Issue No. 260  l   October 2, 2008   l   Providence, Rhode Island

 

Campaign Seeks 40,000 New Trees In Providence By The Year 2020
Mayor Joins Groundwork Providence and Community Volunteers to Kick Off Trees 2020: “Plant a Tree for Providence, See Good Things Grow.”

 

Mayor David N. Cicilline joined the City of Providence Parks Department and Groundwork Providence yesterday at Providence City Hall to kickoff Trees 2020.  Trees 2020 is an ambitious campaign to plant 40,000 new trees in the city by the year 2020.  Those gathered for the kickoff reminded all Providence residents to remember the initiative’s motto: “Plant a Tree for Providence, See Good Things Grow.”

“It is easy to see the beauty that a fuller tree canopy can add to our city, but planting a tree allows more than just beauty to grow,” said Mayor Cicilline.  “Trees can grow property values; provide shade for our residents to enjoy, and a place for our kids to play.  They can also help everyone save on energy costs by blocking blustery winter winds and simmering summer sun, and they have a profound effect on the health of our environment by reducing our carbon footprint and replenishing the amount of oxygen in the air.”

Trees 2020 will give both residential and small commercial property owners the opportunity to purchase quality trees the area’s top nurseries at a third of the cost so they may plant them on their property.  “Once an individual property owner expresses interest in a tree, one of our trained Tree Team members will visit the property to help choose the right species of tree for the space,” said Groundwork Providence Executive Director Clint Lank.  “Those who purchase a tree will also receive advice on how best to plant and care for it in the years to come.”

Tree Team members will fan out around the city to bring the details of this initiative directly into the neighborhoods using both their personal knowledge of Trees 2020 and the Trees 2020 brochure.  Tree Team members are easily identified by bright blue t-shirts with “Trees 2020” printed clearly on them.  Radio ads will also help spread the word about this initiative.

“This fall is prime tree planting season, along with the spring,” said City Forester Doug Still.  “We have 500 trees of many species and sizes available for purchase at $55 and $75, a great deal.  Additionally, the Parks Department will be planting over 300 street trees through the Providence Neighborhood Planting Program and other City programs.”

Providence residents are encouraged to register any newly planted tree - whether on property or along the street - on the Trees 2020 website to be counted toward the planting goal.  All registered trees will also be counted as part of Providence’s contribution to the United Nations’ goal of planting 1 billion trees worldwide.

Trees 2020 coordinators also express the importance of caring for existing trees to increase Providence’s tree canopy.  Advice will be offered on how to hire an arborist and obtain discounts for first-time customers.  If a homeowner registers a “significant tree” with Trees 2020 - a tree 32 inches in diameter or greater - a free site visit and care instructions from the City Forester will be offered.

Trees 2020 is an initiative of The City of Providence Parks Department and Groundwork Providence.  The project is funded by the Helen Walker Raleigh Tree Care Trust of the Rhode Island Foundation.  For more information about Trees 2020, visit www.trees2020.org, or call 401-351-6440.
 

[return to top] 

---

20 Officers Promoted to Leadership Positions in the Providence Fire Department
Two women are among the officers who have earned promotions including the first female fire officer in the Department’s history

 

The family and friends of twenty Providence Fire Department Officers looked on with pride as Mayor David N. Cicilline and Fire Chief George S. Farrell this week administered the oath of office at a promotions ceremony in the Providence City Council Chambers at Providence City Hall.  Two women were among the Officers promoted, including the first female fire officer in the history of the Providence Fire Department.

“These Officers are taking on increased responsibilities in one of the most important and dangerous jobs as public servants – ensuring the safety of our residents,” said Mayor Cicilline.  “They have earned these promotions through hard work and dedication and a commitment to excellence.”

“I fully expect these Officers to lead by example and to inspire a new generation of leadership on the Providence Fire Department,” said Chief Farrell.  “Your continued hard work and dedication is what makes this the best fire department in New England.”

Firefighters Biographical Information

Assistant Chief Thomas N. Warren was appointed to the Providence Fire Department on April 16th, 1979.  He was promoted to Lieutenant on Sept 2nd, 1990 and to Capt on July 11, 1999.  Warren was promoted to Battalion Chief on Sept 14, 2003 and to Deputy assistant Chief on July 14, 2006.  He has served in the downtown, West End, Southside and Fox Point neighborhoods.  Warren is a graduate of West Warwick High School and holds a bachelor’s degree in Fire Science from Providence College.  Warren also holds a certificate in Occupational Health and Safety from Roger Williams University. 

