Rhode Island Short takes

No complaint from DiBello; likely root of Gentz’ job claims; Board of Elections sues scofflaws; RI's tax load; big CD test coming

By Will Collette

 

No complaint from DiBello. Although Lisa DiBello is ready and willing to complain about a lot of things, apparently threats of violence are not among them. DiBello made a point of saying that she had received threats from people who contacted her before the Town Council’s September vote to ban all wind energy generators in Charlestown. Such threats are a very serious matter and it is a serious crime under Rhode Island law to threaten a public official. So did DiBello file a report or complaint with town police, as you might reasonably expect? Nope. According to an e-mail from Town Hall, no complaint from DiBello.

 

Gentz: who and what is behind
destructive plan?

Tom Gentz’s big jobs claim. In the preamble to the proposal to gut Rhode Island’s affordable housing law, Town Council President (and CCA Secretary) Tom Gentz claimed that his proposal, which would cripple construction of new affordable housing will, somehow, create jobs. He doesn’t say how – he just makes the claim – a claim that he should be asked to explain in detail. Perhaps one reason why Gentz decided to make this unsubstantiated claim is that 8300 Rhode Island construction workers are out of work and construction happens to be Charlestown’s biggest occupational group (with carpenters being the largest trade). But Gentz has got to know that this job claim is such b.s. that it reeks.

 

So what is Gentz’s game? Tom Gentz’s proposal for “evolutionary adjustments” to the state affordable housing law is probably the biggest whopper he has told since taking office. It’s not “evolutionary” – it’s annihilation. It will not only not create jobs in Charlestown, it will probably deal another hit to the already struggling construction industry in South County. It is anti-working family.

 

And after reading Tom Ferrio’s review of Gentz’s performance at the Affordable Housing Commission, it is clear that Gentz doesn’t know what the hell he is talking about. So what’s up? He used to come off as a smart guy, yet lately he has been slipping badly. Who is he fronting this proposal for (other than the Charlestown Citizens Alliance)? Besides the CCA, who are Gentz’s secret sponsors?

 

My colleague Tom Ferrio wonders whether this is a long-range political move, setting up issues for the 2012 election. If so, this is a great way to lose – since Gentz already has established that he is more interested in protecting the interests of millionaire absentee property owners than hard-working Charlestown families. Any theories?

 

Jim Mageau - time to pay up?

RI Board of Elections files suit. The RIBOE has filed suit against  five politicians who failed to file required campaign finance reports and ignored notices of violations and fines. These five owe the state more than $67,000. In Charlestown, our major campaign finance scofflaw is perennial loser and all-round curmudgeon Jim Mageau who has outstanding campaign disclosure violations on his BOE file. The BOE is hoping this suit will send a message to other scofflaws (got that, Jim?)

 

This is only a test (but turn to Conelrad anyway). Next Wednesday, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will conduct a nationwide emergency alert system test. For three minutes, starting at 2 PM, all radios, television, satellite and cable systems will run an emergency test warning. However, there is a good chance that you may not know this is a test because FEMA is not sure the video banner saying it’s only a test will run on all systems. We’ll give you another reminder of this before next week. 

 

How Rhode Island taxes compare. We’re used to stories that call Rhode Island one of the most heavily taxed states in the nation. Not surprising that a newstudy places RI at 12th place among the states for having a total tax burden (income, sales and local taxes) of 11%. But what surprised me is that the #1 and #2 states for tax burden are Alaska and Wyoming!

 

Alaska taxpayers pay almost double (20%) Rhode Island’s rate. Explain that, wudja, Sarah Palin! The national average is 10.4, putting RI at 0.6% above the average. Massachusetts places at #33 (9.8%) with almost the same rating as Florida (local Florida taxes offset Florida having no income tax). Get the full report here.