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

Editorial: A bad bill for any shoreline

The Sakonnet area’s legislative delegation should hit the brakes on bills that would severely restrict oyster farms along the Sakonnet River. With the legislative session expected to adjourn … more

6/22/22

Editorial: It’s just common sense — even in a pandemic

Emotions run high these days, with most people quarantining at home, many worrying about loved ones, far too many wondering how they will pay their bills, and no one knowing when and how there will … more

4/23/20

Editorial: The virus masks the best education possible

A few weeks ago we shared our opinions about mandatory masking in schools. Based on some reactions , you might think we advocated for citizen revolt against both the government and the medical … more

8/26/21

Editorial: Theater company deserves better than eviction

Perhaps this drama will have a happy ending, but the plot to pry the Bristol Theatre Company from its home in the former Reynolds School building feels unnecessarily dark. First, the theater … more

4/22/21

Editorial: Missteps and marathon meetings in Barrington

It’s been quite a week for the Town of Barrington, beginning with the stumbling missteps of the Covid-19 vaccination rollout and ending with a six-hour-plus Town Council meeting so unwieldy it … more

2/3/21

Editorial: SEL screening should be applauded, not feared

Instead of fearing or being suspicious of a new screening procedure for social-emotional learning, parents would be better serving their children by encouraging their participation in a tool which may benefit their mental health, and overall wellbeing. more

2/15/23

Editorial: Good riddance to outdated toll system

The Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority’s move to fully automated toll collection this week is welcome and long overdue. Starting Feb. 14, the bridge authority will launch a … more

2/12/21

Editorial: In this case, 'easier to find' is less likely to be found

Legislation before the Rhode Island General Assembly would take a swipe at both newspapers and transparency in government — two things that are intrinsically linked. House Bill 6375 and Senate … more

6/10/21

Editorial: Relief for the fields in Barrington

The Barrington Town Council should be applauded for finally making a decision to improve athletic facilities in town. By adding portable restrooms at the town’s sports complexes, it took a baby … more

8/3/22

Editorial: Should Barrington create a gas-powered monopoly?

One would hope that any request for the Barrington Town Council to ban a type of business other than a strip club, casino or asphalt plant would be received and filed, no action taken. But this is … more

8/4/22

Commentary: Why Westport needs Route 6 project

Westport citizens will have the opportunity to vote for clean water at that ballot box on Tuesday, April 9. There will be a ballot question to allow for a debt exclusion of approximately … more

By James Whitin | 3/12/24

Editorial: Where is the interest in Bristol and Warren's $200 million question?

Bristol and Warren voters are set to make perhaps the most significant financial decision in their combined history in just over a month, so why is there so little apparent interest in the topic? more

10/5/23

Crews from the Barrington Department of Public Works, RI DOT, and various tree contractors were busy cleaning up after a fast-moving storm swept through Barrington on Tuesday, Aug. 4. The storm knocked out power to thousands of residents and blocked roadways with downed trees and limbs. Pictured, Rhode Island Department of Transportation backhoe operator Tony Calci and his assistant lift a large section of fallen tree that had been blocking Sowams Road.

Editorial: A good response to a bad storm

We have been quick to criticize National Grid's response to power outages during prior storms. So it is only fair that we praise the company's effort last week. The tropical storm — it had … more

8/14/20

Editorial: Goodbye, Bristol County water supply

The Providence Water Supply Board wants to raise water rates 20 percent. The Bristol County Water Authority wants to end a century-old contract for water. Are they related? Yes. Does anyone care? Not … more

9/17/20

Editorial: No more snow days :(

Cursed 2020 has taken so much already (freedoms, joy, travel, livelihoods, not to mention precious lives) … did it need to take away the beloved snow day, too? When Rhode Island acted … more

12/17/20

Editorial: If not turf, what?

If a majority of the Barrington Town Council would never, under any circumstances, consider installing an artificial turf playing surface anywhere in Barrington, maybe they should have shared that … more

3/29/24

Editorial: Too many candidates chose not to debate

A frustrating new trend emerged this election season, as a disturbing number of candidates declined, refused or were unavailable to take part in public campaign forums with their opponents. … more

11/3/22

Editorial: A valuable lesson in perseverance

The fact that the Mt. Hope High School Class of 2023 graduated amidst the looming threat of a thunderstorm could not have been more appropriate. more

6/16/23

Editorial: Less detail, less open

Following a somewhat familiar theme, the Barrington town government has again announced it is reducing a service to taxpayers (tax bills, of course, remain the same). The latest announcement … more

11/26/19

Editorial: Warren on the right path in battling addiction

Community policing and a no-shame, recovery-focused approach makes Warren a statewide leader in battling the addiction and overdose epidemic facing all municipalities. more

8/26/21

Editorial: Town's fields need a wide-angle lens

It may take a decade to overhaul the playing fields in Barrington. Many of the people who draw up plans today will have moved out of town, their children grown past youth sports, before plans come to … more

1/12/22

Editorial: Giving credit to E.P. voters where credit is due once more

As they did four years ago when asked to support a $189.5 bond for the construction of a new high school, the residents and voters of East Providence once again stepped up to the polls and … more

11/11/22

Editorial: The things we learned from Big Bird

Caroll Spinney, the whole body puppeteer who brought Sesame Street’s Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch to life, died Sunday at age 85 in Connecticut. Big Bird, like most six-year-olds, would … more

12/13/19

Editorial: Death of the snow day

The pandemic introduced a few silver linings. Remote learning is sort of, kind of, one of them. Across America, schools figured out how to conduct themselves when no one was in the school … more

1/13/22

Editorial: Don't forget the joy of the snow day

School administrators should remember that it’s okay for kids to have good, old-fashioned fun. more

2/15/24