During Warren’s tenure as Department Safety Officer, the department adopted a new personal protective ensemble, which has significantly reduced on-duty injuries.  He also helped implement a program of physical examinations, which have improved the overall health of all members of the Department.  The Department has commended Warren for meritorious service on three occasions. Chief Warren is a Member of the RI State Association of Fire Chiefs and the Fire Dept Safety Officers Association.

Deputy Assistant Chief Paul J. Thomas was appointed to the Providence Fire Department on November 25th 1974.  He was promoted to Lieutenant on Sept 1st 1985, to Captain on Dec 27th 1991 and to Battalion Chief in June of 2005.  Thomas has served the citizens of Providence in the following neighborhoods: downtown, East Side and in South Providence. He attended St. Michaels School and graduated from Hope High School. Thomas has an associate’s degree in Fire Science from Providence College, and two bachelor’s degrees from Rhode Island College, one in Economics and another in Management. Thomas has been commended for meritorious service on three occasions. Thomas served as the Captain of Special Hazards for over ten years and is an instructor/coordinator for the Rhode Island State Fire Academy in Fire Science and Hazardous Materials Response.

Deputy Assistant Chief Daniel J. Crowley was appointed to the Providence Fire Department on April 16th 1979. He was promoted to Lieutenant in May of 1990, to Captain in August of 1995 and to Battalion Chief in September of 2005.  Crowley has served the citizens of Providence in the following neighborhoods: West End, downtown and Eastside.  Crowley has served on the Providence Fire Department Safety and Survival Conference Committee since its inception in 1994, and served as an instructor at the 42nd and 43rd Training Academies of the Providence Fire Department.  Crowley is a graduate of Central High School.  He has been commended for heroic action on one occasion and for meritorious service on two other occasions. Crowley’s family includes several firefighters: his brother Dennis is retired Superintendent of Automotive Repair of the Providence Fire Department and his brother Thomas, who is a Lieutenant in the Providence Fire Department.  Crowley’s nephew, Steven Vallone, is also a member of the Providence Fire Department and his son, Daniel, is a member of the Fire department of New York City.

Battalion Chief James M. Gallant was appointed to the Providence Fire Department on October 1st 1984. He was promoted to Lieutenant in September of 1998. Gallant has served the citizens of Providence in the West End, Downtown and Eastside neighborhoods of the city. Gallant served as the Employees Assistance Program Coordinator for Local 799 and as an Instructor of Trainees at the 44th and 45th Training Academies of the Providence Fire Department. Gallant has been commended by the Department for Meritorious Service on three occasions. He is a graduate of South Kingston High School and attended the University of Rhode Island. Gallant is a third generation Providence firefighter; his grandfather, Captain Henry Maine and his father, Captain James Gallant, both served in the Providence Fire Department. His brother, William, is a Lieutenant with the Providence Fire department. Gallant is the brother-in-law of Assistant Chief Michael Dillon and Lieutenant Joseph Dillon of the Providence Fire Department.

Deputy Fire Marshal Richard L. Silva was appointed to the Providence Fire Department on Dec 6th 1990. He has served the citizens of Providence in the Rescue Division and in the
Fire Prevention Bureau as an Inspector. Silva graduated from Wareham High School and attended Johnson & Wales University.  He is an Emergency Medical Technician/Cardiac and is an Assistant Deputy State Fire Marshal. Silva is certified by the National Fire Protection Association in Life Safety Code and in the Principles of Fire Protection. He is also an Instructor for the State Fire Marshals Office.  Silva’s professional associations include the State Fire Marshal’s Association and the Rhode Island Association of Fire Chiefs.

Capt Brian A. Kreizinger was appointed to the Providence Fire Department on April 13th 1985. He has served the citizens of Providence in the East Side area of the city.  Kreizinger is a graduate of La Salle Academy and holds an associate’s degree in Fire Science from Providence College.  He is an Assistant Deputy State Fire Marshal and has been commended by the Department for meritorious service on two occasions.

