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SIX CHINESE DRAGON BOATS DONATED JUST IN TIME FOR ANNUAL EVENTS IN PAWTUCKET
NBC 10 News Article by Jessica A. Botelho
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Image taken by NBC 10 |
PAWTUCKET, R.I. (WJAR)
- Six brand new dragon boats made their debut in Pawtucket on Thursday, just a few weeks ahead of the 20th annual Rhode Island Chinese Dragon Boat Races, as well as the Taiwan Day Festival.
The colorful boats, which are valued at $120,000 combined and cost $8,000 to transport from a manufacturer to Rhode Island, were donated to the city from Taiwan, according to a press release from the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council.
Robert Billington, who is the president and chief executive officer of the Council, said the boats will be showcased during the Illuminated Dragon Boat Parade and the "Awakening of the Dragon" ceremony on Sept. 6 starting at 6 p.m. at the Festival Pier, celebrating cultural diversity and the beauty of the riverfront.
"We could not be more excited that 20 years ago we started dragon boat racing here to keep the riverfront alive," he said during a press conference, adding that the City of Pawtucket, along with the State of Rhode Island, invested $2.5 million to make sure the city had an open riverfront. "We are going to have a grand parade when these boats enter American waters for the first time and sail from the south to the north behind us."
The event will take place on September 6th and 7th at Festival Pier!
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PAWTUCKET POLICE RECRUITING CANDIDATES
Applications Accepted Through Police App
The City of Pawtucket, through the Division of Personnel, has announced an open, competitive examination for Police Officer Recruitment. Applications will be accepted through Friday, September 13, 2019 and must be completed online at www.PoliceApp.com/PawtucketPD.
"Over the years, Public Safety has become more community related and the role of police officers impacts our community in a positive way," said Mayor Donald R. Grebien. "This is why it is crucially important for members of our community, and beyond, to join this rewarding career."
Chief of Police Tina Goncalves said, "Being a Police Officer is unlike any other profession. Having the ability to protect your neighbors on a daily basis is just one of the ways the job can be fulfilling. Police Officers help people by working closely with the community. Police work offers so many personally rewarding moments, and it really gives you an incredible sense of pride when you know that your work serves a greater good."
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PAWTUCKET AND PUBLIC SAFETY RETIREES SETTLE ON PENSION CASE
The genesis of the Pension Case began in Two-Thousand and Twelve when the State mandated cities and towns to institute a Financial Improvement Plan (FIP). The Administration and City Council adopted this plan in Two-Thousand and Thirteen after many public hearings and outreach to those individuals in the plan. The goals of the plan were to make sure the City of Pawtucket complied with state law but, more importantly, to ensure the protection of those in the pension system and the long-term stability of the pension plan. In January 2015, the Pawtucket Public Safety Retirees Association filed a class action suit challenging the City's plan.
On Thursday, August 15, 2019, Judge John J. McConnell Jr., approved a class action settlement which protects the Pensioners, the taxpayers of Pawtucket and the long-term stability of the plan.
"I am pleased with the outcome of this case on behalf of all parties involved. These are difficult situations to deal with, on the one hand you want to protect the taxpayers and the stability of the pension plan and on the other hand, we need to be fair to the dedicated and hard-working retirees who certainly earned their benefits. I firmly believe that this Agreement achieves those goals," said Mayor Donald R. Grebien.
Full Release
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JAMES MONTGOMERY TURNS UP THE VOLUME AT SAM'S MILL FEST ON AUGUST 25
Slater Mill's traditional end-of-summer party, Sam's Mill Fest, promises a great time for all ages, where makers, artisans, historians, park rangers, gardeners, food trucks and the community converge for an outdoor concert by the river, and a free and open afternoon.
Sam's Mill Fest shakes up this picturesque urban landscape in downtown Pawtucket on the last Sunday in August, and this year the legendary Detroit blues-rocker James Montgomery comes to town with his all-star band to push the sound board to its limits.
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