Saturday letters: Rhode Island FC a winner with fans; leadership in Baltimore crisis
Rhode Island FC's first game a win for RI
On Sept. 2, 2019, the sounds of professional baseball sadly fell silent in Rhode Island when the Pawtucket Red Sox played their final inning at McCoy Stadium.
The loss of our beloved Pawsox was a gut punch. I personally have missed the sights and sounds of families having a great time together, taking in a game, and rooting for their home team.
That’s why I was thrilled to attend the first game of our new Rhode Island FC football club on March 16 at Beirne Stadium at Bryant University. The energy of the sellout crowd was incredible, with people of all ages and ethnicities coming together to support our new football club ("‘It’s home’: Tailgaters cheer Rhode Island FC’s debut," News, March 18).
One year from now, Rhode Island FC will be playing in the new Tidewater Stadium on the banks of the Seekonk River in Pawtucket. A stadium that will return the sounds of professional sports to Pawtucket, while also serving as a community resource open for concerts and other public events.
Bringing the joy and excitement of professional sports back to our community would not have been possible without the support of Gov. Dan McKee, the Rhode Island General Assembly, and other partners like Commerce RI. Working closely together with Pawtucket after losing the Pawsox, these partners believed in our vision for a destination stadium, and second project phase that will include much needed new housing. That vision is now coming to reality.
Based on what I saw at Rhode Island FC’s first game, Tidewater Stadium is going to be packed with football fans thrilled to root for their new home team. We can’t wait to welcome them!
Donald Grebien, Mayor, City of Pawtucket
McKee could learn from Md. governor
Maryland Governor Wes Moore’s response to the tragic collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge has been exemplary. He has been sincere, compassionate, and transparent. He has thanked all parties involved in the rescue and is leading a response, coordinating collaboration with local, county, state and national officials. His calls for communities to come together and come back stronger is inspiring.
While the situation is far more severe in Maryland, compare that leadership to Governor McKee’s response to the Washington Bridge. Testy with the media, lack of accountability and a reluctance to call out those who are responsible combined with the absence of compassion to those impacted highlights the stark differences. Governor McKee should watch Governor Moore closely and demonstrate greater leadership.
Brian Franklin, East Greenwich
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Saturday letters: Rhode Island FC a winner with fans; leadership in Baltimore crisis
