Bartholomewtown
Journalist Bill Bartholomew brings Rhode Islanders closer to their world through in-depth interviews, reporting and news commentary.
Bartholomewtown
Columbus Lands in Johnston, Mayor Polisena Versus Governor McKee
Bill Bartholomew reports on yesterday's rededication ceremony of the Columbus statue in Johnston, RI. The statue stood in Providence for over a century, but after multiple vandalism incidents, and with mounting public pressure, then-Providence mayor Elorza ordered it removed in 2020. Businessman Joe Paolino purchased the statue and donated it to the city of Johnston. Meanwhile, in a personal saga that has been ongoing for the past year, Johnston mayor Joe Polisena, Jr. claimed on talk radio that Governor McKee had encouraged protesters to show up at the rededication ceremony, something the governor denies and the mayor was unable to supply further details on when pressed by me.