Mayor David Cicilline

     It isn't very often that I side with Providence Mayor David Cicilline, but I have trouble finding any problems with his handling of the city's " no bin, no barrel " program.  In case you haven't heard, Providence residents are required to place a blue and green recycling bin next to their city-issued barrel.  If they don't, their trash won't be picked up.  As was expected, many people didn't recycle and their trash was left on the street.      Since this strict enforcement began last week, there have been those who have criticized the city for failing to notify them.  Unfortunately, this is ... Read Full Story

The mayor of Providence wants to slap a $150-per-semester tax on the 25,000 full-time students at Brown University and three other private colleges in the city, saying they use resources and should help ease the burden on struggling taxpayers. Mayor David Cicilline (sis-ah-LEEN-ee) said the fee would raise between $6 million and $8 million a year for the city, which is facing a $17 million deficit. If enacted, it would apparently be the first time a U.S. city has directly taxed students just for being enrolled. The proposal is still in its early stages. But it has riled some students, who say it would ... Read Full Story

Providence Mayor David Cicilline (sis-uh-LEE'-nee) is accusing the city firefighters union of disrupting a national mayors conference this week. Vice President Joe Biden and other members of the Obama administration said last week they would skip the conference to avoid crossing a picket line. The union said it would remain silent during the conference if Cicilline agreed not to attend a luncheon with Biden. He accused the union Monday of "extortion tactics" and says he can't imagine not taking part in a conference his city is hosting. The conference starts Friday and runs through Monday. The mayor says his latest contract proposal is reasonable ... Read Full Story

     Each morning, I ride down Harris Ave in Providence on my way to work, and each morning I see approximately 25 trailers loaded with steel lining almost the entire street.  The trailers are owned by Capco Steel, which is located on Acorn St.  Recently, ABC 6 did a story on the 25 or so trailers lining the street, and they were moved soon after.  This made me think.  Why did it take a complaint to a TV station to get something done?  If people complained to ABC 6, then they probably also called the Providence Police to complain.  If this did happen, why ... Read Full Story

     In an attempt to make it look like he is doing something to improve the City of Providence, mayor David Cicilline has formed a group to explore drafting a city ordinance aimed at curtailing indoor prostitution, which is legal in Rhode Island.  Of course, the entire idea seems to be questionable.  City Councilman John Lomardi questions the ability of the city to address indoor prostitution by ordinance, stating that state laws supersede city ordinances.  I'm not a lawyer, but that fact seems rather basic and commonly accepted to me.  David Cicilline should also recognize this, but of course, why miss out on a ... Read Full Story