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February 27, 2010

Central Falls Superintendent Frances Gallo at RISC's Winter Meeting

Justin Katz

NOTE: Any members of the media who couldn't make it to the meeting and rely on this video for future reports are encouraged to do so, but a brief note of the video's source would be appreciated.


Herewith, the video of the speech given by Central Falls Superintendent Frances Gallo at the Winter meeting of the Rhode Island Statewide Coalition, as described in my liveblog of the event. (More video in the extended entry.)

Although the entire speech is notable as the most comprehensive statement of Supt. Gallo's position that I've seen (and I don't claim to have searched high and low), the beginning of this segment may be a new news item:

I'll answer now, although I was never asked by anyone: No. We can't mediate now. I'll say it clearly, and I mean no offense to anyone, but those ads continue. What kind of an effort at true desire for change when you keep those ads.

Comments

It was amusing to watch Frank Caprio scurry to the exit as she was introduced to speak.

I think it would be very instructive if the hate mail were published so that everyone could see the sort of people she is dealing with.

Posted by: BobN at February 27, 2010 6:06 PM

Thank you Justin for posting the videos of Dr. Gallo's speech. The unions operate by finding demons at whom they can't point fingers. They have tried to make Dr. Gallo the demon, hell bent on destroying the union and its teachers in CF. These videos show the Dr. Gallo that most of us in RI education truly know, a powerful advocate for children, teachers, and education.

The unions will, undoubtedly, ignore the content of the speech and attack the venue. I truly hope as many RIers as possible see this speech. I'm thankful you were there. Well done.

Posted by: mikeinri at February 27, 2010 9:05 PM

Let's see if the summer meeting of this band of wealthy tax payers will be in Central Falls instead of Newport this year. They obviously care so much about the education in Central Falls and the residents why not schedule the next event at a VFW in the city. It's a good thing there's GPS devices in their automobiles... Oh wait their chauffeurs may know the way.

Posted by: Phil at February 28, 2010 9:07 PM

Phil,

Did it ever occur to you that if the RISC membership was comprised of the kind of rich that you're describing, they wouldn't be anywhere near Rhode Island in February?

Such rich folks don't have their taxable residency in RI, and so aren't terribly concerned with taxes here, or the education system either, since like the Kennedy's and Obama's their children aren't affected by dysfunctional public education systems.

The Marxist class warfare shtick regarding RISC or anyone who complains about RI's draconian taxes, i.e., trying to discredit them as those evil, greedy rich people, has really outlived its entertainment value (as has Pat Crowley's duck costume and related antics), and merely shows to illustrate the ignorance of the speaker.

Yours Truly,

Proud Member of the Bourgoisie

Posted by: Ragin' Rhode Islander at February 28, 2010 9:48 PM


RISC was the Shoreline Alliance before it was what it is now. They advocated for low taxes (their own) and environmental policies (their views from waterfront mansions were not to be altered in any way). These part time residents did not like the idea that they could not vote down local (Charlestown) school budgets but had to pay property tax to the town for their summer homes.

Leaving out all references to wealth the RISC crowd at Goat Island cheering the terminator of teachers is consistent with their selfish low tax and anti union mentality. I suggested if they wish to have solidarity with the residents of Central Falls they at the very least could commit to having their summer soiree at a VFW in the neighborhood. Because they would be doing it for the Kids.

Posted by: Phil at March 1, 2010 7:04 AM

--"Leaving out all references to wealth the RISC crowd at Goat Island cheering the terminator of teachers is consistent with their selfish low tax and anti union mentality."

Yeah, like all of those selfish seniors worried about losing their homes to property taxes devoted to feeding the NEA monster ...

Or the anti-union "working families" watching with dismay as their employers continue to flee Rhode Island, lest the AFSCME tax monster consume them.

Yep, all those greedy rich folks in the ever-increasing number of citizens taxpayer associations across the state, such as in Portsmouth, Tiverton, East Providence or that bastion of the wealthy Woonsocket are selfish and anti-union (from the perspective of those feeding from the public trough) ... and are stirring into action.

Posted by: Ragin' Rhode Islander at March 1, 2010 10:34 AM

Listening to DePetro rave on about her this morning, I wonder if he was doing his show from bed after being hospitalized with priapism.
Read Jim Baron's column this morning. He was right on.

Posted by: rhody at March 1, 2010 12:27 PM

Superintendent Frances Gallo have the spine to put people first rather than money, it is an unthinkable proposition in this godless and materialistic society. Definitely, America needs more people like Superintendent Gallo. She is the fulfillment of the proverb that says, “The wicked man flees though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.”

Posted by: Henry at March 18, 2010 1:20 PM

[Sorry. This comment was beyond our boundaries --- JK]

Posted by: Davey at August 30, 2010 5:23 PM