Those in labor vote against a motion to approve the study, but the motion passes.

The study will go forward with results starting to come in by November 12th.

Expect a larger audience that day. (Today, there are 7, including myself).

Walsh: Motion to exclude any study on changes to schedule A. It would be a waste of money because it would never pass, anyway.

Mark Dingley (chief of staff to State Treasurer): If you do that, you remove any potential cost-savings to the state. Objects to the motion.

Williamson concurs, but has to call for the vote since there is a second from Nee.

Nee thinks this vote is too big to even take a vote today and it may merit public discussion.

Williamson disagrees. This is about a study. “No earthquakes, no tidal waves.”

Motion fails.

Any study will include a look at changes to those in Schedule A.

-Tim White

Walsh: Teacher’s moral is at its lowest in state history, probably lower than in the banking crisis. Making the changes to the pension system [that would be studied by the actuary] would make it even more painful.

Williamson: objection noted. The analysis of the actuary is not a conclusion.

There is a motion to expand the study to look at more options.

Williamson wants to know if it would cost more.

Conradi: Yes.

-Tim White

Some quenching levity:

Williamson missed a commission member with his hand up for some time to his right.

He apologizes, “I never look to my right,” Williamson says. “I don’t know why.”

Robert Walsh: “Me neither, Mr. Chairman.”

-Tim White

Date of any changes to pension is proposed to by June 30th 2009.

Nee: Totally object to any study looking at moving people from schedule A to schedule B. Firmly believes that people in A should stay there. Not sure why we are looking at his.

Williamson: This is just a study. The committee would discuss details before making a move.

Nee: In interest of time and money, if we are going to spend the money on looking at a direction (i.e. moving people from A to B), shouldn’t we look at a direction?

There is a sweet feedback happening through the audio system to add to the tension.

-Tim White

Chairman Williamson wants to go with a 3 member subcommittee: One from House of Reps, one member from labor, one member from management.

George Nee (from labor), wants to know what the breakdown of cost would be for each category.

Conradi: 52,500 is a flat fee.

Nee wants a breakdown.

Williamson agrees. Further, he wants an hourly rate for this… that way no one can question what the work is.

-Tim White

 Another seat has filled in.

Conradi (actuary):

First item: The requests from the Commission are too complicated. Suggestion to start with a meeting to discuss various proposals regarding to freezing defined benefit plan and moving all people to defined contribution alternative.

Second item: Take a look at teacher pensions post 2005 changing their structure.

Also may be worth grandfathering some schedule A members, and leaving them untouched. Suggests that members over 57 or with 25 years of service be considered for grandfathering… they would retain schedule A benefits. The rest of the schedule A members would be switched to schedule B.

Third: Take a look at Federal retirement model which includes contribution and smaller pay-out. That portion would also include how the Feds would compare with Schedule B benefits that apply to new members coming into the system.

Other items:

-Prepare analysis that would allow you to see how changing cost of living would impact the cost of the system.

-Take a look at effect of moving to a much later retirement age for unreduced retire to go along with social security age (65, to 67).

Could have first part of results by September 10th.

By October 1st, information on moving schedule A to schedule B.

November 5th: Discussion on the Feds proposal. (The day after election day, making many here nervous). So then this would happen on November 12th.

The rest of the information by December 3rd.

52,500 for the fee on this information (the bill is less because the information requested is less).

More to come.

-Tim White

There are many empty chairs at the Pension Commission – terrible virus or beautiful sunny afternoon. It’s a mystery.

I count 8 empty chairs… just enough for a quorum.

Chairman, Representative Timothy Williamson of West Warwick called the meeting to order at 4:23.

The meeting, as expected, is starting with the presentation from Christian Conradi of Gabriel Roeder Smith & Compmany for the actuarial study.

Highlights (i.e. how much this thing will cost) in a moment.

-Tim White

Just eight miles from the Rhode Island border is the maritime town of Mystic, CT.
The storybook New England town is full of coastal scenery, seafood restaurants, charming boutiques and plenty of history.

The town's 1922 drawbridge on the Mystic River opens hourly in summer to let boats through (and coffee milk in!).  

Mystic Seaport is the world's largest maritime museum.  The replica 19th century village takes up 17 acres along the Mystic river.

(you can reach the seaport by water taxi!) 

The 1841 Charles W. Morgan is the last of the nation's wooden whaling vessels. In the blubber room below deck, guides explain how whale blubber was sliced, diced, and boiled into oil.

Savor a "slice of heaven" at Mystic Pizza, made famous by the movie starring Julia Roberts.

To Start your own adventure...

Mystic Seaport

www.mysticseaport.org

S&P Oyster Company

Mystic Pizza

http://www.mysticpizza.com/

Know of a place we should visit?  Email us at ehopkins@wpri.com and erodriguez@wpri.com

All photos belong to Elysia Rodriguez and Elizabeth Hopkins.

(Special thanks to Mark for spending one of his last days in New England with us!) 

"The Commission to Study all Aspects of the State Pension and Retirement System" (let’s just call it the “Pension Commission” from here on out) is meeting in room 313 of the State House at 4 this afternoon.

