Observations From Ward 2

Rolfe St. Gem

Put your money where your mouth is.  That is the thought I had Saturday night when my wife and I were out with another couple. We just had dinner and was looking for a place to grab dessert.

If businesses are to succeed in our area, we definitely have to support them with our patronage. I remembered the Character Cafe at the Artist's Exchange new Theater 82 recently opened and thought we should check it out.  The owners did a great job with the place and I received generous scoops of rainbow sherbet. In the adjoining theatre was a sort of open mic/sit-in night. When we walked in, there was a bluesy tune being played with harmonica and a singer.  They moved on to an improv instrumental jam that lasted about 10-12 minutes.  When we left, they were playing a Marvin Gay song.  And all for the cost of an ice cream cone.

Check out the Artist's Exchange schedule and stop in for a look.  Next on the list is BYOI (Bring Your Own Improv) on Friday nights.

Food Trucks

Here on the Patch, you might have read about a recently passed ordinance regarding food trucks operating in Cranston.  In order to operate a food truck, the owner needs to apply for an itinerant food vendor license.  An ordinance sponsored by Councilman Santamaria restricts itinerant food vendors from operating within 1000 ft. of a place of business licensed to sell food and also within 300 ft. of a place of worship 1/2-hour before, during, and 1/2-hour after service.

Because of the vagueness of this ordinance, it is way too restrictive.  A supermarket is licensed to sell food.  A gas station with a Dunkin Donuts inside is a business licensed to sell food.  I took the time to plot food businesses on a Google map and this ordinance makes it so itinerant food vendors cannot operate on just about every main street in Cranston. I have attached the map to this post.
While I think the market should bear out whether businesses are to succeed or not, I can see how a food truck might have a very tiny advantage over a brick and mortar establishment with their mobility.  Should a food truck be able to park directly in front of or to the side of a restaurant?  Probably not.  Otherwise, I believe that the quality of one's food should be the determining factor if a food business is successful or not.  If someone is going out for a sit down dinner, is a food truck going to sway them from their intended plan?  Probably not.  I'm curious if any vendors with an itinerant food vendor license were operating at the St. Mary's Feast this weekend with many restaurants within 1000 ft. of their area.

Therefore, I have introduced an ordinance to eliminate the section containing the 1000 ft. distance and I am open to making an amendment to ease the restriction for these emerging businesses.  Other cities (Boston, Providence) have worked with them to make food trucks part of the local scene.  Cranston should not be looking backwards at this.

Cranston Bike Path

The Cranston Bike Path is such an asset for the city.  It starts behind Texas Roadhouse (plenty of parking near the old Sawyer School) and runs all the way to Coventry.  There are various areas along the way that offer parking (Bain, Oaklawn) as well.  With the recent heat wave, it was also offers a lot of shade if you are looking for a place to walk or run.  The path is very well maintained.  One day there was someone applying weed killer along the edges of the path to prevent overgrowth.  Check it out if you have a chance.

What's In a Name?

On tonight's full council docket, there are numerous nominations for appointment/re-appointment to various boards and positions.  Two names jumped out at me right away, both having the last name of Sepe.  Adam Sepe is up for appointment to the city zoning board. Not only that, Steven Sepe has been nominated to be appointed as City Registrar.  The Democrats should cut to the chase and nominate Michael Sepe as well. If you didn't know, Michael Sepe is the chairman of the Cranston Democratic City Committee.