Dan Hartman

Today in Rhode Island, we have a primary election for US Senate, House, and for the Rhode Island General Assembly. Big surprise when I found out that my poling place had been moved. Again. But after a little running around, it turned out it had been moved back to the fire station where it had previously been located.

Getting into the station, it was pretty clear that there was no one there. Other than the poling place volunteers, there were 2 firefighters tossing around a football, maybe hoping to fill in for Tom Brady this weekend, and that was it. It looked like hardly anyone had been there, as the ballot box machine counter stood at 11. After looking at the ballot, I could see why.

The Democratic ballot had a total of 1 contested race on it, along with 3 incumbents seeking ratification. The Republicans didn't even offer a ballot. In a time when our state needs the best and brightest to guide us to a secure budgetary future, the lack of competition on the ballot is pathetic. The General Assembly was only barely able to plug a $300-400 million hole in the budget this year, and is likely looking at another sizeable deficit next year, likely $150 million, or more, according to Paul DeRoche of the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce.

Not being a native Rhode Islander, I don't know everything there is to know about our state government, but I have heard anecdotally that most of our elected officials work for the state without competition. How can we attract the most qualified candidates to an unpaid position? Perhaps it is time to pay our Representatives and Senators fairly for the service they provide. If I'm incorrect about this, or if you can find a web resource to support, please let me know.

Ok, that's enough political ranting for right now. I have high hopes for this state in the future.

Before I go, I would also like to introduce you to Ryan McGill, a new ActiveRain member, and an attorney who has helped immensely for several of my clients. Ryan's firm, McGill Law, LLP, has offices in East Providence and Narragansett, and is able to close in al 50 states. I have found his closing fees to be lower than the majority of attorneys, and his knowledge of real estate law is comprehensive. I hope you will join me in welcoming him to ActiveRain!

Welcome to a new series of posts regarding some of the more interesting spots in Providence.  Today, I decided to start with a place near my home to which I've walked several times.  I passed by today, only to learn that I had mis-remembered the hours, so I thought it made sense to share that, and more with you. 

The East Side Prescription Center is a pharmacy located in the Mount Hope neigborhood on the East Side of Providence.  One of the city's few independant pharmacies, and the only one on the East Side, it is a welcome respite from the corporate pharmacy chains that dominate that industry. 

The small store has a relatively wide selection of the kind of products you'd expect a pharmacy to have: over the counter medication, first aid supplies, spiral bound notebooks, and Chef Boyardee canned spaghetti. 

It has an even wider selection of something that you might not expect to see in a pharmacy - a great wine selection. 

How different is that?  Pick up your prescription and choose a bottle of wine or a 6-pack.  They even offer occasional tastings guided by their own sommelier, Daniel Nuzum.  In addition to roughly 500 wines and 75 beers, the store also carries a full selection of liquor for those so inclined.

The East Side Prescription Center is located at the corner of Hope and Elgin Streets, at 632 Hope Street.  It is open until 9:00 PM Monday through Saturday, and until 3:00 PM on Sundays. 

Enjoy!

I got out of the house early this morning to visit my poling place, and the office of Exit Realty Firm right next door, only to find out that my poling place had moved!  The fire station at the corner of Branch Ave. and North Main St. was clearly not open for business as a voting location.

Fortunately, one of the candidate's teams had left a door hanger at my home informing me of the new location. 

So for everyone out there who used to vote at the firehouse on North Main, please make a note that our location for today's vote is at the Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School located at 35 Camp St. 

Now get out there and voice your opinion!  It's not that often that tiny Rhode Island has any impact whatsoever on presidential races, but we can today!