NEW BEDFORD – Mayor Scott W. Lang announced Monday that the city is developing a comprehensive “master plan” to guide its future growth and identify redevelopment possibilities in the city, with a global vision and goals.
“We will examine city issues from all angles to derive the best possible course of action,” Lang said. “Some actions will be implemented immediately, and others will be implemented over the course of the coming years. All of our efforts will serve to make our city stronger, healthier, and a better place to live, work and raise a family.”
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The plan will address public safety, community development, neighborhood revitalization, planning, historic preservation, tourism, environmental compliance and more. Meetings have been scheduled across the city to solicit residents’ and business owners’ input.
R.I. Ethics Commission fines Celona $130,000
PROVIDENCE – The R.I. Ethics Commission on Tuesday ordered former state Sen. John A. Celona, a North Providence Democrat, to pay $130,000 after he admitted to 10 violations of state ethics laws in his dealings with Roger Williams Medical Center, CVS/pharmacy and Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island.
The fine is believed to be the largest ever imposed by the commission. Jason Gramitt, prosecutor for the commission, said Celona’s was “the most egregious conduct I’ve ever seen.”
Celona stepped down from his seat two years ago. He has pleaded guilty to federal fraud charges and agreed to cooperate with the government’s continuing investigation. Former Roger Williams CEO Robert A. Urciuoli, another top executive and a business associate are under indictment in the matter. The hospital itself has made a deferred prosecution agreement with the U.S. attorney’s office.
Multi-state video lottery game launched at tracks
PROVIDENCE – The Rhode Island Lottery and the lotteries of Delaware and West Virginia have begun operation of what is said to be America’s first multi-state video lottery game, “Ca$hola,” with a prize pool that starts at $250,000 and grows until won.
Sales of the Ca$hola game have begun at video lottery terminals at tracks in the three states. The game can be played in penny, nickel, or quarter denominations, determined by each jurisdiction. Each machine will offer a base game, with odds and payouts unique to the jurisdiction, and the common progressive-jackpot game. The odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 7 million.
The jackpot-management system was built by GTECH Corp., and will be run out of GTECH’s facility in Austin, Texas.
Chamber takes stand against Harrah’s casino
PROVIDENCE – The board of the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce voted June 21 to oppose the proposal on the November ballot to amend the R.I. Constitution to allow a privately operated resort casino in West Warwick.
The Chamber said the board and individual members were concerned about the creation of a “sole-source agreement” with Harrah’s Entertainment; the potential negative fiscal impact of a privately operated casino on overall state revenues; the proposed facility’s effects on Rhode Island’s infrastructure; and the “detrimental influence” of such a project on economic development investments across the state.
“The Chamber has historically been opposed to casino gambling and will continue to espouse the opinions of our membership on important public policy issues such as this,” Chamber President Laurie White said in a statement.
Judge upholds ban on Sunday auto sales
PROVIDENCE – A Superior Court judge issued a declaratory judgment on Tuesday upholding the state’s ban on Sunday auto sales.
In August, Attorney General Patrick C. Lynch had asked the court to rule on whether the law was valid and whether it trumped a more general law allowing a retail establishment “to be open on any day of the year,” as he felt it did.
Judge Susan E. McGuirl found that the Sunday sales law is valid and constitutional and does trump the other.
In a news release, Lynch said he was glad to have “clarity” in this matter, and said those who disagree with the law “should turn to the General Assembly for recourse.”
Mass., Rhode Island see small job gains in June
CRANSTON and BOSTON – Rhode Island’s unemployment rate was 5.5 percent in June, unchanged from May, and up from 5 percent a year ago, while Massachusetts’ rate held steady at 5 percent, and the U.S. unemployment rate remained at 4.6 percent, state and federal officials said.
Jobs at Rhode Island businesses increased by 800, or 0.2 percent, bringing the June job count to 494,300 (seasonally adjusted), the R.I. Department of Labor and Training said.
The biggest gains were in government, with 800 jobs added, and leisure and hospitality, with 500; the biggest loss was 500 jobs cut in trade, transportation and utilities.
Massachusetts employers added 4,400 jobs last month, a 0.14-percent gain. Half the new jobs were reported in professional, scientific, and business services.
Providence apartments to remain ‘affordable’
PROVIDENCE – The owner of the Barbara Jordan apartments, whose Section 8 contract with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is set to expire in August, has agreed to keep the apartments affordable for at least another year, Mayor David N. Cicilline said.
Trina Davis Griffin had planned to convert the South Providence complex’s 193 units into market-rate apartments. Cicilline intervened, citing the “extraordinary rise in living costs throughout the state,” and she agreed to keep tenants in their homes for at least another year.
Griffin said an agreement with HUD will enable her to extend her Section 8 contract for a year. If she can’t reach a new deal in that time, she will use “enhanced vouchers” – distributed to tenants who meet federal income guidelines – to help keep her property affordable.
“As a business woman,” Griffin said, “I am a firm believer in clean, decent affordable housing, and I’m committed to doing my part to move this city forward.”
