more warmer at school. There is NO outside recess. At home kids might have the opportunity to go out doors. Second, if we get cold days, does that mean in June if by some chance we get a heat wave, will the schools close for a hot day? Very unlikely.  There should not have been cold days.
M, Narragansett

What do we expect?  Heads rolled after the December snow storm last year and school district administrators don’t want to leave anything to chance, so of course schools will be closed for the cold.
Perhaps heat will be a factor as well - the first time a student comes down with heatstroke and some over-zealous parents want to make an issue of it and blame someone.
It’s a sign of the times, in my opinion.  It’s always someone else’s fault.
MB, Swansea, MA

The difficult part of making those decisions to cancel school is the weather is still unpredictable. On Sunday the forecast was for 1-3” and we’re getting buried! I’d like to see more 2 hr delays and early ****dismissal so the kids don’t have to make up the time.  Winters have been mild these past 3 decades as a result folks are less hardy.
Mike L, Warwick

Thursday, January 15 was not a “cold” cancellation day. The schools called it off in Central and Northern RI due to the snow forecast/ but when the morning forecast changed to a coastal snow event, all of a sudden the newscasters announced it was due to the cold. Well, how bout Friday, Jan 16?
Colder than the previous day, and everyone had school.
They were covering tails because the weather forecast changed.
Grandpa walked to school on sidewalks. Nowadays, we have speeding traffic, and wreckless drivers, who don’t abide by snow safety rules of the road.
Perhaps this is why school cancellations are common. Looke what happened Dec. 13 2007? Add to that the price of heating the schools with oil, instead of woodstoves. We had school both days.
Claire J, Little Compton

You know it, I know it as well as everybody else… the bottom line is they (RI government leaders) do not want another
December “Debacle” on their hands… it’s that simple!
Dick from Warwick

WHEN I WAS GOING TO SCHOOL, UNLESS AN APPENDAGE WAS FALLING OFF OR THERE WAS MORE THAN 1 FT OF SNOW AS OF THE TIME YOU GOT UP FOR SCHOOL, YOU WERE THERE… I DON’T SEE ANY LOGICAL REASON FOR THAT MOVE. BUT THEN AGAIN THAT’S OUR BEAUTIFUL STATE, COULD IT BE POLITICS AT WORK, FOR WHATEVER REASON ,YOU TELL ME BILL…………………………………….
AS ALWAYS
A LOYAL RAPPER
LARRY, SMITHFIELD  
 
Why!  I walked one mile to reach a corner that a jittey took me three miles to a bus, and traveled another six miles to school.  No matter what the weather.
Parents do not allow their children to walk - expect a bus to pick them up at home (taxes pay for this).
A snow day - forget it.  Cold weather - walk - or miss the bus.
Margaret W

Hey grandpa, I’m with you! I’m sure that Maine and New Hampshire got a good giggle out of it. If the school department wants to close schools because of cold weather (perhaps to save on heating costs), perhaps they should institute a two-month break(or more) in the middle of winter. The school year would consist of two stretches during the most temperate seasons, keeping kids home during both the heat of summer and the cold of winter.
Bill in Portsmouth