Week in Review

Week of February 17, 2006

February 11
Carceri participates in Brown University Career Week
Governor Carcieri, a Brown University alumnus, served as a panelist for Brown University’s Career Week 2006 Networking Conference. The Governor, who graduated from Brown in 1965 with a degree in International Relations, served on the Government & Policy Panel. More than 1,100 students attended the Conference.

February 15
Governor announces T.F. Green Airport terminal improvements
Governor Carcieri was joined by state and local officials to announce an $83.5-million renovation project for Bruce Sundlun Terminal at T.F. Green Airport to make it more customer friendly.
The goal is also to expand the terminal’s ability to accommodate continued growth in passenger traffic while improving efficiencies and creating an even greater impression among visitors to the state. Last year, T.F. Green Airport reached a record total of 5.73 million.

Among the components of the project are: Expanding the security screening checkpoint area, streamlining the exit route from the plane to the baggage areas, expanding baggage rooms to allow for Explosive Detection System (EDS), increasing concessions, and expanding administrative areas.

February 15
Governor invites residents to “Tour Rhode Island”
This afternoon Governor Carcieri held a press conference to announce this year’s edition of Tour Rhode Island. This is an event that helps Rhode Islanders get to know the state better and increase pride in their communities. Tour Rhode Island will take place on May 6.

For more information visit http://www.visitrhodeisland.com/ or call 1-877-874-7845.

February 16
Carcieri cuts ribbon for Cumberland’s new senior center
Governor Carcieri attended the Grand Opening of the new senior center in Cumberland. This new facility will enable the town to provide for more seniors, including more program and services. Governor Carcieri congratulated the town officials and all those who played a role in getting the new center up and running.

Carcieri, Fiscal Fitness team announce successes, look to the future
With members of his Fiscal Fitness team and state workers looking on, Governor Carcieri congratulated them for making changes that have resulted in a more cost-effective, efficient way of doing business in the state.
Fiscal Fitness Program, an outgrowth of the Big Audit, has saved Rhode Island $143 million through the end of the fiscal year and will save taxpayers $268 million through the end of the next fiscal year. In the second phase of the program, the Governor will encourage municipalities to piggyback on the state’s initiatives and generate their own savings and efficiencies.

Governor accepts first Moxie Award
Governor Carcieri today received the Moxie Award from The Drug Free America Foundation for vetoing the medical marijuana legislation last year. He is the first individual to receive the Foundation’s Moxie Award, which was created to recognize those who make a difference in drug use prevention.

February 17
Governor and Mrs. Carcieri “celebrate” success of Celebrate Rhode Island Ball
Governor and Mrs. Carcieri presented a check for $140,000 to the Rhode Island Good Neighbor Energy Fund, funds that were raised as a result of this year’s successful Celebrate Rhode Island ball. This is the third year of the Ball, which began three years ago at the suggestion of First Lady Sue Carcieri.

“It’s gratifying to see this make a difference to our state’s most vulnerable citizens,” the Governor said. “Despite the relatively mild winter we’ve had, the need for energy assistance is great. Too many Rhode Islanders are unable to pay the high costs of energy, regardless of how the temperatures compare to last winter.”

Governor and Mrs. Carcieri were joined by organizers and volunteers of the Ball; Joe and Meredith MarcAurele, the chairs of this year’s ball; and Thomas Robillard of New England Gas for chairing the Good Neighbor Energy Fund and sponsoring the Ball.

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