Providence Journal (Providence, RI) articles from August 2003

Providence Journal (Providence, RI) archives from August 2003

Rhode Island Legislative Proposal Would Crack Down on Used Auto-Parts Dealers.
August 1, 2003... Byline: Rob Margetta Aug. 1--State Rep. Philip Travis, D-Rehoboth, has taken up the cause of automobile recyclers by submitting a legislative proposal that would allow only those with Class 3 auto dealing licenses to sell secondhand parts....

Providence, R.I., Cafe Addresses Problems.
August 1, 2003... Byline: Karen A. Davis Aug. 1--PROVIDENCE, R.I.--A co-owner of the Breakpoint Cafe told the city Board of Licenses that club owners took definite steps to deter underage drinking, discourage illegal parking and control the crowd at the...

Rhode Island Leaders Chart New Economic Development Course.
August 1, 2003... Byline: Andrea L. Stape Aug. 1--With Captain Carcieri at the helm, the Rhode Island Commodores are sailing in a new direction in their quest to improve the state's economy. The Commodores, a group of 300 business and civic leaders from...

Navy Heads on Course to Privatize Its Providence, R.I.-Area Island Housing.
August 1, 2003... Byline: Richard Salit Aug. 1--A wave of changes will soon wash over the Navy's 1,400 housing units on Aquidneck Island as the U.S. military moves to privatize all of its housing. Locally, the transformation will kick-off a three-year...

Aftermath of 1996 Oil Spill Traps Portsmouth, R.I.-Area Lobstermen.
August 1, 2003... Byline: Shahien Nasiripour Aug. 1--PORTSMOUTH, R.I.--Shedding his Capitol Hill blazer, U.S. Rep. Patrick J. Kennedy rolled up his sleeves yesterday to catch lobsters in Narragansett Bay. Surrounded by members of the news media and the...

Overseas Sales Boost West Kingston, R.I.-Based American Power Conversion.
August 1, 2003... Byline: Andrea L. Stape Aug. 1--Boosted by its highest sales growth rate in two years, American Power Conversion Corp. ended its second quarter with $33.1 million in earnings, up 10 percent from $30 million in the first three months. ...

Heated Arguments Expected over Smithfield, R.I., Zoning Issues.
August 1, 2003... Byline: Thomas J. Morgan Aug. 1--SMITHFIELD, R.I.--Citing the late hour, the Zoning Board of Review early yesterday halted a public hearing on a controversial "affordable housing" proposal on Douglas Pike and deferred the balance of...

Johnston, R.I., Mayor Fires Part-Time Workers at Park.
August 1, 2003

Verizon Workers Sit Poised to Strike.
August 2, 2003... Byline: Timothy C. Barmann Aug. 2--Negotiations between telephone provider Verizon and its two major unions appear to be going down to the wire, with contracts set to expire at midnight tonight. While the unions and the company say...

Providence Journal, R.I., Speakers' Table.
August 3, 2003... Aug. 3--MONDAY: Providence Rotary Club will meet at 12:15 p.m. at the Marriott Hotel, Charles and Orms Streets. Speaker: Jeanine Savoie, Partership Co-ordinator, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts. Cost: $13. For information, call 782-0926. TUESDAY...

Providence Journal, R.I., Business Notes Column.
August 3, 2003

Providence Journal, R.I., John Kostrzewa Column.
August 3, 2003... Byline: John Kostrzewa Aug. 3--Tom Rath put on a gray flannel suit for his job interview at United Broadcasting Corp. It was the uniform of corporate America in 1953. Back then, young men suited up to make money and climb the ranks....

Providence Journal, R.I., MoneyLine Column.
August 3, 2003... Byline: Neil Downing Aug. 3--QUESTION: I was told that if the combination of a pension, Social Security, and income from a part-time job... is higher than a certain amount,... your Social Security could be subjected to taxes... I'm...