I will be blogging from the cheap seats.

The commission has been on its summer hiatus – on the agenda, we’re going to learn just how pricey a proposed actuarial study will be. Early estimates, near 200-thousand dollars.

By the way, it's 4:02.

The politicians are shockingly late.

- Tim White

"The Commission to Study all Aspects of the State Pension and Retirement System" (let’s just call it the “Pension Commission” from here on out) is meeting in room 313 of the State House at 4 this afternoon.

I will be blogging from the cheap seats.

The commission has been on its summer hiatus – on the agenda, we’re going to learn just how pricey a proposed actuarial study will be. Early estimates, near 200-thousand dollars.

By the way, it's 4:02.

The politicians are shockingly late.

- Tim White

I just received a gift from a blog fan!

Recently, I posted a gripe about how I spilled coffee on my current desk calendar and Colleen has "gifted" me a new one!  Thank you Colleen!  She gets a special shout-out for helping me out.

Of course, gifts are always appreciated never expected... But this is fantastic!  Now, I just need to be careful with my coffee at 4 o'clock in the morning!

Ipanema Beach in Rio was our "Beach of the World" on Tuesday.

Congratulations to Bill Milne from East Bridgewater, Mass, who correctly entered this beach on wpri.com!  He wins one of the remaining beach towels and gift cards from Dunkin' Donuts.

A few months ago, I blogged about how I was emailing Dunkin' Donuts to develop a healthier menu.  It happened.  I'm not sayin' it's because of me, but hey - anything is possible.

I recently emailed my new love (Chipotle) and old them about the thriving retail destination known as Seekonk - and how they should open a burrito outlet on this side of Narragansett Bay.  Right now, the only location is in Warwick.  Despite my efforts, I clearly do not have the same pull with Chipotle that I apparently do with Dunkin' Donuts.  Here's my email response:

Hi Mark,

Thanks for your nice email. We'll be sure to pass it along to Tom and our crew at Warwick. As far as "the other side of RI" goes, we don't have any plans right now. But we are still growing, so we appreciate your suggestion for Seekonk.
Thanks for being a great fan!

Sincerely,
Lyn Jenkins
Department of Gripes and Happiness
Chipotle

(Mark Note: They are opening a location in Providence before the end of the year.)

Monday's winner is Frances Ziemba from Somerset!  She correctly entered Hilton Head, South Carolina as our beach of the day on wpri.com.

Congratulations Frances, you're getting a beach towel and gift card from Dunkin' Donuts!  (Hopefully we've got a few more beach days left this summer.)

Is there a better place to spend a beautiful Monday morning?

I was in Fall River (yes, at the former incinerator) for a story on potholes.  I had to come here because of a new piece of construction equipment they're using to solve the problem...

Needless to say, an assignment at the beach or something would have been a little nicer.

TUESDAY UPDATE:  Here's the story that aired last night at 6:00.  It's not the most exciting story I've ever done, but it's decent.  I mean, it's about a truck. 

Look at the seating chart for the DNC in Denver!  This is ridiculous!

The Rhode Island delegation is seated on the right side -- all the way up -- which I circled in black.  But look at what's in front of the RI area (with the yellow arrow)... Those are empty seats for the general public.  The PUBLIC gets better seats?  I guess we're getting punished for supporting Hillary in the primary.

Yikes, don't mess with the dems!

For those who were worried, I am back and my eye is getting better.  But why can't a guy call out sick without everyone assuming he's not sick?  My doubting co-workers questioned my sick day last Friday, but the doctor said it was a good idea.

Can I help that it was one of the best days of the summer?  No, so leave me alone!

Wendy Weiss from Warwick is our winner from Friday!

Wendy correctly entered Cumberland Island Beach in Georgia on wpri.com as our "Beach of the World" and she gets a beach towel and Dunkin' Donuts gift card. Congrats Wendy!

If you haven't had any luck, keep trying... This is our last week.

Little Known Heros of the Revolution

The Boston Massacre

March 5th 1770.  The Boston Massacre....Crispus Attucks was not only the First  American Martyr of the Revolution, he was also the Organizer and leader of the Crowd that confronted the British Soldiers at Boston that day.    He was also the Formost in Resisting the British Soldiers and as a result the First one Killed.   

In 1851 there was a Petition presented to the Massachusetts Legislature for the appropriation of Funds to build a Monument to the First American Martyr of the Revolution, Crispus Attucks.  The Petition was denied.

On the 5th of March, 1776, Washington repaired to the intrenchments. "Remember," said he, "it is the 5th of March, and avenge the death of your brethren!"

The Battle of Bunker Hill

June 17th 1775, The Battle of Bunker Hill.   Patriots after surronding the City of Boston, took up postions on the Charlestown Peninsula on top of Bunker Hill and Breed's Hill North of town across the Bay.   During this battle between 1,500 American Patriots and 2,400 British Soliders took part.  While the British did take both Hills they suffered Heavy losses.  British casualties were about 1,150 killed and wounded, while the Patriots suffered 450 Killed and wounded.  

