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Jack’s Angle: New Urgency – John J. “Jack” Partridge
by John J. “Jack” Partridge, contributing writer, commentary
Recent announcements from the RI Department of Transportation (RIDOT) require thinking through bridge financing with new urgency.
The state has said that in view of a pending $400M budget deficit it can no longer provide additional funding for Providence schools, and now it has to deal with expensive repairs to the east lane side of the Washington Bridge, and more funding of demolition – as well as months more in delays.
We still do not have an announced plan to fund the state’s share of the costs of the new bridge. Or if there is one, the McKee Administration is keeping it under wraps. Why? And why does the image of Nero playing the fiddle as Rome burns keep popping into my mind?
The steps are clear. First, go back to the feds – particularly Gina Raimondo – for more (Massachusetts just got awarded another $200M more to straighten out the Allston traffic snarls into Boston on the Turnpike and $220M to replace the Sagamore Bridge to Cape Cod).
Meanwhile, we should be coming up with a plan for Rhode Island’s share of the remaining cost and unfunded liability, formerly guess-estimated at $400M. We don’t need to know the exact number, but we do have to know the source or sources. NO pie in the sky litigation awards, please.
How much long term bonding can we realistically afford, after just approving hundreds of millions for education construction and housing? Sources could include higher fees for vehicle registrations? Tolls? What are our options, Governor? Priorities?
The East Bay is suffering. And we must look for solutions in a non-political and pragmatic way. And right now, we need discussions as to how to proceed with an engaged leadership and better communications from the Governor’s Office.
We cannot diddle (or fiddle) any longer. The public and taxpayers deserve better.
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To read more columns by Jack Partridge, go to: https://rinewstoday.com/our-team/john-j-jack-partridge/
John J. ‘Jack’ Partridge, is a retired lawyer and Senior Counsel to the firm of Partridge Snow & Hahn LLP, with four offices in Rhode Island and Massachusetts.A Pawtucket native, Jack graduated from St. Raphael Academy and summa cum laude of Providence College, where he majored in history. After Harvard Law School, he served in the United States Army in Vietnam, where he was awarded the Joint Service Commendation Medal. In 1967, he joined the firm of Tillinghast Collins & Tanner. In 1988, he became a founding partner of Partridge Snow & Hahn LLP.
Jack has been engaged in many civic, political, governmental, and business organizations, serving as legal counsel to the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce for 27 years and was chairman of the Old Slater Mill Association, Common Cause Rhode Island, and Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island.
He is the co-founder of The Pawtucket Foundation and an officer and director of innumerable not-for-profit entities. He served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Pawtucket Boys & Girls Club and was Treasurer of the Ocean State Charities Trust.
Jack has a long history of leadership involvement with Providence College, which recognized him in 1999 with the Providence College Alumni Association Recognition Award for Public and Community Service, and in 2011, with an honorary Doctor of Laws degree.
He is married to the former Regina McDonald and has three children: Sarah, Gregory and David.
There is so very much more that we haven’t been told but a few teasers that have piqued our imagination. It has been reported that certain named (but unnamed here) politicians have received political contributions of 4 to 5 figure amounts from contractors. The state says it is investigating the entire bridge malfeasance but only dribs and drabs of speculative news seems to be forthcoming. Since Federal funds may have been mismanaged, federal investigators say they are also investigating. In this state, where cold hard cash buys influence, one must speculate if anything being investigated will eventually see the light of day. In all reality, have some of our current political leaders benefited from some form of pay to play gratitude from successful bids of contractors and, without question, have some former well-placed political leaders now working out of DC offices and elsewhere, equally under investigation for potential wrong-doing. But what seems a near certainty, there is a coordinated effort under way to shield those who might be participants in somewhat shady dealings, if not completely illegal activities, from potential indictments. Who is being protected and from what?
We must have Director Alviti shown the door, exit stage left onto Smith St.
He has consistently been a Union advocate and this entire Bridge closure & demotion, new bridge has been slower than slow.
He should have all 215 Rhode work signs dropped off at his home
The Governor must relieve him and install a new,smarter , younger Engineer to operate RIDOT.
No More GARVEE GRANTS!