A collection of news stories about, by, and for The Coalition

PictureHost Pat Ford
Talk Radio is Alive and Well in RI
"Talk Radio remains the only avenue for the citizenry to connect with an increasingly remote Government. A Government made more insular with the assistance of a complicit national and local media, who have been willing to trade access and political favors for silence. Witness the revolving door between established media players and Rhode Island State and Municipal Government as long time “journalists” have become highly compensated mouthpieces for the very people they used to cover." Read More>>
Providence Stadium Deal Opponents Pressure 195 Commission into Open Meeting
"We're happy to see that the I-195 Commission has decided to have this meeting in a transparent fashion. Many opponents called public officials, Including the Commission today, to request just that," said Dave Fisher, co-host of The Coalition radio. "We're encouraged that the voice of the public is being heard on this issue."
On Friday, The Coalition's Pat Ford commented on the opposition to the current stadium deal. 
"We reiterate our call for the elimination of taxpayer sponsored deals that benefit crony corporatist at the expense of everyday Rhode Islanders," said Ford. Read More>>

Two RI Public Officials Post Hate Speech – Is There Any Repercussion?
"I think the standard has to change when you're a public official," said Fisher.  "I'm on the radio, I make my living on the First Amendment, and I understand the ramifications.  But as an elected official, if you're posting an anti-Islamic post, how can you be impartial?  What if the Muslim community came to the zoning board and said they wanted to build a mosque in Woonsocket? He's posted online calling for reverse jihad." Read More>>
Woonsocket risks losing first-rate jobs incubator
One might think that after the complete bungling of the deal that would have brought Ardent Manufacturing to Woonsocket, city leadership would learn its lesson. Unfortunately, the egos, ideologies and personal agendas that drive Woonsocket are on the verge of forfeiting an even bigger economic development opportunity, an opportunity that would not only create jobs but businesses as well. Read More>>
 PictureCo-host Dave Fisher
Mattiello: Transparent in All the Wrong Ways
"I, for one, never questioned Mattiello's commitment to government transparency. Bluntly, he has none.

What is transparent about Mr. Mattiello, however, is his clear disdain for the will of the people of this state, a complete disconnection from the financial realities faced by the vast majority of Rhode Islanders, and commitment to the shady "that's the way we've always done it" deals that invariably soak the taxpayer." Read More>>
Progressives, conservatives unite to fight downtown ballpark
"This event was put together by Coalition Radio’s Pat Ford and David Fisher, with help from Lauren Niedel of the Progressive Democrats. Ford acted as emcee for the event, in which 13 speakers and one poet spoke to a crowd of about 80 people. Inside the RICC offices, more than 100 more people attended the meeting where Skeffington and other PawSox owners revealed that they were amenable to negotiating a better deal." Read More>>
PawSox owners pitch a Providence ballpark to I-195 Commission
Before the start of the meeting, a coalition of political groups ranging from the Green Party of Rhode Island to The Tea Party expressed opposition to constructing a taxpayer funded ballpark.
“[The proposal] represents an entire group of people who have made a living leaching off the state of Rhode Island,” said ballpark opponent Pat Ford of Cumberland.
“Whether it be the convention center, the mall, on and on, they used state subsidies to do it, state contracts, state connections. Enough,” said Ford. Read More>>

TGIF: 20 Things to Know About Rhode Island Politics & Media
If Mattiello thinks few people want to see the PawSox leave Rhode Island, he missed Valley Breeze publisher Tom Ward's sharply unsentimental farewell-in-advance to the team, entitled, "PawSox died with [Ben] Mondor; it's time for us to move on."  Ward joins an amalgam of opponents that includes the Rhode Island Republican Party, the Progressive Democrats of Rhode Island, Coalition Radio, Occupy Providence and a smattering of state lawmakers. Read More>>
Resident takes issue with 'treasonous' posts by Woonsocket Zoning Board member
"Fisher said he believes the posts are particularly inappropriate from someone who serves on a public board, and questioned if Fagnant's opinions would influence his decision if a Muslim family came before zoning.
"If that's the kind of reason we can expect from him there's no place for him in government," Fisher said." Read More>>