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Community Corner

The Rhode Island Foundation needs money for Back Yard Campaign.

Yes Rhode Island has a “self-esteem problem" as the the Rhode Island Foundation's Neil Steinberg recently told go local prov but Neil lets look at why. 

Central Falls has gone Bankrupt, Woonsocket is close behind, We still have close to 9% unemployed, We have one of the highest sales taxes in the country, Providence has turned into an art gallery of graffiti and is spending untold amounts of money to repaint almost daily to give punks, and gangs fresh canvas to destroy again and again and our law makers continue to lie to the people with back room deals such as the Sakonnet River Bridge toll. Now please don't get me wrong... I think that the Rhode Island Foundation has done and continues to do great things but spending money on a campaign to change the attitude of residents that have been lied to, taxed to death, unable to pay their utilities or put food on the table is not the way to spend $170,000.00 and then ask for more.

How about spending money on a marketing plan to bring business into the state? How about we put pressure on Governor Chaffee and our law makers to trim the fat and create reasons for manufacturing to set up shop in Rhode Island. We certainly have ample empty buildings that could be renovated by new business if they were given an incentive to do so. We have some of the most talented work force in the nation whose skills are wasting away filling out unemployment job search forms.

Imagine empty buildings all over the state renewed and thriving with workers. Imagine Internships and training programs to give skills to those that can't afford to go on to college or a trade school or for that matter finish high school. THAT would change the attitude of Rhode Islanders not a smoke screen to hide the open wounds of the state which are festering.

Again Mr. Steinberg I applaud your efforts and support your drive because you do believe in this state as I do but we need to put pressure elsewhere. It's time you mattered RI and it's time we band together as a force to get our house and senate to get things done for us or get them out.

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