JOHNSTON
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Vol. 26, Number 50 • 20 Pages 2 Sections • 20 pages • $1.00
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‘P is a ickleb
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Crans to
Thursday, February 1, 2024
You never know where the sport could lead you
Mayoral primary already turning nasty By KEVIN FITZPATRICK With a Republican mayoral primary now inevitable, battle lines have been drawn between the camps of incumbent Mayor Kenneth Hopkins and challenger State Representative Barbara Ann Fenton-Fung. Hopkins’ reelection campaign released a statement Sunday, January 28 announcing that his campaign is endorsed by all three Republican members of the Cranston City Council: Councilors Nicole Renzulli, Richard D. Campopiano, and Christopher G. Paplauskas; four members of the Cranston School Committee: Committee Chair and former mayor Michael A. Traficante, Frank J. Ritz Jr., Earl J. “Buddy” Croft III, and Anthony Melillo; and the new chair of Cranston Republican City Committee, John Colasante. Several members of this cohort wrote in further detail of Hopkins’ successes as they saw them. Renzulli cited Hopkins effective leadership through the COVID-19 pandemic. Hopkins assumed office as mayor on January 5, 2020, less than three months before lockdown began. Campopiano wrote of Hopkins’ support of small businesses. Paplauskas wrote of the mayor’s support of his vision for Itri Park in Knightsville. Traficante cited Hopkins’ strong support of Cranston schools during his tenure, as well as his experience and temperament. In the same release, the three city councilmembers and four school committee members co-signed a letter to Fenton-Fung, asking her to reconsider her candidacy for mayor. They wrote “a contentious primary battle will hurt the other Republicans on the ballot.” The release seems to paint leadership in
Republican Cranston as a bloc, however, signs of a schism growing within the party are already appearing. On January 17, then chair of Cranston Republicans Thomas Trudell sent out a press release which read: “Leading the Cranston Republican Party through a tumultuous time has been an honor. With Mayor Hopkins deciding to run for reelection, I have decided to resign my position as Chairman effective immediately. I will be staying active in the City Committee.” Trudell later retracted the release, though his resignation was finalized. While Colasante did not sign the letter to Fenton-Fung, he did affirm his endorsement of the mayor. However, he said a quorum had not been reached as of January 22 and that he could not speak on behalf of the Cranston Republicans City Committee. Following the mayor’s release, FentonFung sent out a short response sharply criticizing the mayor and his tactics. Fenton-Fung writes that Hopkins’ leadership has resulted in humiliation for Cranston Republicans. She claims that Mayor Hopkins drove Councilman Robert Ferri’s party switch from Republican to Democrat in 2022 after what she calls a “petty fight” between the two. She further cites the loss of a seat once held by former republican councilman Matt Reilly as an example of the humiliation to which she claims Hopkins has subjected the party. Reilly, once City Council chair, resigned in May 2023 following his arrest and charge of possession of a controlled substance. The seat was won in a special election by democrat Daniel Wall
you like to do and get paid to do it.” Divorced, Cohen wanted a significant other and “decided to go professional.” She turned to Deborah L’Heureux of the Rhode Island dating service, Get Ready to Date. Coinciden■ tally, Deborah’s husband, PRIMaRY - PAGE 9 Rhody Peter, knew Russell from res Pg. Treasu 11 golfing. Russell, who is also divorced, told Peter of his hopes of finding someone to January 31, 2024 • Volume 69 • Issue 39 share his life. Peter told him Home Improvement ........ 7 & 8 to reach out to his wife. At Your Service .....................12 SINCE Deb and Russell went on Job Market ............................12 Automart ...............................12 1954 a date discovering their Puzzle Page ...........................14 Business Spotlight.................10 common interest in sports. FROM CLASSROOM TO BUSINESS VENTURE: Dr. They started playing pickleReader Ad Form ......................4 Classifieds ...............................4 Debra Cohen, who has had experience in in student ath- ball in 2022. Real Estate ............................12 Entertainment ........................15 lete orientation, is the co-owner of Pickleball Citi. She is “We both fell in love with By RORY SCHULER also an athlete having run four marathons and 20 half the game, did some market A BEACON COMMUNICATIONS PUBLICATION marathons. research