Love RI? Sick of Cynicism? Leadership RI Needs You

Listen to the state’s primary talk radio station and you’ll start to believe that everyone living in Rhode Island is angry and fed up with state and local government.

And while it’s true that most Rhode Islanders who work for a living see plenty of room for improvement all around, there’s a reason why people end up calling this place home.

It’s beautiful! Let’s face it — few other states offer beaches like ours, a bay like ours, history, agriculture, seafood, performing arts and a hop, skip and jump to either New York City or Boston.

For many Rhode Islanders, this is a place that needs a new image. The state’s reputation for corruption, taxes, bad roads, a bad economy and lagging behind our neighbors steepens our uphill battle.

A growing number of people across the state have come to believe that one way to overcome that negative image is a different approach from within. Cynicism and pervasive negativity consumes much of the public debate on the key issues, whether it‘s pension reform, the Pawtucket Red Sox’s possible move to Providence or just getting the budget passed each year.

Leadership Rhode Island, a nonprofit that engages local leadership from all backgrounds and industries, has a goal of improving the state.

In October, they plan on unveiling a major campaign to recast the state in a different light.

To get there, they need input from people who believe in the fundamental idea that Rhode Island is an incredible place with great potential.

On Thursday, an open forum will be held in West Warwick for residents of the towns of Coventry, East Greenwich, Exeter, North Kingstown, West Greenwich and West Warwick to tackle this subject.

In an open invitation to “join in the recasting of Rhode Island,” members of Leadership RI Lambda II Team 7 are inviting residents to come to Dan’s Place at 880 Victory Highway in West Greenwich from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

They want to know what’s working best in those towns to incorporate into the larger mission.

“This will be your opportunity to vote on programs and initiatives (i.e. cultural, economic, arts, community, etc.) that are working in these communities as well as offer your own opinions,” the invitation states. “The chance is now to exercise your voice, be heard, and engage in the process as Leadership Rhode Island looks to recast Rhode Island!”

Details will be provided about Leadership Rhode Island’s upcoming Free Block Party scheduled for Wednesday, June 17, 2015. In addition, information will be given about Leadership Rhode Island’s main event to culminate our recasting Rhode Island efforts, scheduled for October.

Members of Leadership RI Lambda II Team 7: Brendan Ennis , Karen Flynn, David Fogerty, Bob McCann, Alysia Mihalakos, Joe Santos , Lori Spangler, and Beth Watson.