Politics & Policies
Cranston Turns Out The Lights
In a belt-tightening exercise, the city of Cranston will be turning off every third streetlight starting in June. The dimming of roughly 3,300 lights could save the city almost a quarter of a million dollars a year.
The lights along city streets would be shut off in hopes of re-lighting them in better economic times. The lights along state streets, such as Reservoir Avenue, will be permanently darkened.
I wouldn’t mind being able to see the stars 33% better than normal. I’ll volunteer the streetlight outside my window for the program – it buzzes like yellow daylight and obscures the view of the moon. House sparrows did an excellent job of dimming it by stuffing it with twigs and garbage. Unfortunately they were evicted last year.
The streetlight plan matches the city’s policy of filling every third pothole.
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Monday April 18, 2011
Cranston: Kate Middleton's Dress Designer
As reported in Vogue, Elle UK, The Telegraph and dozens of other news sites and blogs, Cranston was recently selected as Kate Middleton’s wedding gown designer. A city of 80,000 people located just south of Providence, Rhode Island, Cranston has long been known for its printed fabrics industry, making it a... more
Tuesday November 30, 2010
Heed The Stop Sign Herd
The news of Cranston’s undocumented stop signs found a wider audience today. To the relief of local street sign paperwork investigators, RIDOT has claimed responsibility for about a third of the signs. The other 400 stop signs remain somewhat of a mystery. However, a Federal Highway Administration official assured Cranston... more
Monday November 1, 2010
All Things Votey
The Office of the Secretary of State maintains a website where you can find your polling place, registration information, and your sample ballot. It’s time to pick up that squeeky, dry black pen, make some tough choices, and shove it back into place. From the Office: To avoid delays on Nov.... more
Wednesday October 20, 2010
Palumbo and Jacquard Fare Poorly On Environmental Report Card
State representatives Peter Palumbo and Robert Jacquard slacked on environmental issues, according to a report card from the Environment Council of Rhode Island. The Council, a collection of diverse environmental groups including Save the Bay and the Sierra Club, issued their 2010 Green Report Cards for the General Assembly. Grades... more
Tuesday September 21, 2010
The Amazing Trash Race
The Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation recently issued cash rebates to 36 Rhode Island cities and towns based on their recycling rates. Of the total $681,014, Cranston received $59,492. In spite of the No Bin No Barrel policy enacted a year ago, Cranston’s recycling rate has increased by less than... more