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From our Readers work for all Rhode Islanders . Any exceptions to disclosing such records should be tailored very narrowly . Sunshine works !
MARK THOMPSON KENSINGTON , MARYLAND
Bannister Awards , November
Much of what ’ s happening all around us is interconnected — it requires each of us to stand up and do the work collectively . I am proud to be recognized as a Bannister Award winner alongside other incredible winners and past honorees . It goes to show how imperative this work is to be done as a shared responsibility . Special shout-out to the people around me who came to support me and helped me see my vision through to display the work and the impact it holds . DEIJ [ Diversity , Equity , Inclusion and Justice ] officers carry an incredible amount of responsiveness and priorities while maintaining a strategic focus on their fulltime responsibilities and their own mental well-being while also managing their personal traumas and implications from their own marginalized communities .
KEVIN MATTA VIA INSTAGRAM
Reporter , October
Bittersweet to read Ellen Liberman ’ s piece on the status , or lack thereof , of public records in Rhode Island . Bottom line : Those public officials
Every public official charged with handling APRA requests should read this well-done piece . Reflexive denials of APRA requests shake public confidence in government . The APRA is a floor , not a ceiling . That ’ s how we run our shop .
PETER NERONHA , RHODE ISLAND ATTORNEY GENERAL VIA X
Longtime Rhode Island Monthly journalist Ellen Liberman consistently turns out smart long-form reporting on local politics and policy at a time when fewer news organizations are able to invest in that kind of work . Her latest piece is no exception . Liberman did a deep dive on the problem of public records in Rhode Island , interviewing Tim White , Lou DiPalma , Sid Wordell , Joe Cavanagh Jr ., Steve Brown , Justin Silverman , AG [ Peter ] Neronha and John Marion .
TED NESI VIA WPRI . COM
CLARIFICATION : Our “ Feeding the Soul ” story in the November 2023 issue profiled three local food banks and food pantries . We ’ d like to further stress that the Rhode Island Community Food Bank does not distribute food directly to those in need . Rather , it distributes food to 143 member food pantries throughout the state . To find food assistance near you , visit rifoodbank . org / find-food .
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SEASONAL ACTIVITIES
We ’ ve rounded up some local ways to ring in 2024 , including takeout , dining in , parties , desserts and more . rimonthly . com / new-years-eve-in-rhode-island
WHAT ’ S NEW
The Gardiner House is a romantic new waterfront hotel and wedding venue in Newport . rimonthly . com / newports-gardiner-house
FOOD AND DRINK
The “ Union Station Food Hall ” finally unveiled its official name , merchant lineup and opening date . rimonthly . com / track- 15-providence-food-hall
HOUSE LUST
Indulge your inner hostess at this swanky stunner in North Providence . rimonthly . com / houselust-caldarone-house
RHODY HISTORY
The new State House exhibit , “ A Matter of Truth ,” dives into Rhode Island ’ s history of discrimination . rimonthly . com / a-matter-of-truth-exhibit
PLUS ! 5 CAN ’ T-MISS EVENTS / RHODY MAKERS / DINING NEWS
Email to letters @ rimonthly . com , or via mail to Letters to the Editor , Rhode Island Monthly , 560 Mineral Spring Ave ., Unit 100B , Pawtucket , RI 02860 . Letters and comments may be edited for length and style .
PHOTOGRAPHY , SEASONAL ACTIVITIES : GETTY IMAGES / MELANIE MAYA ; WHAT ’ S NEW : JAMIE COELHO ; HOUSE LUST : DANIEL WODECKI / COMPASS ; FOOD AND DRINK : RENDERING COURTESY OF VISION 3 ARCHITECTS & NEOSCAPE ; RHODY HISTORY : COURTESY OF RHODE ISLAND BLACK HERITAGE SOCIETY .
12 RHODE ISLAND MONTHLY l JANUARY 2024