What was your initial impression of the state? Rhode Islanders are truly the most proud people I know. I’ ve never lived anywhere where people talk more about where they live. And also [ have ] a little bit of a chip when you say you’ re from Boston. This I learned quickly. I’ m like,‘ I’ m from Massachusetts,’ which is better. There’ s this always punching above its weight, really proud and gritty. It’ s like any family— we can talk bad about ourselves, but you better not. Which I love.
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Where’ s your favorite spot in Rhode Island so far? That little beach where George’ s of Galilee is— Salty Brine Beach. It’ s just this little tiny area, and there’ s also some country clubs there. It’ s beautiful— there’ s restaurants, and they have the ginormous shells which I have collected and now I decoupage. I love it down there. And sometimes I just go early in the morning with my pail. It’ s amazing. And it’ s close and beautiful and quiet and sometimes there’ s just no one on that beach but me.
How does the media environment in Rhode Island compare to what you experienced in Boston? What I am so excited about in Rhode Island and one of the reasons that I came here was I think that the shift and the change that needs to happen is possible here. I think Rhode Island is small enough and we know each other enough that real change is possible here. In places where it’ s too big, it’ s just very, very difficult. I think that in bigger markets such as Boston, or any of the big markets, it’ s very hard to make substantial change because everyone and everybody is entrenched. I think in general, Rhode Islanders are rooting for us.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity. 🆁
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