Captain Kevin T Gomes was appointed to the Providence Fire Department on Sept 28th 1987. He has served the citizens of Providence in the East Side and Downtown areas of the city.  Gomes is an East Providence High School graduate and a Veteran of the United States Air Force.  Gomes has been commended for meritorious service on two occasions. He is a member of the Rhode Island Professional Firefighters Pipes and Drums Band and a member of the Providence Fire Department Honor Guard.

Capt Garrison P. Roun was appointed to the Providence Fire Department on July 11th 1983 He was promoted to Lieutenant in April of 1993. Captain Roun has served the citizens of Providence in the East Side, Downtown and West End neighborhoods. He graduated from Pilgrim High School in 1978 and holds an associates degree in Fire Science from the Community College of Rhode Island.  Roun has been cited for heroic action by the Department on one occasion and for meritorious action on another occasion.

Captain Steven E. Siravo was appointed to the Providence Fire Department on July 11th 1983.  He was promoted to Lieutenant on July 6th 1995. Captain Siravo has served the citizens of Providence in the South Side, West End and East Side areas of the city. He has been commended by the Department for meritorious service on two occasions.  Siravo Graduated from Johnston High School in 1981 and from the Community College of Rhode Island in 1993 with an associate’s degree in Fire Science.

Captain Robert S. Vincent was appointed to the Providence Fire Department on April 1st 1985.  He was promoted to Lieutenant on July 1st 2000. Captain Vincent has served the citizens of Providence in the West End South Side and East Side areas of the city.  He is a graduate of Mt. Pleasant High School. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education from the University of Rhode Island and a bachelor’s degree in Fire Science from Providence College. Vincent has been commended by the Department for meritorious service on three occasions.

Lieutenant Lisa A. Krapf was appointed to the Providence Fire Department on June 14th 1992. She has served the citizens of Providence in the East Side and Downtown areas of the city.  She graduated from Cherry Hill High School and holds a Bachelor’s degree from
Colorado State University.  Krapf completed the Master Trainer Program at the Emergency Management Institute and completed classes in Fire Prevention at the National Fire Academy. She is an Assistant Deputy State Fire Marshal.  Krapf has been commended by the Department for meritorious service.  She is a member of the International Association of Women in the Fire and Emergency Services.  Lieutenant Krapf is the wife of retired firefighter Russel Krapf.

Lieutenant Bock was appointed to the Providence Fire Department on March 16th 1992. He has served the citizens of Providence in the South Side and East Side areas of the city. Bock Graduated from Warwick Veterans High School. He is a certified Hazardous Materials Technician.  Bock has a strong family connection to the Fire service. He is the son of retired Assistant Chief David Bock and the nephew of retired Battalion Chief Kenneth Bock and Firefighter Timothy Bock. His cousin, Tim, is also a Providence firefighter.

Lieutenant Jason P. Viens was appointed to the Providence Fire Department on March 16th 1992. He has served the citizens of Providence in the Downtown and South Side areas of the city.  Lieutenant Viens is a graduate of Shea High School and is a nationally registered Paramedic.  Viens has been recognized for meritorious service by the department on four occasions. Lieutenant Viens is a member of the Rhode Island Professional Firefighters Pipes and Drums.

Lieutenant Steven H. Crawford was appointed to the Providence Fire Department on August 5th 1991. He has served the citizens of Providence in the Downtown, East Side and South Side areas of the city. Lieutenant Crawford graduated from Bishop Hendricken High School.  He earned a bachelor’s degree in Economics from Fairfield University and graduated from Roger Williams School of Law.  Crawford has been commended by the Department for meritorious service on three occasions.  He has also served on the Providence Fire Department Dive Team.  Crawford is a practicing attorney and is a court-appointed lawyer for indigent clients. He is associated with the Law firm of Murphy and Fay LLP.  Crawford’s professional memberships include the Rhode Island Bar Association and the St. Thomas More Society.

Lieutenant Marc J. Lajoie was appointed to the Providence Fire Department on October 18th 1993. He has served the citizens of Providence in the East Side and West End areas of the city. Lajoie is a graduate of Cranston High School East. He has been commended by the Department for meritorious service on three occasions. Lajoie is a member of the Fire Department softball team.

