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

Commentary: Saddened masterpiece ‘Superman’ building is being thrown into the dustbin

Paris is endeavoring to repair and restore Notre Dame Cathedral. We here in Providence have neglected our only Skyscraper, the most poetic and "philosophical" structure in our downtown. It saddens me … more

By Mike Fink | 2/14/20

Letter: ‘De-leveling’ is already happening in all departments

To the editor: In your recent article regarding “de-leveling” of courses from the BHS Program of Studies you wrote, "Currently, Barrington High School officials have not 'de-leveled' … more

3/12/21

Dr. Karissa Niehoff, chief executive officer of the National Federation of State High School Associations; and Mike Lunney, executive director of the Rhode Island Interscholastic League.

Commentary: Bad behavior by coaches, parents and fans must stop

There’s an unfortunate trend continuing in Rhode Island and across the nation that must be stopped: the bad behavior of coaches, parents and fans at high school athletic … more

By Dr. Karissa Niehoff and Mike Lunney | 9/26/22

Editorial: In the public interest, it’s time to update the public records law

Setting aside journalists and citizen watchdogs, most people don’t care about public records laws — until they do care. When they find themselves in a land dispute with a neighbor, preparing a legal defense for their son’s disputed arrest, or questioning why a school district is building a new school instead of renovating an old one, they will care a lot about public records laws. more

3/1/23

Letter: Council’s flag policy has divided the community

To the editor: Hard to believe the new town council has had three monthly meetings since being sworn in and the all-consuming topic has been a flag policy they created. Town business … more

3/13/21

Editorial: Barrington town leaders are ignoring the storm clouds

The whole country is adrift at sea, powerless, taking on water, and hoping not to sink into the deepest Great Depression in modern history … and then there’s the Town of … more

4/30/20

Editorial: Barrington superintendent pay would be unprecedented in R.I.

The woman who oversees 36 Rhode Island school districts, 4 state-operated schools, 23 charter schools and 136,514 students could walk away from all that stress, take the superintendent’s job in … more

2/7/24

Editorial: ‘Tax the rich!’

When state governments need money, they often focus on familiar targets: personal sins (drinking, smoking and gambling), fossil fuels and the rich. In the past year, the COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing … more

4/15/21

Op-Ed: ‘Secure Choice’ is good for Rhode Island

Nearly 200,000 working people in Rhode Island do not have access to an employer-provided retirement savings plan. This savings deficit could push the state over a costly retirement cliff resulting in … more

5/25/23

Letter: Rhode Island desperately needs a bottle bill

In September, the Sogkonate Garden Club of Little Compton collected over 87 pounds of trash from our beaches in one day and over the past year, Friends of the Saugatucket in Wakefield collected over … more

12/6/23

Letter: Not all heroes wear capes; they wear PPE

When the world changed in March 2020 due to Covid 19, and our communities were shut down to shelter in place and socially distance, we started a campaign with two goals — support our struggling … more

5/14/20

Editorial: Be it resolved, Barrington botched this one

There are clear differences between following the “letter of the law” and the “spirit of the law.” The Town of Barrington followed the letter of the law by officially posting … more

6/25/21

Letter: Worried for the republic? Lighten up and get to work

To the editor: Not so long ago, being teased (bullying was always wrong) was just part of growing up. And being needled was just part of being a public figure. Teasing and needling once … more

7/27/22

Letter: Stars and Stripes should fly alone

Though I wish no notoriety, I must register my immediate and profound distress over the flying of any other flag on the same pole as our beloved and respected Old Glory. Regardless of what the other … more

9/25/20

Is anyone in R.I. looking at the big picture with hospitals?

STORY OF THE WEEK: Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha has championed the cause of government transparency, often saying that the state’s public records law should be a floor and not a … more

By Ian Donnis | 11/7/23

To the editor: Where’s the accountability at DOT?

So, according to the current RIDOT deputy chief engineer, the Washington Bridge failures “might” have pre-existed, but no one had noticed this until recently. It was actually an … more

2/7/24

We’re approaching peak time for state budget debates

In a sure sign that the end of the General Assembly session is approaching, House Speaker Joe Shekarchi has slated a budget caucus for Wednesday afternoon at the Statehouse. A … more

By Ian Donnis | 5/21/24

Letter: Why I proudly support our local police officers

To the Barrington Police Department: If you’re a cop, you must feel a little beat up these days. Even in Barrington. And this is why I write to you. First, on a personal level, my … more

9/25/20

Letter: Why is this state so far behind in vaccinations?

It is the same sensation as hearing a friend has won the lottery. It is the same sensation as being the unmarried bridesmaid sister at your sister’s wedding. I have recently been helping … more

1/29/21

Letter: Truth versus racial bias

To the editor: Rarely is a letter published that so misinforms as Peter Bilderback’s letter regarding the Rittenhouse verdict in the December 1st Barrington Times. Jacob … more

12/6/21

Is the R.I. economy headed for a rude awakening?

STORY OF THE WEEK: If you want to feel a chill down your back, watch PBS Frontline’s report on the recent era of “easy money” – super-low interest rates … more

By Ian Donnis | 3/21/23

Editorial: An explanation of our coverage …

We owe the community an explanation for our coverage of graffiti, vandalism and hate speech in the July 26 issue of the Barrington Times. As many remember, that issue included a front-page story … more

8/9/23

Letter: R.I. Congressional delegation working to protect animals

To the editor: The Humane Society Legislative Fund, a lobbying affiliate of the Humane Society of the United States, publishes its annual Humane Scorecard of Congress … more

3/4/24

A large patch of Native Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus (Opuntia humifusa) replaced an area of turf grass lawn in the authors’ Barrington yard. The plant is an important nectar and pollen source for many native bees, especially bumblebees and long-tongued bees. It is a host plant for several native moths and a nectar source for butterflies. The prickly pads escape herbivore browsing but the fruits provide a nutrient rich meal for wild turkeys, deer, coyotes, and foxes. This native plant is rare and endangered in both Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

Is it time to rethink the traditional lawn?

Spring is in the air, and so too are the noxious fumes and aural assault of overpowered lawn equipment. Bird song and children’s voices fill the air only to be abruptly halted by the roar of … more

By Cindy and Ed Moura | 5/21/24

Letter: Time to wake up

To the editor: “If destruction be our lot we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of freemen, we must live through all time or die by suicide.” - Abraham Lincoln. … more

4/2/21