Save It, Don't Spend It, Say Experts Asked about Tax Rebate.
August 3, 2003... Byline: Neil Downing Aug. 3--PROVIDENCE, R.I.--As President Bush and key members of his administration fan out across the country to talk about the benefits of the new tax law, many families face an important decision -- what to do with...

Bentley Lovers Follow Passion to Newport, R.I., Vintage-Car Auction.
August 3, 2003... Byline: Tom Mooney Aug. 3--NEWPORT, R.I.--Many cars that end up at auctions already have one wheel in the scrap heap. They've popped their last tire rod, burned out a final set of brakes. All that prevents a swing into the junkman's...

Rhode Island Probes Whether Contractor Had Workers' Compensation Insurance.
August 4, 2003... Byline: Meaghan Wims Aug. 4--The state is investigating whether the construction company that employed the two men killed last week in an on-the-job electrocution accident carries workers' compensation insurance. The Department of...

Town, Developer Settle Dispute over Providence, R.I.-Area Farm.
August 4, 2003... Byline: Meaghan Wims Aug. 4--COVENTRY, R.I.--The town has settled a two-year-old dispute with Omni Development Corp., primarily over impact fees, allowing the Providence developer to pursue planned housing construction on the former...

Providence, R.I.-Area Hospital to Hire Consultant in Bid to Cut Costs.
August 4, 2003... Byline: Jennifer D. Jordan Aug. 4--Facing a widening financial gap, Westerly Hospital has announced it will hire a consultant this month for up to $40,000 to analyze hospital operations and make suggestions for cutting costs. The move...

Providence Journal, R.I., MoneyLine Column.
August 4, 2003... Byline: Neil Downing Aug. 4--QUESTION: Regarding transfer-on-death procedures: I have a very old one here, it goes back to 2000. It's not very clear who would get the dividends when money is transferred, and I would appreciate help with...

Two Park Workers Fired by Johnston, R.I., Mayor Get Jobs Back.
August 4, 2003... Byline: Katherine Boas Aug. 4--JOHNSTON, R.I.--Two workers who were fired last week were reinstated on Friday, when the mayor and the recreation director agreed that their dismissals were unwarranted. Both are paid from the activities...

Recycling Firm Plans Move to Providence, R.I., Area.
August 4, 2003... Byline: Elizabeth Gudrais Aug. 4--Fortune Metals Inc., a recycler of nonferrous metals, plastics and electronics now based in East Providence, plans to transfer its New England headquarters to Lincoln. It will consolidate its Rhode...

Hopkinton, R.I., Residents Opt for Mixed Uses off Interstate Exit.
August 4, 2003... Byline: Katie Mulvaney Aug. 4--HOPKINTON, R.I.--A mix of houses and businesses in a village setting will greet travelers passing through the state's southern gateway at Exit 1, off Interstate 95. It's that vision residents and town leaders...

Drilling Company to Conduct Well Tests in Pascoag, R.I.
August 4, 2003... Byline: Kate Bramson Aug. 4--Pascoag ratepayers should know by today or tomorrow whether a potential new well off George Eddy Road is viable. The new drilling company, A&W Artesian Well Co., of North Smithfield, planned to drill down...

Providence, R.I.-Area Town May Act on Zoning Change for Coastal Development.
August 4, 2003... Byline: Adam C. Holland Aug. 4--A zoning amendment that could have a significant impact on coastal development will go before the Town Council tonight for a final vote. The amendment would authorize the Zoning Board to grant...

Lawyer Set to Take Up Fall River, Mass., Adult-Zone Suit.
August 4, 2003

Narragansett, R.I., Council Approves Amended Zoning for Coastal Development.
August 5, 2003... Byline: Adam C. Holland Aug. 5--NARRAGANSETT, R.I.--By changing one key word, the Town Council last night approved an amended zoning ordinance that allows property owners to seek both special-use permits and dimensional variances whether...

