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Bartholomewtown
Bartholomewtown is an independent news and interview podcast exploring Rhode Island through conversations with the people driving politics, culture, business, and public life. Hosted by journalist Bill Bartholomew, the show delivers insightful interviews, original reporting, and clear-eyed analysis from New England's smallest state—with stories that often resonate far beyond it.
Bartholomewtown
Columbus Lands in Johnston, Mayor Polisena Versus Governor McKee
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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.