Lieutenant James J. Rock was appointed to the Providence Fire Department on October 3rd 1988. He has served the citizens of Providence in the Downtown East Side and West End areas of the city. Rock is a graduate of Pilgrim High School and holds a bachelor degree in Education from Rhode Island College and a Fire Science degree from Providence College. Rock has been a member of the Special Hazards unit for over fourteen years and is a member of the Providence Fire Department Softball Team.  Rock has been commended by the Department for meritorious service on four occasions.

Lieutenant Cynthia Kiers was appointed to the Providence Fire Department on March 16th 1992.  She has served the citizens of Providence in the East Side and Federal Hill areas of the city.  Kiers is a graduate of Cranston East High School and attended Texas A& M University where she studied Animal Science. She is presently enrolled at Roger Williams University studying Public Administration.  Kiers has been commended by the Department for heroic action on one occasion and for meritorious service on two occasions.  Kiers promotion to the rank of Lieutenant is an historic occasion as she becomes the first female fire officer in the history of the department.  She serves the less fortunate in the community as an instructor for the Handicapped Riding Association.  She is also a member of the American Society for Public Administration.

Lieutenant Gregory J. Gemp was appointed to the Providence Fire Department on August 5th 1991. He has served the citizens of Providence in the West End and Eastside areas of the city.  Gemp is a graduate of Warren High School.  He has been commended by the Department for heroic action on one occasion and for meritorious service on three occasions. Gemp has a strong family tradition of firefighting.  His father is a volunteer firefighter in Warren and his cousins, Joe and Chris Janitto, are members of the Providence Fire Department.  Gemp is the president and co-founder of the Rhode Island Antique Fire Apparatus Society.

Lieutenant Joseph M. Paiva was appointed to the Providence Fire Department on August 5th 1991. He has served the citizens of Providence in the West End and Federal Hill areas of the city.  Paiva is a graduate of Coventry High School.  He has been commended by the Department for meritorious service on two occasions.  Lieutenant Paiva is the cousin of Captain William Kenyon.

Lieutenant Albert J. Scott was appointed to the Providence Fire Department on August 5th, 1991. He has served the citizens of Providence in the downtown and West End areas of the city. Lieutenant Scott is a graduate of Pilgrim High School and attended the University of Rhode Island. Lieutenant Scott has been commended by the Department for meritorious service on the three occasions. He is an Army veteran and received the Army Achievement Award.

 

 

[return to top] 

---

 

 New England Major City Police Chiefs Consortium

Police Chiefs and representatives from the twelve largest cities in New England gather with invited guests and community groups working in partnership with the Providence Police Department to discuss the Child Development- Community Policing Initiative and learn about Restoration Justice Practices
 

Colonel Dean M. Esserman and Mayor David N. Cicilline yesterday welcomed police chiefs and representatives from the twelve largest cities in New England for the semi- annual New England Major City Police Chiefs Consortium. These meetings were created by Colonel Esserman to discuss issues of mutual interest and concern.

 

Representatives from the Vera Institute, Danielle Sered, and Megan Golden were speakers at the event. They discussed Common Justice, a program the Vera Institute is launching.

 

Common Justice- often referred to as restorative justice- is a demonstration project that introduces an innovative new response to violent crime that meets the needs of victims, reduces recidivism, improves satisfaction with the justice system, and has been proven to work elsewhere in the United States and other parts of the world. In practicing Common Justice, if the victim welcomes the opportunity, cases will be diverted into a conferencing process designed to recognize the harm done, identify the needs and interests of the victim(s), and agree to appropriate actions to hold the responsible party accountable. “Part of me feels that this is one of the most cutting edge projects in the field. On the other hand, it’s a very ordinary human response to harm,” says Sered. 

 

A presentation was given by Dr. Steven Marans, Harris Professor of Child Psychiatry and Professor of Psychiatry, at the Child Study Center and Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine. Dr. Marans presentation was entitled Child Development-Community Policing: Connecting Cops and Clinicians. Providence Police partnered with Family Service of Rhode Island, which is the oldest and largest non profit human service agency in Rhode Island, to replicate and enhance the Child- Development Community Policing Program of Police and Mental Health Clinicians, first Pioneered by the Yale Child Study Center and the New Haven, Connecticut Police Department in 1992. Every night social service clinician’s ride with officers patrolling the streets of Providence and provide counseling and support services to those in immediate need.  “Giving police officers access to trained clinicians, who can treat victims right at the scene, as well as provide follow- up, is a much welcomed resource. It’s like giving police officers another tool for their belt,” said Colonel Esserman.