Chairman of Lottery Operator GTECH Holdings Corp. Exits As Planned.
August 5, 2003... Byline: Andrea L. Stape Aug. 5--WEST GREENWICH, R.I.--Emmett Paige Jr., GTECH Holdings Corp.'s chairman, resigned yesterday at the company's annual shareholder's meeting -- less than a year after taking the position. Paige, 72, is a...

Lower Federal Budgets for Housing Hit Providence, R.I.-Area Towns.
August 5, 2003... Byline: Jennifer D. Jordan Aug. 5--A tight federal housing budget is causing headaches in South County. The $13.9 million coming to the state from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for capital projects means a...

Woonsocket, R.I., Ends Self-Insurance Gamble, Buys Coverage.
August 5, 2003... Byline: David McFadden Aug. 5--WOONSOCKET, R.I.--After determining that it would have only a negligible impact on the budget, the city has contracted insurance coverage for the two sensitive types of liability it has self-insured for its...

Providence, R.I.-Area Town Seeks Additional School-Construction Plans.
August 5, 2003... Byline: Katie Mulvaney Aug. 5--The Chariho Regional Building Committee has not even begun its work, but Charlestown is already asking the panel to devise two construction plans for the embattled school district. Charlestown has...

North Kingstown, R.I., Pharmacy Seeks Zoning Variance for Specialty Signage.
August 5, 2003... Byline: Erin Emlock Aug. 5--NORTH KINGSTOWN, R.I.--The renovations on the Brooks Pharmacy in Wickford Village are just about complete, except for one thing: signs. Now, for the second time, the company is requesting that the Zoning...

Mediator to Aid Contract Talks with North Kingstown, R.I., Teachers.
August 5, 2003... Byline: Erin Emlock Aug. 5--NORTH KINGSTOWN, R.I.--School officials and the teachers' association have less than a month to come to an agreement before school opens and the current teachers' contract expires. But both sides say they...

Warwick, R.I., Debuts New Trash-Pickup System.
August 5, 2003... Byline: Daniel Barbarisi Aug. 5--WARWICK, R.I.--For a garbage man, this is the life. John Cole twists the joystick as if he's playing a video game, and the giant claw responds, clamping onto a garbage container, yanking it upwards, and...

Verizon Is 'Hopeful' As Talks with Unions Continue.
August 5, 2003... Byline: Timothy C. Barmann Aug. 5--Verizon Communications and its two main labor unions continued their negotiations on a new contract yesterday, though neither side would predict when a deal might be reached. The International...

Developer Cancels Meeting, Providence, R.I.-Area Residents Report.
August 5, 2003

Rhode Island More Prepared to Handle Terrorism, Disasters, Officials Say.
August 6, 2003... Byline: Bruce Landis Aug. 6--With sharply increasing amounts of federal money, the state is making major improvements in its readiness for terrorist attacks, emergency planners say. Those improvements also make the state more ready for...

Improved Profit Report Puts Citizens Financial in Acquisition Mode.
August 6, 2003... Byline: David McPherson Aug. 6--The head of citizens financial group said he expects to be buying more banks, thanks to results announced yesterday that show Citizens is growing existing businesses as well as acquiring new ones. "These...

Book on Former Providence, R.I., Mayor Selling Well across State.
August 6, 2003... Byline: Jennifer Levitz Aug. 6--He was convicted of crafting dark plots, but former Mayor Vincent A. Cianci Jr. has probably never been compared with a wizard. It happened yesterday when The Prince of Providence, a new book about the...

Southwest Union Pickets Providence, R.I., Airport.
August 6, 2003... Byline: Timothy C. Barmann Aug. 6--WARWICK, R.I.--It was a union protest, but at times it looked more like cheerleading practice. At T.F. Green Airport yesterday, about a dozen flight attendants for Southwest Airlines carried picket...

German Firm to Close Providence, R.I., Technology Office.
August 6, 2003... Byline: Lynn Arditi Aug. 6--A local subsidiary of the giant Fraunhofer Institute for Computer Graphics in Germany said yesterday that it is closing its Providence offices at the end of next month, citing difficulties attracting financing...

