Rhode Island

Why stop at the ‘Gulf of America’? Maybe it’s time to rethink names of RI cities and towns

Published

11 months ago

January 26, 2025

Press Room

Why stop at the ‘Gulf of America’? Maybe it’s time to rethink names of RI cities and towns

It seems Donald Trump’s Gulf of Mexico name change is going forward.

Even the Coast Guard is officially calling it “The Gulf of America.”

To me, that’s a sign we’re now allowed to change geographical labels.

Which, of course, got me wondering how we might apply that here.

I’ve long thought that the state’s 39 cities and towns are way too many – maybe now’s the time to consolidate them into a half dozen or so.

I’ll get to that in a moment, but first, if the Gulf of Mexico can be renamed, why not Rhode Island itself?

Frankly, it’s a bit absurd that no one is sure where our name came from.

One theory is that in 1614, Dutch explorer Adriaen Block called it Roodt Eylandt because of the red clay along the Block Island shore. Another is that Italian explorer Giovanni da Verrazzano thought we looked like the Greek island of Rhodes.

Wouldn’t it be better to name us after something more relevant?

From our beginnings, Rhode Island has been known as a contrary state, the first to reject the crown and the last to ratify the Constitution.

So perhaps we should be named Contraria?

Or Rebellia?

I once heard a British visitor say, “Rhode Island is such a funny little state – is it necessary?” Perhaps not, which makes me think we could also be called “Inessentia” or “Afterthoughtica.”

Since there are two Carolinas and Dakotas, we conceivably could be renamed South Massachusetts. But 390 years later, I’m still mad that they kicked out Roger Williams, and I’d rather not be known as their appendage.

We could also be East Connecticut, but why be melded into a state that – how do I put this politely? – does anyone even know what Connecticut is about? Like, what’s nutmeg? At least Rhode Island is distinct, from accent to brash politics – “brash” being a polite word for “occasionally corrupt.”

But I don’t think the name “Corruptia” would help our tourist pitch. This has me thinking it would help if a new state name highlighted our coastal distinction.

So if I had to make a final decision, I’d call us “Beachlandia.”

Meanwhile, let’s get to the idea of compressing the absurd number of 39 Rhode Island cities and towns.

My initial thought was to combine towns by personality – for example putting together East Greenwich, the East Side, parts of Barrington and Newport and call it the town of “Affluence.”

One might also combine Pawtucket and Woonsocket as comparable working-class cities named “Woontucket.”

But I think the towns have to be contiguous. And if we’re going to jettison the absurd number of 39, let’s be serious about making it not much more than a half dozen.

I picture seven.

First, let’s look toward the west – you know, that sea of red in the state’s post-election maps. That would include Burrillville, Hopkinton, Richmond, Exeter, West Greenwich, Coventry, Foster, Scituate and Glocester. As far as I know, there’s only one thing out there in western Rhode Island, so I’d call that town “The Woods.”

Which brings up another Rhode Island region – to the south – also known for one thing. I’d merge Charlestown, South Kingstown, Narragansett, North Kingstown, Westerly and Block Island and call it “The Dunes.”

Now let’s move east across Narragansett Bay. You know how when you ask people from Middletown where they live, they often make it easy on everyone and say, “Newport”? I’m guessing other folks do the same – especially if they’re out of state and someone asks what town they live in.

So I’d combine Jamestown, Middletown, Portsmouth and even Tiverton and Little Compton, all of which are in the sailing city’s gravitational pull, and name that town, “Le Newport.”

Next, I’m thinking about the wraparounds circling the state’s sole metro area. I’d include Warwick, Cranston, Johnston, North Providence and even East Greenwich.

Of course, those towns all see themselves as distinct, but I’ll bet folks in places like Boston just meld them together as “the land beyond Providence.” I’ll throw West Warwick into that mix because I don’t know where else to put it. And we’ll call that combined town “The Burbs.”

That leaves the state’s urban core – Providence, East Providence, Pawtucket and Central Falls. I might borrow one of my favorite Rhode Islandisms and call it “Down City.”

To the southeast of Down City, there’s a necklace of towns that don’t quite qualify as Le Newport, the Burbs or The Dunes. I’m talking about Barrington, Warren and Bristol. We’ll call that town “The Marina.”

That leaves Lincoln, the Smithfields and Cumberland, which aren’t quite The Woods. And Woonsocket which is too far to be Down City or the Burbs. I think that amorphous mix of towns should simply called, “The Rest.”

All seven of these new combined towns would make up the newly named Beachlandia.

Let me know if you have better ideas for a state name.

Meanwhile, someone please alert the Coast Guard.

mpatinki@providencejournal.com

Source link

Click to comment

Rhode Island

R.I. blood supply was low before Brown mass shooting – The Boston Globe

Published

5 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Press Room

R.I. blood supply was low before Brown mass shooting – The Boston Globe

PROVIDENCE — The Rhode Island Blood Center’s blood supply was low before Saturday’s mass shooting at Brown University, and it is immediately stepping up blood drives to meet the need, an official said Sunday.

