The December Issue Plants Seeds of Hope

Publisher John Palumbo tackles Rhode Islanders of the Year and the ProJo's legacy.

Society grows when old men plant trees for shade they will never see. –Greek proverb

For the more astute, that is the same quote (one of my favorites) that I used to frame up our inaugural Rhode Islanders of the Year issue last December.

I use it again because the phrase sums up what this issue and the folks we have selected exemplify. The goal is not to write about those who operate in the spotlight, but to shine the light on so many in the state who toil in obscurity, motivated by the passion to make some small part of life in Rhode Island better.

Why did we take this approach? Not to take away from those who fight the good fight in the public’s service and hence eyes, but perhaps to plant seeds of “Hope,” our state motto, since there are so many trying to improve life in our state.

Also in this issue, we take a look at an institution that is woven into the DNA of Rhode Island, the Providence Journal. It is somewhat melancholy and, hopefully, somewhat heartening to know that the daily newspaper in our state is here for the long haul. Contributor Phil Eil has done a thorough job of getting GateHouse Media’s perspective (the newish owners) on owning the oldest continually published newspaper in the country. While many Rhode Islanders have a love/hate relationship with the ProJo, one thing is for sure; despite diminished resources, which are an industry-wide norm, the paper continues to keep our elected leadership on notice and offers some provocative looks at issues such as race, medical marijuana and the General Assembly’s legislative grant program. Many great journalists, past and present, have passed through the newsroom of the Providence Journal. Let’s hope there are many more to come.

So permit me to close with another favorite regarding our cover story: “It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit.” –Harry Truman

Enjoy the Rhode. –J.J.P.