Rhode Island
McKee taps podiatric surgeon for R.I. coastal management council, renewing debate over volunteer board – The Boston Globe
But Jed Thorp, director of advocacy for Save the Bay, said Reuter’s nomination underscores the need to replace the appointed council with a state agency run by professionals who have relevant experience.
“Regardless of whether a podiatrist or dental hygienist or whatever else, we should not have a volunteer council making regulatory decisions about our coastline,” Thorp told the Globe.
Thorp testified before the Senate Environment and Agriculture Committee on Wednesday, saying Save the Bay wasn’t supporting or opposing Reuter’s nomination. He said he first learned of the nomination on Friday and the environmental group hasn’t had enough time to review Reuter’s qualifications.
Thorp said he appreciates Reuter’s willingness to serve since only six of the council’s 10 seats are now filled — the minimum for a quorum. The council hasn’t had all 10 seats filled since 2019, and meetings often get canceled because of the lack of a quorum, he said. “This is bad for the state, bad for the environment, bad for business.”
But Thorp said the Coastal Resources Management Council is operating with “a fundamentally flawed structure.”
“There’s a danger in having volunteers, regardless of their experience or qualifications, making day-to-day regulatory decisions and interpretations of state law,” he said. “That work should really be left to the expert staff of scientists, geologists, and engineers.”
Volunteer council members often have full-time jobs and are given little time to review complex cases before rendering decisions, he said.
Over the years, the politically appointed council has repeatedly ignored the recommendations of its professional staff, and courts have overturned decisions, saying the council failed to follow its own rules in considering a proposal to expand a Block Island marina and a proposed marina expansion and dredging project in Jamestown, Thorp said.
So Save the Bay is backing a bill that would eliminate the appointed council and place coastal decision-making in the hands of experts in an agency called the Department of Coastal Resources. That bill has been introduced by Representative Terri Cortvriend, a Portsmouth Democrat, at the request of Attorney General Peter F. Neronha.
A separate bill, sponsored by Representative John G. “Jay” Edwards, a Tiverton Democrat, would replace the council with a newly created division of coastal resources management within the state Department of Environmental Management.
During Wednesday’s hearing, Senate Environment and Agriculture Committee Chairwoman V. Susan Sosnowski told Reuter, “You do realize what you’re stepping into — and sorry to use the pun, I know you’re a podiatrist — but it has been very controversial.”
Sosnowski, a South Kingstown Democrat, said the Department of Administration has studied the different pieces of legislation proposing new structures for the Coastal Resources Management Council. But in the meantime, she said, “We have to continue to move forward and give the council and the staff what they need to continue to function.”
Senator Victoria Gu, a Westerly Democrat, noted council members have been criticized for lacking relevant experience, and she asked Reuter to discuss his expertise.
Reuter said that as a member of the Barrington Harbor Commission, he dealt with issues regarding new docks, new waterfront structures, and rights of way.
“ During that time, about three years ago, my wife and I purchased our dream home on the water, which was great,” he said. But about six months later the house “sustained an internal flood,” he said, and that forced him to become “a self-educated expert in building rules around the water.”
The permit for work on his house went before the Coastal Resources Management Council and was held up for four to six months, he said.
“That was very frustrating, not only personally, but also financially,” Reuter said. “Given these experiences, I really want to help my fellow Rhode Islanders so we can keep everything going forward, legislation-wise and also permitting-wise.”
Senator Meghan E. Kallman, a Pawtucket Democrat, asked Reuter to address the criticism that has been leveled against the council for ignoring staff recommendations.
“External forces should be kept outside,” Reuter replied. “I’m a man of science. I’m a doctor. I look at data all day long. If the data is coming to me from a reputable source and from science, I always listen to it.”
The committee voted 8 to 0 to recommend that Reuter be confirmed. The full Senate is expected to vote on his nomination on March 20.
Edward Fitzpatrick can be reached at edward.fitzpatrick@globe.com. Follow him @FitzProv.
The UN Food and Agriculture Committee highlighted Providence as an exemplar in its publication Integrating Food into Urban Design.
Providence Tourism Council
In the realm of North American food cities, Providence, Rhode Island, often flies under the radar—but those in the know recognize it as one of the nation’s most extraordinary culinary destinations. This compact New England capital has methodically cultivated an environment where food culture defines the fabric of local life.
What sets Providence apart is no accident. As early as the 1970s, forward-thinking urban planners laid the groundwork for a food-friendly ecosystem, protecting green spaces and establishing gardens and distribution networks. Their vision was so successful that in 2019, the UN Food and Agriculture Committee highlighted Providence as an exemplar in its publication Integrating Food into Urban Design.
The city’s thriving dining scene is supported by a discerning public that values quality, alongside local laws designed to encourage food business growth, such as support for “cottage food,” meaning food made in a home kitchen for sale.
Hemenway’s Seafood Grill and Oyster Bar in Providence has undergone a recent renovation.
Hemenway’s
Chefs Love Providence
The city’s culinary excellence is anchored by Johnson & Wales University (JWU), one of the nation’s premier culinary institutions. Chef Rollie Wesen is a JWU instructor and the executive director of the Jacques Pépin Foundation—which is celebrating Pépin’s culinary legacy and upcoming 90th birthday with a series of fundraising events, including 90 extraordinary chef-hosted restaurant gatherings.
Wesen says many talented alumni choose to remain in Providence, consistently enriching the local food scene, which never gets stale. New openings happen regularly, and this spring Track 15, an 18,000-square-foot food hall located in historic Union Station is a highly anticipated addition.
“It is a great place to be a chef,” says Wesen. “Because the community is so strong and the public appreciates good food.” The city’s strategic location—within easy reach of both Boston and New York—combined with its more relaxed pace makes it an attractive home base for culinary professionals.