find •there was a • www.rireminder.com 5 Coventry Shoppers Park, Coventry, Rhode Islandto02816 (401)821-2216 The prayers worked. By JOHN HOWELL turned to Rhode Island to need for a dedicated indoor Sister Daisy’s still healing found the Ocean State Golf facility in Cranston. We then but she’s back in her St. It makes perfect sense Academy in East Provi- drew up a business plan Rocco School classroom. that romance had a lot to do dence. At the academy golf- and here we are,” Cohen “It’s a miracle,” said the with Pickleball Citi in Cran- ers can work on any aspect writes in an email. nun and second grade ston after meeting Dr. Deboteacher. rah Cohen, who has a docOn Nov. 7, Sister Daisy torate in Educational LeadKollamparampil was seriSINCE 2007 ership and pro-golfer Rusously injured in the Atwood sell Johnson on Saturday, Avenue crosswalk outside Quality Fuel at a LOW Price! Jan. 20. the school. A driver failed to But is there a connection | OceanStateCU.org | 877.397.1900 401.397.1900 stop, rear-ending another between Cohen’s career in driver and pushing that vehigher education at Bristol Federally insured by the NCUA hicle into the crosswalk County College and URI where it struck Sr. Daisy, and Johnson who had sending her to the hospital. dreams of playing major “It is,” agreed St. Rocco league baseball and pickleSchool Principal Regina M. ball that got a toehold Heating/Air Repair • Service • Cleanings Hand. “It really is aConditioning miraamong senior communities cle.” AC, Furnace, Boiler and Oil Tank Installation & Replacement in Florida and is now Sr. Daisy returned to the sweeping the county with Automatic Delivery Available • Heating Assistance Vendor classroom on Jan. 10. players of all ages and being “And everybody’s CALL FOR LOWEST FUEL PRICES! talked about as a potential CO-OWNER: Russell Johnson, founder of the Ocean prayers helped,” she said in State Golf Academy, is the co-owner with Dr. Cohen of Olympic sport? the hallway outside her Pickleball has become the Pickleball Citi . classroom. Her students sat bane of city and town mayShe makes it sound sim- quietly, dressed for Career ors and managers whose of the game with one-onDay. One boy wore a conconstituents demand courts, one instruction and use of ple. Initially, the couple had struction helmet, another or more courts, and nearby technology that analyzes visions of a 12-court facility wore a police uniform, and residents who want no part their swings. He also but when they explored the a third donned a Celtics basof the resounding whack of opened V Golf in East Prov- cost were advised to take ketball jersey. a whiffle ball against a ping- idence, a 4,400 square foot baby steps and grow from Sr. Daisy approached a Choose Ocean Statefacility Creditoffering Unionfour for private dependable services there.financial They listened. About pong shaped wooden racklittle girl who was dressed two can years lateryou Pickleball et. to help you reach your indoor simulator goals. golf Discover howsuites our team assist today! in a sweater; there was an LIC#31 When Johnson realized in 2019. Players bring their Citi was ready to open. By no means are Cohen apple on her desk. his high school dream of own clubs and balls. From the back of the playing baseball wasn’t goHowever, it wasn’t golf or and Johnson the first to room, St. Rocco’s principal POWER OF PRAYER: St. Rocco’s Sister Daisy Kollaming to be a homerun, he pickleball that brought Deb- think of satisfying the de- looked toward her recuper- parampil was seriously injured in the Atwood Avenue mand with indoor courts, crosswalk outside the school on Nov. 7, when a driver discovered golf. He became ra and Russell together. ating teacher. insulated from residential a pro and discovered opporCohen who was winding “She looks great,” Hand failed to stop, rear-ending another driver and pushing that tunity. He loves the game down her career in educa- communities and offering said. “That’s what every- vehicle into the crosswalk. Sr. Daisy was struck and sent and looked for ways to help tion followed the advice she the opportunity to play re- body keeps saying.” to the hospital, but she’s convinced the prayers she reothers improve their game. gives students uncertain of gardless of the weather. InOn the classroom wall ceived from the community helped her recover fast and get After teaching the game in what to do, “always have a back to work teaching second grade. (Herald photos by Arizona and Texas, he re- back up plan…find what ■ PICKLEBaLL - PAGE 9 ■ SR . DaISY - PAGE 9 Rory Schuler)
REMINDER The
the prayers worked
Sister Daisy’s back in class
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The rebuilding East boys basketball team is looking to improve as it hits the home stretch of the regular season.
