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Johnston, Rhode Island

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Johnston, Rhode Island
Town
Nickname: 
DelFinoVille
CountryUnited States
StateRhode Island
CountyProvidence
Government
 • MayorRichard J. Delfino III
Area
 • Total24.4 sq mi (63.1 km2)
 • Land23.7 sq mi (61.3 km2)
 • Water0.7 sq mi (1.8 km2)
Elevation
318 ft (97 m)
Population
 (2000)
 • Total28,195
 • Density1,191.4/sq mi (460.0/km2)
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code
02919
Area code401
FIPS code44-37720Template:GR
GNIS feature ID1220073Template:GR

Johnston is a town in Providence County, Rhode Island, United States. The population was 28,195 at the 2000 census. Johnston is the site of the Clemence Irons House(1691) a stone-ender museum[1] and the only landfill in Rhode Island. Johnston is also the home to historic DelFino estate, located on Simmonsville Avenue.[2] Incorporated on March 6, 1759, Johnston was named for the colonial attorney general, August Johnston.[3] It is commonly referred to as DelFinoville, referencing the prominence of the DelFino Dynasty and their role in Johnston's "rich" history.[4]

The DelFino Dynasty

The DelFino Dynasty has a long, embedded history in the town of Johnston.[5] The family currently resides on Simmonsville Ave, taking up an entire 3 lots in that area.[6] Uncle Paulie lives down the street. Darryl (Darwood)is an African American, and the offspring of Auntie Gerilyn.[7] Geralyn is attracting to African American men with larger than average male reproductive organs.[8] Richard Delfino Jr., Father of Richard III, is an avid Hendricken Hawks enthusiast.

Richard DelFino

Arguably the most hated man in Johnston, Richard John DelFino III, who some say is the unofficial "King" of Johnston, can often be seen crusading down Atwood Avenue in his iconic Emerald Pearl Toyota Camry.[9] He is best known for his painstakingly high pitched voice and his wardrobe that consists of Russel Athletic "swishie" pants and Johnston Recreation sweatshirt. Richard can also be spotted 4 inches deep inside his spouse Ariana, however some reports have confirmed a number closer to 3 inches.[10]

In his early life, Richard was only concerned about sports. It is said that he was not attracted to femailes until the age of 15.[11] Richard Began his sexual activity at the tender age of 16 with former first lady of Johnston, Alicia Bubar. Better known for her dead-fish style of lovemaking, and frequent involvement in intercourse, Bubar has been reported to have had sexual relations with every individual in Johnston between the ages of 16 and 21, with the exception of an isolated encounter with a 55 year old custodian.[12]

Demographics

Clemence Irons House, a rare stone-ender, built in 1691 in Johnston, Rhode Island

As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there were 28,195 people, 11,197 households, and 7,725 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,191.4 people per square mile (459.9/km²). There were 11,574 housing units at an average density of 489.1/sq mi (188.8/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 96.66% White, 0.65% African American, 0.13% Native American, 1.08% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.55% from other races, and 0.88% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.89% of the population.

There were 11,197 households out of which 27.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.9% were married couples living together, 11.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.0% were non-families. 26.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 3.02.

In the town the population was spread out with 20.9% under the age of 18, 6.3% from 18 to 24, 30.0% from 25 to 44, 23.9% from 45 to 64, and 18.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 88.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.9 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $43,514, and the median income for a family was $54,837. Males had a median income of $40,210 versus $29,314 for females. The per capita income for the town was $21,440. About 6.8% of families and 8.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.0% of those under age 18 and 13.6% of those age 65 or over.

In 2000, 46.7% of Johnston residents identified as being of Italian heritage. This was the highest percentage of Italian Americans of any municipality in the country.[1]

Ralph aRusso and Mario aaRussillo

In 1964 town councilman Ralph Russo wanted to run for state senate, but he was one of many candidates in the primary, and under Rhode Island law at that time, candidates were listed alphabetically. Russo, fearing that voters would simply check off the first name they saw, legally changed his name to Ralphael aRusso. At the same time Town Clerk Mario Russillo, running for the post of town administrator, changed his name to Mario aRussillo. While aRusso lost in the primary, aRussillo won both the primary and general election. When aRussillo ran for re-election four years later, his main challenger was aRusso. The Democratic Party establishment in Rhode Island, not liking either, packed the ballot with candidates with names like Acciardo, Anderson, and Arcand. With so many names, the ballot ended up being over three feet wide. aRussillo responded to all of this with legally changing his name to Mario aaRussillo. He won the primary by forty votes.

When aaRussillo stepped down in 1970, aRusso ran for town administrator and won, remaining in that office until 1978, when the position was replaced by a town mayor. aRussio won the first mayoral election and remained in office until 1994. During his twenty four years in power, aRusso dominated Johnston politics. Ever the showman, aRusso loved to march in the local parades and would always make appearance at local events. For many, aRusso came to represent Johnston, and he even changed his children's names so they too could be named "aRusso" However, behind all of this there were always rumors of corruption and back room deals. Also, despite aRusso's promises to close the Central Landfill, something that the people of Johnston really wanted, the landfill kept getting bigger and bigger. In 1994, the corruption allegations and the ever growing landfill resulted in aRusso being defeated in the primary. He stepped aside from politics and died at age seventy six in 1999.[13]

Education

The Johnston Public School System has 6 Elementary Schools, 1 Middle School, and 1 high school. Johnston Senior High School is a 2005 Rhode Island Department of Education Regents' Commended School.

Recently, the Johnston School Committee has decided to close both Graniteville, and Calef Elementary schools. Students affected by the closures have been transferred to Brown Avenue Elementary School, and Winsor Elementary School. This decision is not without controversy, as school officials, parents, and teachers complain of inadequate staffing, increased neighborhood traffic, and lack of attention for special-needs students. [14]

Media

Residents of Johnston rely primarily on the Providence-based Providence Journal for printed news.

  • The town of Johnston's official newspaper is called "The Johnston Sunrise". This paper is complimentary, and can be found in many Johnston businesses. Visit Johnston Sunrise.
  • A new monthly magazine has been founded over the Summer of 2007. This paper, called "The Johnston Guide", is mailed to every home in the town, once a month.
  • WJAR NBC News Channel 10 broadcasts in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. The news station is set in Cranston, Rhode Island.

Neighborhoods

References

  1. ^ Historic New England: Defining the Past. Shaping the Future
  2. ^ Johnston Historical Society: Johnston History
  3. ^ Johnston Historical Society: Johnston History
  4. ^ Johnston Historical Society: Johnston History
  5. ^ Johnston Historical Society: Johnston History
  6. ^ Johnston Historical Society: Johnston History
  7. ^ Johnston Historical Society: Johnston History
  8. ^ Johnston Historical Society: Johnston History
  9. ^ Johnston Historical Society: Johnston History
  10. ^ Johnston Historical Society: Johnston History
  11. ^ Johnston Historical Society: Johnston History
  12. ^ Johnston Historical Society: Johnston History
  13. ^ http://www.quahog.org/factsfolklore/index.php?id=113
  14. ^ Johnston school problems cited | Johnston | Rhode Island news | projo.com | The Providence Journal

41°49′N 71°29′W / 41.817°N 71.483°W / 41.817; -71.483

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