Providence Journal, R.I., Business Briefs Column.
August 6, 2003

Verizon, Union Negotiators Appear Close to Reaching New Agreement.
August 6, 2003

West Warwick, R.I., Zoning Board Rejects Health Clinic's Proposed Site.
August 7, 2003... Byline: Zachary R. Mider Aug. 7--WEST WARWICK, R.I.--The Zoning Board of Review has quashed a plan to open a federally subsidized health clinic on town land near the middle and high schools, a resource that school officials had been...

Developers Get New Try at Pawtucket, R.I., Hotel Project.
August 7, 2003... Byline: John Castellucci Aug. 7--PAWTUCKET, R.I.--The politically connected developers who tried but failed to build a hotel on city-owned property overlooking the Seekonk River have been given a second chance. The City Council voted 8...

Two Developers Seek Zoning Waivers for North Kingstown, R.I., Housing Projects.
August 7, 2003... Byline: Erin Emlock Aug. 7--NORTH KINGSTOWN, R.I.--Two developers are seeking zoning waivers under the state's affordable housing law that would allow them to build a total of 109 condominiums and 22 apartments in two locations off Post...

Central Falls, R.I., Lighting Plant Lets Go 100 Workers.
August 7, 2003... Byline: David McFadden Aug. 7--CENTRAL FALLS, R.I.--The city's Osram Sylvania plant laid off approximately 100 workers this weekend as part of an ongoing downsizing that was first announced by the glassmaking company last year. Mike...

Seekonk, R.I., Liquor Store Owner Staves off Competition.
August 7, 2003... Byline: Michael P. McKinney Aug. 7--SEEKONK, R.I.--Attempts to open two wine stores on Route 6 ran out of juice last night. Seekonk Liquors owner Chris Gasbarro, whose store would face competition from the businesses, led the opposition by...

Westerly, R.I.-Area Town Hits Sour Note with Business Owners on Outdoor Music.
August 7, 2003... Byline: Megan Matteucci Aug. 7--WESTERLY, R.I.--Misquamicut business owners are accusing the Town Council of being hypocritical after it rejected a plan to extend hours of operation for outdoor music. The town ordinance limits outdoor...

Pawtucket, R.I., Questions Tax Break for Condos.
August 8, 2003... Byline: John Castellucci Aug. 8--PAWTUCKET, R.I.--The City Council is balking at giving a tax break to a multimillion-dollar condominium project backed by economic development officials and Mayor James E. Doyle. At the council meeting...

British Parent of Providence, R.I.-Area Greyhound Track Enjoys Strong Half.
August 8, 2003... Byline: Timothy C. Barmann Aug. 8--The British company that owns Lincoln Park greyhound track said yesterday the performance of its U.S. gaming division was strong for the first six months of this year, largely because of its video-lottery...

Developer Says Seekonk, Mass., Officials Ignored Offer to Build Senior Center.
August 8, 2003... Byline: Michael P. McKinney Aug. 8--SEEKONK, Mass.--Developer H. Charles Tapalian said yesterday that he offered to build a town senior center as part of a proposed luxury condominium project, but key town officials refused even to listen...

Providence, R.I.-Area High School Chooses Architect for Update, Expansion.
August 8, 2003... Byline: Randal Edgar Aug. 8--The plan to expand Cumberland High School and make it a flagship that attracts and retains top students suffered a setback this year when money the town was counting on fell through. But the people closest...

Financial Backing Likely to Hold Key to Providence, R.I.-Area Sewer Line.
August 8, 2003... Byline: Meaghan Wims Aug. 8--A few conditions must still be met, but Amgen's sewer line will probably be built through Coventry, after all. Officials from Coventry, West Warwick, Amgen and the state Economic Development Corporation met...

