Governor Carcieri along with several other people will be at TF Green Airport today to celebrate the opening of the new InterLink Multi-Modal Transportation Facility at 10:00am. According to a Rhode Island Government’s website, the InterLink will connect TF Green Airport with a consolidated rental car facility that includes intercity bus services and a commuter train platform that will soon be serviced by MBTA.

Bucci Insurance is thrilled about this addition and looks forward to easier and more convenient traveling from Warwick, Rhode Island.

Today Rhode Island’s Governor Donald L. Carcieri joined forces with nine other Atlantic Coast Governors in something that could potentially lead to a quarter –million jobs in the next two decades as well as battle climate change. Together, they signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the US Department of Interior that officially institutes an Atlantic Offshore Wind Energy Consortium which promotes the “efficient, orderly, and responsible development of wind resources in the Outer Continental Shelf.”

This is a huge stepping stone for the United States in promoting a healthier environment, creating national energy security as well as opening up the opportunity for more jobs which Americans are desperately in need of.  The implementation of renewable energy resources will replace inefficient fossil-fuel that has been harming the atmosphere for so long and in turn require new manufacturing, construction, and operations jobs.

All members involved with this agreement will be joining together to come up with a collaborative and mutually beneficial action plan under the MOU that sets forth “priorities, goals, specific recommendations and steps for achieving the objectives outlined in the agreement.” It will be interesting for all of us to watch this agreement develop and witness the positive advancements being made to our country. Bucci Insurance Group supports Rhode Island’s Governor Carcieri when he says, “This MOU marks a milestone in the development of an offshore wind industry along the East Coast and is critical to the long-term economic security of our nation.”

Commissioner of Education Deborah Gist

A huge honor has been bestowed onto one of our state’s leaders in education. Education Commissioner Deborah Gist has been named to Time Magazine’s “The World’s Most Influential People.” In 2009, she took on the roll of commissioner of Rhode Island schools and she said that she would make every decision in the best interest of the children. She started to change the schools in Rhode Island by making staff decisions based on qualifications and started to give Rhode Island teachers annual reviews. She always strives to put the students interests first and wants to give them the best education that she can.

Governor Carcieri publicly congratulated Gist on this amazing honor with a press release that he sent out on April 29. He said that when searching for the new Commissioner of Education their number one priority was to find the best person for the job and that was Gist. “She has championed an agenda that puts students’ needs above all else, while fostering an open and constructive dialogue with educators and the community,” Cacieri said. She has even brought alternative teaching methods to Rhode Island like Teach for America.

When commissioner Gist came to Rhode Island she started by visiting every school district in the state and has set high standards for student achievement. Governor Carcieri said that if given the proper tools and guidance any child can excel. Commissioner Gist gave that to the students of Rhode Island.

“Her dedication and commitment to creating a stronger education system is paying dividends. Rhode Island was among 15 finalists for Race to the Top Round One, and Commissioner Gist is in the process of seeking community input that will help make the Round Two application among the strongest in the country, which could bring $75 million in federal funds to Rhode Island to transform education,” concluded Governor Carcieri.

At Bucci Insurance we want to congratulate Commissioner Gist as well. We think that it is great what she is doing for Rhode Island schools. She is helping to make the students in the schools future leaders in our state. Congratulations Commissioner Gist on being names to Time Magazine’s “The World’s Most Influential People.”

While sunny days are ahead of us in Rhode Island, some people are still trying to recover from the recent March flood. We want to continue to help those people in need. Governor Carcieri distributed a news release to Rhode Island late last week that will continue to help Rhode Islanders in need of assistance.

Rhode Islanders that are enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), maybe be eligible to replace food that was lost during the recent flood damage. Anyone who feels that they would be able to replace their spoiled food can file a request for replacement of food purchased with the SNAP Benefits form. The forms need to be completed by the close of business on Monday, April 19th to receive food replacement. Forms will be processed and if you are able to receive any benefits they will be added to the household’s EBT card within 5-7 business days.

