Tribute to Senator Chafee
The best of what was said, we believe, was that Senator John H. Chafee chose public life for the right reasons. Tribute after tribute suggested that his positions were a reflection of his deep convictions, with his strong belief that what he was doing would somehow improve the human condition. Over more than four decades in public life, from state legislator to governor to Secretary of the Navy to U.S. Senator, John H. Chafee did indeed improve the human condition.
We were always impressed that this was a man with a clear understanding of the issues, with strength of character, the ability to compromise and bring about consensus, and the strength to change his position when he felt someone had a better idea or a better perspective. He was a true leader.
For the business community he was a champion, understanding the plight of the small business person, recognizing the need to promote a culture that not only supported business success, but also job growth and prosperity for working men and women. Patrick McGowan, the small business administration’s New England regional director, said simply, “we will miss him badly.”
It is impossible to add anything new to the countless tributes that followed Senator Chafee’s passing last week. He held the respect of nearly all with whom he came in contact, no matter what their political persuasion. And he left his mark on the young, on the environment and on our health care system.
He was no less than a great public servant for all Rhode Islanders. To say he will be missed is an understatement. We can only hope that his successor draws upon his strengths, and grows to understand his values.
Citizens finishes first
For the second year in New England and fifth in Rhode Island, Citizens Bank was named the Small Business Administration’s top lender. Mark Formica, vice chairman of Citizens Financial Group, suggests that the bank has won that distinction because it reveres and respects the business it receives from small businesses throughout the region, and it is business that he vows his bank will continue to pursue.
For Rhode Island bankers it is smart to court the small business community, which represents no less than upwards of 90 percent of all businesses in Rhode Island.
Our congratulations go out to Citizens for its continuing commitment to small businesses throughout New England and to its understanding of the importance small businesses are to the continued expansion of our economy and job market.
Local phone competition
A recent panel on telecommunications, involving many competing carriers, brought to light some of the problems and benefits of local telephone service competition. Bell Atlantic, AT&T, Log on America, Cox Communications, Choice One, Conversant Communications, and scores of others are waiting not too patiently to compete for your local at-home telephone service. Some are competing already for your business service.
At center stage in the onset of this exciting era is the Public Utilities Commission, charged with establishing rules, assuring fairness, and generally regulating a new competitive era.
Foremost in PUC’s mission will be to keep the process simple, to assure that Rhode Island eventually gets a one-rate system, widely supported by residents and businesses in a recent survey by the University of Rhode Island’s Research Institute for Telecommunications and Information Marketing.
Ruby Roy Dholakia, director of RITIM, said Rhode Islanders are ready. “If we want Rhode Island to be a hotbed of telecommunications activity, this study is saying that the market is ready. The market wants a band of new services. If you are a service provider, the market will respond to you.”