Smithfield, R.I., Approves Expansions at Zoning Board Meeting.
August 8, 2003... Byline: Thomas J. Morgan Aug. 8--SMITHFIELD, R.I.--Two items stood out on the agenda of the Zoning Board of Review on Wednesday evening. One was a petition from Alberto J. LaGreca Jr. LaGreca is president of the Town Council. He is...

Land Fund to Cover Larger Share of Somerset, Mass.-Area Purchase.
August 8, 2003

Marine Construction Firm Battle Rhode Island to Stay at Development Site.
August 11, 2003... Byline: Andrea L. Stape Aug. 11--Roxanne Melchiori kept her voice steady, so it cut easily through the sounds of banging hammers and whining electric saws filling her company's hot, aging office trailer. But her perfectly pitched voice...

Some Development May Still Be Possible for Middletown, R.I.-Area Property.
August 12, 2003... Byline: Jenny Holland Aug. 12--MIDDLETOWN, R.I.--Town officials are hoping to avoid commercial development on any part of the Kempenaar Valley, the 50-acre property off East Main Road that they are in the process of buying. When the...

Rhode Island Gambling Site Ower Seeks Referendum on Video Lottery Terminals.
August 12, 2003... Byline: Liz Anderson Aug. 12--The parent company of Lincoln Park is fighting to bring the same profitable mix of slot machines and racing it enjoys in Rhode Island to four racetracks it owns in Colorado. Wembley PLC is pushing a...

Voters in Providence, R.I.-Area Town Voice Hopes for Utility Land.
August 12, 2003... Byline: C. Eugene Emery Jr. Aug. 12--In a 25-minute Town Meeting, voters last night unanimously approved a $7-million proposal to buy 120 acres of land at Brayton Point Road and Route 103. The decision came after the chairwoman of the...

Providence, R.I.-Area Mobile-Home Parks' Potential Buyer Vows Stability.
August 12, 2003... Byline: Meaghan Wims Aug. 12--Real-estate investor Walter F. Martin II says the residents of Ramblewood Estates and Mapleroot Village mobile home parks have nothing to worry about if he buys the parks: He says he'll keep the parks as is...

Providence Journal, R.I., Business Briefs Column.
August 12, 2003

Rhode Island Shellfishermen Dig Their New Clam Farms.
August 13, 2003... Byline: Daniel Barbarisi Aug. 13--WARWICK, R.I.--A million baby quahogs are growing under your feet. Right now, you can pick up hundreds in your hand, each one smaller than a pencil tip, all crammed into silos under the dock at the...

Rhode Island Eligibility for Seniors' Drug Aid Changes.
August 13, 2003... Byline: Liz Anderson Aug. 13--PROVIDENCE, R.I.--Looking for help with prescription drug costs? If you're either among a certain type of Blue Cross customer; are disabled and 55 and older, or simply clutching a manufacturer's coupon,...

Providence, R.I., Biltmore Hotel's Upgrade Includes New Tenants.
August 13, 2003... Byline: Andrea L. Stape Aug. 13--PROVIDENCE, R.I.--Ring the bellhop, a few stars are checking into the Providence Biltmore. The hotel plans to announce today that a McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurant, a Paul Mitchell day spa and...

Providence Journal, R.I., Business Briefs Column.
August 13, 2003

Marshalls to Open MegaStore at Narragansett, R.I., Shopping Center.
August 13, 2003

Rhode Island Awaits Medicaid News.
August 13, 2003

Banks Now Reach Out to Women Business Owners.
August 14, 2003... Byline: Andrea L. Stape Aug. 14--NORTH KINGSTOWN, R.I.--In Kristin King Iden's own words, "it's not been a smooth go of it." And that's putting it mildly. Three years ago, Iden and a business partner decided to start their own...

Providence Journal, R.I., Business Briefs Column.
August 14, 2003

Affordable Housing Serves Special Need in Warren, R.I.
August 15, 2003... Byline: Jessica Ullian Aug. 15--WARREN, R.I.--When Daniel Kubas-Meyer, the executive director of Riverwood Mental Health Services, began looking for a place to build affordable housing for people with mental retardation, he had one...