The form can be downloaded off the Flood Recovery in Rhode Island website, at the Department of Human Services located throughout the state, and FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers. If you have any other questions about this assistance please contact Local Community Action Agencies at 401-941-0774 or SNAP at 866-306-0270.

Yesterday was a big day for Rhode Island. The University of Rhode Island had the first formal inauguration of a president in 35 years! President David M. Dooley, the 11th president of the university, was inaugurated last night at the Ryan Center in Kingston, RI. The inauguration brought over 1,000 people to the Ryan Center including CVS Caremark chief officer Thomas M. Ryan, Governor Carcieri, U.S. Sen. Jack Reed, and Master of ceremonies Judge Frank Caprio.

Dooley wants to change the perspective that people have of Rhode Island. The old saying, “only in Rhode Island,” is something that Dooley does not like to hear when referring to something negative. He wants people to think positively when they say that phrase, “[think] advantages of this unique place – most importantly the talent, resilience and commitment of the people here,” Dooley said. On President Dooley’s blog, he says that he believes the students and faculty at the university are capable of changing the world and making a brighter future. This is the type of encouragement that our students and state need to keep us going. It gives us hope that “only in Rhode Island,” will soon be followed by positive, ground breaking statements.

He is sure to be a president that the whole state will remember. In his inaugural address Dooley said that he wants to bring our states university into the 21st century, move the state into a global economy, enrich the minds of Rhode Islanders, and bring the students into the real world. He has big hopes and dreams for the university and the state as a whole and I believe that he will be able to fulfill them.

For today’s video we are going to focus on the new man of Rhode Island, President David M. Dooley. We like what his plans are for the university and the state as a whole. If you would like to read more about President Dooley, please visit his page on the URI website. Visit the Providence Journal to read more about the inauguration of URI’s president. Enjoy and have a wonderful weekend!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8ILJ3CaiK4]

A week after this historic Rhode Island flood, people are still trying to clean up the mess it has left. People all over the state are trying to receive help and assistance in cleaning up. A news release sent out by Governor Carcieri’s office on Friday, is urging citizens of Rhode Island to be careful of fraudulent offers of help. At Bucci Insurance we want to make sure that our customers are aware of this. We want to give the people of Rhode Island all of the facts so that this does not happen to you.

Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency (RIEMA), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), along with Governor Carcieri, Attorney General Patrick Lynch, and the Rhode Island State Police, are the people who want to warn the public about these possible fraudulent offers and what they would look like.

Today, we will provide you with all the tools to spot someone who is not an official FEMA agent. First, let’s start with never revealing your personal information to someone who you are unsure of. Just because they have a clipboard with official looking papers does not mean they are a real agent. If an agent just shows up at your house without prior contact with you that is a sign that they are not a real agent. FEMA agents are always required to call and schedule an appointment before visiting a home.

If you are still unsure if the person is a real agent or not look at their ID. All FEMA agents carry official photo identification. This will include: the person’s photo, name, FEMA seal, expiration date, return address, barcode, and “property of the U.S. Government” disclaimer. Some fraudulent agents will also drive around in a vehicle with the FEMA seal, an official FEMA agent would never. The most important thing to remember is that FEMA’s services are free. If an agent tries to charge you for their visit then you know that the person is a fraud. If any of those situations occur, contact the local police or call the Rhode Island State Police Financial Crimes Division at 401-444-1201.

Please also make sure that you are not fooled by phony contractors. Make sure to always use liscened contractors and ask for references. Never accept help from a contractor who comes up to your door offering to help.

Again if you feel that you have been a victim of fraud please file a claim with the Rhode Island State Police Financial Crimes Division at 401-444-1201 or the Attorney General’s consumer protection unit at 401-274-4400. If you, yourself has not been scammed but you believe that you have witnessed fraudulent activity please contact the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General’s Fraud Hotline 1-800-323-8603.

If you have experienced any damage during the flood register claims with FEMA on their website. We want to make sure that Rhode Islanders and our customers at Bucci Insurance are safe during this vulnerable and hard time.