Then Again...What Do I Know?

Woonsocket

Last week in this column, I reported “with the exception of a few lawn signs around the city” Marc Dubois swept into office. No so, Roger, says Mr. Dubois. Councilman- elect Dubois stopped by WNRI to refute that opinion and offer the real facts. Dubois said he placed 100 signs around the city, brought radio ads, visited the 4 high rises, attended 2 community meetings, spoke at the public forum at Chan's and organized a meet and greet fund raiser. I stand corrected.

North Smithfield

Dowling Village in North Smithfield is slowly taking shape. When completed the complex will have three big box stores and eight smaller buildings. Building 10, the Wal-Mart is already open while building 4 will most likely be a Kohl's Department Store and building 5 will be a new Lowe’s Home Improvement store. Buildings 1 and 2 will be chain restaurants while the rest of the structures will house smaller retailers. It is expected a tire operational like Pepboys Service Center and a Chilli's Grill & Bar will end up as tenants. If you count the CVS/Caremark Pharmacy already open, the complex will have 12 buildings when completed.

Woonsocket

As reported last week in this column, John Ward has made the phone calls to have the votes to be council president when the council reorganizes on December 6^th.

Political adversaries of both Mayor Fontaine and John Ward are busy publicly and behind the scenes to undo the vote. Radio talk show host John Dionne has scolded Councilman Roger Jalette for supporting Ward and other political forces are trying to get Chris Beauchamp, Al Brien, Marc Dubois and Robert Moreau to choose another president to weaken the Fontaine/Ward alliance. As of last count, Ward still has the four votes to stay on as president.

Woonsocket

Channel 12 reporter Sean Daly set up a camera and microphone in Mayor Leo Fontaine's office Tuesday and talked about Woonsocket's financial future. Daly opened his report with reference to the Central Falls receivership and the East Providence finances are being “overseered” by the state. Daly announced that Mayor Leo Fontaine recognizes that Woonsocket could be painfully next. Using quotes from the television report the Mayor described Woonsocket's position as “very tenuous. And any city such as us, any of the other urbans -- when you look at the potential impact of the pension reform that may make or break cities or towns -- It's very important that we stay on track with the plan that we have in place.  If pension reform doesn't go through to alleviate the burden that will befall our budget next year, we and I think many other communities will be pushed over the edge into some sort of oversight by the state," Fontaine said. "The impact to us is $6 million if pension reform doesn't go through. For us to absorb an additional $6 million into the budget is near impossible without devastating changes to employees and services."

Fontaine said if that were to happen, the state would need to intervene on some level. However, he added that he, along with everyone else in Woonsocket, is doing "anything and everything to avoid a state intervention." The report was carried statewide by Channel 12 all day Tuesday.

Fundraiser Terry McKenna and Director of Because He Lives Ministries Pat Dempster, far left and center, accept a $5,000 donation from Housekeeping Supervisor  Irene Sadlik and staff member Julia Lemire, far right, from Woonsocket Health Center. Roger Bouchard is in the photo because he likes being publicly photographed.

Woonsocket
The fundraiser at Terry's Tire & Service Center last Saturday for Because He Lives food kitchen drew hundreds of small and big contributions from citizens who believe they are their brother's keeper. Between $17,000 and $20,000 was raised with contributions still trickling in. Earlier this year, the kitchen had to vacate its building on Blackstone Street due to structural issues at the church. All Saints Parish on Rathbun Street offered their facilities and preparations to open the kitchen there are moving forward.

McKenna travels from Florida a week before the event to organize details like getting the support of the Woonsocket Fire Department, police, public works, service clubs, businesses, political leaders and private citizens. As an example of how money is donated, The Woonsocket Health Center raises funds all year long at its Poplar Street location from generous employees.

Woonsocket

No hard feelings from Stella Brien at Monday night's council meeting. The outgoing councilwoman had nothing but praise for the her father-n-law who won a seat displacing her on the board. She declared “bittersweet...I say it with a smile. But I am glad I had to lose to Albert Brien because whether you love him or hate him...he's a good man. I admire him and respect him. I am proud to be his daughter-in-law and I wish him luck and am proud he will be on the city council.” Brien went to add that her only regret is that no women will sit on the council for the time being. Brien urges female candidates to run next time out.

Woonsocket

(He's back! Noel Pincince home in Woonsocket)

Noel is back. Oh, you didn't know he left.

Local celebrity Noel Pincince flirted with re-locating to California. He pulled up roots several weeks to check out the North Coast region. Noel reports the people are friendly, it's a nice place to visit and a beautiful location. It's just not for him. So before you start to miss him, he's back. To quote him “my heart is in Woonsocket.”