Cranston Herald Johnston SunRise The Reminder Warwick Beacon Feb. 10, Former Coventry High School Navy JROTC Cadets Pasta Dinner Fundraiser in memory of Lucas Finegan
Students have several for pursuing (Classoptions of 2019) on Feb. 10, from 6endorsed to 11 p.m. at careerthe VFW Post #9404, 29 South Main Street, Coventry. Menu includes chickoriented pathways and and technical programs such as: career ChattER - PAGE 4
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Thursday, February 1, 2024
Sister Daisy’s back in class By RORY SCHULER
The prayers worked. Sister Daisy’s still healing but she’s back in her St. Rocco School classroom. “It’s a miracle,” said the nun and second grade teacher. On Nov. 7, Sister Daisy Kollamparampil was seriously injured in the Atwood Avenue crosswalk outside the school. A driver failed to stop, rear-ending another driver and pushing that vehicle into the crosswalk where it struck Sr. Daisy, sending her to the hospital. “It is,” agreed St. Rocco School Principal Regina M. Hand. “It really is a miracle.” Sr. Daisy returned to the classroom on Jan. 10. “And everybody’s prayers helped,” she said in the hallway outside her classroom. Her students sat quietly, dressed for Career Day. One boy wore a construction helmet, another wore a police uniform, and a third donned a Celtics basketball jersey. Sr. Daisy approached a little girl who was dressed in a sweater; there was an apple on her desk. From the back of the room, St. Rocco’s principal looked toward her recuperating teacher. “She looks great,” Hand said. “That’s what everybody keeps saying.” On the classroom wall hangs a long banner signed by all her students and declaring “Welcome Back Sr. Daisy!” “I’m not 100% healed,” said the nun at the head of the class. “I act like it.” The accident that took Sr. Daisy off the job for two months drew attention to the St. Rocco crosswalk, from the church to the convent parking lot across Atwood Avenue (Route 5), which is a state road. Police pledged increased enforcement in the area. The state Department of Transportation (DOT) prom- WHEN THEY GROW UP: Students in Sister Daisy Kollamparampil’s second grade class were dressed as their ised they would try to expedite the permitting process
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possible future vocations during Career Day on Monday. Sr. Daisy returned to the job on Jan. 10, more than two months after she was seriously injured in the crosswalk outside the school. (Sun Rise photo by Rory Schuler)
Zoning Board flips the switch on solar project She’s starting a revolution in Cranston,
By RORY SCHULER tion. The board stopped fighting Francis last year. They let him talk. A shadow has been cast on Green De“If it goes in their favor, we’re going velopment’s solar project plans in John- to be upset you don’t have a full panel ston. voting,” Francis warned the page board. 5 The opposition was nervous. A rumor “I understand exactly,” Lopardo said. had circulated through the ranks of “There’s no shenanigans being played. Stop Johnston Solar (SJS) that the four- Just give us five minutes please.” month zoning hearing would drag on to The tension was audible. Voices shakFebruary. Many decided not to show up ing. Hands wringing. warwickonline.com Thursday, February 1, 2024 2 s e ctio n s w ith su p p le me n ts 2 4 P a g e s $1.00 Vo l. 7 1 N o . 3 0 for Thursday night’s meeting. People were rankled that the solar Then, early Thursday, Jan. 25, SJS at- project was listed at the end of the torney Matt Landry informed the agenda. They thought they would have group’s members that a vote was likely to sit through three new special use perthat night. mit applications before they had closure “There was an awful lot of scram- on an increasingly emotional issue — SOLAR ECLIPSED: Above, residents gathered for Thursday’s zoning board meetbling that day when we found out the clearing of nearly 160 acres of wooding delivered a standing ovation to the board once it voted to deny Green Developabout the vote that we were told was land to install nearly 50,000 solar panels ment’s application to build a solar farm. Below, after the vote, residents lined up to probably not going to happen,” said ex- off Winsor Avenue on the site of a hisshake the board members’ hands. (Sun Rise photos by Rory Schuler) mayoral candidate Karen Cappelli toric farmstead. Chadwick. “We all called people, sent Some residents feared the fix was in. out messages, put up Facebook posts, That peculiar Johnston fatalism was apand it worked. We were able to get a parent as Chadwick talked to neighbors good crowd.” leading up to Thursday’s climax. By JOHN HOWELL “That afternoon Matt Landry found Shekarchi made it official that he is Meeting To Order out theyJoewere indeed going to vote,” seeking reelection in a statement embarThe atmosphere was tense in the she said. “I have been called ‘Polyanna’ for release todayI which includes a Johnston Senior Center as the crowd and a goed ‘cockeyed optimist.’ felt that we of him on a summer dressed slowly grew. At first, there were plenty had a photo chance. If I had a nickel forday, every shorts walking Conimicut of empty seats. But by the time the ‘I toldinyou so’and since my brief stint inBeach withI his dog, have Merlin . . opening gavel banged, an argument politics, could purchased the In stark contrast to conventional By JOHN HOWELL vehicle coming close to being hit . have been reached and the use of cameras over folding chairs erupted. The room Steere's property and kept it just the anwith use of the candidate’s Col . Bradford Connor sees theresicameras wouldn’t happen until the administration was suddenly full and Johnston way itnouncements is.” full name – K . Joseph Shekarchi – only On average, Warwick police issue be- puts forward a proposal to the City Coungiving the department a tool control dentasPaul Francis was ready to to lock “Joe” is used throughout the release . tween 175 to 220 traffic citations a week for cil and it is voted on . traffic while freeing officers to address horns in combat. ‘Cockeyed Optimist’ affirmed a range of offenses from running a red For members of the media and those “Residents of Warwick will have an op- other issues . He named social services as Zoning Board Chairman Thomas Lomyuseway to phone, the meeting light, failure to wear a seat belt , failing to portunity to provide their thoughts and an area requiring more and more of police“Onwho his cell it should the not be a pardo opened the list meeting. The board and cloudssurprise . partedWhen and he’s a big full tomoon stop for a pedestrian in a cross walk, tex- concerns in public at a city council meetnot able pick up a time . On that are homelessness informed the public they votshowed,” Chadwick “It gave me with call, his phone issaid. answered simply ting while driving, DUI and speeding . Last ing, if the administration requests to have calls relating to drug usehad andfour mental health . enough for skyrocketed,” a quorum he hope. “Joe .” When I got to the Senior Center I week the number exceeded the averages the purchase of these cameras added toing “Since Covid, it has a members, (one said . member was outwe’re sick, and saw a group of folks lookedtouch like may with 239 citations . The abrupt and who time saving “Every hour goinganother to get those future council agenda,” he said in an email . present Thursday was about to but fall.” be offensive to some, it’s reflective of Ever since taking office, Mayor Frank types of calls .” night had missed a the hammer Picozzi said he and members of the pomeeting). Joe’s “let’s get down to business” manPicozzi has talked about stepping up en- lice department visited East Providence, Connor couldn’t say whether the city hisorfeet, has He ner . It’s also folksy . forcement to enhance safety . Now he is ex- which already has the cameras, and have Francis wouldleapt look totobuy lease as the he cameras . ■ SOLAR PAGE 19 most monthly, commanding attenploring the use of traffic cameras to catch talked with Pawtucket and Providence poIt’s no wonder Joe is -one of the is hopeful the city the willrooms receive multiple speeders in school zones and nab those lice who are likewise using the cameras . proposals in response to the solicitation for successful fundraisers on the political running red lights . Last week Picozzi an- Picozzi was amazed by the number of cita- bids . His plan would be for companies intrack . On Jan . 17, soon after the start of the 2024 session of the General Assembly, nounced on Facebook that the city would tions and the fines generated . terested to survey the city to identify the seek bids for traffic cameras . Joe held a fundraiser at the Crowne PlaHe was asked about the revenue . He locations and the numbers of cameras za . Tickets were $200 and an estimated Immediately some constituents were see- didn’t have an amount, adding, “I’m not needed . The cameras that legislatively are 500 attended . As of Sept . 30, 2023 his ing red, others applauded the action and interested in revenue, but people obeying restricted to enforcing speed within school yet others asked why this issue hadn’t the law .” He said he constantly sees motor- zones would be programed with a 10 MPH campaign war chest was $2 .2 million . come before the city council prior to solicit- ists speeding up in an attempt to beat a grace, meaning motorists driving 30 MPH While Joe has been elected Speaker of the House by his colleagues in 2021 and ing bids . stop light, citing a case he witnessed this in a 20 MPH school zone wouldn’t be tickCity Council President Steve McAllister week where two drivers went through the eted . There would also be a few seconds 2023, a post often called the most powerwants constituents to know no decisions light at Airport and Post Roads with one ■ ■ camEras - PAGE 6 shEkarchI - PAGE 6
Click…
‘Joe’ makes reelection bid official
you are going to get a speeding ticket
City takes steps to explore the use of cameras to enforce regulations
