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

Letter: Fire departments' efforts saved much of our home

To the editor: We are thankful to the Westport and Little Compton fire departments for their extraordinary service in fighting a fire at our home in Westport Harbor during the late evening on … more

3/22/22

Letter: Must continue push for safe, well-equipped school buildings

Every child in Rhode Island deserves to go to a school that is safe, warm, dry, and equipped for 21st-century learning. In 2018, I co-chaired the state’s School Building Task … more

By Seth Magaziner | 3/18/22

Letter: Kinnane Brotthers; what a story!

To the editor: It warmed my heart to hear about the film exploits of the Kinnane Brothers of Adamsville. My family and I watched "Head Coach" on Netflix a few weeks ago and I had no idea it was … more

3/2/22

Letter: How, exactly, does Bowen oyster plan restrict public access?

To The editor: In response to the ongoing discussion of aquaculture on the Sakonnet River, I would like to add my observations. My family has lived on the Sakonnet River in Little Compton for … more

3/2/22

Letter: Clearly, aquaculture is wrong for Seapowet area

It’s disappointing that in the many months the Bowens’ application has been in review, they still don’t realize that communication is key, most of all, honest communication. … more

2/24/22

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

Letter: Shot-tyrants continue with an almost religious fervor

To the editor: “Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive.” C.S. Lewis Over the past two years, it has become … more

2/9/22

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

Letter: Seapowet issue is about public access, not privilege

To the editor: I was disappointed to read the Sakonnet Times January 27 issue that amplifies the Bowen’s characterization of those who oppose the proposed aquaculture lease near the Seapowet … more

2/2/22

Letter: No excuse not to clear snow off your car

To the editor: So here we are, recovering from the storm which will likely be among the top five in Rhode Island's history. But we will also be dealing with one issue that prevails after … more

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

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

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

Letter: Wearing a mask is contributing to the greater good

To the editor: It’s been a few weeks since you published a story called “Parents vs. The State.” I responded to the writer directly in my shock at this kind of attention being … more

1/5/22

Editorial: Stop your engines!

Sharon Gold is a diminutive woman with a big message for everyone — stop idling! The focus of a story in our East Bay Life section this week, Gold is a retired educator and grandmother from … more

1/5/22

Letter: Only those who support abortions should pay for them

To the editor: A modest proposal. In this most intractable debate, a letter to last week’s Sakonnet Times drew my interest. Jean Ernster of Barrington made a most intriguing proposal to … more

1/3/22

Governor Dan McKee recently initiated a new mandate regarding mask wearing and showing proof of vaccination for small and large businesses and venues.

Poll: Are you in favor of the new mask mandate?

Governor Dan McKee recently initiated a new, temporary indoor mask mandate and proof of vaccine requirements. Do you agree with his decision? more

12/20/21

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

Letter: A world without domestic violence is possible — if we act

To the editor: Imagine a world with no domestic violence — where no Rhode Islanders have their lives cut short by abuse, where children do not witness this violence, where our … more

12/6/21

Letter: Article shined important spotlight on music in the schools

To the editor: Thank you so much for the excellent article in last week’s East Bay papers about the status of music performance in the schools. You balanced all of the important information so … more

12/2/21

Letter: Vaccine skepticism 'increasingly untenable'

To the editor: In 1919 the Volstead Act was passed, which was a nationwide mandate to make the manufacture and sale of alcohol illegal. It failed, and was repealed. We still, nonetheless, have … more

11/17/21

Letter: Veterans can still lead us and lift us

Today is profound. It is the first Veterans Day post-Afghanistan, the longest sustained conflict in U.S. history. The aftermath bears an eerie similarity to that of our second longest, the war in … more

11/11/21

Letter: Greed is the root of many modern problems

To the editor: Remember when - it was only a few years ago - that Boston’s parking lots near Fenway Park were gouging fans with ridiculously astronomical parking fees. Why would … more

11/4/21

Letter:" Why does bathroom renovation cost the same as a condo?

To the editor: I would like to point out a major inconsistency between the two ballot questions. The school bond asks voters to approve $21.4 million, of which $4.5 million (is for) for … more

10/19/21