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Gaining an accurate window into public sentiment on any issue is always a challenge. At one end of the available options is polling, which can be expensive, but is the most accurate. At the other end of the spectrum is "BobInAmerica8675309" and a dozen or so of his closest (and usually like-minded) friends opining anonymously on social media in the comments. This approach has the benefit of being "low-cost", but accurate? Not so much.
We had a chance to see the gap between the approaches when we conducted polling for the Green Bond, which is Question 4 on this year’s ballot in Rhode Island, and the higher education bond, which is Question 2. One component of the Green Bond is an investment in infrastructure at Quonset’s Port of Davisville, in part to support its role as a hub for offshore wind in the North Atlantic.
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The Green Bond campaign kickoff was a great success, but the ensuing social media comments, usually anonymous and all suspiciously similar, took exception to the offshore wind component of the bond – so much so that someone could reasonably wonder how widespread opposition to offshore wind actually is in Rhode Island. But the polling numbers tell a much different story. In fact, Rhode Islanders support offshore wind by a 62% to 33% margin – a significant gap. (Anything over 60% in a poll definitely has my attention.) | |
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Taken together the two polls provided a clear picture of public sentiment in Rhode Island. More importantly, however, they provided a clear road map for the two campaigns – what actually requires a response, what doesn’t, and how best to invest the finite time and money of the two efforts in order to win.
Bottom line – if you’re making a significant investment in any kind of public communications initiative, professional polling is well worth it. Otherwise, you’re just guessing and hoping that the public sees the issue the same way you do. The results may well turn out to be disappointing.
Best,
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Quonset Celebrates First New Pier in 70 Years | |
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Federal, state and local officials get pile driving underway for the future Terminal 5 Pier. From left: House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi, Lt. Gov. Sabina Matos, U.S. Sen. Jack Reed, Gov. Dan McKee, Quonset Managing Director Steven J. King, U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, U.S. Rep. Seth Magaziner, General Treasurer James Diossa, State Sen. Alana DiMario, North Kingstown Town Councilman Matt McCoy, North Kingstown Town Manager Ralph Mollis
and State Rep. Robert Craven Sr.
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Federal, state and local leaders joined the Quonset Development Corporation for a piledriving ceremony – the maritime equivalent of a groundbreaking – at the Port of Davisville to kick off construction on the new Terminal 5 Pier and Blue Economy Support Docks.
The Terminal 5 Pier, the first new pier at Quonset in nearly 70 years, will provide specialized berthing spaces for a variety of offshore wind vessels. The Blue Economy Support Docks and Boat Ramp will support smaller boats and the short-term docking needs of small businesses, emerging companies and research and development organizations.
As one of North America’s Top 10 auto importers, Rhode Island’s only public port, and a regional hub for offshore wind, the Port of Davisville is vital to the state’s blue economy. The port supports over 1,600 jobs and generates $374 million in annual economic output.
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$1 Million Boost for Affordable Housing in Worcester County | 67-69 Petersham Road in Hardwick, MA will provide affordable housing for three local families. | |
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The initiative was announced at 67-69 Petersham Road in Hardwick, MA, where the first advance of the funds will create affordable housing for three local families. Approximately $351,000 of the credit line will be used for this revitalization, with the remainder available for future projects.
Construction at Petersham Road is already underway and is expected to be completed this year. Hardwick, a rural community with very few rental units, will soon have three new affordable homes for local families.
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15 Years of Big Blue Blocks | |
Imagination Playground CEO Jim Stallman on WPRI's 'The Rhode Show' showcased the company's signature foam blocks to host Brendan Kirby. | |
Imagination Playground’s Big Blue Blocks have been providing kids with a fun, interactive way to engage their creativity - away from screens - for 15 years. Recently, Imagination Playground’s CEO Jim Stallman appeared on WPRI’s The Rhode Show to share how the innovative blocks encourage children to use their imaginations and develop critical thinking skills. | |
Since its launch in 2009, the Providence-based company has continued to evolve, driven by customer feedback and a commitment to innovation. When children showed a keen interest in building structures like cars and boats, the company responded by creating the Transportation Set, which recently earned international plaudits. Meanwhile, the popular Loose Bone set allows kids to construct dinosaurs, insects, aliens and more.
Today, Imagination Playground’s iconic big blue blocks are in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and over 70 countries across the globe.
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The British Are Coming!
Old Sturbridge Village & Coggeshall Farm Host Revolutionary War Reenactments
| Redcoats and Rebels square off at Old Sturbridge Village. | |
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Old Sturbridge Village recently hosted ‘Redcoats and Rebels,’ one of New England’s largest Revolutionary War reenactments with nearly 600 costumed reenactors portraying soldiers and civilians from the era. Visitors explored authentic Revolutionary War camps and engaged with costumed historians to learn about everyday life in early New England.
Further south, the Bristol Expedition at Coggeshall Farm Museum presented a living history program focused on the British Occupation of Rhode Island in 1778, with tactical demonstrations, lectures, a Revolutionary-era "fashion show" and insights into domestic life in the Ocean State during the American Revolution.
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