Providence’s food ecosystem is strengthened by exceptional local resources, says Wesen. The region boasts some of the country’s most accessible and highest-quality seafood, complemented by a robust network of farmers, producers, and shellfish farms. Farm Fresh RI, which Wesen regards as the nation’s leading food hub, creates connections between chefs and farmers while hosting vibrant farmers’ markets that have become community fixtures.
The city has a layered academic landscape—including JWU, Brown University, University of Rhode Island, Rhode Island School of Design and Providence College—which Wesen says contributes to a cosmopolitan environment where cultural diversity is celebrated through food. This intellectual and cultural ferment has given rise to an impressive array of restaurants that punch well above their weight for a city of Providence’s size.
The city has a layered academic landscape—including Johnson & Wales University, Brown University, University of Rhode Island, Rhode Island School of Design and Providence College.
Providence Tourism Council
Providence’s Culinary Travel Experiences
Rick Simone serves as the president of the Federal Hill Commerce Association, representing a vibrant area renowned for some of the finest Italian cuisine in North America, led by the legendary al Forno. “The chefs in our city often work together to push boundaries and deliver unforgettable dining experiences, drawing inspiration from a world of diverse cuisines,” says Simone.
Wesen names standout restaurants like Oberlin, Persimmon and Nick’s on Broadway—all of which have earned national recognition, while Gracie’s, Tallulah’s Taqueria, New Rivers, Sarto, Bayberry Garden and newly renovated Hemenway’s (Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence since 2012) continue to innovate and delight. He also mentions the terrific ethnic cuisine of Providence including the classic Italian restaurants on Federal Hill, plus Portuguese, Latino, Indian, Japanese, Korean and Chinese eateries.
And don’t forget the drinks. “Not to be forgotten is how well our restaurants masterfully curate wine lists and craft cocktails, pairing innovation with sophistication that elevates any dining experience,” says Simone.
This attention to detail creates experiences that keep critics and food enthusiasts coming back for more. In fact, Eater named Providence on its prestigious Where to Eat 2025 list—one of a mere 18 winners. “Providence is truly a destination for anyone with a passion for great food,” says Simone.
Wesen also points out a nearby treasure: right down the road toward Newport, on Aquidneck Island, where visitors can find food, farms, restaurants and vineyards—not to mention great breweries and distilleries.
This mix of history, education, diversity and innovation has created a dynamic food culture, making Providence one of America’s top culinary destinations. “We truly have everything we could hope for,” says Wesen. “In all phases, from brunch to late night.”
More from Forbes
Rare ‘Blood Moon’ Lunar Eclipse: What you need to know
A total lunar eclipse will be visible across much of the Americas and many regions beyond including Europe and the UK on the night of March 13, weather permitting.
unbranded – Newsworthy
A total lunar eclipse is happening tonight, and if cloudiness isn’t an issue, everyone should be able to see it.
Rhode Island is in the path of totality for the upcoming eclipse. The entire Western hemisphere will have a view, according to the website Date and Time.
The is the first time a lunar eclipse has been visible over Rhode Island since 2022.
Will weather hamper the skyward spectacle?
Here’s what to know.
What’s the forecast tonight?
The National Weather Service branch in Norton is forecasting a relatively cloudy night with the possibility of light rain showers in Southern New England.
The National Weather Service noted in its forecaster’s discussion that clouds aren’t expected to clear out completely until later on Friday, March 14.
But all people will need is a quick break in the clouds to see the eclipse.
What time should you look for the eclipse?
Its peak viewing time is 2:55 a.m. on March 14, but it can be seen earlier that night (on March 13) as well.
Here’s a schedule of how it will happen, according to NASA:
- 11:57 p.m. EST: You can see the eclipse starting when the penumbral phase begins as the moon enter the outer part of the shadow and begins to subtly dim.
- 1:09 a.m.: A partial eclipse begins as the moon enters Earth’s umbra and starts to darken. To the naked eye, the moon should look like a bite is being taken out of the lunar disk.
- 2:26 a.m.: Totality occurs when the entire moon is under the umbra. This is when the reddish hues of the “blood moon” will be on display.
- 3:31 a.m.: As the moon exits the umbra, the red color will fade and another bite-like display, this time on the other side of the moon, will appear.
- 6 a.m.: The entire process should end by this time as the moon slowly exits the Earth’s penumbra.
Will there be a ‘blood moon’ tonight?
Yes, there will be, as it is with every total lunar eclipse.
During a lunar eclipse, the moon typically takes on a “rusty” hue.
Space.com explained on its website that during a total lunar eclipse, “The moon is fully in Earth’s shadow. At the same time, a little bit of light from Earth’s sunrises and sunsets (on the disk of the planet) falls on the surface of the moon. Because the light waves are stretched out, they look red. When this red light strikes the moon’s surface, it also appears red.”
The blood moon will look large in the sky, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac. That’s because of what’s called a “moon illusion.”
NASA explained a moon illusion is “where the moon appears larger when it’s near the horizon than when it’s higher in the sky.”
Will it be possible to see a ‘moonbow’ during the lunar eclipse?
A moonbow is is “a rare rainbow-like light display caused by moonlight refracting through water droplets in the air. Also known as a lunar rainbow, moonbows are usually faint and appear white to the naked eye,” according to the Dark Sky International website.
It’s possible the eclipse will present a chance to see one.
The best time to look for the moonbow is right after sunset on March 14 when the sky goes dark, according to Dark Sky International.
When is the next total lunar eclipse?
According to NASA, another total lunar eclipse won’t be visible in the U.S. until March 2026.
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