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Rats at the Statehouse

Chris Boardman

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - A staffer for Rhode Island's governor
gets paid to be calm in a crisis, at least until a rat crosses her
path.

An exterminator inspected the Statehouse on Monday after several employees reported seeing rodents last week. Among them was Sue Stenhouse, the governor's director of community relations and emergency preparedness.

She says a large rat ran across her office floor Thursday night.
She says she jumped on her chair, shot rubber bands at it and
threatened it with perfume until it left.

Another rodent was spotted that day outside the office of Senate
President M. Teresa Paiva-Weed.

Grounds officer Edward Butler says the exterminator found no
evidence of rats but left a trap in Stenhouse's office.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Tuesday, Nov 17 at 9:27 PM Betty Adex wrote ...

Maybe this will be a wake up call for some Providence residents to clean their backyards/environment and leave no rooms for rats/rodents. And a wake up call for the government to do something about it. YES WE CAN!!!

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Tuesday, Nov 17 at 9:17 AM Denise Bouchard wrote ...

Rats at the State House are we talking the four legged of two legged kind?

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Tuesday, Nov 17 at 8:40 AM Anonymous wrote ...

Only in R.I. where no one has not one good word for the State House Scum. How sad is this yet they have the power to steal and do it legally.

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Tuesday, Nov 17 at 8:20 AM janice wrote ...

they spotted a big one in carcieris office too ...been there for years...oh nm....thats him!

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Tuesday, Nov 17 at 7:17 AM Stephen weber wrote ...

2 legged scumbags, crooks, & rats joined by 4 legged rats infesting Rhode Island's State House... I think the people in RI are all sick of all the two legged rats that have been infesting the state house! for many years!!! At least the 4 legged rats are NOT corrupt!!!

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Tuesday, Nov 17 at 12:36 AM ridgerunner wrote ...

rats just look in the mirror

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Monday, Nov 16 at 8:52 PM Tony P wrote ...

And these would be the four legged rats, unlike the two legged ones that rule the roost. Having worked in the State House, I can tell you that not only does it have rats, but loads of mice and roaches too.

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Monday, Nov 16 at 7:32 PM lola wrote ...

Rats, look at the Senate chamber there they are.

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Monday, Nov 16 at 6:47 PM Mike M wrote ...

"Grounds officer Edward Butler says the exterminator found no evidence of rats but left a trap in Stenhouse's office." Is he trying to catch Sue Stenhouse? Maybe he can be commissioned by us small people to set traps in the other offices too...

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Monday, Nov 16 at 6:45 PM A. A. Fontana wrote ...

So that's the secret, rubber bands and perfume, to get the rats to leave the Statehouse...must remember that. Alan Fontana Greene, RI

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Monday, Nov 16 at 6:42 PM Mike M wrote ...

So the rat left her office and immediately filed an injunction against her? I agree, that rat is probably the most honest one there.

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Monday, Nov 16 at 6:38 PM Ed wrote ...

It is professional courtesy that Speaker Murphy and the rats that none will be killed.

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Monday, Nov 16 at 6:18 PM tinyTownNative wrote ...

georgeB, your comment made me laugh! especially about teaching the "two-legged rats about going "green"!

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Monday, Nov 16 at 5:58 PM George B wrote ...

I always new Rats "Stick together" Now with elected Rats in office they are just one big happy family. Look at the bright side the "four legged Rats" didn't raise our Taxes, Corrupt our goverment or drive Jobs out of state. Besides if anyone can teach the Two Legged Rats about going "Green" they can.

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Monday, Nov 16 at 5:57 PM Ted Donnelly, Prov. wrote ...

Rats in the Statehouse I'm shocked ! Did he look in the chambers ?

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Monday, Nov 16 at 5:50 PM Mary Smith wrote ...

This one is too easy

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Monday, Nov 16 at 5:48 PM Frank wrote ...

Found no evidence of rats just like no evidence of corruption either in the the state house to. perfect story

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Monday, Nov 16 at 5:46 PM Frank wrote ...

Why is this news Look at were the state house is built look at all the construction that went on lately were do you think they will go but at least the found homes with the other mother rats of the state. so its a perfect match.

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