Never too late to make friends By JOHN HOWELL Annette loves playing bingo . Evaline can’t stand the game . Annette is hard of hearing . Evaline is partially blind . Annette is 104 . Evaline is 101 . But they are good friends and frequently the first to get up to have breakfast . Annette Letoile and Evaline Richmond didn’t meet each other until they were residents at the Green House Home at Saint Elizabeth's Community in East Greenwich . The Green House is more home than nursing facility with dining room, kitchen, living room and private rooms . Green House homes stand apart from each other . The four houses appear to be single-family homes with attached garages (no, the residents don’t drive) . Each house is home to 12 residents . Their birthdays coincide in January, and the residents of 19 Saint Elizabeth Way celebrated their birthdays Friday with a giant cake . Six candles were lit - one for each digit . Residents joined in chorus and then the women were handed paper plates to wave out the candles in a cloud of smoke and spontaneous applause . Evaline is a storyteller . Off the bat, she cautioned that she has a sense of humor, which she considers the elixir of life . She enjoys making fun, especially of herself . She was born in Providence and grew up in Pawtucket . She married George, a draftsman, in 1946 . They lived in Lincoln and planned on a family, however, Evaline was unable to have children . She thought of adopting, however, George wasn’t keen on that . When the Navy pulled out of Quonset and the Ocean State economy went into a tailspin, George lost his job as a draftsman . He couldn’t find employment . They couldn’t afford health care . Times were tough .
Beacon
COMMUNICATIONS SAVING THEIR BREATH: With the use of paper plates provided by Taniesha Sellers, Annette and Evaline swished out the candles on their cake celebrating a combined 205 years. (Warwick Beacon photos)
frIENDs - PAGE 6
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Fewer quahogs, what’s the catch? Scientists talk about source of nitrogen, water acidification at commission meeting
By BENJAMIN BALINT-KURI
have been offered some relief with periodic openings of the highly productive Providence River beds that have been closed for more than 70 years . The commission heard testimony from Prof . Chris Kincaid of URI Grad School of Oceanography and Dr . Jason Grear of the Environmental Protection Agency about possible sources of nitrogen to the bay and the effects of ocean acidification on quahogs, respectively . The scientists’ testimony introduced new considerations to the debate on the cause of the reduced quahog catch . A popular theory held by many shellfishermen is that a reduction in nitrogen has cut into the plankton that the shellfish fed on . Blame is assigned to Department of Environmental Management efforts in to clean up wastewater outflow to the bay . Nitrogen is a vital food source for the plankton that clams feed on, so fishermen like Mark Johnson believe
a lack of nitrogen in the bay has indirectly led to a lack of food for clams . On the other hand, the DEM and environmentalists say algae blooms arise when the nitrogen load is high . These blooms cause hypoxia, or lack of oxygen, when the large population of algae die and decompose, which can lead to the death of fish, crabs, and other animals . Avoidance of hypoxic events is a major motivation for nitrogen’s removal from wastewater . Prof . Kincaid, though, presented findings that nitrogen intrusion from the bottom of Rhode Island Sound seems to be a larger source of nutrients than from runoff and wastewater treatment facilities . This has possible implications for quahogs and the algae blooms . Commission member and shellfisherman Jim Boyd,
2024 MEDIA KIT “How many digital quahogs do I have to dig a day to make a day’s pay?” asked Mark Johnson, concluding the fifth meeting of the Special Legislative Commission to Study and Provide Recommendations on the Issues Relating to the Reduced Catch of Quahogs in Narragansett Bay Jan . 24 . A commission member, Johnson’s reference to “digital quahogs” was to data included in studies and not the bivalves he’s harvested since he was a boy . Created with passage of legislation last June introduced by Senator Mark McKenney and Representatives Joseph Solomon and David Bennett, the commission aims to find out why, after its peak in the 1980s, the bay quahog catch has dramatically dropped by more than 50% of its previous level, severely impacting the industry . Shellfishermen
Advertising Buyers Guide - INDEX -
Classified . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Editorial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Obituaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Police Log . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Rhody Life . . . . . . . . . . . 13-19 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20-24
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Hawks swim past EaglEs
The Hendricken swim team cruised past defending champ Barrington last week to remain in first place as the regular season winds down. See recap on page 20. Pictured is Aidan Curry.
quahogs - PAGE 7
notable
Quote
“Perseverance and persistence… you’ve got to have a thick skin .”
- RI Association of Realtors president Sally Hersey speaking what home buyers need in today’s market. Page 3
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