 

The New England Major City Chiefs Association consists of chiefs and/or representatives from the following departments: Providence, RI; Boston, MA; Lowell, MA; Worcester, MA; Springfield, MA; Manchester, NH; Portland, ME; Burlington, VT; Stamford, CT; New Haven, CT; Hartford, CT; and Bridgeport, CT. Also attending today’s meeting were representatives from the FBI, Family Service of Rhode Island, The Rhode Island Department of Corrections, LISC, Community Mediation Center of Rhode Island, Roger Williams University, Rhode Island US Attorney, and the Attorney General.
 

[return to top] 

---

 

Weekend Training Aimed at Enhancing Providence's Vibrant Downtown Nightlife

Mayor Cicilline and the Hospitality Resource Partnership bring in world-renowned security expert to train nightclub owners, managers and staff

 

Mayor David N. Cicilline today announced the City is partnering with the Hospitality Resource Partnership (HRP) to train nightclub owners and their staff in an effort to enhance safety at the city’s downtown nightclubs.  The training is part of an ongoing effort to ensure that downtown Providence continues to be a vibrant, fun arts and cultural destination for residents and visitors alike.

 

The two-day training will take place on Saturday, October 4th and Sunday, October 5th at Hotel Providence from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 

 

World-renowned security nightclub specialist Robert Smith, President & CEO of Nightclub Security Consultants, Incorporated, will conduct the training.  The classes will focus on crowd management, checking identification, conflict resolution and other safety issues.  Smith will also review evacuation plans of area nightclubs.  

 

The Downtown Improvement District (DID) collaborated with the City of Providence and other organizations to establish the HRP in January 2007 with the goal of creating a more safe and vibrant arts and cultural environment downtown.  Members of the RHP include the City of Providence, Downtown Improvement District, Rhode Island Foundation, Providence Foundation, Johnson & Wales University, Brown University, Providence College, Providence Police Department, Downtown Neighborhood Alliance, Cornish Associates, Providence Downtown Churches Association, Lupos, AS220, The Complex, Jewelry District Association, Club Hell, Mirabar, Prov, Black Repertory Company and Finnegan’s Wake.

 

The HRP wants to thank Hotel Providence for its generous contribution to this event.  The hotel is providing free lodging for the trainer.  For more information on this weekend’s training, contact the director of the Mayor’s Substance Abuse Task Force, Caitlin Thomas-Henkel, at 351-4300.

 

[return to top] 

---

Mayor Cicilline Presents Dominican President & First Lady with Key to the City

President Leonel Fernandez visited Providence City Hall after speaking at Brown University

 

Mayor David N. Cicilline last Friday presented the key to the City of Providence to Dr. Leonel Fernández, President of the Dominican Republic, and First Lady Dr. Margarita Cedeño de Fernández in the Mayor’s Office at City Hall.

President Fernandez was in the U.S. for the United Nations summit and was invited by Brown University to deliver a lecture and participate in a forum on sustainable economic development in Latin America at the Solomon Center.

 

 

[return to top] 

---

Feature: My Business

MEDPort’s LivPURE Filtered Water Bottle Makes a Splash In Green Innovation 

As more of the population gains knowledge about the effects of global warming, the things we need to do to protect the earth’s resources are now becoming common sense.  The shift towards green thinking is certainly not lost on some of the members of the business community in Providence.  In fact, you don’t have to search very far to find green innovation happening right in the City, which is home and headquarters to a company called MEDPort, LLC. 

The company, led by CEO Larry Wesson, has been developing and producing solution-based medical and healthy living products in the capital city for over a decade.  Their newest line called Fit N Fresh includes the LivPURE filtered water bottle and has been making a splash in the green industry since they launched last year.  