But out of those who died 2 famous People were Killed in the Fighting.  A Patriot named General Warren and a British Major of Marines Pitcarin.  The Little known Hero is the Man who Killed Major Pitcarin was named Henry Hill.   After the Battle he was was presented to General Washington for his heroic Fighting and the killing of the Major.   In Pictures made of the Battle he was at First a Prominent Figure, but over time he has been forgotten and ingloriously left out.

Henry Hill also fought in the battles of Lexington, Brandywine, Monmouth, Princeton, and Yorktown. He died in Chilicothe, on the 12th of August, 1833, aged eighty years. He was buried with the honors of war and eventually forgotten to History.

Dorchester Heights

On March 4th, 1776 Boston.  Washington received 59 Cannon from the Captured British fort of Ticondaroga.  Overnight the Patriots Constructed Fortifications and installed the Cannon on the Heights overlooking British occupied Boston.   This move eventually led to the British evacutaion of Boston on March 17th, 1776.  March 17 is celebrated as Evacuation Day in some Massachusetts communities.

But one Little known Hero is James Easton.   James Easton, of Bridgewater, was one who participated in the erection of the fortifications on Dorchester Heights, under command of Washington.  His talents were invaluable in the Construciton of the fortifications.

 Mr. Easton was a manufacturing blacksmith, and his forge and nail factory, where were he also made edge tools and anchors, was extensively known, for its superiority of workmanship. Much of the iron work for the Tremont Theatre and Boston Marine Railway was executed under his supervision. Mr. Easton was self-educated. When a young man, stipulating for work, he always provided for chances of evening study. He was welcome to the business circles of Boston as a man of strict integrity, and the many who resorted to him for advice in complicated matters styled him "the Lawyer." His sons, Caleb, Joshua, Sylvanus, and Hosea, inherited his mechanical genius and mental ability.

Crossing of the Delaware

December 25th, 1776 Trenton.  In a daring tactic, General Washington in the Dead of Winter decide to attack the town of Trenton.  In the middle of the night and during a snow storm the Patriots crossed the Delaware River and then attacked the Hessian Mercenaries and British Troops occuping the Town.  It was an absolute and complete Victory.

A Little known Hero was Oliver Cromwell.   He enlisted in company commanded by Capt. Lowery, attached to the Second New Jersey Regiment, under the command of Col. Israel Shreve. He was at the battles of Trenton, Princeton, Brandywine, Monmouth, and Yorktown.   Cromwell was brought up a farmer, having served his time with Thomas Hutchins, Esq., his maternal uncle. He was, for six years and nine months, under the immediate command of Washington, whom he loved affectionately. "His discharge "at the close of the war, was in Washington's own hand-writing, of which he was very proud, often speaking of it. He received, annually, ninety-six dollars pension. He lived a long and honorable life.  He lost three sons and three daughters; had fourteen children who reached the age of maturity--seven sons and seven daughters. He saw his grand-children to the third generation. He was a man of strong natural powers--never chewed tobacco nor drank a glass of ardent spirit. He died, in the town of his birth, January 24th, 1853.

There is another little known Hero at the Crossing.  Prince Whipple was a Body Guard to General Whipple of New Hampshire, who was an Aid to General Washington.  In the Engraving done of the Night of December 25th 1776, Prince Whipple can be seen Proudly riding Horseback, next to General Washington and General Whipple.   More Modern Artist's failed to add him to other renditions of that Glorious Night. 

Prince was beloved by all who knew him. He was the "Caleb Quotem" of Portsmouth, where, he died at the age of thirty-two, leaving a widow and children.

The Spy of Lafayette

One Little known hero is James Armistead Lafayette.   James was a man who Volunteered his service to General Lafayette of the Continential Army.  So impressed with this Man General Lafayette asked  him to be a Spy.   Upon agreeing to this task, he was able to get himself employed by the British General Cornwallis.    Cornwallis was also so impressed  by him that he in turn, asked him to spy for the British Army.  So James Armistead started Feeding the British false information till the Surrender of General Cornwallis.  So perfect was the Acting of James that not until Cornwallis met James in the Headquarters tent of General Lafayette, did his true identity and mission become known to him.   James was so fond of General Lafayette that he took his last name as a sign of his loyalty and appreciation.   The Service provided by James and the success of his mission was immeasurable to the success over Cornwallis.

Americans All..

What some of you may have already figured out is that not only are these American Heros.   But they are American Heros that happen to be African American.   The reason for not including this earlier, is because it matters little what the Color of their skin was.  All that matters is that they are Heros, American Heros that fought for not only Our Liberty and Freedom, but their Liberty and the Freedom of Future Generations.

The Continential Army was so integrated by the end of the Revolutionary War, 1/4th of it was made up of African Americans.   The United States would not see this kind of integration again for another 200 years.  

These are not all of the Hero's of the American Revolution, there are many more of many different Races and Sexes.   But the Fact that they Fought and many died for all of us.....is what matters.

They Were...........We Are..............Americans All...

www.poedpatriot.blogspot.com

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