Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Waste, Abuse Assure Changes In Section 8 Housing, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"The series of articles and subsequent editorials on the Section 8 program that appeared in these papers have drawn several angry responses to the editor from residents of this government-assisted housing. Typical is the following: 'When something worthwhile is being done for the handicapped and elderly in Rhode Island, why do you do your best to kill it?...If the Section 8 program is hurt in any way because of your articles, you can sit back and laugh while 1,700 future applicants for housing are crying.'"

The Landmarks Of Federal Hill: History Of "The Echo", Joseph R. Muratore

Joseph Muratore papers: Newspaper Columns

To appreciate the present Echo, we must understand what transpired to arrive at the present, voluminous, expressive voice of our community.

Suburban Elderly Speak Out In Providence, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"The talk was designed to elicit information and reactions from the audience of elderly. And it did just that because old people do not waste words and are not reluctant to speak out, perhaps because they realize that they have little time left, so they were ready with their comments and quite willing to fill out the questionnaire."

The Local Planning Boards Miss An Opportunity, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"Planning boards in the communities of the state have the responsibility to study, advise and recommend strategies and policies for the growth and development of their respective cities and towns. These appointed members frequently have no background on such matters and must often make decisions on which they have little understanding. This is particularly true in areas of housing where PUD, PURD, Condo, Co-op, zero lot line zoning, and a host of other acronyms and concepts sometimes defy comprehension."

The Landmarks Of Federal Hill: Developmental History Of Our Lady Of Mount Caramel Church, Joseph R. Muratore

Joseph Muratore papers: Newspaper Columns

No abstract provided.

Questions Raised On Railroad Location, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"A second public hearing on the proposed relocation of the railroad station and tracks in Providence was held on October 25 in state capitol. Approximately 40 people were in attendance: most of whom were from Providence; most of whom raised substantive questions about the proposed relocation; and most of whom were opposed to it."

The Landmarks Of Federal Hill: History And Legacy Of The Doctors Gorfine, Joseph R. Muratore

Joseph Muratore papers: Newspaper Columns

Ask anyone who has had any contact with Federal Hill during the past 50 years about the Doctors Gorfine, and you’re sure to have some reaction.

Either of a childhood dental experience or their parents first exposure to dentistry.

Or should you be talking with an elder, they'll remind you when it only cost 50 cents to have a tooth extracted and that sometimes people couldn’t afford it.

But their tooth was extracted and other dental work done and that later they paid the doctors Gorfine when they were able to.

It was this faith in a community and pioneering …

Sharing Ideas For A Better City, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"It was billed as 'Rebuilding the Medium-Sized North American City,' and representatives from nine cities throughout this country and Canada assembled in Providence to discuss ideas, ingredients, processes, and problems related to restoring the physical fabric of the city."

More Tenants Would Strengthen Downtown Retailing, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"One of the most obvious symptoms of our sick cities is the decline of downtown retailing. Everywhere vacant shops and empty upper floors remind us of an activity that was the mainstay of downtown vitality, and which today has increasingly shifted to the ubiquitous suburban mall, that notable merchandising technique."

Downtown Plan Needed For Future Growth, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"It appears that the Providence downtown is finally turning the corner. A proposal to beautify the entrance into the city center from Route 95 with trees, flags, parks, art work and new illumination has been submitted to the Providence Redevelopment Authority. This turn to aesthetics, coming on the heels of considerable physical improvement of roads and buildings accomplished and in progress, is an indication that downtown interests recognize the lack of an attractive city 'gateway' and want to do something about it. This is decidedly a praiseworthy action on the part of the private sector."

New Federal Initiatives For City Revitalization, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"'We have never really had a comprehensive urban policy in this country...and in the absence of understanding and coordinated assistance among government leaders, many of our cities are caught in a vicious cycle, a downward spiral that can only be broken by new attitudes, new initiatives, and a new partnership.'"

The Landmarks Of Federal Hill: The Pushcart Struggle 1930-1942 (Part Vii) - Vendors Stage Strike In Mayor's Office, Joseph R. Muratore

Joseph Muratore papers: Newspaper Columns

Public Opinion was definitely on the side of the vendors . Even merchants owning stores, along the street where they were parked, sympathized with them, as they knew that these open air vendors brought business to Federal Hill. However, as the time grew nearer to January 1st, the Alderman defended his action as a matter of "national pride," and insisted that the vendors be moved.

Beating The Drum For Tourists: Hartford Leads By A Mile, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"This capital city of the Nutmeg state is remarkably similar to Rhode Island's capital city both in terms of historical development and present day status. Bu there is one striking difference: the ability and commitment to 'sell' itself."

The Landmarks Of Federal Hill: The Pushcart Struggle 1930-1942, Board Bans All Pushcarts From Balbo Avenue By October 1, 1937 (Part Vi), Joseph R. Muratore

Joseph Muratore papers: Newspaper Columns

Pushcart vendors, whom the Alderman of the 13th Ward sought to drive off Balbo Avenue, were ordered to leave by October 1, by the Bureau of Police and Fire, by a ruling which was made by them. But, in the meantime, they ruled the vendors had to seek permits for specific locations in streets, from the Commissioner of Public Works, Charles E. Maguire. Issuance of permits by Mr. Maguire, under a never used statute, were subject, however, to approval by the Bureau of Police and Fire.

Saving The Arcade Isn't Easy, But It's Worth All The Trouble, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"The word tradition, when associated with an historic Providence, conveys a feeling of continuity and sensitivity to the past. To return to one's community after an extended absence and find the same drugstore, record shop and bank in the same location of familiar old buildings is somehow reassuring. Hometown signifies unchanging, comfortable and memories."