“We were definitely dealing with some issues with inventory going into the incident,” Executive Director of Blood Operations Nicole Pineault said.

The supply was especially low for Type 0 positive and negative, which are often needed for mass casualty incidents, she said. Type 0 negative is considered the “universal” red blood donor, because it can be safely given to patients of any blood type.

Pineault attributed the low supply to weather, illness, and the lingering effects of the pandemic. With more people working from home, blood drives at office buildings are smaller, and young people — including college students — are not donating blood at the same rate as they did in the past, she said.

“There are a lot challenges,” she said.

But people can help by donating blood this week, Pineault said, suggesting they go to ribc.org or contact the Rhode Island Blood Center at (401) 453-8383 or (800) 283-8385.

The donor room at 405 Promenade St. in Providence is open seven days a week, Pineault said. Blood drives were already scheduled for this week at South Street Landing in Providence and at Brown Physicians, and the blood center is looking to add more blood drives in the Providence area this week, she said.

“It breaks my heart,” Pineault said of the shooting. “It’s a terrible tragedy. We run blood dives regularly on the Brown campus. Our heart goes out to all of the victims and the staff. We want to work with them to get the victims what they need.”

She said she cannot recall a similar mass shooting in Rhode Island.

“In moments of tragedy, it’s a reminder to the community how important the blood supply really is,” Pineault said. “It’s an easy way to give back, to help your neighbors, and be ready in unfortunate situations like this.”

The Rhode Island Blood Center has donor centers in Providence, Warwick, Middletown, Narragansett, and Woonsocket, and it has mobile blood drives, she noted.

On Sunday, the center’s website said “Donors urgently needed. Hours extended at some donor centers, 12/14.”

Edward Fitzpatrick can be reached at edward.fitzpatrick@globe.com. Follow him @FitzProv.

Source link

Rhode Island

Authorities provide update on deadly mass shooting at Brown University in Rhode Island

Published

17 hours ago

December 13, 2025

Press Room

Authorities provide update on deadly mass shooting at Brown University in Rhode Island

Authorities said two people were killed and eight more were injured in a mass shooting at Brown University, an Ivy League school in Rhode Island. Authorities said students were on campus for the second day of final exams.

Posted 2025-12-13T21:27:59-0500 – Updated 2025-12-13T22:03:08-0500

Source link

Rhode Island

RI school superintendent resigns amid antisemitic hazing investigation

Published

1 day ago

December 13, 2025

Press Room

RI school superintendent resigns amid antisemitic hazing investigation

A Rhode Island school superintendent has resigned amid an investigation into alleged antisemitic hazing in the district, NBC affiliate WJAR-TV reports.

Smithfield Superintendent Dr. Dawn Bartz announced her resignation in a letter addressed to the school community. Bartz has been on leave since November after a report of hazing at Smithfield High School.

The Jewish Alliance of Rhode Island said five high school football players locked a freshman student in a bathroom, sprayed Lysol at the student and yelled antisemitic slurs.

In her resignation letter, Bartz focused on her successes surrounding academic outcomes, special education and STEM opportunities and other positives for the district, and thanked the community.

“As Smithfield moves forward, I am confident the district will continue to build on this progress
and momentum. I wish all our students, staff, and families continued success in the years ahead,” she wrote.

The letter did not specify a reason for the resignation.

WJAR-TV first reported on the situation on October, when the Bartz released a statement on its investigation.

“The investigation confirmed inappropriate conduct among a small number of students,” Superintendent Dawn Bartz said in a provided statement. “Disciplinary action has been taken in accordance with district policy, and several student-athletes will not participate for the remainder of the season.”

The statement went on to say that there would be mandated training and education in response. However, the involved players were back at practice, which didn’t sit well with the victim’s family. His parents said his son walked into practice and found himself face-to-face with his alleged assailants.

Five football players were initially removed from the team for the remainder of the season but were later reinstated. When asked about the reversal in October, Bartz issued a one-sentence statement saying, “The disciplinary process has concluded and we will not be discussing details involving students.”

Smithfield Town Council President John Tassoni said the situation has deeply divided the community.

“It’s a long time coming,” Tassoni said of Bartz’s resignation. “A lot of people are angry about what happened. A lot of people don’t know the truth of what happened, nor do I.”

An investigation is underway by the school committee’s attorney and a report is expected to be delivered to the school committee sometime next year, Tassoni added. However, some people have concerns about transparency and have floated the possibility of hiring an independent investigator.

The Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island said they want the focus to be on student safety.

“While we can’t speculate on the specific reasons behind the superintendent’s decision to resign, we remain focused on what matters most: that Smithfield schools become a place where Jewish students and all students feel safe, valued, and protected from bias and harassment,” President and CEO Adam Greenman wrote in an email.

Source link