Columns | EastBayRI.com - News, Opinion, Things to Do in the East Bay

It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s a bamboozle!

Here we go again! Armed with a four-page term sheet, Gov. Dan McKee, Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza, and the Principal of High Rock Westminster Street LLC announced an “agreement” that … more

By Arlene Violet | 4/22/22

Column: Students show that addiction education has come a long way

Sitting in the Mt. Hope High School auditorium, I’d be lying to say I wasn’t a little hesitant about the addiction awareness theatrical performance I was about to see. I was born in … more

By Ethan Hartley | 4/14/22

Will Senate Committee thwart gun reforms this year?

STORY OF THE WEEK: The familiar ritual of hearings on gun-related bills played out at the Statehouse last week, with lengthy meetings extending into the night and impassioned testimony on both sides … more

By Ian Donnis | 4/6/22

Op-ed: The seeds of change planted 50 years ago now bloom in Warren

Looking back from where we were 50 years ago, it brings joy to my heart to see these initial efforts have continued to blossom, bringing renewed vitality in our now vibrant community. more

By Robert Porter Lynch | 3/30/22

As the virus persists, will the future repeat the past?

STORY OF THE WEEK: The approach of nicer spring weather makes it easy to think that COVID has been banished. But surges are sparking lockdowns in other parts of the world, and the Omicron BA.2 … more

By Ian Donnis | 3/22/22

Commentary: Mask Wars: Unvaccinated students should keep masks on in school

In the first Star Wars movie—you know with the Jawas, Sand People, Greedo, “Let the Wookie win” and the trash monster—there’s a scene on the Millenium Falcon where … more

By Dr. Kevin M. Blanchard | 3/11/22

Commentary: A call to reason: Booster mandate is punitive and untenable

This editorial will be straightforward and brief. The issue at hand is clear: why would the Barrington School Committee mandate a third COVID shot for teachers when: • Our school committee … more

2/28/22

Commentary: Shallow Learning displayed by Barrington School Committee

By Dr. Kevin M. Blanchard, Ed.D., NBCT For several years the Barrington Public Schools have been engaged in an effort to promote and instill Deep Learning in our graduates. … more

2/23/22

Commentary: What about us, the Barrington teachers?

With the click of my right index finger I may have contributed to the termination of more than 30 of my colleagues. I teach in Barrington and the members of our school committee are insisting that … more

By Dr. Kevin M. Blanchard, Ed.D., NBCT | 2/15/22

How do women factor into races for Governor and Congress?

STORY OF THE WEEK: When women run for office in Rhode Island, they usually win. Years of gains in the state Senate, for example, resulted in the chamber being equally divided between male and female … more

By Ian Donnis | 2/11/22

Poli-ticks: The sacred cows are mooing!

Forgive me for titling a column that I used almost 14 years ago. Like then, but with more money available now, the State has a surplus ($618.4 million, a $1.3 billion CARES ACT infusion of cash, … more

By Arlene Violet, Esq. | 2/2/22

Talking Politics: Gov. McKee's budget comes at a great time for candidate McKee

STORY OF THE WEEK: With the September 13 primary fast approaching, RI Gov. Dan McKee last week unveiled a spending plan that doubles as a way to appeal to a wide swath of Rhode Islanders. Big spend … more

By Ian Donnis | 1/26/22

Talking Politics: Dr. Scott was the right person at the right time

STORY OF THE WEEK: Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott was the right person in the right place at the right time when the pandemic came to Rhode Island. Although she had never faced a challenge of that … more

By Ian Donnis | 1/20/22

Poli-ticks: Gosh, I miss the America I grew up with

Normally, this is the column where I have the audacity to suggest New Year resolutions for resident politicians. Instead I have a more urgent resolution for all of us: I want us Americans to go back … more

By Arlene Violet, Esq. | 1/7/22

Arlene Violet: Governor makes the naughty list more than once

I was taken aback when I received a letter from Santa! There in black and white was his Christmas list of Rhode Island leaders who have been either naughty or nice. One politician dominated the … more

By Arlene Violet, Esq. | 12/10/21

Column: Remembering three coaches and a team that welcomed everyone

It’s easy to mock the “way things used to be” guy. He’s always got a story about the old days, about things that no longer exist, about people you’ve never heard of. He … more

By Scott Pickering | 10/22/21

Column: Why I voted against East Providence's FY22 budget

When elected by the residents of Ward 4 and entrusted to represent our taxpayers, I made a promise to be the voice of our residents, YOU. I believe the budget process is not a spectator event. The … more

By Ricardo Mourato | 10/10/21

Arlene Violet: All good things must come to an end

I really don’t remember when I started writing Poli-ticks, a weekly column. I think it was about 20 years ago. I surely am going to remember, however, when it ended since it is now. I have … more

By Arlene Violet | 9/9/21

Arlene Violet: I know a guy!

Anthony Silva, chief of staff to Governor Dan McKee, earns $187,421 plus benefits. That’s why I thought it was curious when he recently resigned from his $7500 yearly post as Cumberland’s … more

By Arlene Violet | 9/2/21

Norman Stephen Taber won gold in the 3,000-meter team really and bronze in the 1,500-meter run at the 1912 Stockholm Olympics.

Commentary: Norman Taber: Rhode Island’s overlooked Olympian

John Kinsella’s great baseball novel, “ Field of Dreams,” popularized the phrase “Go the distance.” I regard it also as an exhortation to runners — from the mile … more

By Patrick T. Conley | 8/11/21

Arlene Violet: And then there was….one

Regular readers of this column may be aware that I represent pro bono (no legal fee) the elderly retirees who had worked at St. Joseph’s and/or Fatima Hospital before St. Joseph’s closed … more

By Arlene Violet | 7/30/21

Arlene Violet: Senators Reed and Whitehouse throw military women under the bus

Congress has a bill on its plate that would remove the sole decision-making authority over whether serious crimes are prosecuted from the military chain of command and assign these cases to … more

By Arlene Violet | 7/9/21

Arlene Violet: Do as I say, not as….

Sam Young was a black man who was at Bailey’s Beach every day. As the social register habitues arrived for their swim, this gentleman dressed in gold livery collected their jewelry and held the … more

By Arlene Violet | 7/2/21

Arlene Violet: Is democracy in a nosedive?

While the Rhode Island General Assembly fusses over whether to mandate civics education and ponders whether critical race theory will be the demise of democracy, I am forced to admit that I think all … more

By Arlene Violet | 6/25/21

Arlene Violet: Critical race theory roils legislators and R.I. schools

Whether it is on talk radio, in the RI legislature or about a school district in my hometown of Barrington, folks are getting pretty lathered up about the concept of “critical race theory … more

By Arlene Violet | 6/9/21