The Landmarks Of Federal Hill: The Pushcart Struggle 1930-1942 (Part Iv), Joseph R. Muratore

Joseph Muratore papers: Newspaper Columns

No abstract provided.

Right Mix For Successful Downtown Renewal, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"It is sometimes called a 'big, small town.' It has all the trappings of a large urban center: from outdoor concerts at the Civic Center to a Go-Go lounge; parking problems and traffic congestion, to a Worthinton Street where bars and prostitutes prevail; and vacant old buildings , to new, high-rise office blocks. Sheer numbers alone in this city bring visible evidence of the activities and characteristics common to the downtowns of most large American cities."

Valley View Saved For Now, But What Of The Future?, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"It is 'a remarkable demonstration that public housing, under the right circumstances and with the right kind of management, can work.' So stated a prominent urbanologist from Loyola University in describing the Valley View housing development in Providence."

Mayor, It Doesn't Wash, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"One of the major achievements in the city of Providence over the past five years has been a vastly improved parks system. From the recently refurbished Hopkins Square in the North End to the newly constructed Market Square near the downtown, the restoration of open spaces in the city has been a distinct contribution to the urban environment. And nowhere are these improvements more manifest than in the 430 acres comprising Roger Williams Park, one of the principal city assets that is enjoyed by both resident and non-resident alike."

Rebirth Of The Downtown Industrial District--Key To Revitalization, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"Residents were there by the hundreds to welcome home one of their noteworthy product of a previous era. 'Old 299' had just returned from the Panama Canal Zone to its final resting place in the New Paterson Museum, a fitting climax for the 2-6-0 'Mogul' type steam locomotive that was born here in 1906. And June 6, 1979 marked the gala return of one of the few remaining American-made locomotives that were so instrumental in the construction of the Panama Canal by this nation in the period from 1904 to 1914, after earlier unsuccessful attempts by the French."

Housing Rehabilitation Working In Hoboken, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"One may not believe the argument but George Kohn, executive vice president of Applied Housing Associates, makes an interesting point. His business is housing, and he raises the question of where one should live--Manhattan or Hoboken. Why live on Manhattan's West Side, he asks, and pay $1,000 a month to wake each morning and view the flat, industrial ad boring New Jersey landscape across the Hudson? Why not live in Hoboken, at a $250 monthly rental, and view the fantastic, and only one like it in the world, Manhattan skyline to the east? Thirty cents and a 12-minute PATH subway …

Momentous Decision: Capital Center Project, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"It may very well be the most important decision facing Providence in this century; it would provide new commercial space approximately one and one-half times that found in the present downtown; it would remove black and ugly 'dead' space (parking) from the foot of the state Capitol and replace it with acres of greenery and enhanced riverfront; it would provide better access into the downtown and facilitate the east-west flow of traffic; it would drastically alter the focus of the downtown; and it would greatly increase the tax base of the capital city. The Capital Center Project, with its proposed …

The Case For Residency Requirements, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"The issue has been raised previously. It came up again most recently with the applicants for jobs with the Providence Fire Department. The question is, 'Should city employees be required to live in the city which employs them?'"

Housing Program That Suffers From Too Much Success, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"One of the strengths of this country lies in the large number of people who own and occupy their own homes. In 1970, 63 percent of Americans were classed as owner-occupiers (in Rhode Island the figure was 58 percent), and that number has grown to approximately 65 percent today."

Ah, Toronto, You Care About People!, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"They had a band winter here this year and the sunshine and warmer temperatures of Spring did not arrive until April 17. Spring is called a myth here because it comes so late, yet even with severe and long winters there is not one single pothole to be found in the well-maintained streets of the downtown. (Would that Providence could say as much!) This is just one of the many unusual aspects of Canada's largest city, a city decidedly different from those in the U.S. Toronto also offers proof that cities can work, that they have a future, that people …

Role For Business Leaders In A Cleaner Downtown, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"The recent sales promotion by the Providence Intown Merchants Association proved quite successful. Five-cent bus rides and bargain sales generated considerable business, especially on Saturday, normally a quiet day for retail sales in the downtown. This well illustrates what is possible when salesmanship and cooperation among downtown merchants are used to full advantage."

More Inner City Jobs, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"Congressman Henry S. Reuss of Wisconsin has given the answer most succinctly: "The most straightforward way to help cities is to provide jobs...From a city's standpoint, jobless citizens make no contributions to a community's revenues. But they add greatly to its costs for welfare, crime, and assorted ills."

Stimulus For R.I. Housing, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"It was the single largest bond issue in the state and one of the largest in the nation. The Rhode Island Housing and Mortgage Finance Corporation (HMFC) has sold $163 million of tax-free bonds, $142 million of which will be made available at below market interest rates to persons with annual incomes up to $30,000, to buy homes in Rhode Island. This will have a sizable impact on the local real estate market and increase housing opportunities for many prospective home buyers."

Cleaning Up The Litter, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"The last time the Environmental Protection Agency checked the numbers, it determined that eight million tons of America's annual municipal solid waste load was in the form of bottle and can beverage containers. Much of this was picked up from highways before it eventually reached municipal landfills."

State-Supported Urban Policy Vital For Rhode Island, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"For the first time in this country's history there is now a national urban policy, a statement of objectives that need to be implemented if this nation's cities are to survive and subsequently prosper."