Survey shows stronger support for reform
PROVIDENCE – A Common Cause survey of voting in the state Senate and House of Representatives shows stronger support in the Senate – 72.7 percent in the 1999-2000 session –than in the House, 58.4 percent for government reforms promoted by citizens groups. Common Cause reported it counted 24 floor votes on issues related to judicial and campaign reforms, officials’ accountability and redistricting. In reviewing General Assembly votes over the last four years, Common Cause concluded that support for reform that brought major changes after the RISDIC crisis of 1991 has declined.
Hasbro says consolidation will bring jobs
PAWTUCKET – Hasbro, Inc. announced that it is trimming its sails worldwide, but consolidating several of its operations at its headquarters here. The result, a company spokesman said, will be an eventual increase in jobs in Rhode Island, after an initial loss of an unspecified number. The company spokesman said 300 to 400 jobs will be eliminated from the U.S. toy group, plus another 150 worldwide in research and development, sales and marketing and administration. Meanwhile the company announced that it would consolidate most of its product development, sales and marketing and administrative functions at its Pawtucket offices. Last year, Hasbro eliminated about 2,000 jobs. This year the company announced it is closing its toy operations in Cincinnati, Ohio, Napa and San Francisco, Calif. A company spokesman said the company would be concentrating on its “core brands” to induce earnings growth.
Seifert Systems Invests in Energy Efficiency to Strengthen Operations
For manufacturers, energy is more than just another operating expense. It plays a critical role…
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Save the Bay orders boat to Explore the Bay
NEWPORT — Save the Bay announced it has a contract with American Shipyard in Newport to build its first educational vessel, a 45-foot aluminum boat with a 35-passenger capacity. The boat, to be called the MV Alletta Morris will cost $300,000, Save the Bay announced. Kate Kilguss, co-chair of Save the Bay’s Explore the Bay said the organization will use the boat to bring schoolchildren and families out on Narragansett Bay for educational programs. The Alletta Moris is the first of two such vessels the organization plans to build. A fund-raising campaign is under way for the second boat, Save the Bay said.
Agencies agree to preserve Tucker Farm land
NORTH KINGSTOWN – Agreement among state, federal and local officials to preserve 338 acres of farmland known as the Tucker Farm has been announced by Gov. Lincoln Almond. The preservation will be accomplished through the joint purchase of development rights and a conservation easement at the farm on Indian Corner Road. The purchase not only protects a working sod farm but also the town’s water supply. The $4 million acquisition was achieved through the combination of $3.2 million in North Kingstown open space bond funds, $400,000 in state bond money and $400,000 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
RIC gets $3 million for Nazarian Center spaces
PROVIDENCE – Rhode Island College announced that it had received $3 million in gifts for naming various spaces at the new John Nazarian Center for the Performing Arts. The named spaces at the center, which opened and was dedicated on Sept. 15 are the Lila and John Sapinsley Hall, the Helen Forman Theatre, the McCarthy-Galvin Courtyard, the Fannie Helen Melcer Dance Studio, and the Bourget Lobby. The contributions have been made in the last few months by individuals and groups in support of the college.
Bacou reports record third quarter sales
SMITHFIELD– Bacou USA, Inc., a leading manufacturer of personal protection equipment, reported record sales, net income and earnings per share for the quarter ended September 30, 2000. Net sales for the third quarter of 2000 increased 11.6 percent to $81.4 million; net income, excluding non-recurring charges, increased to $8.6 million for the third quarter, up 12.5 percent; net income per diluted share was 48 cents, up 11.6 percent. Bacou’s net income, excluding non-recurring charges, increased to $25 million for the nine-months ended Sept. 30, a 17.1 percent increase. Net income per diluted share for the nine months was $1.41, up 16.5 percent and net sales were $237.1 million, up 17.7 percent.
GTECH signs on-line lottery contract in Portugal
WEST GREENWICH — GTECH announced that it has signed a contract to provide an on-line gaming system and maintenance services to Santa Casa da Misericordia de Lisboa (SCML), the operator of the National Lottery of Portugal — the largest off-line lottery in Western Europe. GTECH was selected in April 2000, following a competitive procurement, however, contract signing was delayed several months due to a lengthy negotiation process.
Ohio man admits mortgage fraud
PROVIDENCE – Neil French, formerly of East Greenwich, but now a resident of Centerville, Ohio, has pleaded guilty to federal fraud charges stemming from his attempt to finance and refinance properties in East Greenwich. According to the announcement from the office of the U.S Attorney for Rhode Island, Margaret E. Curran, French admitted in U.S. District Court here that he had submitted false income information and IRS lien releases in his attempt to purchase property at 133 Spring St., East Greenwich, and to refinance property he owned at 30 Rector St., East Greenwich. French, 36, was released on unsecured bond pending sentencing, which is scheduled for Jan. 5, 2001. French pleaded guilty to two counts of wire fraud. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Edwin J. Gale before District Court Judge Mary M. Lisi as the result of an investigation by the U.S. Treasury Department along with East Greenwich police.
Textron-Boeing V-22 Plane nearing full production
WASHINGTON (Bloomberg) — U.S. Navy testers have concluded the V-22 Osprey aircraft built by Textron Inc. and Boeing Co. is nearly ready to proceed into full production — a phase worth as much as $19 billion, Marine Corps officials said. The aircraft has proven “operationally effective and suitable” for land-based operations, according to the Navy’s independent test command. It still must prove it can operate from ships before it’s deemed ready for all missions. The V-22 is an $83 million aircraft that takes off and lands like a helicopter and flies like an airplane. It will be the Marine Corps’ primary aircraft for ferrying troops into combat, hostage rescue, embassy evacuations and peacekeeping missions. It’s to be fielded starting in 2003. The Navy is scheduled to decide in late November whether the aircraft can proceed into full production. The initial full-production contract with the Textron-Boeing team would be for 20 aircraft and worth as much as $1 billion. The V-22 is manufactured by a joint venture of Textron’s Fort Worth, Texas-based Bell Helicopter unit and Boeing’s Ridley Park, Pennsylvania-based helicopter unit. The Defense Department plans to buy 458 of the V-22 Ospreys, with about 360 intended for the Marines and the rest for the Air Force and special operations forces. Production could be worth as much as $19.7 billion. The Marines have taken delivery of nearly 20 development models of the Osprey.