New Home Building Declines across Most of South County, R.I.
August 15, 2003... Byline: Paul Davis Aug. 15--Hurt by a shaky economy, fewer home lots and high town fees, new-home construction in South County slowed in the first half of the year, experts said yesterday. Following a statewide trend, the number of...

Hotel Proposal Aims to Rejuvenate Providence, R.I., Area.
August 15, 2003... Byline: Gregory Smith Aug. 15--PROVIDENCE, R.I.--A delicious dinner in elegant surroundings and then a comfortable bed in a tastefully furnished, eclectic hotel room. That's the winning combination that entrepreneur Stanley Weiss and...

3,200-Job Gain in Rhode Island Means Better Economic Outlook.
August 15, 2003... Byline: Lynn Arditi Aug. 15--Rhode Island added 3,200 jobs in July, marking the biggest monthly gain so far this year, and the unemployment rate ticked down one-tenth of a percentage point to 5.6 percent, a government report released today...

Charlestown, R.I., Buys Development Rights to 29 Acres.
August 15, 2003... Byline: Katie Mulvaney Aug. 15--CHARLESTOWN, R.I.--Almost 29 acres of forest and meadows off Biscuit City Road will remain untouched under an agreement between the town, the South County Conservancy and the land's owner. The Town...

Scituate, Mass., Scuttles Tavern Plan.
August 15, 2003... Byline: Neil Shea Aug. 15-- SCITUATE, Mass.--The Town Council voted last night not to increase the number of liquor licenses in town, essentially derailing a local restaurateur's plan to open a tavern on Hartford Pike. The decision...

Lincoln, R.I., Residents, Plant Owner at Odds over Wood-Grinding Business.
August 15, 2003... Byline: Shelley K. Wong Aug. 15--LINCOLN, R.I.--Mary Comstock just wants to reside quietly on Pond Road. Carlos DaSilva just wants to make a living. So what is all the noise about? Even with her porch door closed, Comstock can...

Providence Journal, R.I., Business Briefs Column.
August 15, 2003

Providence, R.I., Technology Start-Up Gets Grant of Nearly $750,000.
August 15, 2003

Exeter, R.I., Immigrant Business Owner Faces Deportation Order.
August 16, 2003... Byline: Paul Davis Aug. 16--EXETER, R.I.--Facing deportation, Faraj "Frank" Boutros yesterday did what he's done for 20 years. He made pizza. "That's what I am," shrugged the 49-year-old cook. Immigration officers had ordered...

GTECH Uses Backup Generators to Keep Lottery System Running through Blackout.
August 16, 2003... Byline: Andrea L. Stape Aug. 16--If someone you know bought a lottery ticket in Ohio, Michigan or New York in the seconds before the power went out Thursday, don't worry. That ticket is valid, and could still win a zillion dollars. ...

Interest peaks in American Power Conversion's Backup Tools.
August 16, 2003

Newport, R.I., Golf Club Goes into Receivership after Falling behind on Loan.
August 17, 2003... Byline: Jenny Holland Aug. 17--MIDDLETOWN, R.I.--The Newport National Golf Club went into receivership last week after its investor, Realty Financial, petitioned the Providence Superior Court because of a series of problems with the...

Seekonk, R.I., Home Depot to Move from Old to New Store Next Door.
August 17, 2003... Byline: Lisa Biank Fasig Aug. 17--When it comes to expanding in the retail business, it may pay more to break ground at the neighbor's place than to add on to your own. Such is the case at Home Depot, which is in the process of...

Providence Journal, R.I., MoneyLine Column.
August 17, 2003... Byline: Neil Downing Aug. 17--As President Bush and key members of his administration fan out across the country to talk about the benefits of the new tax law, many families face an important decision -- what to do with the federal...