The usage is simple.  Fill up the bottle with tap water.  As you drink, the built-in filter inside the cap rids it of any chlorine content that might be present otherwise in unfiltered tap water.  The green element comes in the fact MEDport’s research has shown that the LivPURE water bottle can replace up to 500 plastic water bottles that might end up in the central landfill. 

City News caught up with Wesson to get the scoop on this latest green product that has been designed and developed right here in Providence. 

How long has MEDport been headquartered in Providence?
It’s been headquartered here for about 12 years now.  It began here. 

Can you tell us a little bit about the history of the company and what it specializes in?
Originally, it started as a diabetes kit-and-case business.  In 1999, the company acquired another small company outside of Rhode Island called Vitaminder, which did a variety of plastic products.  We do a combination of things.  We’re a design firm.  We have 4 product development designers and we basically innovate and create all of our products.  Right now, with our Fit N Fresh line we have about 45 products, 44 of which we created. 

What are some of the benefits of doing business in the City?
Providence is blessed with a lot of creative design people.  RISD is very influential in design.  A lot of large companies like Hasbro are very involved in product development.  So there’s a wealth of creative people in the Providence area that work with product design and innovation. 

So that allows you to have access to the workforce?
Yes, it’s definitely an access to workforce but it’s also that spirit of entrepreneurship that we can tap into whenever possible.

Recently, your company has made some waves in the industry with the introduction of the LivPURE Filtered Water Bottle.  What was the concept behind this and what makes this product so important and so relevant in today’s world?
We started this development project almost 3 years ago.  The concept behind is that we were looking to move in to the hydration field.  We’re always looking for new innovations.  What we noticed was that there was no filtered water bottle available in the marketplace that was affordable.  Most of the filtered bottles were very high end at $50 to $60 a piece, and we were looking for something that would fit more of a mass market.  So, we set about working with several people in the Providence area to engineer a bottle that had a filter in the cap, that would get to the point where we would have it certified by one of the agents in our Water Quality Association for chlorine reduction. 

We really saw the problem as two-fold.  One, the environmental impact of bottled water was just astounding.  If we take the national numbers and bring them to RI, every day somewhere in the neighborhood of 3 to 400,000 bottles of water are consumed in this state everyday, 205,000 by Providence.  While the recycling rates in RI and elsewhere are moving up, there’s still relatively low.  So when you take that 3 to 400K number, about 250 to 300K go into the central landfill unrecycled.  It’s a tremendous waste of energy and resource. 

The LivPURE bottle is designed to do its part by making tap water taste like bottled water.  We’re fortunate in RI that the tap water that comes out of Providence and other municipalities exceeds all the governmental standards for safety and quality that many people are really sensitive to the taste of chlorine.  Our filter virtually eliminates any odor or trace of chlorine.  And, the filter and the bottle can replace up to 500 plastic water bottles that wind up in the central landfill. 

In your opinion, what are some of the benefits that companies can gain when they go green?
From an economic standpoint, there’s a tremendous market now for products that help the environment.  They have to legitimately help the environment and can’t just say it helps it.  Products that save energy, like the LivPURE bottle that replaces plastic water bottles that go into the landfill, are not only good economically, they’re also good for the environment. 
 
The bottle is a cost-saving measure for the consumer as well.  It typically retails from $9.99 to $12.99.  If you’re paying a dollar a day for a bottle of water, that’s roughly $500 (again the LivPURE bottle can replace up to 500 plastic bottles) versus $10.99 and even if you’re buying water for 50 cents a bottle, you’re still saving $240. 

Where can people purchase the LivPURE water bottle?
Locally these bottles are at Stop N Shop, Walgreen’s, Linen N Things, Bed Bath & Beyond, and Kmart. 

Can you tell us about some of the other innovations that come out of MEDPort?
Our primary line right now is a brand called Fit N Fresh.  It’s about making eating healthy on the go easier.  So what we provide is plastic containers that help people manage their health by taking healthy lunches and keep them cool.  They all have ice packs in them.  They help users save calories and save money, again, by taking a lunch to work and school versus buying a lunch, which can be more expensive and probably less healthy. 

MEDport, LLC has sold products in the U.K., Israel, Australia, South Africa, and Brazil.  The company has warehouse in Olneyville and office space on Acorn Street.  To learn more, go to www.medportll.com and to www.fit-fresh.com.

 
[return to top]